Renting
Party rental checklist: tables, chairs, décor and everything people forget
What to rent for a backyard party or small event, how far ahead to book, and how to coordinate pickups when you are borrowing from several neighbors.
Hosting for thirty people means owning things you will use once: folding tables, extra chairs, a drink dispenser, string lights. Renting them from people nearby keeps the cost down and the garage empty afterward. This checklist is organized by what tends to get forgotten.
Seating and surfaces
- Folding tables: plan one six-foot table per eight seated guests, plus one for food and one for drinks.
- Chairs: count guests, then add 10%. People bring a friend.
- Tablecloths or covers: rental tables are functional, not pretty.
- A high-top or two if the party is standing-and-mingling.
Food and drink
- Coolers and a drink dispenser or two. Ice is the thing that runs out first.
- Chafing dishes or warming trays for anything served hot.
- A portable griddle, smoker or extra grill if you are cooking for a crowd — check appliance and outdoor listings.
- An ice cream maker or espresso machine for the finish, if you want one moment people talk about.
Atmosphere
- String lights or lanterns for after dark, plus extension cords.
- A Bluetooth speaker sized for outdoors. See audio listings.
- A projector for a movie finale — our projector guide covers brightness and sound.
- Easels, stands or a photo backdrop for a welcome sign or a photo corner. Look under events.
Timing and logistics
- 1Request early. Owners approve requests themselves, and weekend dates go first. Your card is only charged when they approve.
- 2Book for the day before if you need setup time. A two-day rental of a table is still cheap.
- 3Group pickups by neighborhood. If you are renting from three owners, message each to agree on a pickup window and plan one loop.
- 4Photograph everything at pickup. With several items from several people, a quick photo of each avoids confusion at return.
- 5Check the return condition in each listing. Wiping down tables and folding chairs back into their bag is the norm.
Browse party listings to start your list.
Frequently asked
Can I rent everything from one person?
Sometimes. Some owners list a whole set of party gear. More often you will rent from two or three neighbors — messaging each through Rentsome to plan one pickup loop keeps it simple.
What if the weather forces me to cancel?
Cancel more than 12 hours before pickup for a full refund; within 12 hours the refund is 50%. If you can, message owners early to move dates instead.
Do I have to clean rented tables and chairs?
Return them in the condition you received them: wiped down and folded. Anything beyond ordinary wear can be claimed against the deposit within 72 hours of return.
Borrow it from a neighbor instead.
Deposit-protected bookings, priced by the day.
Keep reading
How to rent a projector for a backyard movie night
Brightness, screen, sound and the little things people forget. A practical guide to renting a projector for a party, movie night or presentation.
Cancellations and refunds: what you get back and when
Rentsome’s cancellation rules for renters and owners: full refund more than 12 hours before pickup, 50% inside 12 hours, and what happens when an owner cancels.
How security deposits work on peer-to-peer rentals
What a rental deposit is, how Rentsome sizes it (30% down to 10% of item value, capped at $2,000), why it is a hold rather than a charge, and when it is released.