If you are setting up a theater hall or renovating your existing hall, the subject of “theater seating” is of vital importance. Because it does not end with just arranging the seats in order. The comfort of the audience, their connection with the stage, the atmosphere in the hall… All of this is hidden in this order. I consider myself as a spectator and I look at the matter that way: “If there is a good seating arrangement, even a bad play can be watched!” It is not an exaggeration to say.
In this article, you will find sincere advice on how to shape theater seating arrangements. My advice is that you should not ignore this issue. Because this is one of the biggest investments of a theater hall! It is both a technical issue and an issue that requires attention to fine details.
Seats are not just seats: What about the pleasure of watching?
If you are someone who wants to set up or renovate a theater hall, you should know this well: what you offer to the audience is not just a show, but also an experience. The first step in providing this experience is the seats. But I am not talking about ordinary seats. For example, theater owners who prefer theater seats with wooden armrests create a classic atmosphere and make a smart choice in terms of material durability.
Now think about it, in what kind of seat would you like to watch a 2-hour play? The answer is often: “In a comfortable seat, without anyone in front of me, focusing on the stage.” That is why the seating arrangement is critical not only for the audience but also for the prestige of the hall.
What should be considered when choosing seats for a theater hall?
Some theater owners may make the wrong choices by being fooled by the visuals alone. In my opinion, if you act with the logic of “it just looks nice”, you will inevitably regret it later. Because the needs of each hall are different. Do a large hall with a wide stage and a boutique hall with a smaller area have the same needs? Of course not. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly analyze factors such as the number of seats, the distance between the seats, and the slope of the floor.
Really, have you ever thought: “Can the quality of the hall be understood by just looking at the seat?” Let me answer: Yes, it is very understandable! Especially if you have paid attention to the details when choosing seats for the theater in your hall, this quality becomes visible.
How close should the rows be, how should the intervals be determined?
There is that famous logic of “let’s squeeze a little more, so more people can fit”… This is the nightmare of theater halls! My advice is that if you think you can sell a few more seats in the short term, you will lose viewers in the long term. Because people are now buying not only the show but also a comfortable viewing experience.
This is important: Theater fixed seating systems offer great solutions in this regard. Thanks to this system, the seats are fixed, the order of the rows is not disrupted, and unnecessary gaps are not created. At the same time, the general order of the hall becomes appealing to the eye. Moreover, the cleaning and maintenance work to be done later becomes easier. Practicality is important, right?
Don’t let the prices of theater seats bother you, plan wisely
Let’s face it, the issue of cost is on everyone’s mind. There are many people who think, “These seats are very stylish, but what about the prices?” But I look at it this way: If a quality seat selection does not cause you any problems for 10 years, this is already written into your bottom line. Especially when researching theater seat prices, you should focus not only on the number but also on the total benefit that the seat will provide.
So, “Buy it cheaply and change it in 2 years, or invest a little and use it for years?” The answer is very clear: Of course the latter. Because constantly changing seats both leave a negative impression on the audience and tire you operationally. As someone with experience, I say that the more planned you are in this business, the more peaceful you will be.
Theater seating is not just an order, it is an impression that will leave a mark
I would like to emphasize again in the last paragraph that theater seating is not just a row of seats, it is an impression that will remain in the mind of the audience. With a well-planned seating arrangement, your hall becomes not only a place to watch, but also a meeting point. People come to your hall not to watch a play, but to experience that atmosphere.
My opinion is that you should not ignore these details when setting up or renovating your hall. Each seat will be a viewer’s first impression of you. And you know, first impressions are often lasting. So the bottom line is, you’re not just buying a seat; you’re buying the spirit of the theater.
