Sweet 16 Party Rentals in Chicago: Chairs, Lounge and Dance Floor
What to rent for a Sweet 16 in the Chicago area, from chairs and a lounge to a photo wall and dance floor, with seating counts for 50 to 150 guests.
A Sweet 16 sits between a birthday and a wedding reception. The guest of honor wants it to feel like her party, her friends want to dance and take photos, and the family wants a place to sit with a plate. The rental list splits into those three groups.
Plan the room in three zones
What to rent, zone by zone
Dinner and family seating
Sweet 16 dinners are often a plated or buffet meal for family. Use 60-inch rounds with 8 seats and floor-length linens. A good mid-priced option is the cross-back chair (estimated $8 to $11) or a ghost chair ($10 to $14), which fades into any color scheme. For the guest of honor, a velvet dining chair ($18 to $25) or a Louis medallion chair ($20 to $30) at the head table makes her seat stand out.
Dance floor
Dance floor size depends on how many dance at once. For teens, plan for most guests to hit the floor at the same time. Use roughly 3 to 4 square feet per dancer. See dance floor size by guest count for the numbers by headcount.
Lounge
A lounge gives teens a place to sit that isn't a dinner chair. Two sofas facing each other with a low table is a good unit, and you can add a pair of accent chairs. See lounge layout by guest count to size it.
Photo area
A backdrop, props and good lighting are what teens will use most. Leave 8 to 10 feet in front of the backdrop so the photographer can step back. For equipment options, read about photo booth types.
Counts for three sizes
| Item | 50 guests | 100 guests | 150 guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner chairs | 40 | 70 | 100 |
| Round tables (8 seats) | 5 | 9 | 13 |
| Lounge seats | 6 | 10 to 12 | 14 to 16 |
| Dance floor | 9 x 9 ft | 12 x 12 ft | 15 x 15 ft |
| Display tables (cake, gifts, guest book) | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Linens | tables plus 2 spares | tables plus 2 | tables plus 3 |
These counts assume not everyone sits at the same time, which is usual for a teen party. If you serve a plated dinner, switch to a seat for every guest.
A schedule that works for teens
- 1Step 1Arrival and photos (45 min)guests take pictures while family settles at tables.
- 2Step 2Dinner (60 min)family and teens eat, with toasts between courses.
- 3Step 3Special dances and cake (30 min)the traditional moments, if you want them.
- 4Step 4Open dancing (90 min)the dance floor opens and tables thin out.
- 5Step 5Late snack (20 min)a simple station brings everyone back to the room.
Chicago-area planning notes
Most Sweet 16 parties in the Chicago area happen in banquet halls, restaurants and private rooms, and some at home or in a tent. Each venue has its own rules about outside rentals, load-in times and sound limits. Ask about all three before you pay a deposit. If the party is at home, noise and parking will come up. Tell neighbors, and check your village's noise rules. Our guide to tent permit rules in Chicago covers the city, and you should check with your own village or park district if you're in a suburb.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to rent for a Sweet 16?
How many chairs do I need for a Sweet 16?
How big should the dance floor be?
Can I do a Sweet 16 at home?
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Plan the whole party in one call
Book a free 15-minute seating call and we'll sketch the room with you, or request a quote with your headcount and venue.
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- Lounge & Specialty
- Dance Floors & Decor
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