If you were having a BBQ and you don’t have enough seating

[DaisyYellowGold]

If you were having a BBQ for 15 adults and you only have 7 garden chairs, what would you do? I have 6 chairs around a dining height table and one odd low but comfortable one.

I was going to do a poll but there’s too many options.
Ideas: One option would be to buy a nice bistro set of 2 or 4 which I would have bought eventually anyway. Then maybe 4 cheap folding garden chairs.
One option would be to hire, but they don’t seem to look much cheaper or more comfortable than what I can find in The Range etc.
Another option is I do also need spare indoor dining chairs so I could get 4 indoor type folding chairs and 4 outdoor.
Images of the cheap indoor and outdoor options attached.
Another option would be to ask people to bring some spares but most people I know have the garden sofa type.
Any other ideas appreciated! This isn’t something we will do often so although I want people to be comfortable, I don’t want to waste too much money.

I’d buy some camping chairs.

if you heed a bistro set I’d buy one of those too

I would buy the bistro chairs and use the inside chairs.

I would only invite as many people as I had chairs for tbh. But I have a lot of chairs!

I’d buy camping chairs, or ask friends neighbours family etc if they had anything suitable we could borrow for a day or 2

Large blanket on the lawn, with some nice cushions maybe? Depends on the crowd I suppose it's a bit, idk, bohemian?

I'd ask people to bring something to sit on.

Will your neighbours loan you some of theirs?

Straw bales with a blanket on…if you’re feeling countrified 😀

I have those (or similar) folding indoor chairs for extra seating in my home, so take them outside of we need extra outside seats.

They tuck out the way under my sofas most of the time.

I also take my actual dining chairs out. And have borrowed from neighbours.

IME not everyone wants to sit down at the same time, they’ll be a mixture unless quite elderly. So I think you’ll be fine. Chuck a couple of picnic blankets down.

Yes, this. You can just use your normal indoor chairs outside.

We have a folding table and chairs. They also work when we are hosting a crowd for an indoor meal.

Ask guests if they have any folding / camping chairs you can borrow?

Oh yes of course! I could use my normal indoor chairs outside! Although depending on the weather some people might want to escape the heat inside anyway… Picnic blanket idea won’t really work as most are my age (forties) or parents age, but that was my idea for the kids (who I haven’t included in my count)

Asking guest to bring a camping chair if they have it seems most simple ?
why spend money on stuff you probably won’t use

Use fold away camping chairs, get some picnic blankets and cushions to lay on the floor or ask if anyone coming has spare chairs to bring.

Most people have a camping chair or two in their shed, surely. Ask everyone to bring them.

We had a BBQ for my wedding reception in my garden and everyone came with a camping chair! Worked well!

if this is just a one off I wouldn’t buy anything you won’t use again. We host bbqs a lot and don’t typically have enough seating. People figure it out - some stand, some go inside, some sit on the garden bench. If you have people driving you can ask them to bring something too.

Borrow for sure. I don't like buying things for temporary purposes & I am more than happy to lend such things when roles are reversed.

https://www.rinkit.com/products/milas-garden-dining-chairs-anthracite-pack-of-6?variant=55927796531584&source=aw&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=369493&utm_content=Comparison+Shopping+Service+%28CSS%29&awc=106125_1746957247_5849b704c509d0e6a38acf55b024d78d

bother, sold out but if you could find similar and budget allowed? I had them on my list for the same reason (though needed more chairs anyway) and thought stackable out of the way when not needed but there for bigger occasions…

I’d either put some blankets on the grass or ask people to bring their own chairs.

I just take the kitchen chairs outside. Nothing bad happens.

in out house we have 4 outside chairs, a outside bench thingy we can move that seats 3 and then camping chairs! We then use wooden chairs from our dining table if needed. Are your inside chairs upholstered cuz I wouldn’t use them outside.

I think the bistro set is a good option. Or any walls in your garden? We have a low wall that we can move the table to and put a couple of cushions on too.

I was going to say this - I am not sure you need enough chairs for everyone to sit at the same time. Barbecue food is often staggered and people can eat standing up. Although I would also say just taking inside chairs outside is fine.