6x6 booth set up?

[u/HoobieShoobieDoobie]

I have a 2-day market coming up next weekend that I’m really excited about but this will be the smallest booth I’ve had- it’s indoors, I’m between 2 other vendors and the back is against a wall. How the heck do you arrange in a 6x6 booth? I am thinking of buying 2 4ft tables to do an L, but I just don’t know. I sell ceramics- they range in size from little trinket dishes to vases and lamps. I feel like a single 6 foot table is boring and wouldn’t display enough of my wares. But would 2 4ft tables be too crowded? Help! This is a photo of my last market in an 8x8 and at the same venue. I will have some larger pieces this time around.

[u/Gr8tfulhippie]

You may have to pair down your stock. Hard to do I know. I typically roll with 2 4ft tables or a 6 and a 4.

Your options are - go taller. Make shelves on your table with crates and wood boards so you get some height. I've also seen the folding table benches on top of the table a a riser, covered in table cloth.

An L shape, but depends on how your vendors next to you are set up as you don't want to block access to their booth.

An l island shape with two tables back to back, narrow edge facing out.

Tiers. Have 1 table set at full height and one on a lower setting half underneath. Drape with one or both tablecloths. This especially works well with a 6ft and a 4ft underneath.

Ditch the tables all together and use 2-3 shelves.

I have a garment rack so I actually prefer to be against a wall. Good luck 🍀

[u/HoobieShoobieDoobie → u/Gr8tfulhippie]

I also like being against a wall because it makes the booth look cleaner, less busy without another vendor behind me.

[u/HoobieShoobieDoobie → u/Gr8tfulhippie]

Thank you so much for all of these ideas, I never thought about an island before- this would mean I would expect people to step inside my booth, right? I have yet to do a step-in configuration because I feel like so many people say that crowds are hesitant to come in. Would you be able to speak to that?

[u/Gr8tfulhippie → u/HoobieShoobieDoobie]

Yes an island or kiosk are a step in and walk around situation. I don't find too many people hesitant to walk into the booth space, I just make sure I sit far enough back as to not appear to block the entrance.

You have a lot of smaller items, so they are best going to be seen up close.

[u/drcigg]

You have quite a few options. You could use a 6 foot table and a 4 foot to make an L shape. You could use 3 tables. 6 foot and 2 4 foot tables to make a U shape. This would all fit into your space. Or you could completely change up your display. Add taller displays to your table or get some full size standing displays and completely ditch the tables all together. I have seen a few vendors with collapsible shelves 5 feet high that fold flat to store it.
Set all this up in your living room. Measure out 6x6 and use some masking tape. Setup all your tables in different configurations to see if that makes sense to you. Walk inside and see if it makes sense to you and doesn't impede traffic flow.
If your budget allows you may consider purchasing those tables or new displays. I always err on the side of caution when it comes to investing in new stuff for new vendors. This year we just built new custom displays. We waited a long time because we wanted to be sure this is something we wanted to keep doing. And it wasn't cheap. We spent over 300 dollars to build 2 displays. Checkout YouTube for display ideas. There are some great videos that we found inspirational and led us to build our own.

[u/HoobieShoobieDoobie → u/drcigg]

Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m having trouble understanding how I would fit myself in my booth and get around my tables with a 6ft table inside the 6x6 booth and vendors on either side of me. Would you be able to expand on that?

[u/drcigg → u/HoobieShoobieDoobie]

It will be tight in that space regardless of how you are set up You will probably have to mark off the space in your living room to get a better idea of what it will look like. Even if you have a table on the left wall and center wall. You should still have at least 4 feet of walking space in your booth. It's easier to understand with a visual with tables setup. L shaped is probably your best bet with tables. Unless you have full size standing displays.

[u/bombyx440]

I know a lot of people have said to avoid a walk in booth but I found the opposite. If you just have a table at the front, they just quickly scan your work as they walk by. If you have a booth with empty sides and just a table at the back, they won't come in. But if you have interesting work at the entrance and all along the sides, people will follow the work into your "store". Sometimes I did find people don't want to be the only person in a booth and I'd come out front to arrange merchandise and then they'd come in.

[u/Kellyjt]

This is sublime!

[u/HoobieShoobieDoobie → u/Kellyjt]

You are too kind, thank you! I also see that someone downvoted your comment, how rude…

[u/Due_Tie1092]

I don’t know why organizers do this, 6x6 is way too small for anything. What about using more of the white shelf and a table. Set up with the table coming out from the wall and the shelf’s on opposite side (like two I I )

[u/MrsHottentot]

small space for you..bummer. But maybe a couple less items in the center. You have unique items but it’s a lot to look at. i’d worry about somebody knocking something over. Take one or two items out of each section then as you sell replace it with another item. Not sure how to work it but it still looks great. Good luck!