Exhibiting at a tradeshow can feel overwhelming. From planning your layout to deciding what furniture and displays to bring. But it doesn’t have to mean overspending or overcomplicating your setup. With the right expo stand hire, you can create an expo stand that is polished and professional that showcases your brand, all without the stress or cost of buying everything outright.
Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor at Tradeshows like Life InStyle or Reed Gift Fair, or an established wholesaler looking for a smart, budget-friendly solution, expo booth hire in Melbourne and across Australia gives you the flexibility to look professional while staying practical.
Start with the Essentials
Every successful booth starts with the basics. Even in a small footprint, these essentials create structure and focus, helping visitors navigate your stand with ease. Using furniture hire for trade show avoids the cost of purchasing bulky units you might only use once a year. Focus on the furniture and display pieces that make your stand functional and inviting:
A counter gives your booth an anchor point. It’s where you can process sales, hand out samples, or simply greet visitors. A clean, branded counter also helps your team look organised and approachable. With expo stand hire, you don’t need to buy a bulky counter you’ll only use occasionally, you can rent one that fits perfectly in your footprint.
Every brand has “hero” products that deserve the spotlight. Display plinths and pedastals are a simple but effective way to elevate those products, literally. By placing items at different heights, you create visual interest and help draw eyes from across the expo hall. Many of our floorplan packages for hire include plinths, as we see them as essential, but you can easily add additional plinths to your floorplan package, so you can layer and style your space accordingly.
Shelving is one of the most versatile pieces you can add to your booth. It keeps your space organised while showcasing more of your range in a clear, accessible way. Whether you’re displaying fashion, homewares, beauty, or packaged goods, shelves give buyers the chance to browse easily.
Our shelving units are crafted in durable timber finishes, making them both practical and visually polished. With furniture hire for trade shows, you can select shelving that not only supports your stock but also enhances your brand’s look, from simple boxed shelves to pegboard walling options with plywood shelves and add-ons for even more flexibility.
Tiered and Flexible: Make the Most of Small Footprints
Small stands don’t have to feel cramped. Flexible, modular hire options let you make the most of your space:
Stackable shelves, corner units, and modular displays allow you to show more products without taking up extra floor area.
2x2m or 3x3m footprints can be transformed with tiered displays that highlight key items while keeping traffic flow smooth.
Floorplan packages for hire with pre-curated display units, formed in layouts especially for 2x2m and 3x3m spaces, save time and reduce the guesswork of planning your layout.
These strategies mean you can offer a premium, organised experience, even in a tiny booth. Many first-time exhibitors find that modular setups let them experiment with different layouts until they find the one that works best.
Maximise Vertical Space with Back Walls and Pegboards
Vertical space is often underutilised in small expo booths and stalls, but a pegboard or back wall can completely transform your display:
Hang products, shelves, or rungs for an organised look.
Add branded corflute signage or acrylic signs to make your logo and messaging instantly visible.
Divide your booth into zones - a welcome area, feature display, and transaction counter, to guide visitors naturally through your space.
This approach not only maximises your footprint but also creates a professional, curated impression without cluttering the floor, encouraging people to step into the space as well as view it.
Don’t Forget the Logistics: Delivery, Bump-In, and Support
One of the biggest stressors for first-time exhibitors is the setup itself. That’s where hiring your display really shines:
Everything is delivered straight to your stand at the event venue and picked up post-event, meaning there is no worrying about transport or storage.
Our event delivery services provide installation by the team, so you don’t need tools or technical know-how.
Optional add-ons, like signage, can be included to make your booth fully functional and visually cohesive.
With these services, your focus can stay on connecting with customers and promoting your brand, not wrestling with flat-packed furniture or lost screws.
Bonus Tip: Test a Look Before You Commit
Hiring is also a great way to experiment before investing in permanent fixtures. Whether you’re launching a new product or trying a seasonal concept, expo stand hire lets you trial a setup without risk:
Seasonal businesses can hire for peak events and promotions.
New brands can experiment with layout, display styles, and branding elements.
Many hire items are also available to purchase, so once you find a look you love, you can invest with confidence.
This flexibility is ideal for brands trying to make a big impact on a limited budget or first-time exhibitors still learning what works best in a live trade show environment when they create an expo stand.