Should You Sit or Stand at Art Fairs?

Should you sit or stand when customers first enter your art fair booth? It might seem like a small decision, but the choice you make can have a big impact on your sales. In this article, I’ll share what’s worked for me after over a decade of selling my art full time at shows. You’ll find the full video embedded below, and this article expands on the practical advice I cover in it. I also have a Free Art Fair Supply List to help make gathering your booth supplies easier.

Watch the video

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Why First Impressions Matter in Your Booth

When someone steps into your booth, your body language sets the tone. If you’re too aggressive or seem disinterested, they might walk away before ever connecting with your work. A simple smile and hello can make people feel more at ease and more likely to browse.

You don’t have to be overly salesy. In fact, I’ve found that greeting people in a relaxed, friendly way is the best approach. Standing at the front can feel too intense, while slouching low in the back doesn’t give the impression you’re ready to help. Finding a balance between the two is key.

Supplies I Use in My Booth

One thing that helps me stay comfortable and approachable is having the right chair. I’ve found that a tall director’s chair makes a huge difference at art fairs. It lets me sit at eye level with customers, rest my feet between waves of traffic, and still stay visible and engaged with the people in my booth.

Below are the two chairs I personally use and recommend.

These chairs have made long show days much more manageable and helped me strike that balance between comfort and professionalism.

Where to Sit for the Best Results

Chair placement matters just as much as the chair itself. I don’t like sitting at the very front of my booth, even though it might help catch foot traffic. It can come off as pushy, and it often draws more attention to your neighbor’s booth if they’re doing the same thing and being loud.

I’ve had the most success sitting toward the back of my booth where I can still make eye contact and greet people. I usually wave and smile when someone walks in, then give them a few seconds to take everything in before I start talking. It helps them feel comfortable and gives them a chance to engage on their own.

Standing All Day Can Backfire

Some shows recommend standing the entire time, but I’ve tried that and it’s just not realistic. If you’re standing on your feet for ten or twelve hours, multiple days in a row, you’re going to burn out. And when you’re exhausted, your energy drops — and so do your sales.

Instead, I switch between standing and sitting throughout the day. I greet people when they enter and then take a seat as they browse. That balance helps me stay rested and still look available. Customers don’t want to feel pressured, and giving them space actually makes them more likely to buy.

Avoid the Worst Mistake: Hiding in the Corner

Whatever you do, don’t sit in a low chair in the back corner of your booth looking down at your phone. Not only will you miss customers walking in, but they might not even realize you’re the artist. You don’t have to constantly be “on,” but you do need to be visible and present.

A tall director’s chair helps with that. Even if you check your phone for a second, you’re still clearly part of the space and ready to engage. Just keep it simple — a smile and hello go a long way. You don’t need to pitch right away. A friendly presence makes people more likely to trust you and start a conversation.

Final Thoughts

Whether you sit or stand at art fairs, what matters most is how you make your customers feel. You want to be approachable but not overbearing, visible but not aggressive. A tall director’s chair is a great tool to help strike that balance and keep your energy up throughout the show.

If you want more real-world tips that can boost your sales, I recommend reading How to Talk to Customers in Your Art Fair Booth. It breaks down what to say (and what not to say) so you feel confident and natural while selling your work.

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