Do You Really Need Extra Restrooms for Your Event? Here’s How to Determine the Right Amount
There are a lot of moving parts in event planning, but if you want to keep your attendees happy, the restrooms need to be more than an afterthought. Supplying clean, comfortable, and convenient restroom access isn’t just a clipboard obligation, but a key part of the overall event experience. When people spend more time in line for a bathroom than they do enjoying the music, the food, or the speeches, that unforgettable atmosphere you’ve worked so hard to create, well, let’s just say your five-star event quickly becomes a one-star review.
Restroom planning might not be the most exciting item on your checklist, but it plays a major role in how your event is remembered. Here’s how to get it right.
Why the Right Number of Restrooms Really Matters
Getting the restroom count wrong has consequences, no matter how you slice the cheese. Too few restrooms lead to long lines, unsanitary conditions, and frustrated guests. Too many, and you’re spending money and space you could’ve used elsewhere. Well-planned restroom logistics improve:
- Guest comfort: When fun is the reason they’re there, your guests don’t want to sacrifice the time they could be spending dancing, eating, or socializing by standing in a restroom line.
- Hygiene and safety: More restrooms mean less crowding and cleaner conditions throughout the day.
- Event flow: Sufficient restroom access helps maintain a steady pace and prevents guests from bottlenecking key areas.
- Revenue impact: Research shows that when restrooms are lacking, attendees don’t stay as long, which can lead to decreased food, beverage, and merchandise sales.
- Cost-efficiency: Ordering just the right number of restrooms keeps your budget balanced and avoids emergency add-ons.
Key Factors That Impact Your Restroom Needs
The general rule is one restroom per 50 guests for events up to four hours. But there are several variables that can influence how many restrooms your event really needs. Of course, guest count is the starting point, but it’s far from the whole picture.
The length of your event plays a major role. For example, guests attending a three-hour garden party will have very different needs from those at a 10-hour music festival. Serving food and alcohol? That’s a guaranteed bump in usage, especially with drinks in the mix. For events with heavier meals or open bars, expect to increase your restroom count by at least 20 percent.
You’ll also want to consider the type of event and the audience. Weddings often call for higher-end or private options like restroom trailers, while casual festivals might prioritize volume and coverage over fancy finishes. The physical location of your event matters, too—if it’s in a park, field, or anywhere without existing restrooms, you’ll need to build that infrastructure from the ground up. Even the gender mix of your crowd should be taken into account, since women typically require more restroom time. And don’t forget accessibility. Handicap-accessible restrooms ensure everyone can comfortably attend and enjoy your event.
“I can’t say enough positive things about Throne Depot. Communication was excellent, delivery was on time and the units were pristine. Will definitely be calling them again.” – Brian D., Project One Vet at a Time
Honest Answers Lead to Better Results
At The Throne Depot, we build custom recommendations based on honest, accurate event details. Tell us how many people you’re expecting, how long they’ll be there, and whether there’s a pre-party, after-party, or late-night s’mores situation you forgot to mention.
If your guest count is 150, and you want to rent two restrooms and hope for the best, we’ll gently redirect. We’d rather you hear it from us now than from your guests mid-event. Our team factors in your crowd, layout, and event type, and can even schedule cleanings for multi-day use to keep things fresh.
Why Choose The Throne Depot?
We’re more than just toilet drop-off specialists. We’re your restroom planning partners. With years of experience in festivals, fundraisers, galas, and garden weddings, we help organizers think through every detail of the restroom experience.
Whether you need a row of standard portable units, luxury restroom trailers, ADA-accessible options, or handwashing stations, we’ll help you find the right mix, get the right number of units, pick the perfect placement, and make sure your event runs cleanly and smoothly.
Not sure how many restrooms you really need? Request a quote today or check out our full range of restroom rentals on our website. We’ll take care of the restroom plan so your team can focus on everything else that makes for happy guests (who leave rave reviews).
