How to Set Up Room Layouts

Room layouts allow you to define exact seating configurations for a group of tables.

This creates a controlled seating model, ideal for private dining rooms, events, or spaces with strict operational constraints.

Prerequisites

Before setting up room layouts:

• A table group must exist

Follow: How to Set Up Table Linking & Groups

Step 1: Open Capacity Planning

Go to:

https://backoffice.10seat.com/capacity-planning

Select the section that contains your table group.

Step 2: Open Seating Configurations

Scroll to the Seating Configurations section.

This is where layouts are created and managed.

Step 3: Generate Layouts

Click Auto-Generate.

• Select your table group

• The system generates all possible layouts

Each layout represents a valid configuration (e.g. 4 + 4 + 2).

Step 4: Activate Valid Layouts

Each layout includes an Active toggle.

• Enable layouts that reflect real-world operations

• Disable layouts that are not practical

Step 5: Configure Each Unit

Expand a layout to configure its units.

Online Toggle

• ON → available for online booking

• OFF → staff-only

Bonus Seats

Increase capacity if needed:

• Add extra seating

• Extend table combinations

Min Covers

Defines the minimum party size.

• Defaults:

  • Single tables → table minimum

  • Combined tables → sum of minimums

Adjust to:

• Prevent inefficient seating

• Allow flexibility where needed

Max Covers

Defines the maximum party size.

• Defaults to total seats

• Can be lowered for comfort

Step 6: Set Online Limits (Optional)

Define booking caps per party size per time slot.

Example:

Party Size

Limit

his helps balance:

• Booking distribution

• Availability for other channels

Only applies to:

• Widget

• Microsite

Step 7: Enable and Save

• Toggle Enabled

• Click Save

The system will:

• Recalculate capacity

• Update availability

• Apply layout logic immediately

How It Works in Practice

Layout-Based Availability

The widget only shows:

• Party sizes that fit active layouts

Layout Locking

At each time slot:

• The first booking determines the layout

• All subsequent bookings follow that layout

Example

At 19:00:

• First booking = party of 4 → Layout A

• Only Layout A remains available

At 20:00:

• First booking = party of 6 → Layout B

Staff Flexibility

Staff can:

• Override layouts

• Assign any table combination

Layouts only apply to online bookings.

Real-Time Updates

Any change:

• Updates availability instantly

• Affects future bookings immediately

Troubleshooting

Party Size Not Showing

Check:

• Active layouts

• Min/max covers

• Online toggle

• Online limits

Booking Blocked Despite Availability

Cause:

• Active layout does not support that party size

Reset Layouts

• Click Auto-Generate again

• Reconfigure as needed

Result

You now have a controlled seating setup where:

• Layout consistency is enforced

• Booking distribution is optimized

• Operational constraints are respected