> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://support.sonas.events/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How to set up your areas, fixtures, and default layouts.

Setting up Areas is a vital part of your venue's configuration in the system. The feature has two primary functions: scheduling event spaces and creating detailed floor plans.

Firstly, defining distinct areas—such as a ceremony room, a reception hall, or a dining area—is crucial for managing your event calendar effectively. When creating a booking, you will assign the relevant areas for that event. This allows you to confidently host multiple, non-conflicting events at the same time. Alternatively, you can grant a client 'exclusive use' of the entire venue.

Secondly, to take full advantage of our advanced layout planning tools, we recommend uploading floor plans for each area. By including details of your available furniture, you and your clients can collaboratively design the perfect layout, arranging tables, chairs, and other fixtures to visualise the event space precisely.

## Video- Areas

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## Video- How to use areas for multiple events in one day

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## Video -Uploading your SVG floorplans

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## Creating and Editing Areas

**Venue > Areas and Fixtures**

There are 3 tabs on this screen: Areas, Fixtures, and Default Layouts

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/f143cdec791c0835b2a99c68b5a905_ctlwze.png)

By default, your venue is set up with a single area named 'Main'. To customise this, or any other area you create, click the **green pencil icon** next to its name.

> **Note:** If you do not plan to use the multiple Areas feature, please leave the default 'Main' area in place. The system's scheduling wizard requires at least one area to be available for selection.

On the edit screen, you can configure the following settings:

**Name:** Change the name to match the specific room or location within your venue (e.g., 'The Orangery', 'South Lawn').

**Floor Plan Dimensions:** You have two options for defining the area's layout:

*  **Basic Plan:** For simple planning, enter the **Width** and **Height** of the room in the fields provided, in millimeters.
    
*  **Advanced Plan:** For a detailed layout, you can associate the area with an SVG floor plan file that you have uploaded to your Venue Documents. Please see our [Document Uploads](/en/article/how-to-upload-and-use-documents-15rqm2n) guide if this has not yet been completed.
    

> **Important:** When using an SVG file, the **Width** and **Height** you enter must match the aspect ratio of the image file, not the real-world dimensions of the room. Please contact your Sonas Customer Success Representative for assistance if you are unsure.

**Background Colour:** You can optionally select a background colour for an area. This helps to highlight events using that specific space on your calendar.

Please note the following behaviours for area colours:

*  An area's colour will **override** any default colours set for the venue or the event type.
    
*  The colour is only displayed on the calendar when a **single area** is assigned to an event. It will not appear if the event is marked as 'exclusive use' or has multiple areas assigned to it.
    

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/f5d52c887f61ef4983eb186441813f_1wm3kwb.png)

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/631f6c35ea62937138b712214d41cb_a85o8o.png)

The assigned colour will also outline the area in the area list to remind you of its colour, orange in these examples.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/3e7f0555dcf617a5119a27540a38f1_wvfqli.png)

**Can be used for:** Select the designated functions for this area by ticking the appropriate boxes: **Ceremony**, **Reception**, and/or **Dining**. These are the three core event components for which an area can be officially booked. Any other activities or uses for a space (e.g., 'Meeting', 'Prep') should be defined within the event's **Timeline**.

You can add as many locations as offered by the venue, click **Actions > + Add New Area.**

## Fixtures

## Video- Fixtures

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### Managing Fixtures

The **Fixtures** section is your inventory list for all physical items—such as tables, chairs, and other furniture—that can be used when designing event layouts.

By default, the system includes three examples: a top table, a rectangular table, and a round table. You can amend or delete these examples and replace them with the specific fixtures available at your venue.

To view or change the details for an item, simply click on it. You can configure the following information for each fixture:

*  **Name and Type:** The name of the item and its category (e.g., '6ft Round Table', Type: 'Table').
    
*  **Capacity:** The number of people that can be seated at the fixture.
    
*  **Quantity:** The total number of this specific fixture you have available.
    
*  **Description:** An optional summary that will be visible on the main Fixtures screen.
    
*  **Allowed Areas:** Specify in which of your venue's areas this fixture is permitted to be used.
    
*  **Assign Number:** Tick this option if the fixture should be assigned a number in event plans (essential for table number assignments).
    
*  **Staff Only**: Select this option if you want the fixture to be available for staff users only and not for customers via the portal.
    

To add a new item to your inventory, click **Actions > +Add New Fixture.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/5526bc3359ac040a628b9ebb4ac21d_udpqtt.png)

### Setting Fixture Dimensions for Layouts

For advanced floor planning, you can define the precise dimensions of each fixture to ensure it is accurately scaled on your layouts.

1.  At the bottom of the fixture's settings, tick the checkbox labelled **Set Fixture Area For Layouts**.
    
2.  This will reveal additional fields where you can enter the item's specific **Width** and **Height**.
    

    Completing this step is essential for using the floor plan designer. It ensures that each fixture appears true-to-scale when placed on a floor plan in the **Layouts** section, allowing for accurate and realistic event design.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/af2ec8809580387d77094723a22c99_1djswfu.png)

### Shapes, and Spacing Explained

When adding a new fixture, you'll need to define its shape and size.

*  **Type**: Choose between a **circle** or a **rectangle** (which includes squares).
    
*  **Can Overlap**: This setting determines whether fixtures can be placed on top of one another or if they must respect each other's dimensions when you're arranging them.
    
*  **Size**: For rectangles and squares, this is defined by **length** and **height** (or **depth**). For circles, the measurement is the **radius** (half of the diameter).
    
*  **Shape Buffer/Margin Distance**: This is a crucial setting that adds a margin around a fixture, creating necessary space for things like walkways and chairs. For example, if you set a 609mm (2-foot) buffer on all tables, the total distance between two tables will be 1219mm (4 feet), room for guests, chairs, and staff. The buffer is applied uniformly around the entire fixture — it cannot be adjusted independently for width and length.
    
*  **Note**: If you're arranging rectangular tables side-by-side to create a longer one, it's best to disable the buffer, as it's applied to all four sides and would create unnecessary gaps. Alternatively, you can manually enter all table configurations. For instance, if you allow butting two 6-foot tables together to create a 12-foot banquet table, simply enter a new fixture for the 12-foot configuration. This approach allows you to effectively utilize the buffer tool for that specific arrangement.
    

### Moving Multiple Tables Together on a Layout

To move several tables at once on a floor plan (e.g., a banquet-style row of tables), hold the **Shift** key on your keyboard while clicking each table. This adds them to a group selection, allowing you to drag and reposition them all together.

### Reordering Tables in the Seating Plan

To reorder tables within the seating plan list, hover over the green boxes in the corner of the table name/list and drag to move. Sonas will automatically update the table numbers.

> **Important:** Reordering tables in the seating plan requires that **Assign Number** is turned on for the fixture (under **Venue > Areas and Fixtures**). Without table numbers enabled, tables cannot be re-sorted in the seating plan. You must also set a **dining area** under **Event > General**.

### Deleting and Restoring Fixtures

You have the ability to delete fixtures from your account. To prevent disrupting completed and confirmed events that have used a specific 

#### To Delete a Fixture

1.  Open the fixture you wish to remove.
    
2.  Click **Actions** > **Delete**.
    
3.  The fixture's status will change from **active** to **deleted**, and it will no longer be available for new allocation.
    

#### To Restore a Fixture

1.  On the main fixture list, change the status filter to **Deleted** to view all archived fixtures.
    
2.  Click on the deleted fixture you want to restore.
    
3.  Click **Actions** > **Restore**.
    
4.  The fixture will now be moved back to your **active** list.
    

## Default Layouts

Layouts bring together your venue’s areas and fixtures to create detailed floor plans. They provide a default starting point for each of your venue's areas, which can then be customised by the customer as part of the planning process. Using these pre-built templates gives you and your clients an excellent base to work from.

**Note:** To ensure accurate layouts, you must have your areas set up with either an **SVG file** or by entering the **measurements** when creating the area.

### Video- Creating Default Layouts

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### Adding a New Layout Template

To add a new default layout template, simply click on **Default Layouts**, then select **Actions** > **\+ Add New Layout**.
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/43ce52492ceb67ce3188e5d5f22365_15pd8tm.png)

Next, fill in the details, including the **Layout Name** and **Type**. You'll also need to select the quantity of each fixture to be included in that specific area.

**Note:** If you don't see a particular fixture, check its settings as it may not be allowed in that area.

Once you have completed the details, click **SAVE**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/9c24b6ef752fe25c7d9618d25a4bd4_10wpnmr.png)

### Editing the Floor Plan

After saving, the empty **Floor Plan** will appear at the bottom of the screen. 

1.  Click on **Missing Fixtures** to add the tables and chairs included in your layout's fixture list.
    
2.  Drag and rotate the fixtures onto the floor plan as you wish to create your default layout.
    
    *   The yellow outline shows the fixture’s actual dimensions.
        
    *   The green outline indicates the pre-determined buffer, if used.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/43955cac2089b5921583ade7b1bc73_1r7rke4.png)
        
    *   If a fixture turns **red**, it means it is too close to another item. You'll need to adjust its position.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/fa12f8c9e38fc6d12c3f7ba2da9668_f71y74.png)
        
    
1.  To rotate a fixture, click on the light blue box associated with it.

    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/943cc4c9a14d4e8d965ef7c021735b_n68fd8.png)
    
2.  The blue arrow on each table indicates the position of seat #1 and the direction that seating continues. This is particularly useful for events where seating is assigned to a specific seat, not just a table.
    

    **Note:** There is a legend below the layout to help you identify each fixture.
    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/d/5/c/e/d5ce36403ada6800/a69d7206887f232b6ee70b7f62366a_19ht3qj.png)

    Once you are happy with your layout, click **SAVE**.

    For information on how to use this default layout for specific events, please see [Submenu: Guests](/en/article/event-planning-sub-menu-the-guest-section-awihmj).