Shell Scheme vs Space Only: Which Should You Book?

Updated 2 October 2026

White and turquoise exhibition stand with a curved counter and bar stools

When you book a stand at a trade show, the organiser will usually ask whether you want shell scheme or space only. It’s one of the first decisions you make, and it shapes your whole budget. Here’s what the two options mean.

The short version

  • Shell scheme is a ready-made booth. The organiser puts up basic walls, a name board, carpet and lights. You turn up and dress it.
  • Space only is an empty patch of floor. Nothing is provided, so you need a stand builder to design and build a stand on it.

What you get with shell scheme

Every show is slightly different, but a shell scheme booth usually comes with:

  • white or grey wall panels around the back and sides
  • a name board (called a fascia) above the front with your company name
  • carpet
  • a few spotlights
  • a power socket

At Advanced Engineering 2026 at the NEC, for example, a shell scheme stand of up to 12m² came with white wall panels, grey carpet, two spotlights and a twin power socket.

There are rules about what you can do with the walls. Most organisers don’t let you use nails, screws or staples, so graphics are usually hung with Velcro, sticky pads or approved brackets. The walls are also fairly low, usually about 2.4 to 2.5 metres high.

What you get with space only

Nothing but the floor. That’s the point: you and your builder can create whatever you want within the organiser’s rules, including taller walls, a meeting room, storage, a raised floor or an open stand you can walk into from several sides.

The trade-off is that you need a stand builder, a bigger budget and more planning. For space only, organisers ask for stand drawings and safety documents weeks before the show. Some big shows also set a minimum stand size: at IFAT Munich 2026, for example, hall stands had to be at least 20m².

How the costs compare

Organisers usually charge more per square metre for shell scheme, because the booth is included. Space only is often cheaper per metre to rent, but you then pay for the stand itself.

As a rough guide, from UK builders’ published figures:

  • Renting a shell scheme space: about £220 to £625 per m²
  • Renting space only: about £180 to £500 per m²
  • Upgrading a 3m x 3m shell scheme with graphics, lighting and furniture: about £1,000 to £2,500
  • A stand for a space only plot: from about £375 per m² for a modular stand, and more for custom builds

Our exhibition stand cost guide has full example budgets.

Which should you choose?

Shell scheme is usually right if:

  • it’s your first time at the show, or you’re testing a new market
  • your budget is tight
  • you only need a small space
  • you don’t have the time to manage a builder and the paperwork

Space only is usually right if:

  • you need to stand out in a busy hall
  • you need things a booth can’t hold, like a meeting room, storage, big screens or heavy products
  • you exhibit at the same show regularly and want a stand you can reuse
  • your space is bigger, or open on several sides

Making a shell scheme stand stand out

Without any upgrade, every shell scheme booth in a row looks the same. A few changes make a big difference:

  • full-height printed graphics on the back and side walls
  • better lighting than the standard spotlights
  • a branded counter and one or two pieces of good furniture
  • a clear, simple message people can read from the aisle

How Stand Between can help

Whichever you book, we can introduce you to builders who suit it, from shell scheme upgrades to full custom stands. It’s free for exhibitors: the builder you choose pays us, and our fee is the same whichever builder that is. Tell us about your show, or read how to choose an exhibition stand builder.

Sources

Common questions

Can I change from shell scheme to space only after booking?

Sometimes, if the organiser has space and the timing allows, but it depends on the show and how the floor plan is laid out. Ask the organiser's sales team as early as possible.

Is space only always more expensive?

Per square metre, space only is often cheaper to rent than shell scheme, because the organiser provides less. But you then pay a builder to fill the space, so the total is usually higher.

Can a shell scheme stand look as good as a space only one?

It can look very professional with good graphics, lighting and furniture. It won't be as tall or as open as a custom stand, but for many exhibitors it does the job well, especially at a first show.

Do I need a stand builder for shell scheme?

No, but many exhibitors use one, or a graphics company, to upgrade the booth so it doesn't look like every other one in the row.

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