WITH summer in full flow and BBQ season upon us, more and more people are looking to spend time outside.

But if you want to take advantage of your garden for the next few months, there’s some important things to consider. 

According to interior expert Raf Michalowski, who is the founder of Meble Furniture, so many people make the same mistakes again and again when it comes to their outside furniture. 

While they spend hours weighing up the pros and cons of a new sofa or TV stand, their outside table and chairs don't appear to get the same love.

But never fear, as the pro is on hand to lift the lid on all the major pitfalls he regularly sees.

And he’s also lifted the lid on how you can correct it to make sure you don’t fall victim to the dreaded outside space curse – and why you should never be blinded by low price tags…

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BEING TOO TEMPTED BY A BARGAIN

While it may be tempting to save some cash and opt for the cheaper table and chairs, or outside sofa set, Raf Michalowski says it might actually be better to invest for summers to come. 

He explains: “Cheap furniture tends to be of low quality and can get easily damaged which will incur more costs in the long run for either fixing or replacing them.

“Low quality also makes its usage uncomfortable.” 

NOT MEASURING THE SPACE

Have you ever thought about measuring your space outside? 

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While it’s common practice when buying furniture for your living room, Michalowski says it slips everyone’s mind when it comes to the garden.

He suggests: “Get your tape measure and write down the furniture dimensions you want to buy and see if they fit in your outdoor space. 

“Buying outdoor furniture without measuring can easily ruin your outdoor space.” 

Cheap furniture tends to be of low quality and can get easily damaged

LOOK OVER COMFORT?

With the rise of garden makeovers, we all know how tempting it is to give into the latest trends without really thinking. 

But failing to question whether they’re actually practical or not could result in a massive headache.

Michalowski continues: “Disregarding the furniture’s practicality for its design can compromise your comfort. 

“Test your furniture if possible, such as the sofa sets and see if they’re comfortable, especially if you’re planning to sit there for a long time during the day or evening.” 

NOT CLOSE TO HOME 

How long does it take you to talk from your back door to your table and chairs?

It’s a pivotal question when it comes to arranging your outside space – especially when it comes to entertaining guests with food and drink.

The expert shares: “If you want to use your outdoor space as much as possible, then you have to think about its proximity to your house. 

“If your outdoor space is too far from your house, you end up getting frustrated moving food or other stuff back into your house again and again.”

If you want to use your outdoor space as much as possible, then you have to think about its proximity to your house.

NOT THINKING ABOUT THE WEATHER

We all know that a good, old British summer can include the odd spot of rain – but have you considered that when choosing your garden accessories? 

The furniture pro points out: “See if the furniture you’re buying is weather resistant. If you’re buying metal furniture, then you should be cautious about rust if you have frequent rains in summer. 

“Or if you’re in a zone with high temperatures, consider that metal or aluminium chairs/tables can be too hot to touch or sit.”

NOT FORWARD PLANNING

Finally, Michalowski said the last thing to think about is making the most of the space you have, as your guests will eventually thank you for it.

He concludes: “Pay attention to your outdoor furniture’s layout and see how you can maximise using the space effectively. 

“Think of how many people will be using the outdoor space, so you know to get the right amount of furniture. 

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“If you’ll be using your outdoor space for eating, then think of getting a large table to fit everyone.”

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