Kit yourself out with some decent furniture and your tent really could be a home from home.

There’s certainly no shortage of ideas out there: tables, chairs, wardrobes, cupboards etc. Think of them as ways of keeping things tidy in your tent, especially if it’s the whole family – including kids – that you’re catering for.

The ability to stash even a few things away out of sight and tidily can make all the difference to your camping comfort. And, unless you’re fortunate enough to move from site to site where there’s already a table near your pitch, you’ll appreciate the facility of your own piece of furniture for dining– inside or out.

Here are the key things to consider when choosing tent furniture

WILL IT PACK AWAY OK?

Setting up should be pretty straightforward for all camping furniture products –  and packing away again should be likewise. The smaller it packs the better for transporting in your car. And it’s always best if an item of furniture is accompanied by its own carrybag – not just for portability but it also lessens the likelihood of losing essential items.

WILL IT CARRY A LOAD?

When you’re researching furniture check out the load capacities. These are suppliers’ own figures, but at least give a guide to the stability and durability of their products.

WILL IT LAST?

Few suppliers make much in the way of claims for longevity. But there’s no reason they shouldn’t last as long as possible with a bit of due care and attention.

MAINTENANCE

Fortunately, it’s minimal. Keep an eye out for any early signs of corrosion to steel parts. A wipe down with warm water and a sponge should suffice for most fabrics. Otherwise, it’s just down to light housework!

STORING THE STORAGE

The usual goes for stowing away items like these. Just ensure they’re clean and dry before you put them aside for any lengthy periods.

TABLES

If your table is too big it gets in the way, or proves impossible to transport. Too small and it won’t cater for everyone, or the lack of space leads to clumsiness and fights. Too heavy and you end up leaving it at home. Too light and it literally can’t stand up for itself.

They don’t all last, either. You can have issues with the elastic rotting on slatted top tables, rusting screws, sagging material. Or even just plain wearing out through too much use. An alternative to a completely solid-topped table is a system of aluminium slats held together by elasticated cording that can, in turn, make for a very stable table. Or, if lightweight is your number one requisite, consider a fabric top.

Here's some more things to consider...

WEATHERPROOF?

A lot of camping products like this are only designed to withstand small doses of bad weather – be it extreme cold or heat, rain or even just the effects of too much direct sunlight.

MEASURING UP

Get your measurements right. Table height can be critical, especially if you’re planning to match up a new table to your existing seating. Dimensions when folded may also be critical when it comes to loading, for example in the back of your car

STABILITY

It should go without saying that stability is another crucial factor. You don’t want your table to tip over in the slightest gust of wind. Larger feet can be a help too, especially on softer ground, although it’s amazing what a well-placed beer mat can achieve.

ADJUSTABILITY

You don’t always get them, but consider adjustable feet as an essential feature for a camping table. Ground is not level, grass or even hardstanding, despite any claims to the contrary.

CHAIRS

No doubt about it, the facility to sit down comfortably – no matter what levels your camping reaches, from pure leisure to extreme – is a fine one to have.

Plenty of well-known camping names appear on seats designed for outdoor use, with most tent manufacturers offering wide ranges of products, usually designed to complement their canvas offerings.

Weight and space play their part, of course, so the usual advice applies: don’t buy what you can’t transport – not just to your chosen camping venues, but maybe also to the beach, festival arena or whatever. Having said that, camping chairs that double up for use back home in the garden on sunny days are always a bonus. More important is getting the right chairs to complement your camping activities – from backpacking to festival-going.

Also as ever, it’s always best to get out to the shops and see the products for yourselves. That’s when you get to feel what they’re like, for an indication – at least – of comfort, as well as how easy they are to set up and pack down.

HEIGHT MATTERS

Lower chairs are more suited for use in smaller tents (especially where there’s not much standing room). But, remember, also, you might want to team up your chairs with a table – just check they’re compatible.

STORE AWAY

These chairs aren’t designed for prolonged life outdoors, so ideally don’t even leave them up outside overnight.

KEEP CLEAN

Maintenance is relatively straightforward. Do clean up spills from food and drink as soon as possible. And, as ever, don’t pack your chairs away if they’re wet.

MESH IT UP

Mesh panels allow breathability and will be welcome when the weather is hot. But, you might want to cover up when there are cool breezes etc.

Vist the Out and About Live Accessory Marketplace for all of your essential camping accessories