Glamping Your Camper: Tips For A Luxurious Outdoor Experience

Glamping is a way to enjoy the beauty of nature without sacrificing the comforts of home. It's camping's more glamorous cousin, with a focus on luxury and indulgence. If you're looking to elevate your camper experience, here are some tips to achieve that glamorous camping vibe:

- Choose the right tent: Opt for a spacious tent with ample headroom, such as a bell tent or a large classic tent. Consider brands like Lotus Belle, Eureka, or Ozark Trail for a touch of luxury.

- Comfortable bedding: Invest in a plush bed, soft sheets, extra pillows, and an insulating layer to stay warm. Air mattresses, cots, or futons can provide a comfortable night's sleep.

- Lighting: Create a cosy atmosphere with fairy lights, LED lanterns, and solar-powered cafe lights. Add tiki torches for a touch of exotic flair and mosquito repellent.

- Kitchen setup: Upgrade your camping kitchen with a large stove like Camp Chef's 2 Burner Stove, and consider a camping kitchen with a sink for easier meal prep and cleanup.

- Entertainment: Bring portable speakers, outdoor games, and a movie projector for a well-rounded glamping experience.

- Hammocks: ENO hammocks are lightweight and perfect for practical campers, while decorative hammocks add a touch of luxury.

- Decorations: Think rugs, wildflowers, macrame plant holders, and string lights to create a stylish and cosy space.

- Comfortable seating: Invest in comfy chairs like the Lafuma camp chair, and don't forget a footrest for the ultimate relaxation.

- Hygiene: Create a handwashing station and consider a portable shower setup for the ultimate glamping luxury.

Choose a spacious tent

Choosing a spacious tent is the first step to achieving the perfect glamping experience. A tent is the centrepiece of glamping, so it's important to select one that is roomy and comfortable. Look for a tent with ample headroom and enough space to accommodate a plush bed, as well as accent pieces such as rugs and end tables. You should be able to stand up and move around easily inside the tent.

There are several options available on the market that can enhance your glamping experience:

• Bell tents: These luxury tents are sure to impress your friends and provide beautiful photo opportunities. Lotus Belle offers high-quality, durable tents, while White Duck Outdoors offers a more affordable, smaller model.
• Large classic tents: The Ozark Trail Dark Rest Cabin Tent has a height of 6.5 feet and can accommodate up to 10 people, providing ample room for a fancy glamping setup. The NEMO Wagontop Tent takes it a step further with an attached standing-height vestibule, perfect for additional living space.
• Safari-style tents: These tents offer a unique and glamorous glamping experience, reminiscent of a safari adventure.
• Coleman Octagon 98 Rainfly Tent: This tent can fit eight people and packs into a wheeled carrying case, making it convenient for transport. It has a height of 6'10", allowing you to stand up comfortably. It also features room dividers and a rigid door that swings open, adding a touch of luxury to your glamping experience.
• REI Co-op Wonderland X Tent: This tent offers a spacious and comfortable option for glampers.
• Coleman Tent with Screen Room: This tent provides a great balance between indoor and outdoor space, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds.

When choosing a spacious tent for glamping, it's important to consider your specific needs and budget. While bell tents offer a dreamy aesthetic, they can be costly. On the other hand, classic tents like the Ozark Trail provide ample space at a more affordable price. Additionally, consider the number of people who will be glamping with you and select a tent size that can comfortably accommodate your group.

Remember, the key to glamping is creating a luxurious and comfortable outdoor experience. By choosing a spacious tent, you'll have the room you need to add all the special touches that will elevate your camping trip to the next level.

Add homely comforts

Adding homely comforts is a great way to elevate your camper and turn it into a glamping experience. Here are some ideas to make your camper feel more like home:

Bedding

A nice bed is essential to achieving glamping luxury. Invest in a comfortable mattress, such as an inflatable mattress or a self-inflating camping pad, to ensure a good night's sleep. Bring your bedding from home, including soft sheets, blankets, pillows, and a comforter. You can also add an insulating layer to protect yourself from the cold ground.

Lighting

Create a cosy and romantic atmosphere with ambient lighting. String lights, fairy lights, and LED lanterns are great options to illuminate your camper and create a relaxing ambiance. Solar-powered lights are a sustainable choice, while citronella-scented tiki torches can help keep mosquitoes away.

Furniture

Create a homely living room area by adding comfortable seating and tables. Look for camp chairs and couches that are easy to pack and transport. You can also bring side tables, a small dining table, and a rug to make your space feel more inviting and familiar.

Kitchen

Upgrade your kitchen setup to enhance your glamping experience. Bring a large stove with multiple burners, such as the Camp Chef 2 Burner Stove, to cook gourmet meals. A camping kitchen with a sink, storage, and prep areas, like the Cabela's Easy-Set Camper's Kitchen, can also elevate your culinary experience. Don't forget to bring your kitchen accessories, such as plates, bowls, mugs, and cooking utensils.

Entertainment

Bring some entertainment options to make your downtime more enjoyable. Portable speakers can provide music, while outdoor games like cornhole or football will keep everyone engaged. For a relaxing evening, set up a movie projector and screen to watch films under the stars.

Create a comfy living room

Glamping is a way to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without sacrificing the comforts of home. Here are some tips to create a comfy living room in your camper:

Choose the Right Furniture

Select furniture that is comfortable and inviting, such as plush seating or a modern aesthetic. Ensure you have plenty of tables, both big and small, for convenience and to hold your camping elixir. If you have the space, consider a campfire centerpiece to add a cosy atmosphere.

Enhance the Lighting

Add ambient lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere. Mini-LEDs, faux candles, and solar-powered lanterns are great options for a glamping feel with minimal effort. Tiki torches can also add a touch of exotic flair to your space.

Bring Comforts from Home

Add decorative touches to make your camper feel like home. This could include colourful rugs, fresh flowers, mirrors, art prints, or other items that bring you joy. Just be mindful of bringing anything too fragile or valuable that could get damaged.

Upgrade Your Bedding

Invest in a comfortable mattress, such as an air mattress or memory foam, and bring your favourite bedding from home, including soft sheets, blankets, and plenty of pillows. This will ensure you get a good night's rest and make your camper feel extra cosy.

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

Bring some throw pillows and blankets to make your space more inviting and comfortable. These can be easily found at most discount stores and will add a touch of plush to your living area.

Bring entertainment

Glamping is all about bringing the comforts of home to the great outdoors. But what about entertainment? Here are some ideas to keep you and your fellow campers amused during your glamping trip.

Games

Whether you're a kid or an adult, games are a great way to pass the time and have some fun. Charades, scavenger hunts, and Pictionary are classic choices that can be easily adapted to a camping theme. If you're feeling crafty, you can even make your own glamping-themed printables and props to get everyone in the glamping spirit. For outdoor entertainment, set up a game of cornhole or bring along a slackline for some active fun.

Music

No glamping trip is complete without a soundtrack. Bring along a guitar for an acoustic sing-along or create your own surround sound system by linking up some durable, quality speakers from a brand like JBL.

Movies

Set up a projector and screen, grab some blankets, and you've got yourself an outdoor movie theatre under the stars. Don't forget the popcorn!

Reading

Create a cosy reading nook inside your tent or outside under a tree. Bring along your favourite books or magazines, or pick up something new to immerse yourself in while you relax in nature.

Stargazing

Speaking of stars, don't forget to look up! One of the best parts of being out in nature is the opportunity to see the night sky in all its glory. Download a star map app or bring a star chart to help you identify constellations and planets.

Set up a kitchen

Setting up a kitchen is a crucial part of glamping. Here are some tips to help you create a functional and stylish outdoor cooking space:

Choose the Right Stove

Start by selecting a stove that suits your glamping needs. A large stove with multiple burners will allow you to cook more elaborate meals. The Camp Chef 2-Burner Stove is a popular option, and you can also add a griddle that covers both burners for more cooking space. If you want to go all out, consider investing in a camping kitchen, like the Cabela's Easy-Set Camper's Kitchen, which offers additional storage, a sink, and other features to elevate your cooking experience.

Bring Extra Tables

Having extra tables in your kitchen area will make a huge difference in your food preparation and serving. They provide space for food prep, serving, and dining, especially if you're glamping with a larger group. Look for lightweight, foldable tables that are easy to transport and set up, such as the Rio Brands folding table.

Cover Your Kitchen Area

Protect your kitchen setup from the elements by creating a covered area. An easy way to do this is by using a pop-up awning, which is typically larger and provides shade and shelter from light rain. This simple addition will make your glamping kitchen more comfortable and functional.

Enhance Your Kitchen Essentials

When glamping, you can bring along some extra kitchen essentials to elevate your cooking game. Invest in a good set of knives, like the GSI Outdoors Rakau Knife Set, which comes with a bamboo cutting board and a cloth case. Don't forget to bring along your favourite coffee-making equipment, such as a French press or a classic kettle, to start your mornings off right.

Don't Forget the Dishes

Make sure to pack a set of dishes and utensils for your glamping trip. The GSI Outdoors Enamelware set offers a 4-place setting with plates, bowls, and mugs, and it's even dishwasher-safe! For utensils, opt for an eco-friendly bamboo set like the one from To-Go Ware.

Keep it Clean

Hygiene is an important part of glamping, so be sure to create a handwashing station with an extra 5-gallon water jug and hand soap. You can also go a step further and get a portable sink for a more luxurious experience. Don't forget to pack some towels and sanitiser for a truly glamorous camping experience!

Frequently asked questions