Decorating a camping tent? Yep, one thing I’ve never understood about camping is our willingness to sleep in a bland, boring tent without ever thinking of doing something to jazz it up a bit. I’m guilty of it too. Even if you are not good at decorating, you will be today!
But when you think about it, it makes little sense. If we’re booking a hotel for a weekend away, one of the first things we do is look at the quality of the room through the pictures that have been taken.
We want to see something nicely decorated because it makes everything more comfortable, and the style of the room can make it feel even more relaxing.
So, rather than just grabbing your old tent and a thin sleeping bag, I thought it’d be good to look at some decorating ideas for your camping tent. Whether you choose to take on all the suggestions or just one or two of them, you’re sure to have a more pleasant camping experience next time you head out!
Decorating With Hanging Lights
This is probably one of the more simple things to do, but it’s also the one that’ll make the biggest difference straight away. Lighting is everything with interior design, ask anyone who moves in those circles and I’m sure they’ll tell you the same thing.
For camping trips, you want to feel cozy and warm, so lighting that reflects that will make everything more comfortable.
Obviously with lighting, as with most things on this list, it comes down to personal preference, but I’ve always been a fan of string lights. You can pick some battery-operated one’s up for a few dollars, and they’ll look great.
I always look for warmer yellow-toned lights as opposed to the brighter white options, because I find it creates a cozier space.
Another thing to mention is that quite a lot of tents have a hook in the center of the tent’s roof for a camping lantern. Whilst camping lanterns put function above style, there’s no reason you can’t use the hook for a more stylish option.
Look for something warm in tone again and hang it from the camping lantern hook. Just make sure the lantern you pick up is lightweight because the last thing you want is to be woken in the night by a lantern to the face…
Flooring Improvements
The waterproof bottom sheet of your tent is ugly. I wish I could say it wasn’t, but it’s true. So why not purchase something to cover it up? There’s plenty of camping blankets and rugs that you can use to give the flooring of the tent a much-needed boost, and it’s another quick fix to the usual drabness of a tent.
You can choose anything you like, muted shades or block pastel colors, all the way through to a bright, multi-colored, Bohemian inspired piece. Just think about the type of rug you’d like, and I bet you’ll be able to find something similar to go into your tent.
One thing I would recommend is to try something new when picking a style for your tent. Try to steer away from colors and patterns you use to decorate your own home, because whilst yes, you obviously like that style, camping is supposed to take you away from your normal life.
How many times have you stayed in a hotel with a rug you’d find in your own home? I bet not many. In my experience, I’ve found that experimenting with different style rugs and blankets has helped create the sense that I’m further away from home than I am. It also gives you a nice place to experiment with bolder styles than perhaps you’d use at home, which makes for a more interesting space.
Furniture
This is something I never would have thought about when I first started camping, and it’s so obvious! You wouldn’t stay somewhere that only had a bed and nothing else, so don’t accept that whilst camping either. Furniture can make a real difference to your tent, and create a more comfortable, stylish finish to the space.
If you’re somebody who uses an air mattress for more comfort in your tent, then why not buy two small tables to place on either side of it.
You could use it to place flowers on, or even a bedside battery-operated lamp. You can find some pretty stylish options, and it’ll make the space feel more like a hotel room which will make it easier to relax.
Depending on the size of your tent, you might even set up a living room area if you have space. Throw a few brightly colored bean bags around a small table, and you’ve got the perfect chill out zone away from your sleeping area.
Keen campers tend to take big tents with multiple rooms, so why not use one of them as a stylish living room space that you can decorate with furniture to give your tent a more homely feel?
Bedding
Another obvious one here, but how many times do we go camping and just take a sleeping bag with us? In the past I’ve known people who have taken an air mattress with them for comfort and then slept in a sleeping bag on top of that. I mean, what’s that all about?
Comfortable bedding can make all the difference when trying to get a good night’s sleep whilst camping, so think about what you can take with you.
Of course, practicality comes into it. I wouldn’t recommend bringing your finest white silk sheets along for a camping trip, but you should bring a duvet and some stylish sheets to liven your tent up. Think about it, you probably decorate your bedroom at home with your sheets on your bed as a key focal point, so why not do the same while camping?
Bring some extra cushions and pillows, and your camping trip will not only be more stylish, but more comfortable too!
Take-Home Message
The point I’m trying to make here is that camping doesn’t have to be all function without the finesse. Decorating your tent is important, and so easy to do with just a little thought.
As well as all the suggestions I’ve already made, you could also bring along some basic decorations, such as ornaments or a sign outside your tent to welcome you home, or something attractive like a dreamcatcher to hang from your tent’s roof to put a smile on your face.
Decorating your tent doesn’t need to be an expensive task either. A few things here and there just to make the space more comfortable can make an enormous difference.
Pick a style you want to try out and decorate the space accordingly, and I think you’ll be impressed by how much of a difference it will make to your next camping trip.