Transform your camping adventures into more glamorous events with the addition of a few boutique ideas and options
Camping doesn’t have to be a grim or spartan experience. Change your opinion of camping from awful to opulent with just a little preparation and a sprinkle of ingenious arty hacks and ideas. Glamour camping, or Glamping, has become an increasingly popular foray for Ireland’s hesitant campers. Luxury with just a hint of the rigours of the more usual outdoor adventure. Mainly, glamping means spending the night in a more upmarket tent, a yurt, a cabin or a Nissen hut that has been up-scaled with clever use of chintzy fabrics, good lighting and some country style décor. Plump cushions and a fire-pit are also a major feature of the glamping experience. But, there is no reason why you cannot mimic the wonders of glamour camping for your own usual weekend under canvas.
A few steps to instant luxury
There isn’t a tent in the world that won’t look instantly more captivating with the addition of solar or battery powered fairy lights and a wee bit of hippy style bunting. Overstuffed cushions and a few chintzy curtains will complete the boutique camping image. The fairy lights will add visual warmth, while the fabrics will soften the look of the camping environment. A few Director’s chairs and warm travel rugs will be a welcome addition in the cool evening air and if you are feeling truly opulent, the Thermarest trekker chair is the most comfortable and convenient fold up chair imaginable. Pop a throw rug on it, sit by the fire and its quite likely that you will not want to go to bed.
And so… to sleep
Without a doubt, a good night sleep epitomises the difference between a brutal and a bijou camping trip. All the scatter cushions in the forest will not ensure a peaceful night’s slumber if the hard ground is keeping you awake. That one rock that is missed when pitching the tent, has ruined many a night’s repose. A good sleeping mat under a great sleeping bag is the simple answer to enjoying a cosy and restful night in that glamorous revamped tent. Many seasoned campers suggest using a double high inflatable mattress, but a reputable sleeping mat will do the same job, take up less space in the packing and is not likely to deflate during the night. A camp bed that takes you off the floor might just be the thing to elevate your sleeping experience. At Outdoor Adventures Store, we have the Dormir traditional camp bed that is particularly beloved of taller campers, and will enhance any glamping experience. Bring a wee side table for your lamp and sure you are home from home. See Dormir Campbed XL
Fire Pit Dining
Portable fire pits are essential for the glamping experience. Campfire cooking may need to be aided by the use of a good quality butane stove and popped on the fire for a charring before being served. Check out our blog on campfire recipes for delicious and inviting campfire cooking.
At the risk of being accused of bringing everything including the kitchen sink, you can bring the oven. The Dynasty oven is portable, large and could be a great asset for long glamour camping trips with the family. Pizza on the trail? Sunday roast by the river anyone?
Introduce The Vango brand also produce some really good bamboo plate sets and glasses to add a touch of class to your dining event. Just sit back and enjoy al-fresco feasting under the stars.
Luxury with intent
Of course, it is a little bit more difficult to ‘pimp’ that pop up tent for a more fancy camping trip. A good tent definitely helps. We cannot all have a full size palatial Yurt complete with roll cushions, palm trees and long brocade curtains. The best inflatable tent of 2019, the Tahiti 800Xl is a pretty good alternative for some ritzy posh camping.
Camping Magazine rightly gave the accolade to this brightly coloured family tent. Spacious Bedrooms, a conservatory that lends itself to getting a glamping make-over. To add to the ease of your grand glamping camping trip, these inflatable tents have no physical poles. Hook them up to the pump and they inflate in a few minutes. Nothing says glamping like avoiding the fight over tent poles and pegs, and the arguments as you attempt to put your canvas/ neoprene home together. If you are thinking of investing in a tent this year, the award winning Tahiti should be top of the wish list.
Added Luxury
No matter which tent you have, roughing it in style will be chic, elegant and swanky with just a few little bits of added luxury. Scented candles. Choose citronella, as it has the added bonus of bonus of being an effective insect repellent. Twinkly Lights. We just cannot stress it enough. The immediate and inexpensive effect of adding those twinkly lights is a no-brainer for glampy campy types. Rug. A floor rug for warmth on your bare feet in the morning and cosying up the appearance in general. A Mirror. Hang a mirror in your tent. This gives the illusion of space and lets you check just how fabulous you look in the glow of the fire and the twinkly lights.
Boutique camping will alter your outdoor adventures and change your whole perspective of roughing it in the wild. Once you get the real hang of this ‘do it yourself glamping’, you may never want to go home again. Happy Camping Folks.