“With lots of clever camping accessories and a bit of imagination, there’s no reason why you can’t outglamp the glampers…” ~ Katie Love
Glamping is really coming into its own as a ready-made, luxury camping experience. You can book accommodation ranging from yurts, wigwams and camper-vans to renovated railway carriages or specially built pods. It’s now a business all its own with glamping sites setting up right across the UK.
But we do wonder if glamping takes some of the joy out of the camping experience. Surely, half the fun is setting up your own little holiday home and making it yours? Creating your own little canvas haven of tranquillity, pitching it wherever you like – away from the daily hustle and bustle of normality?
We think you can have the best of both camps! With lots of clever camping accessories and a bit of imagination, there’s no reason why you can’t outglamp the glampers with your very own set up.
Take a look at our ultimate DIY glamping list and be inspired to up the ante with neighbouring campers on your next outdoorsy holiday!
1. Boutique touches
You can ‘glamp-up’ any tent with some boutique touches, but if you really want to go all out and set up a proper glamping space, this Boutique Camping Oxford Bell Tent is the way to go!
Even without embellishment, this luxury sandstone bell tent is sure to turn heads. It even has a ready-made fitting for a chandelier – another must for authentic glamping!
2. Chandelier, you say?
Of course! No glamping experience is complete without one. We love this copper-framed chandelier with multicoloured glass holders. It’s designed to fit perfectly around the centre pole of a bell tent and teamed with tealights will create the perfect ambient glow for a night beneath the stars.
If you’re worried about naked flames and fabric, opt for battery tea lights, they’re just as effective.
3. Add a splash of colour
A true glamping space needs lots of colour! It’s up to you whether you want to pick a particular palette or theme, or go for a truly eclectic mix. Either way, you’ll have great fun picking out some fantastic colourful pieces to adorn your canvas hideaway.
Rugs are a great way to introduce colour and make the space feel cosy and warm. They’re also a practical addition, as you can shake out any dirt to save on sweeping while you’re away and they can be washed in-between camping trips. We think these hand-loomed, Indian-inspired Rag Rugs are gorgeous. They’re thin and light-weight, so perfect for packing, and at under £15 each are a cheap and easy way to glamp-up your camp.
4. Boutique bunting!
Don’t forget to gorgeous-up the outside of your glamping space too! Guide ropes are just ready-made hanging space for some boutique bunting. There’s tons of colours and designs to choose from and you’ll adore seeing it fluttering in the breeze as you return from your daily adventures. There’s no reason why you can’t continue indoors too! Make a web of bunting in the ceiling or drape it across the sides of the canvas. If you’re feeling really creative, you can pin it to the tent in swirls and shapes.
5. A touch of ambience
For that real touch of glamping class, add some ambient lighting to your outdoor adornments! Bunting is now available with ready-fitted lighting attached – and it’s run on batteries so it’s easy to keep them glowing. It’ll make late-night strolls more appealing, knowing you won’t have to hunt down your tent in the dark.
6. Eco matters
Wherever possible – use wood instead of plastic. Glamping is still about getting back to nature, albeit in style, and most glamping spaces favour natural materials. Replacing your plastic fold-away table with a wooden one will help elevate your camper to a glamper’s level.
If you’re DIY glamping as a family, consider two small wooden tables instead of one big one, so it’s still manageable to transport. These Deuba wooden square tables are hard-wearing, weather-resistant and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Simply fold up and pop in the car.
7. Marrying practicality with style and comfort
A true glamper will want to marry practicality with style and comfort. To get the true luxury experience with a real ‘home-from-home’ feeling, you want the comfiest chair possible! Unfortunately, foldable and comfortable don’t often go together. We think we’ve found the answer, however!
This convenient to carry, foldable butterfly chair is both practical and beautiful. And yes, it’s comfy too! The dark brown beechwood legs will blend perfectly into your outdoors setting, and the easy-to-clean fabric is perfect for in and out of your camp base. There’s even a detachable head-rest.
8. For the Zzzzz
Of course, comfort in the sleeping quarters is crucial too. Whilst we can’t offer an easily-transportable four-poster bed, it is important to get the best air-mattress you can. It will make all the difference to your glamping experience. And, so you don’t ruin the glamping buzz having to pump-up your bed, there are now inflatable mattresses with built-in high-powered air pumps, so you get a ready-to-go bed in just 5 minutes without pumping once! This Yawn King Size inflatable mattress comes with a headboard, so it not only looks the part, it also stops you losing your pillows in the night!
9. Cosy up in style
And we can’t forget bed-dressings. To keep your camping experience more chic than shiver, you’ll want lots of luxurious, soft, warm, cosy throws. Vary the texture and colour. Get some patterned and some plain. They add to the whole bohemian ambience of the space during the day, and are great to snuggle up in at night. Take them outside when it starts getting chilly, so you can stargaze on those crisp, clear nights. And use them as extra blankets on the bed to make glamping at any time of the year, no matter what the weather, an inviting experience.
10. Under the stars
The campfire is a must to make any glamping experience complete. There is nothing quite like roasting marshmallows over a fire-pit as the sun sets in the distance, watching the stars appear as the daylight fades. You’ll be wrapped up in your luxury throw, sipping a glass of wine, singing a few campfire songs, watching for a shooting star…
You’ll be glad to know you don’t have to build your own fire-pit from local stone and slate, although that’s probably the set-up at glamping sites. This portable camping fire-pit is propane-fuelled, so there’s no need to collect dry firewood for it to work, and provides a clean and smokeless flame which rivals a wood campfire. We think it’s perfect for any DIY glamper.
11. Turn up the heat
If you happen to be on a site where fires aren’t allowed, you can still turn up the heat with some portable outdoor heaters. Where camping’s concerned, it’s also great when one piece of kit can be used multiple ways. This camping heater will not only keep you warm inside or out, it doubles up as a portable camp cooker, so you can make a lovely cuppa or whip up a warm bowl of soup wherever you are.
12. The gourmet kitchen
For the more gourmet glampers, you’ll probably need something a little more substantial – with storage space and preparation areas as well as the stove.
This aluminium outdoor kitchen folds neatly into a carry-bag and comes with built-in shelving units and workspace. It’s windshield means that soft summer breeze won’t blow out your gas rings, and the four adjustable legs allow you to stabilise the unit even on uneven ground. So now, there’s no excuse not to fry up some steak and eggs to add to the luxury lifestyle.
13. Waste not want not
Worried about wine-spillage on wonky tables?
Well, worry no more! We adore these funky wine bottle and glass holders. Simply stick the stake in the ground and your carefully chosen vintage wine is completely secure.
14. Better safe than spilly
And to be on the safe side while supping your bubbly or chosen beverage outdoors, we recommend a hardy, unbreakable wine glass. We know it’s not quite the same as the feel of a cool glass in your hand on a hot summer’s day, but it’s better than having to pick shards of glass from the floor if you do have a mishap.
15. Alfresco dining
For eating al-fresco glamping style, you’ll need a picnic hamper with panache! We love that this one comes with a handy wine cooler that’s easily transportable on its own – so if you just want a glass of wine on the go, rather than the full picnic, you can take this alone. And it looks equally as chic as the whole shebang.
16. Dazzle dazzle
Of course, glampers want to look glamorous themselves! You can’t sit outside a stunningly decorated bijou tent and not look equally dazzling. You have to match the stylish backdrop for those perfectly Instagrammable photos! The daily beauty regime can’t be hindered by the fact that you’re camping. A space will have to be carved in your canvas wonderland for cosmetics. If your make-up bag is a bit bulkier than needed, invest in a cool camping organiser and sort your essential items into it before you travel.
17. Be insta-ready
Talking of Instagrammable photos – you need to make sure your phone is topped up with charge to take and share them. Once you’ve set up your glamping camp, of course you need to show the world how fabulous it is! We suggest taking a good quality solar phone charger that will last the duration of your stay away. Whilst you might find a friendly café or pub that will let you plug in while you partake of their fare, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. This waterproof, multi-panel solar charger can fully charge a phone in under two hours and is also kitted out with bright LED emergency lights.
18. It wouldn’t be the same without…
Our final piece de resistance for the DIY glamper has to be… a hammock. Relaxation is the order of the day on any glamping holiday, and there’s nothing quite like being hugged by a hammock as you lounge in the sun to un-knot any tension.
There are some fabulous portable hammocks, both single and double (for the Tarzan and Jane experience). We love this colourful wood and cotton-blend double hammock with cord hangers and matching pillows. We guarantee you’ll love it so much, you’ll be hanging it up at home too!