Do you like camping? I never did, until I realised dirt and dust don’t have to form an integral part of the experience. Camping can be relaxing, peaceful and even luxurious. If you want to up your camping game, then all you need to do is learn how to make a luxury tent, and that’s easy. Read on for the how-to!
A luxury tent, like a good potjie, can do wonders for your mind, just so you know. But first, let’s find out what a luxury tent is.
What is a luxury tent?
A luxury tent is a tent that has the comforts a bedroom is likely to have. Plush bedding, electricity and bedside tables are among the items you can find in a luxury tent. These tents are often made from canvas material and have a bell or a-frame shape. Luxury tents form part of the glamping (glamorous camping) experience.
Scroll down to find out which spots made it to the top 6 luxury camping destinations in South Africa!
Here are the essentials of a luxury tent
Rugs & Tarp for Happy Feet
Second only to the tent structure is a sturdy and clean underfoot base. Comfortable area rugs line luxury tent floors. The contrast in texture underfoot adds a touch of hotel luxury to camping. Jute rugs are perfect for a natural approach to glamping, while Persian runners or even faux fur throws add a surprisingly welcome contrast to the immediate outdoors.
Many luxury tents are constructed onto existing platforms, like a wooden deck. But, whether set on a deck or the ground, all luxury tents need quality tarps. The tarp acts as a protective waterproof layer between the tent and the earth, this way the luxury tent won’t get damaged or wet.
Super Bed
A soft bed is a must. White linen is a frequent feature in luxury tents, and they channel a boutique hotel atmosphere. A soft duvet, plenty of pillows and texture-rich throws make outdoor dreaming easy. Contrast is everywhere when it comes to glamping. So, get inspiration from your favourite luxury tents. Stick to white bedding and add colour through accessories.
Space to Move in
Large luxury tents resemble the luxurious one-room living of chic studio apartments. More space also means more creature comforts like a small but stylish dresser or even a tub. Finally, cramped camping is a thing of the past. Standing up straight certainly has never felt as fabulous as it does in a luxury tent.
Lovely Lounging Area
What makes a luxury tent luxurious is not just what’s inside. Therefore an outdoor sitting or lounging nook is essential to the ultimate camping experience. Patterned picnic blankets with colourful poofs can create a magical and relaxing area, perfect after a long day of outdoor adventures.
Ambient Lights
Not liking camping due to darkness at night is not a valid excuse anymore. Many campsites do have electricity, with lamps inside the luxury tent and outer pathways are often lit too. All the light can make it feel as safe as indoor camping. Lighting can vary from designer pendant lamps to modest bedside lights. Choose lantern lights for an authentic feel or contemporary pendant lights to up the contrast factor.
Luxury Tent Dining
The details that are in and around a tent matter when you’re luxury camping. A pretty tablescape complete with tablecloth, chic camping crockery and cutlery refines camping even more. Dining on a picnic blanket is an excellent alternative if you don’t have a table. For instance, trays make awesome table-islands and add freedom to al fresco dining.
Whatever you choose to eat, be sure to pack a few goodies into your cycling backpacks to keep your tummy happy on the next hike or mountain track!
How to create your luxury tent in 5 steps
You can glam up your camping in a budget-friendly manner. So, whether you’re sprucing up your two-person tent or setting up a luxury tent in your backyard here’s what you’ll need:
1. Lay down a tarp and rug
A tarpaulin is essential for your tent’s well-being in the unpredictable wild. Once set up you can place a rug inside your tent and a mat just outside the tent’s entrance.
2. Set up your tent
You need a tent, any tent you own, as a basis. Clean off any dirt at least a day before camping, to ensure it dries properly. Planning camping in your garden? If it’s all clear skies for the foreseeable future (check your weather app), use a mosquito net as your luxury tent’s shell.
3. Make a bed
Soft bedding, a mattress (or camping equivalent), pillows and scatter cushions make a luxury tent luxurious.
4. Create a seating area
Make sure to get comfy seats. Spruce up camping chairs with beautiful throws and small scatter cushions. And don’t forget a table: fold-ups, make-shift surfaces and trays all count. Just be sure to add a pretty touch like flowers and colourful snack bowls.
5. Add ambient light
Invest in camping lamps, battery operated or solar powered lanterns are ideal. You can string one up inside the tent, or place one atop box on each side of your bed. Battery-operated fairy lights are even better. And don’t forget to add lights outside the tent.
If you want to camp in a luxury tent, check out our top 10 Luxury Tents in South Africa!
- Hey Pioneer 2. Hillsnek Safaris 3. Sanbona 4. Kwafubesi 5. Tanda Tula 6. Cherry Glamping
Now you’re ready, relax and light a fire for a lekker braai!
Happy Camping!
