Camping doesn’t have to look or feel boring. In fact, living outdoors can be a really comfortable and personalized experience with the right design elements and camping accessories. Decorating your small camping tent can transform it from a basic structure into a comfy personal oasis. To achieve this, you’ll want to consider the things that make an interior space enjoyable to be in like ambiance, style, and how to best maximize your space. In this blog, we’re going to discuss some camping tent decorating ideas, specifically geared towards smaller one or two person tents, so you can achieve a cozy retreat that will enhance your overall time in nature.
Table Of Contents
Creating Ambiance
When you walk into a room, what is usually the first thing you notice? Take stock of the space around you that you’re currently in. Do you notice any colors, shapes, or sounds? How about the lighting? All these elements add up to the ambiance. This is what builds the atmosphere of a space and gives it a particular mood. So how do you want your tent space to feel when you enter? Do you want it to be bright and airy? Or warm and cozy?
When you’re camping, unless the weather is unpleasant, you’re likely spending most of your time outdoors. That means most of your time inside the tent will be in the morning and after dark. Lighting can be the best way to add ambiance to your tent space. Battery-operated string lights are an awesome way to add some warm light surrounding the space. Solar-powered lanterns are also an option to hang from the ceiling or place around the tent as well.
Bird songs are always nice, as are the crashing waves of the shore and wind through the leaves. But what about having some nice curated tunes mixed in? Think about what sounds you enjoy that would add the perfect layer to your ambiance. Including a Bluetooth speaker is an easy way to incorporate music into the scenery. There are a plethora of styles out there– from retro, to sleek. Some even come with a clip so you can hang it up and save table space.
Adding Personal Style
Matching the environment of the area you’re camping in is certainly not the only way to decorate, but it can be a really fun way to feel fully immersed in the landscape. Are you coming back to camp from a summer surf sesh on the coast? Boho beach blankets and macrame might add a fun vibe to your tent. Or are you waking up under a lush green forest on a yoga retreat? Trailing greenery and a teak coffee table would make for a relaxing interior. Maybe you’re warming up by the glow of a wood burning stove in a winter wonderland after trekking and hunting all day. Warm fuzzy blankets and pillows would help make this rustic setting a little more homey.
Hanging patterned tapestries is a great way to add color and art to a small camping tent without necessarily taking away from any space inside. Even small mirrors, which reflect light, can be hung or set on a small side table to bring more light and dimension, opening up the space.
Comfy chairs or poufs make for nice corners to lounge and cool down. A fold-out coffee table or tray is a must for board game nights and eating inside if the weather’s bad and doubles as a nice surface to set some books and plants
Maximizing Your Space
Embracing the outdoor-indoor lifestyle means maximizing your space will be the key to comfort and functionality. So as you start to hone in on your style, also be thinking about what practical gear matters most on your trip, then opt for multifunctional items where you can. Compact and lightweight items not only minimize clutter in the tent itself but more importantly keep the packing process simple and easy.
Outdoor brands are designing more and more camping accessories and gear that are meant to be aesthetically appealing. From colorful sleeping bags and cots to neutral folding canvas benches and vintage-looking lanterns. If you’re decorating a yurt or bell tent, there are many options for large round ground covers with beautiful designs on them making them equally stylish and practical. This goes for blankets and pillows, mugs and dishware, string lights, and more. Consider storage bins that double as table tops or that can hang vertically. Organize your items efficiently to prioritize simplicity and functionality in your decor.
Vertical Space
Often forgotten, vertical space– in any room, but especially a small tent– can make all the difference in the world. Any decor elements that will draw the eyes upwards are perfect for this. Add hanging lanterns or lights that will draw your eyes upwards rather than down. Even hanging trailing plants from above not only adds that lively greenery, but also lifts the ceiling a bit.
Outdoor Space
Consider maximizing the indoor-outdoor living experience. Rather than just thinking within the tent itself, especially if it’s a small one, create an outdoor extension. Remember to be mindful and respectful of your designated campsite and your neighbors while doing this. But you can certainly set up an enjoyable, usable porch-like area. Set up a canvas awning that matches your tent, and line it with lanterns or string lights. Add a couple of folding camp chairs and a wood table just outside the entrance for an inviting porch-like feeling. This instantly becomes a morning breakfast spot, a post-hike hub, and a cozy campfire. If you have a bamboo or wood platform that could extend from the tent, this makes a great foundation for the “patio furniture”, or a sturdy area to set up a yoga mat.
Tips
There are tons of different ways to find inspiration for camping tent decorating so you can make the space your own. It may be helpful to pull inspiration from larger yurt or glamping tent decor and recreate that on a smaller scale. Feel free to scan through some online images, magazines, coffee table books, etc. for inspiration. And don’t forget to practice! If you’re able, set up camp in your backyard or an outdoor space before leaving for the real deal to make sure you know exactly what you actually need to bring and how you’d prefer the decor to be arranged. This way you can take your time deciding on a setup, and ultimately be able to maximize your time enjoying camping at your destination.
In the wilderness, your personal space may be limited but creativity abounds all around. Let your originality flow! Add dimension to your outdoor adventure by remembering it’s not just about exploration, but also the comfort and joy found in the little details of your personalized tent.
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