The Tent
Traditional canvas with one of the many designs available is obviously a first choice, but...like many luxury items, it is expensive. Few people can afford to shell out the $1000 (sometimes more) that a tent measuring 10-18' costs. In addition, canvas tents are bulkier, heavier, require more complicated frames, and have more complicated set up than modern tents with their high tech frames and fabrics. For budget-wise luxury, the tents shown below in the Amazon widget are suggested models that would work well for a glamping experience for a couple. (Consider adding a second, smaller tent for the kids, if you can't leave them behind.) For the cooking and dining space, a second tent/shelter would be used.
Your tent is THE most important piece of equipment that you will need for glamping. After purchasing your tent, set it up to make sure that it has all of its pieces and you know how to set it up. Use a seam sealer on all seams that will be exposed to moisture, and spray the rain fly with a water proofing spray designed for tents.
DO NOT skip these steps if you want to have an enjoyable experience!
All of these tents include a floor, however, it is still advisable to use a ground cloth (i.e. inexpensive tarp) to protect the tent floors. This also prevents moisture migration through the tent floor, and helps the tent stay much cleaner. (All of the dirt, bugs, mud, and moisture are on the tarp, not the tent floor.) Using several smaller tarps is much easier than using one large tarp, as the smaller tarps are more manageable.
The Bed
This is where the luxury starts. Don't settle for a mere pad on the ground, the bed should be portable (so you can get it there without a moving van!) but that's where the "camping" part stops.
It has to be COMFORTABLE too!
Folding frames supporting a futon, foam or air mattress is a good start, the foundation for your luxurious stay in the campground or woods.
Essentially, you can choose a futon mattress & frame, a standard folding frame and foam mattress, or an airbed either with an inflatable "frame" or with the separate folding frame.
Your choices will vary depending on your budget and the amount of space you have to carry your glamping kit.
Your bed and bedding is some of the bulkiest items in a glamping kit, and requires the most space, but who wants to camp and go without a comfortable night's rest?
Here are some options for you.
Not even Glamping should be difficult or complicated.
It should be fun, even though you want your luxury and your comforts included in the package.
Even so, you want comfortable bedding with a luxurious feel.
High thread count sheets, pillow cases, comfortable fluffy pillows, comforters, duvets, duvet covers, feather mattresses, even mattress pads...it all makes a huge difference!
Just because you don't have a maid in the package doesn't mean you have to settle for cheap bedding!
Do it yourself doesn't hurt when it results in the ultimate in luxury.
Here's some products selected for the ultimate in glamping comfort, bedroom style!
Mastering the issue of shelter with your tent is the first step,
followed by the selection of your bed and appropriate bedding.
Your glamping bedroom isn't finished yet though!
Your tent should have a nice dry floor, no matter what Mother Nature delivers,
but even so, the floor can become a much more comfortable surface for your pampered tootsies,
allowing you to walk around indoors barefoot in complete comfort, even if the temperatures outdoors begin to plummet.
It starts with a cushioning surface,
delivered by covering the tent floor with "puzzle" piece foam flooring,
similar to what is used in children's play areas and work areas.
These "tiles" are easy to set into place, mating firmly with their neighbors via the "puzzle" concept.
The tiles are also easy to clean, requiring nothing more than a scrub brush, soap, and water
no matter what happens to them in camp.
Next comes the canvas drop cloth (optional).
This covers the foam tiles,
and provides a neutral colored surface so the colors of the tiles do not clash with your interior decorating scheme.
Last, but not least is the rugs.
So many options,
so much color and so much cozy comfort is all at the tips of your toes
once its laid down in your portable, soft sided, home away from home.
Here is a some shopping suggestions in an easy to use format!
The Gazebo
The Gazebo is important too--that's where your kitchen & dining area will be, protected from sun and most weather.
You (or your partner) will cook your meals there, and then dine at the table with its table cloth,
using the dishes you have selected as being ideal for your glamping dining experience.
(You could just use the ones from home, but where is the glamour in that?)
The Gazebo Floor
The gazebo's floor can be covered with any of the coverings used in the tent or suggested for use in the tent, including the nice cushioning puzzle tiles.
You may want something specifically designed for outdoors, however.
These "rugs" are designed to allow water to pass through them without absorbing it and are easy to clean.
Electricity
Before we go any further though, we need to address the issue of getting power
from the post & box at your campsite to your glamping tent & gazebo.
Here's some solutions to that problem!
Appliances
Some of the things you will use during your glamping experience use electricity. These features make glamping convenient and comfortable, but at the same time, you need to remember that you have to haul these items to and from your glamping location. Double check the amount of cargo space in comparison to the amount of space your glamping gear needs. It may be wise to rent a trailer to carry it if you have a smaller vehicle.
Here are some appliances that you may want to consider adding to your glamping kit. Most are smaller than the versions typically used in the average household, but may present issues in regards to fitting into the cargo space in your car.
The Furniture
The furniture is another "space hog" in terms of your glamping gear, but it too is very important. These pieces provide surfaces to sit on, put things on, dine on, and hold your personal belongings. These too need to be both portable and give off an air of luxury...without breaking the bank!
Often, the lines of the folding furniture can be softened by using luxurious throws to cover the chairs,
colorful table cloths to cover the tables, and maybe even a lacey doily here and there.
Here are some suggestions for the pieces to make your glamping kit complete.
We've got the tent, the electric, the gazebo, the flooring, the appliances, the bedding and the furniture covered...so we've got the entire skeleton of your glamping kit put together now.
So what's left?
The Kitchen
Well, your kitchen hasn't happened yet.
How will you cook?
What will you cook in?
How will you serve it?
How will you store the food both before and after cooking?
Granted, you could just use the pots & pans from home, then serve it on your regular dishes...but where's the glamor in that?
We have to have some adventure and fun here!
Some of the suggestions are long on luxury, some are long on convenience & affordability.
Choose things that appeal to you, and can make your experience a pleasant and enjoyable one. Often, starting off with a more basic kit can provide you with inspiration for how you would like to expand your glamping kit in the future. One easy way to cut your initial expenditure is to use many items from home, such as dishes, pots & pans, small appliances, and even bedding.
You've got your gear.
You have assembled your kit.
Now all that is left is to package up your food and your clothing.
Are you ready to go glamping now?
Probably not...
There's always a few extras to make it all extra special!
Some odds and ends to help it go smoothly.
Here's some ideas!
This page is still under construction as we do some more research, assemble some gear, take photographs, and find suppliers.
It's a big project to set up a glamping kit from scratch, and we are trying to do much of the leg work for you.
In the meantime, you can help us in many ways with the project!
Here are some ways to help.
- Sending us an email and tell us what would appeal the most to you about glamping instead of camping.
- Donate gear, supplies, or plans to Exogeny Network.
- Send us your favorite supplier(s) for glamping gear or upscale camping gear.
- Send us an email telling us about the best campgrounds and parks for glamping experiences.
- Tell us about your glamping vacation, whether it was at a glamping resort or with a glamping kit.
- Donate funds to Exogeny Network to help with the glamping project. (You can donate from the home page)
- Tell us why you would like to try glamping yourself.
- Tell us what a reasonable fee would be to rent a glamping kit for a couple. (This means what you would pay in order to try it yourself.)
- Tell us what you think about glamping and glampers in an email.
To contact Exogeny Network about the glamping project, please email giascott@exogenynetwork.com
Remember, we will never share your email address with anyone, and if we publish your comments, all we'll use is your gender and home state/country.
We value our readers and respect their privacy!
This page was last updated on June 23, 2011
Our goal is to have a kit completely assembled prior to October 20th, 2011