Going glamping on a budget sounds impossible, but anything is possible if you are thrifty enough! All you need are great ideas, the ability to be crafty, and the know-how for DIY projects. I will have you relaxing in the great outdoors in no time with a comprehensive guide full of tips, tutorials, and affordable product suggestions.
So how do you go glamping on a budget? The answer has many questions, but the best way to save money on glamping is to use items around the house as well as DIY glamping projects.
Here’s what we will cover to make glamping a little easier on your budget.
- Tips for budget glamping
- Using what you already have
- Knowing where to invest
- Budget-friendly glamping equipment
- DIY glamping projects
- Related articles
Tips for Budget Glamping
Before we dive in, there are some things you should remember before gathering an awesome packing list. Each will come in handy later.
- Use what you already have. Shopping sprees may be a lot of fun, but saving money is even better! Anything you can find that makes you feel happy and comfortable or is useful in helping you relax can be added to your list as long as it is portable and sustainable.
- Invest your money wisely. There is no getting around the fact that you have to shell it out somewhere, so make sure the things you do buy are essential for making a glamping trip possible.
- In any applicable place, buy reusable products. You can save on your trip next time and quite possibly use what you have for everyday situations in your life! For instance, a nice reusable water bottle goes a long way and is super eco-friendly.
- Find a “glampsite” near home, so you do not spend hundreds on gas alone. If there are none, make your own wherever it is safe to do so! You could even choose a spot in your backyard; you will be sleeping under the stars, but you can pop back inside to use the restroom instead of finding a spot behind a tree.
- Ask people you know if you can borrow some camping equipment. If a neighbor or friend has a spacious tent, an inflatable mattress, or any other sort of portable item like a cooler, you can invest your money elsewhere! Just be sure to give it back when you return.
Using What You Already Have
As discussed, there are tons of things just lying around the house begging to be taken along the journey with you. None of what you have has to be expensive to make you feel glamorous. Here are a few examples that may prove useful to you.
- Think about what sort of materials/fabrics make you feel comfortable or happy when you touch them. If anything came to mind just now, pack it! Soft and warm blankets will keep you cozy around the campfire at night. An extra-plush pillow is great for resting your head on after a long, hard day of being totally glam. See what I mean? Little things like that add up to a great glamping experience without breaking the bank!
- No gorgeous getaway is complete without a pop of color for style. In 5-star resorts, they have artwork on the walls of every suite. Who’s to say you can’t have the same? Any cute poster or tapestry you have will add a luxurious aura to your space. The pillows or bed set you bring could be vibrant in color with different funky patterns. Pretty things just lift everyone’s mood, don’t you think?
- When it comes to having a restful sleep, what can beat your own bed from home? You already know that it is comfortable because you sleep on it every night. You do not have to pay for an air mattress that you’ll hardly use, either. It is a total win-win situation! Of course, you have to put some effort into moving and packing it, but your body will thank you later when you don’t have to rough it in a sleeping bag on the ground.
- There is nothing better than walking into a room that smells nice. However, glamping with a candle is not a smart idea because one little tumble could set the room on fire while you aren’t paying attention. Instead, take an air freshener or a potpourri basket for a lovely scent. If you don’t have either, you can add it to the list of things to buy if you have wiggle room after buying the necessities.
Knowing Where to Invest
You have to spend your money in places that matter. Buying shelter, food, and safety-related products should be your first priority. If you have enough left after that, then you can buy a few things to elevate your experience within reason. Let’s talk about what you need first.
- An established “glampsite.” If you want to save a little on amenities and have lots of packing room in your car, just pay for a cabin, yurt, tent, treehouse, etc. at a place specifically made with glamorous camping in mind. Sure, they are a little more expensive, but if you can swing it then I suggest you go for it!
- If paying per night to stay in a cabin is not what you had in mind, then you need to think about what kind of shelter you will be using. Unless you borrowed a tent, you need to buy one. Get something spacious and weatherproof with a floor for the best experience. Yurts are a nice investment! You could actually use it for a future birthday party or another big event since they have so much room.
- Food and food storage. Since you will be glamping on a budget, you should look through coupon books and search for local deals at the supermarket! You can find high-quality foods marked down by a lot sometimes. You do not have to be resigned to a can of lukewarm tomato soup. If nothing else, do some meal prep and freeze bags of chili or stew to heat up over the fire later.
As for food storage, you should invest a good chunk of your money here. Having fresh, unspoiled meals is vital unless you want to cut your trip short because you got food poisoning or something. Yes, meat lovers, I am talking about you. You need airtight containers and coolers to put them in. Plan accordingly for the size of your group!
- Phone Charger. In this day and age, our phones are our most valuable assets. You can do practically anything you could do on a computer from your iPhone! On a more basic level, you can use it to send messages to loved ones or call emergency services if you get hurt or lost. With a dead phone, you can’t watch Netflix or call the authorities if you need to. That is why you need a reliable phone charger.
- Camping toilets and showers. Can we all just admit that peeing in the woods is not super glamorous? One of the main attractions is that you don’t have to give up the comforts of home! You will actually feel like a civilized human when you don’t have to dig a latrine and squat over it. Consider getting this one from REI. You can fold it up when you aren’t using it, and the bags it comes with can be sealed and properly disposed of. It supports up to 500 lbs.
Showers also keep us from feeling like filthy animals. This portable option ensures that you can get clean whenever and wherever! This model is well worth it because it’s affordable and can give you warm water if you set it in the sun.
Budget-Friendly Glamping Equipment
While we are mostly going to focus on being thrifty and staying away from expensive products, everything you need for a glamorous time can’t possibly be found in the garage. There are a few affordable things on the list that you can go for if you have any room left to spare financially.
- Remember our discussion about showers and toilets? It is possible to use them with a bit of privacy! Bet you thought you were going to have to sacrifice that or use a corner of the tent with a privacy sheet between you and everyone else. Nope — all the comfort and security you need is in this little changing tent. It has vents for air circulation, and it pops up in seconds because it is collapsible! As an added bonus, it is pretty sturdy when it comes to weather conditions.
- Portable heater. If you are going glamping in colder weather, one thing you probably don’t want to miss out on is the warmth that comes with this propane-powered portable heater. If it gets tipped over, it shuts off. You don’t have to worry about setting your tent on fire!
- Inflatable bathtub. If you prefer baths to showers, I have some great news for you. Inflatable tubs exist, and you can take them wherever you want! This will be more suited for a privacy sheet in a tent situation, but who cares? Baths are worth it. This particular model fits two people if you feel like sharing with your significant other.
DIY Budget-Friendly Glamping Projects
If you really want to take things to the next level, there are some great budget-friendly glamping equipment tutorials out there that will be sure to wow your group on your trip.
You are all set to go glamping on a budget like a boss. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort just because you are on a tight budget.