How to Make Camping Comfortable (Without Breaking the Bank)

At home, we put so much effort into making our bedrooms an oasis — soft bedding, calming colors, the right lighting. So why do we so often compromise on comfort when we camp?

Here’s the good news: creating a cozy, welcoming camping setup doesn’t mean dropping a fortune on expensive gear. With just a few simple, thoughtful touches, you can transform your tent and campsite into a space you actually look forward to relaxing in.

Let’s break down some of our favorite (and budget-friendly) tips.

💡 Set the Mood with Ambient Lighting

Lighting is the easiest — and most instantly rewarding — way to elevate your campsite.

We love using string lights inside and outside the tent. Look for USB or USB-C powered options that can plug directly into your car or a small battery bank. Choose ones with a dimming feature or multiple color settings if possible. Why?

• Inside the tent, they’re practical — you can actually see your space, find what you need, and avoid the frustrating “phone flashlight shuffle” at bedtime.

• They’re also mood-setting — soft, warm light creates a relaxing, homey atmosphere after dark.

Many tents now come with built-in lighting, but if yours doesn’t, just clip or velcro string lights along the ceiling or walls. For outside, a friend of ours even picked up solar ground lights from the dollar store — they extend the glow around camp and make it feel magical.

🛏 Upgrade Your Bedding

We’ve tried everything over the years: sleeping bags, blankets, mats, cots — you name it.

Here’s what we’ve learned:

• Sleeping bags are practical and packable but can feel restrictive.

• Blankets offer that cozy “at home” vibe but can be bulky.

The middle ground? Compact down blankets — super warm, lightweight, and designed to pack small. Yes, they’re a bit pricier, but they’re versatile enough to use at home too.

We love our Aeronaut blankets (we have one thinner and one thicker version) — they’re visually beautiful and balance comfort with style.

One bonus we didn’t expect? Temperature regulation. Patrick runs hot, and I run cold — and having separate blankets lets us each control how much cover we want. It’s a small thing, but it’s made a huge difference in how well we sleep.

🛌 Add Sheets to Your Tent or Rooftop Tent

Rooftop tent mats and sleeping pads are usually easy to clean — but let’s be honest, they’re not comfortable to lay on. We lived on the road full-time for nearly a year before I finally decided to invest in some sheets.

The moment I did, I wondered why I waited so long.

That simple upgrade made the whole space feel comfy, bright, and refreshing.

Suddenly, it wasn’t just a place to crash at night — it was a little escape. I actually looked forward to climbing up to the tent to relax, read, or just have some quiet time.

Pro tip: You can buy fitted sheets by themselves, or get a fitted and flat sheet set. I went with the pair because it gives me two layers — when the top sheet gets dirty, I can toss it in the laundry bag and still have another layer to use. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference, especially when you’re not near laundry facilities.

😴 Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Good Pillow

If you’ve ever camped with a balled-up sweatshirt or tiny travel pillow under your head, you know: pillows can make or break your night.

For a long time, we made do — the kids used stuffed animals, we used whatever we had. But recently, we discovered a full-size inflatable pillow made by, Cocoon, a small company in Wenatchee, WA, and it’s been a total game changer.

It feels like a real pillow, but deflates to store compactly with our bedding. They also make smaller versions that fit perfectly into the hood of a mummy bag — a huge comfort upgrade, especially for the boys.

🧺 Add a Tablecloth + Outdoor Rug

Here’s an underrated tip: dress up your living space, not just your sleeping space.

A simple tablecloth on the picnic table instantly makes your dining area feel more inviting and clean (and hides the sticky, weathered wood underneath). We usually pack a wipeable or lightweight fabric one — bonus points for a fun pattern or cheerful color.

On the ground, an outdoor rug or mat under the awning or outside the tent works wonders. It softens the dirt, cuts down on tracked-in mess, and visually defines the “living room” of your campsite. You don’t need anything fancy — even a cheap woven mat or recycled plastic rug will do the job and elevate the whole vibe.

🏠 Why Comfort Always Matters

For us as a full-time traveling family, making our space cozy is obvious — it’s our home!

But here’s the truth: the outdoor experience can always be comfortable, no matter how long the trip.

We don’t need to justify comfort by saying, “Well, we’re out here for weeks, so we deserve it.” Even on a weekend trip, you deserve to feel at home in your space. The more comfortable and inviting your setup is, the more likely you are to prioritize time outdoors in the future.

We also believe this: The outdoors is uncomfortable — and that’s okay. But we live in a time when creature comforts have never been more available. Why not blend the beauty of nature with the comfort of home?

🌿 Final Thoughts

Camping shouldn’t feel like you’re “just getting by.” With a few small, thoughtful upgrades — lighting, cozy bedding, a real pillow, a tablecloth, a rug — you can create a space that’s not only functional but also feels like home.

Trust us: you’ll sleep better, relax deeper, and maybe even start looking forward to bedtime at camp.