8 Pieces You Need To Turn Your Camping Tent Into A Home Away From Home

By  Erin Flynn
camping essentials Walmart

The idea of camping is so idyllic: Spending all day soaking up the wonders of nature, telling stories by a crackling campfire, falling asleep under the stars. But all too often, a more realistic picture of camping looks like swatting away mosquitoes while you try to get comfortable in a musty sleeping bag.

The first vision is totally possible — and we've rounded up eight Walmart essentials to prove it. Consider this everything you need to make your outdoor-adventuring setup feel ultimately homey, so you can focus on actually enjoying nature and your company (instead of bug bites and a crick in your neck).

tentWalmart

​Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room Cabin Tent, with 2 Side Entrances, $170​

First up: Somewhere to sleep. This oversized tent is really more like a cabin than a lean-to. It fits three queen size air mattresses or 10 people in individual sleeping bags, and the mesh ceiling allows for next-level stargazing.

air mattressWalmart

​Coleman® SupportRest™ Pillowstop 18-Inch Double-High Queen Airbed, $84.98​

No more sleeping on the hard ground. Now, you'll be snoozing on a plush, queen-sized air mattress that rivals your bed at home.

beddingWalmart

​Sweet Home Collection Luxury 7 Piece Bed-In-A-Bag Down Alternative Comforter And Sheet Set, $46.99​

The quickest way to go from camping to glamping is to ditch the sleeping bag in favor of real sheets and a cozy comforter, preferably in an ultra-summery turquoise shade.

throw pillowWalmart

​Soft Corduroy Striped Velvet Square Decorative Throw Pillow, 2 Pack, $23​

Home is where all the comfy feels are, so bring along a throw pillow or two (bonus points if you choose a fun pop of color) to make your tent the ideal spot to curl up with a book, front flap open for all the fresh air.

picnic tableWalmart

​Stansport Folding Picnic Table with Umbrella, $85.99​

Create a comfortable place to dine (or just sit and chat while playing card games) with this portable table that folds up neatly, making it a breeze to transport from car to campsite.

rugWalmart

​nuLOOM Indoor/Outdoor Contemporary Celestial Area Rug, $11.98+​

Add this gorgeous indoor/outdoor rug outside your tent for something luxe to step onto each a.m. and to help keep dirt on the trails (and off your air mattress) at night.

mosquito lanternWalmart

​Thermacell Cambridge Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield Lantern, $36.50​

Add some mood lighting by placing a few of these glowing lanterns around the perimeter of your tent. The best part? Each one provides a 15-foot zone of mosquito-repelling protection, making your camping experience bug-free and seriously upgraded.

camping showerWalmart

​Ozark Trail 2-Room Instant Shower/Utility Shelter, $149​

Last but not least: Create an outdoor shower experience. With this easy-to-set-up shower shelter, you can feel refreshed daily thanks to the solar-powered system that heats five gallons of water to bubble-bath temperatures using natural light. Back-to-nature spa vibes, here you come.

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