Camping in Comfort

Feeling like your annual camping trip could use a few amenities? Thanks to new products designed to help make your vacation under the stars a little more civilized, a trip to the great outdoors can have the same luxuries as an indoor hotel stay. Whether you're looking to create a safari-style sensation or simply bring a few of the comforts of home with you, here are some ideas to add some comfort to your campsite.

Lighting
Light up your campsite with a practical, ambient and safe rechargeable outdoor lantern. Visually appealing, battery-operated lights give off more light than the traditional flash light. Use them to create a romantic mood, as make-shift table lamps or to add task lighting. Whether you hang them from trees or line them along the path to your tent, these lanterns are definitely a camping "must-have."

Curl up near the fire
No campsite is complete without a proper campfire to gather around and cook over. Consider trading up from the traditional fire with an all-in-one portable fire pit and grill. A light weight luxury should come complete with a no-spark screen, iron stand and detachable chrome grill for added safety, comfort, and convenience.

Mood music
If campfire sing-a-longs aren't your cup of tea, you can still set the mood around your campsite with music. Take your iPod along with a portable, weather resistant, set of outdoor speakers.

Naptime
Take a break from hiking and fishing with a rejuvenating rest in a double hammock. Comfortable for one but roomy enough for two, it's the perfect spot for any couple to curl up together for a nap, a good read or to simply relax.

Dining al fresco
Set a stylish table with a folding version and all-weather tablecloth. Thanks to new weather resistant fabrics that mimic the sophisticated look of linen and cotton, dining al fresco can be an elegant experience. Dress up a light-weight, portable aluminuim dining table with an innovative, easy-to-wash, easy-to-clean fabric tablecloth. Keep things classic with white, add contrast with pop colors like hot pink and purple or tune in to your environment with earthy shades of green and brown. Both practical and attractive, tablecloths will add stylish sophistication to your outdoor spread.

Set a beautiful table
Trade in those environmentally challenged paper plates and Styrofoam cups for new and improved tabletop versions made of bamboo, plastic, wood and stone. Innovations in outdoor party ware such as "unbreakable" plastic champagne flutes, faux-silver plated flatware, and patterned "china" have given the idea of outdoor dining a new life. So, dump the disposables and give your campfire meal an elegant new twist.

Fabulous furnishings
Camping doesn't have to mean sitting on the cold, wet ground, with so many fabulous and functional seating options for your campsite. Deck chairs with attached side tables and a modern flair, folding loungers and portable side tables let you furnish your base camp with style.

A good night's sleep
Sleeping on the ground can be a real letdown when you're dreaming of a nice soft bed after a day of hiking and swimming. Thanks to the portable Aero Bed you can have the comforts of your nice down-filled bed in the wilderness. Although this water resistant delight comes equipped with a weatherproof mattress pad for added comfort, add a little style with a down-filled comforter and pillow or use a pair of down-filled sleeping bags for a cozy retreat.

Clean up
There's nothing like a shower to help you feel refreshed after a day in the woods. A portable, shower-in-a-bag is just what your campsite needs. Simply fill the bag with water and let the sun heat warm it while you're having fun. Some are equipped with a thermometer for added comfort. This compact amenity is sure to make keeping clean in the wilderness a whole lot easier and more fun.

Stylish shelter
While sleeping in a tent is part of the fun of camping, create a stylish shelter from the sun with a portable gazebo. Easy to transport and easy to assemble, this outdoor structure lets everyone gather under one roof. For an upscale safari look, decorate the sides with gauzy outdoor fabric or netting. Not only will this give your campsite an ethereal look, it will also keep the bugs away. Hang battery operated string lights or lanterns from the ceiling for ambience and you'll have your own living room in the wilderness.

Pillows and throws
Nothing adds style to a space like the pop of accessories. So, don't neglect the details just because you're in the rugged outdoors. Inject a little comfort and color to any campground by peppering furnishing, beds, and outdoor rugs with some attractive pillows and throws. Available in different shapes and sizes, outdoor pillows are made with weather resistant fabrics ranging from faux velvet to basic canvas. Choose stripes, bold colors or traditional damask prints for the perfect accent.

Rugs
Outdoor rugs are possibly one of the quickest and easiest way to add color and comfort to any camp site. New options for outdoor use are more attractive and durable then ever before. Portable and weather resistant, these rugs are available in styles ranging from classic Orientals to geometric shapes to natural sisals. Spread them over the grass or dirt in your tent or sitting area and these rugs will keep your feet clean and dry, even when you want to kick off your heavy camping boots.