Contributed by Info Guru Lindsay Shugerman

I love camping. The fresh air, the beautiful sunrises, the soft fluffy quilts, the fine china… What? Isn’t that part of everybody’s camping experience? It is if you’ve caught the glamping bug. Glamping is camping gone glamorous. Roughing it in luxury.

If you’re new to the idea, the images online can start to seem overwhelming. Dressers and couches? Really? Well, only if you’re doing a photo shoot. Or creating a permanent destination for visitors. For the rest of us, the luxury aspect needs to be a little dialed down… like to things that will fit in an SUV and still leave room for the family.

With that in mind, here is my list of the things real people need for glamping.

10. Pillows. Lots of pillows

Pillows are pretty much the step one of glamping. You’ll want throw pillows for inside the tent to create a nest feel. And outside on chairs to make sitting around the campfire an exercise in comfort.

Pick your glamping theme (didn’t I mention themes? Oops! That will come next!) then find or buy or make pillows to coordinate with your plan.

9. A theme

Of course, you could glamp without a theme…I think. But why would you want to? Picking a theme lets you pick bedding, lights, decorations and even dishes that work together to create the feel you want. Some popular themes include vintage, Americana, old West, safari, romantic and archeology, but you can come up with what ever theme you like. Remember, it’s about transforming “just camping” into a comfortable outdoor experience, so there’s no wrong answer.

8. A more-than-the-basics tent

If you can at all help it, glamping is no place for that nylon backpack tent. Or that leftover scout tent. Nope. You need something special. My first choice is one of these canvas tents. It’s bigger, which means you can walk in and out. And the large sides are perfect for draping with fabric or hanging with lights. Plus it has a much more vintage look than modern fold-up/pop-up tents.

7. Nice dishes

No paper plates! No plastic! Those are two unbreakable rules when it comes to setting the table on a glamping trip. Instead of the standard camping tableware, opt for china and crystal. You can buy a complete set of china just for your outings, or you can collect random pieces of china to create an eclectic look. Cloth napkins and a tablecloth complete the fine dining outdoors experience.

6. Fluffy, soft quilts

Comfort, comfort, comfort. That is the watchword for glamping. That means instead of a thin camping pad and a sleeping bag, you’ll be sleeping on piles of soft, fluffy quilts. With more to cuddle underneath.

5. Lamps and strings of lights

Glamping campsites shouldn’t be dark and scary. They should glow with warm light, so make sure you bring plenty of battery or solar powered lights along with you. Old solar lights could be harsh or glaring, but many new ones give off a soft glow similar to candlelight.

4. Amazing food

What doesn’t go with glamping? Cheap hot dogs. Freeze-dried food. What does go with glamping? The delicious smells of food cooking over a fire. Tasty recipes that work even better outdoors than they do in a kitchen. Delicate sweets hand-carried to the campsite. Fine wines and gourmet teas. Glamping is about luxury and comfort, so make sure the recipes you choose to cook match the mood.

3. Candles

Candles are a must-have for every glamping adventure. Look for stable pillar candles, or opt for votives or tea lights in a study holder than can stand up to the wind. Hanging candle holders are another great option, especially if kids are along for the trip.

A word of caution: Real candles and the inside of tents do not go together! When you head into your tent, flameless LED candles and lanterns like this one are the way to keep the candle-lit feel but without the risk of a fire.

2. Extra fabric

Even if you’ve packed enough quilts and tablecloths, you’ll probably want to take along some extra lengths of beautiful fabric, too. Gauze netting can provide an impromptu protection from annoying bugs. Pretty florals or silks can become a second day-time tent just perfect for reading, journal writing or day-dreaming. A tree at your campsite might be just perfect for draping to create a backdrop for dinner. You never know, so be generous!

1. Comfy camp furniture

Leave behind the rickety old camp chairs. You deserve a comfortable, relaxing spot to sit in your tent and outside around the fire, so go for it. If you haven’t shopped for camping chairs lately, you will be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of foldable rocking chairs and recliners. The only hard part will be picking which ones you want!

When it comes down to it, the things you need for glamping are the things that make you feel pampered and comfortable.