Virtual Escape: Get the Summer Camp Look at Home
Help your home take on a summer-camp vibe with these get-the-look ideas and inspiration
Summer’s now in full swing, often with 30-something degree days and plenty of sunshine in tow, and many of us want nothing more than to take a proper break and head somewhere fun. Remember how fun American summer camp looked on TV as a child? There were always loads of games and new friends to meet, organised activities that meant kids could participate without having to plan something to do and, of course, plenty of sunshine and good times. If you’re finding it hard to get away why not create a similar look at your place?
Get the look: Here, a cosier ambience is forged with plywood walls and the comfortably informal nature of the brightly coloured corner couch. A similar look can be achieved, whether you have a large open space or a more intimate area to work with, by keeping things casual, focusing on fun and including lots of natural, fuss-free materials that aren’t going to be too worried by hosting a rowdy crowd of campers.
In the kitchen
Communal spaces are called for at camp, particularly when you’re talking about the kitchen. Here, a long kitchen provides plenty of prep space for big group meals such as buckets of spaghetti bolognese and racks of roast lamb, as well as tons of storage and several seating options.
The two log stools at the end of the kitchen island add a particularly nice rustic touch, and the somewhat rough-hewn nature of the extra-long timber dining table could easily stand up to the demands of dozens of diners at a time.
Browse more expansive kitchens
Communal spaces are called for at camp, particularly when you’re talking about the kitchen. Here, a long kitchen provides plenty of prep space for big group meals such as buckets of spaghetti bolognese and racks of roast lamb, as well as tons of storage and several seating options.
The two log stools at the end of the kitchen island add a particularly nice rustic touch, and the somewhat rough-hewn nature of the extra-long timber dining table could easily stand up to the demands of dozens of diners at a time.
Browse more expansive kitchens
Get the look: To kit out a smaller eat-in kitchen with a summer camp aesthetic, encase the space with natural timber, and keep the furniture and finishes hard-wearing. Here, dark cabinets and benches offset the woodgrain nicely, while their colour – along with their satin finish – will help to hide the marks made by grubby little fingers.
A central dining space, complete with padded bench seats, finishes off the look, making this a cosy, comfortable space to gather after a long day’s hiking, kayaking and swimming in a nearby lake.
A central dining space, complete with padded bench seats, finishes off the look, making this a cosy, comfortable space to gather after a long day’s hiking, kayaking and swimming in a nearby lake.
In the bathroom
Summer camps are all about spending time with your fellow campers and building lasting friendships, so with this in mind, rather than separating your home’s bathrooms, why not put multiple stalls and sinks in one convenient place? In this bathroom, rustic meets a slightly more industrial style, the perfect combination for a hard-working bathroom that serves the needs of a crowd.
Summer camps are all about spending time with your fellow campers and building lasting friendships, so with this in mind, rather than separating your home’s bathrooms, why not put multiple stalls and sinks in one convenient place? In this bathroom, rustic meets a slightly more industrial style, the perfect combination for a hard-working bathroom that serves the needs of a crowd.
Get the look: This pared-back timber-clad bathroom is designed for communal use, with two shower stalls and a triple sink so family members and guests can maintain the social aspect of their holiday time – or even just of everyday family life – wherever they are.
To get a similar look for your own home, use rugged materials such as timber, concrete and natural stones. Stick with a simple, straightforward design, seen here in the solidly built vanity, moulded concrete steps and basic rectangular stalls, and throw in a few vintage or industrial features, such as the metal lockers and light fittings, for some added character.
To get a similar look for your own home, use rugged materials such as timber, concrete and natural stones. Stick with a simple, straightforward design, seen here in the solidly built vanity, moulded concrete steps and basic rectangular stalls, and throw in a few vintage or industrial features, such as the metal lockers and light fittings, for some added character.
In the master bedroom
At summer camp, everyone knew the camp co-ordinators had more luxurious quarters than the kids, even if they never managed to sneak a peek inside. Well, now you can take the opportunity to reimagine the look for yourself. Just be sure to include plenty of timber to keep with the theme.
Get the look: Here, the woodsy camp theme is carried predominately by the recycled timber wall behind the bed, which brings colour, texture and a rugged aesthetic to the space. This could easily be taken across an entire feature wall, or could even just sit above the bed as a makeshift bedhead. Paired with simple furnishings and mostly neutral tones, with the occasional lick of bright colour for interest, a reclaimed timber wall can turn any space into a summer-camp retreat.
At summer camp, everyone knew the camp co-ordinators had more luxurious quarters than the kids, even if they never managed to sneak a peek inside. Well, now you can take the opportunity to reimagine the look for yourself. Just be sure to include plenty of timber to keep with the theme.
Get the look: Here, the woodsy camp theme is carried predominately by the recycled timber wall behind the bed, which brings colour, texture and a rugged aesthetic to the space. This could easily be taken across an entire feature wall, or could even just sit above the bed as a makeshift bedhead. Paired with simple furnishings and mostly neutral tones, with the occasional lick of bright colour for interest, a reclaimed timber wall can turn any space into a summer-camp retreat.
In the kids’ bedroom
Nothing says summer camp quite like rows of solid bunk beds inside a log cabin. You can almost hear the whispered conversations and hushed giggles after lights out, smell the warm skin and sunscreen and feel the welcome cosiness of a soft bed after a long day spent out of doors.
Get the look: Sturdy, weathered, yet hard-wearing and comfortable. These are the key elements of a summer camp bunk room, and can be recreated easily enough at home. Think solid timber furniture with unfussy lines, simple yet pretty touches such as the glass lights attached to the wooden pillars, and basic primary colours like red and blue to highlight and celebrate the simplicity of childhood.
Inventive ideas for bunk beds
Nothing says summer camp quite like rows of solid bunk beds inside a log cabin. You can almost hear the whispered conversations and hushed giggles after lights out, smell the warm skin and sunscreen and feel the welcome cosiness of a soft bed after a long day spent out of doors.
Get the look: Sturdy, weathered, yet hard-wearing and comfortable. These are the key elements of a summer camp bunk room, and can be recreated easily enough at home. Think solid timber furniture with unfussy lines, simple yet pretty touches such as the glass lights attached to the wooden pillars, and basic primary colours like red and blue to highlight and celebrate the simplicity of childhood.
Inventive ideas for bunk beds
In the dining area
Dining areas at camps are designed to seat dozens, feed the masses efficiently and stand up well to a rough-and-tumble lifestyle, year after year after year. To do this job, the spaces and the furniture within need to be expansive, solid, and far from precious. But you also want them to have elements of life, colour and fun.
Here, the perfect balance between vibrant and efficient has been achieved with an extra-long and super-sturdy solid timber trestle table, paired with heavy wooden bench seats that have supported a lot of backsides. The weathered blue and green paint on the benches ties in with the navy blue of the back wall, and highlights the turquoise peacock chair at the head of the table. Decoration is simple, bright and fun – robust vases full of flowers, hand-drawn prints, maps and posters on the wall, and pool table in the background that looks like it’s seen plenty of use.
Dining areas at camps are designed to seat dozens, feed the masses efficiently and stand up well to a rough-and-tumble lifestyle, year after year after year. To do this job, the spaces and the furniture within need to be expansive, solid, and far from precious. But you also want them to have elements of life, colour and fun.
Here, the perfect balance between vibrant and efficient has been achieved with an extra-long and super-sturdy solid timber trestle table, paired with heavy wooden bench seats that have supported a lot of backsides. The weathered blue and green paint on the benches ties in with the navy blue of the back wall, and highlights the turquoise peacock chair at the head of the table. Decoration is simple, bright and fun – robust vases full of flowers, hand-drawn prints, maps and posters on the wall, and pool table in the background that looks like it’s seen plenty of use.
Get the look: For a more refined but still casual look at home, once again look to simplicity and community to create your camp-like dining area. Here, another solid timber trestle table sits, again with bench seats but these of a simple and slightly more sophisticated design. The palette is kept natural and neutral, giving the space a more relaxed vibe, without the energy or commotion of the previous dining hall. Here, the space is more about peace, connection and relaxation.
Something special
Screened outdoor room
If what you’re after from your summer retreat is more on the rest and relaxation side of things than the adventure and activity side, a screened outdoor room could be the perfect addition to your home. This laid-back screened porch, its natural timbers offset by sage-green accents, acts as an outdoor room in this lakeside cottage, with great views of the nearby water and plenty of breezes, without the bugs that camping is known for. It’s the perfect place to sit back in a comfy armchair with a cup of tea and a good book, and enjoy the afternoon sun at the end of the day while everyone else is off in the wilderness.
Beautiful ways to furnish your verandah
Screened outdoor room
If what you’re after from your summer retreat is more on the rest and relaxation side of things than the adventure and activity side, a screened outdoor room could be the perfect addition to your home. This laid-back screened porch, its natural timbers offset by sage-green accents, acts as an outdoor room in this lakeside cottage, with great views of the nearby water and plenty of breezes, without the bugs that camping is known for. It’s the perfect place to sit back in a comfy armchair with a cup of tea and a good book, and enjoy the afternoon sun at the end of the day while everyone else is off in the wilderness.
Beautiful ways to furnish your verandah
Deck with fire pit
For a more social space, an outdoor deck area is the perfect spot for a multitude of happy campers to sit around a cosy fire pit at night, toasting marshmallows or damper on sticks and telling ghost stories, just to see who jumps first. This particular deck also has the advantage of looking out over the water, but all you really need to make a deck a desirable place to be on a summer night are comfortable seats and plenty of friends to cosy up with.
For a more social space, an outdoor deck area is the perfect spot for a multitude of happy campers to sit around a cosy fire pit at night, toasting marshmallows or damper on sticks and telling ghost stories, just to see who jumps first. This particular deck also has the advantage of looking out over the water, but all you really need to make a deck a desirable place to be on a summer night are comfortable seats and plenty of friends to cosy up with.
Boat jetty
If you do have the advantage of being right on the water at your place, your own private jetty could be a great feature for your personal summer camp. Not only are they a great place to launch watercraft such as small power boats, canoes and kayaks and even jet skis from, they’re also perfectly positioned to use as a launch pad for jumping, diving or bombing into the water below on particularly hot, carefree summer days.
TELL US
What are your best memories from the long, lazy days of your childhood summer holidays? Share them with us in the Comments below.
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Read more fun stories from Houzz
If you do have the advantage of being right on the water at your place, your own private jetty could be a great feature for your personal summer camp. Not only are they a great place to launch watercraft such as small power boats, canoes and kayaks and even jet skis from, they’re also perfectly positioned to use as a launch pad for jumping, diving or bombing into the water below on particularly hot, carefree summer days.
TELL US
What are your best memories from the long, lazy days of your childhood summer holidays? Share them with us in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more fun stories from Houzz
Summer camps are all about relaxing, having fun and socialising, so a games room-style living area would be the perfect option to recreate the summery vibe in your home. And as most camps would be set up in wilderness-y areas, timber features heavily in such places, as does a rustic aesthetic, complete with exposed beams, timber panelling and well-worn furniture.