DIY Network

Tent 'Cottage' The pup tent grows up—and into a fun outdoor living space. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-107

Adapt a simple tent into a cozy cottage retreat.

You never outgrow your need for a clubhouse—a cozy outdoor retreat where you can just hang out. For those of us who aren't eager to climb up into a kid-sized tree fort, B. Original host Michele Beschen offers a simple how-to on creating a fun outdoor room from a simple tent.

Michele Beschen chose a traditional-shaped tent to help her create her faux cottage. Your own tent room can be as simple or as tricked-out as you like, as long as it suits your taste and the desire to B. Original.

advertisement

Create the Interior

Anybody who's ever been rained out when camping will tell you: Sitting around in a bare tent is just no fun. Here's how Michele Beschen turned the interior of her tent into a snug hideaway:

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Before you even set up your tent, make sure you put down a waterproof groundcloth. This will keep moisture from collecting under the bottom of your tent and possibly getting inside. Your tent should sit on level ground that doesn’t get swampy when it rains.

• Inside your tent, cover the floor with a piece of carpeting or vinyl flooring. Michele Beschen says carpeting is less likely to collect moisture.

• Turn the tent's interior into a cozy nest with lots of pillows or even a feather bed (figure A). Add some small pieces of furniture that fit the tent's size.

• Arrange battery-operated camping lanterns around the
  tent. Wrap sheer scarves around them to soften the look (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Never use candles, kerosene lanterns or anything with a flame inside the tent.

• Use sticky-back Velcro or similar fasteners to hang old canvas artwork on the walls.

• Stock the tent with magazines, books, games or whatever you like.

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Dress Up the Outside

Michele Beschen's tent echoes the style of a fairy-tale cottage. Here are some of the ways you can get the same look.

• Frame the tent's windows with "woodwork" of painted canvas. You can even paint faux windows to attach to plain tent walls, and drape window treatments of weatherproof fabric (figure C).

• Any cottage needs a front walk. Michele Beschen used a rug runner as her walkway, framed with natural stones.

• Pallet boxes—large, sturdy wooden crates with short legs—make great storage. Paint them green, cover the lids with artificial turf, and your boxes will look like box hedges (figure D).

• You may want to add some outdoor furniture, such as a weatherproof bar, for the visitors this charming cottage will attract (figure E).

Now that your tent is fully tricked out, make sure you take the time to enjoy it!