Staycations are big business right now. Last year, 69% of Brits decided to spend their holidays in the UK. Rather than face the fuss of flights and foreign languages, they sought the UK’s beaches, forests, villages, and cities. And why wouldn’t they? The UK has an incredible amount to offer. And if you have the land to accommodate a garden structure, you can be part of that movement, providing accommodation for the staycationers while building a new income stream for yourself. But how do you go about designing the perfect glamping pod for your garden?
Design Tips for the Ultimate Glamping Pod
Placement
There are a couple of things you need to consider when placing a glamping pod to use as a holiday let. The first is privacy – both for you and your guests. Depending on the shape of your garden, it’s likely that the glamping pod may be overlooked by the house. So, think about how you can best screen it. And angle it so the main windows and doors face away from your home. You also need to think about the view. The more scenic your location, the more popular your holiday let will be. But even if you don’t happen to have a sea view or be surrounded by rolling countryside, you can use your garden to create an appealing space.
Get the foundations right
If you want your glamping pod to last for the long-term, you need to invest in good foundations. In most cases, that will mean carefully levelled gravel or a concrete slab. Potentially covered in decking.
Exterior design
When it comes to glamping pod design, you have a range of choices. You need to think about size, shape, materials, roofing, and the types of doors and windows you want to use. With our designs, we always favour the use of natural materials, which is why we use wood cladding. On our Ingleborough Lodge, we’ve opted for a more conventional rectangular design. With wood cladding, large corner window, and bi-fold doors to allow maximum natural light and air to flow in.
Interior design
Depending on the design you choose, your glamping pods may come as a simple shell, or with basic fittings built in. But the aim is to create an interior design that is as welcoming as possible. However, it’s also important for you and your guests that it is easy to clean. So, think about layering your lighting to ensure that the space is equal parts cosy and functional. Make your furnishings comfortable and practical—particularly the bed, where a hard mattress or protruding corners will always lead to bad reviews. Incorporate storage. And use textiles to add colour and warmth.
Insulation and heating
At Garden Room Sanctuary, insulation is an integral part of every one of our structures. We want our garden rooms and glamping pods to be comfortable all year round, and the easiest way to do that is to provide superior insulation. Keeping the structures cooler in summer and warmer in winter. However, that doesn’t mean that you can then go without heating. There are various ways to keep a glamping pod warm. We supply electric heaters as standard. But with the right structure, there’s nothing stopping you from installing a wood-burning stove, ceramic heaters, or underfloor heating.
Utilities
Glamping pods are expected to be a mini home from home., which means that you need to incorporate a lavatory, sink, shower, and kitchenette. Our lodges again come with both a small bathroom and kitchenette as standard. You can customise these to suit your needs.
Outdoor space
To maximise the appeal of your holiday let, it’s a good idea to provide a private garden and parking space. A small patio with a table, chairs, and a fire pit outside your glamping pod is ideal. If you can work in some attractive planting, then more’s the better.
Personalisation
The most memorable holidays are those that have a few personal touches. And glamping pods are perfect for personalisation. You might do it with your décor. Or with a few added extras—a pulldown screen and projector for cosy movie nights in, built-in USB sockets, a Bluetooth speaker, or mood lighting. Provide fresh flowers for each guest, or have a small hamper waiting. Anything that can become your trademark, which will be talked about in your reviews.
Glamping pods are a cost-effective way to make your land—be it a large garden, a small field, or an entire campsite—work for you. Once installed, they are very low maintenance and can bring a year-round income. So, if you have the space and are looking for an easy income, glamping pods could work for you.
Find out more from Garden Room Sanctuary.
