If you want your campsite to feel like an extension of home without turning packing into a nightmare, think colorful, compact, and weather-smart.
Lightweight, well-chosen items can turn a bland patch of dirt into a welcoming hangout in minutes. Read on, and you’ll see!
Utilitarian tan, black, and gray
Many outdoor site accessories are manufactured in the same “neutral” (dull?) color palettes. You’ll likely see outdoor rugs and step and grill covers in utilitarian black, tan, or gray. That’s fine, until you want something with a bit of personality.
The good news is that a few manufacturers are infusing color into some of the outdoor items RVers use. It’s surprising how adding a few spots of color will energize your outdoor space and coax you to spend even more time there.
Made for the elements
Before we look at specific items, it’s important to remember a few things. First, keep in mind the weight of every item you introduce to your RV experience. After all, you’ll eventually need to pack it up to move to your next destination.
Second, consider your potential campsites. If you’ll RV in rocky terrain, that garden flag will be difficult to push into the ground. Figure out an alternative way to mount it or leave it at home.
Finally, look for items that will last. Outdoor rugs and fabrics that hold up to sun, rain, and heavy foot traffic make life easier at the campsite. Synthetic fibers such as polypropylene (also called olefin) resist fading, shed moisture, and clean up with a quick hose-down. Consumer testing shows these materials perform best for durability and low maintenance, so look for rugs and textiles labeled indoor/outdoor or polypropylene.
Colorful rugs
Have you noticed? Several campgrounds we’ve visited explicitly forbid large, heavy patio mats. (I’m talking about the 8’ x 10’ mats that pretty well cover the entire footprint on your RV campsite.) A campground manager explained it like this: “Even if you stay just a day or two, a mat can flatten or even kill the campsite grass. That ruins the experience for the next RVer who gets that site.”
Rugs help define your “outdoor living room” and bring color underfoot. If a large mat is not allowed, choose a few smaller mats instead. Place one rug at each camp chair or lounge. If you want tried-and-true options with lots of buyer feedback, check popular indoor/outdoor designs that reviewers say hold color and wash off easily. Here are many outdoor campsite rugs.
Early spring and summer are great times to look for colorful outdoor rugs. I found this one at The Home Depot for $9. Check retailers online, too. You might be surprised to find rugs at unexpected retailers.
Artificial flowers and plants
This was a difficult one for me. I love growing flowering plants. However, my aversion to “fake” flowers has lessened since I found these outdoor flowers that resist fading and look great all season long!
Real plants are lovely but can be fussy (and messy) on the road. UV-rated faux flowers and potted faux palms give you bright, nonfading blooms with zero watering. Also, you have no worries on travel days because there’s zero soil to spill!
Specialty sellers who focus on outdoor-rated silk and polyester arrangements make pieces meant to withstand sun and moisture. Some are perfect for a tabletop arrangement or a colorful accent beside your RV steps.
If you want to skip watering and enjoy color all season, look for the “UV resistant” or “outdoor” label when you shop.
Table covers
I won’t spend much time on tablecloths because you can read about the many choices here. Suffice it to say that a picnic table covered with a brightly patterned cloth packs a big impact at your campsite!
Doormats
Where large grass-killing mats are outlawed, you may want to consider adding a smaller mat at the base of your RV steps. A doormat can catch dirt and sand before it gets into your rig.
The best selection I’ve found is on Etsy—the online marketplace. Many styles are on sale right now, and you’ll be surprised at the variety of choices! Look and see here.
Camp flags and banners
Flags are what I like to call personality on a pole. A small garden flag or personalized campsite banner is one of the easiest ways to stake your turf and show off your personality, interests, and more.
Many crafters on handmade marketplaces (like Etsy) offer double-sided, weather-resistant garden flags. Many can be customized and arrive ready to hang from a small freestanding stake or pole. Personalized flags are lightweight, easy to pack, and make your site feel like “yours” in seconds. Of course, Amazon has a zillion styles, too.
Note: Many campgrounds nix political flags and banners. Check with your camp manager before posting anything even remotely potentially controversial.
Grill covers
A colorful or patterned grill cover protects your cooktop from bugs, dust, and rain while adding a decorative pop. Here’s one that fits our portable grill. Always measure and choose a size with adjustable features.
Tips for packing, setup
Pack by categories: Put all small decor (flags, tablecloth, plants) in one lightweight tote so setup takes under two minutes.
For anything fabric, a quick shake at departure will remove crumbs and dust and keep items ready for the next stop.
When you’re breaking camp, tuck artificial flowers into a box or put them in a place where stems won’t get crushed.
Make it yours and keep it simple
The trick to a pleasant, colorful campsite is to choose durable, compact items that travel well and add color without adding hassle.
Choose one statement rug, one or two accent textiles (tablecloth + towels or throws), a small flag, and a faux floral or two. You’ll have a campsite that feels cozy and personal, and when it’s time to move on, everything stows away — ready for the next sunny pull-through.
How do you make your campsite colorful? Tell us in the comments below.
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RVDT2923
I like your article Gail! We have been snowbirds for a decade. After hiring somebody to water plants in the house over the winter and giving away the RV’s plants in the spring, we found decent looking non-flower artificial houseplants at Ikea.
Spring comes much earlier in Texas than Michigan’s Lake Superior. Texas Hill Country wildflower season in early April is astounding! But it never made sense to buy plants for the month we remained in Texas. I saved the artificial flowers link. The UV resistant part got me. Texas sun fades colors quickly.
Thank you for the suggestions, links, and discussion, Gail. DW is a “rabid,” fanatical supporter of Auburn University athletic teams. Consequently, all with which we travel that in any way personalizes our campsite is likely to be at least dark blue and orange if not also have a large “AU” somewhere. How long we plan to stay determines how much is used, but at the least it is a couple of doormats at the foot of the steps of the RV. Have a great day and safe travels!