4 Simple Tricks to Enhance a Canopy Tent

If you get a high quality pop-up canopy tent, it should come with what you need to start using it right away. Nevertheless, many canopy tents can benefit from some extra steps and supplies.

In this post, we share some ideas with you that can improve the functionality of your tent, and even help it to last longer and be more comfortable and enjoyable to use. Most of these ideas are inexpensive and easy to implement.

1. Improve anchoring.

When you set up a canopy tent, you will need to take steps to make sure it won’t blow over. Your tent may or may not include weights, guy lines and stakes.

You do not need to be confined to what arrived with the tent. For example, if it did not include guy lines and stakes, you could purchase some. Or, if it came with stakes, but not very good ones, you could upgrade them. The same goes for weights. Believe it or not, even some simple sandbags can do a great job anchoring your tent and improving its stability.

Ratchet straps are another good option, especially if you are setting up on concrete or a similar hard material. You just need to set up the canopy tent near a convenient anchor point to use them.

Tip: If you live in a particularly windy area, you should take care not to use the tent on days that feature especially high winds. Also, try to purchase a tent that includes vents in the canopy to prevent billowing.

2. Waterproof your canopy tent.

Many pop-up canopy tents include some degree of water resistance when you buy them, which is great. But did you know that this feature breaks down over time, leaving your tent vulnerable to precipitation?

Luckily, you can purchase a waterproof spray to apply to your tent. You also can re-seal the seams. Taking these steps will ensure that your tent continues to protect you from precipitation.

In fact, maybe you purchased a tent that had no waterproofing to begin with. That does not stop you from making the tent water-resistant by applying Urethane coating and sealing the seams.

How often do you need to waterproof your canopy tent? You can expect to have to do this every couple of years. It should be part of your ongoing maintenance routine.

Speaking of which, you can also improve the longevity and function of your tent by storing it properly when it is not in use. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and store it somewhere cool, dark and dry. Make sure you clean it before you put it away (at the very least, wipe away any debris that could be abrasive and damage the fabric).

3. Purchase side walls.

Most pop-up canopy tents feature a roof, but no walls, leaving them largely open to views, light and airflow. That can be ideal in many scenarios, but it may not always be what you need from your tent. You may need to purchase some additional accessories to satisfy your requirements.

Pop-up canopy tents are often compatible with sidewalls, but may or may not come with sidewalls when you purchase them.

Adding one or more sidewalls to your tent allows you to:

• Increase your privacy.
• Shelter yourself from wind.
• Block more sunlight, protecting yourself from UV rays and shielding your eyes from the brightness of the sun.
• Give your pop-up canopy tent a different look and feel.
• Reduce the chances of theft (i.e. if you are setting up at a farmer’s market or convention, and do not want to have to constantly watch every direction.)

What is great about sidewalls is that you are not married to them. You can add or remove them as you need to, adapting your tent to whatever scenario you are in.

In fact, it is fast and easy to attach and detach sidewalls from your canopy tent. Most of them use a system of Velcro straps. When you are not using them, you can fold them up for easy storage or transportation.

4. Add lighting, seating and décor.

We have discussed how you can improve your tent with waterproofing, sidewalls, and enhanced anchoring. Let’s talk about a few other ways you can make your tent more comfortable, especially if you are setting up at an event, or even just putting up a tent for long-term use in your own backyard.

One idea is to install lighting underneath your canopy tent. You can run a string of bulbs or fairy lights directly under the canopy, supporting them with the trusses. This is a great way to create diffuse overhead lighting and a warm, inviting ambiance. While the main benefit is usually enhancing atmosphere, this is also a practical improvement, since it can increase visibility in low light conditions as well. This can draw attention to the pop-up canopy tent, and/or increase safety.

You could also put a lamp on the floor or on a table inside the tent, if you have room for that.

As for seating, you probably don’t need that if you’re just setting up briefly somewhere, and you want to minimize what you are carrying. But if you’ll be under your tent all day, or if you use the tent frequently and have it set up somewhere for the long term, it makes sense to put some chairs under it.

Last but not least, there are plenty of ways you can decorate your pop-up canopy tent. Whether you just want to add some simple signage or really go all-out with a theme, you can personalize your tent fully.

These Simple Improvements Help You Get More Out of Your Tent

We have gone over some simple but effective ways you can upgrade your pop-up canopy tent. When you receive your tent, it will be pretty basic, but by waterproofing it regularly, weighing it down properly, and adding upgrades like sidewalls, lighting, seating and décor, you can turn a simple canopy tent into a comfortable and attractive shelter.

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