8 Favorite Things That Made My “Stay-at” Home Cozy & Delightful!
How are you holding up, after so much “stay at home” craziness? Spending all those extra hours on Netflix. Messing up your kitchen three times a day to cook food. Staring at the paint on your walls, growing more and more discontent with their hue. (At least that’s me?)
Yes, I re-painted my living room.
I think I busted that project out right away, last April. We went from a peanut-butter tan to a bluish gray, and I’ve added some farmhouse style (which is my new favorite thing). It did lighten up the room significantly, and although I’m probably the only one in my family who cares… I’ve been enjoying it immensely. It feels cleaner. And now I don’t feel quite as cray-cray, when I sit in my living room for hours on end.
Nah, it hasn’t actuallly been that bad. We’ve been very busy with online school and some remote work. And I do enjoy being at home. But I have found myself using some of the funds we’d normally spend on travel and entertainment to purchase some cozy, soothing, and just plain pretty things to help me enjoy my environment more. While we anxiously wait for ski season, and hopefully more family winter outdoor adventures to begin.
I have no regrets! I love every single one of these things, and feel they’ve improved the quality of our life during this stressful time of the covid. So I wanted to share my favorite things that have made my stay at home more cozy and delightful!
1. Rockflowerpaper ~ Serving Tray
I found this gorgeous serving tray from a online store called Rockflowerpaper. What a useful and beautiful thing to add to your home! Each is decorated with a lovely art print, and they have some amazing options. I had a very hard time deciding which to chose. It’s finished nicely with a shiny lacquer surface, so it easily wipes clean.
Since receiving it, we use it even more than I realized we would. It sits on our large sectional couch and serves as a mini-table to hold your drinks, phone, etc. Funny how slick and convenient that is, over having to reach for your coffee on the coffee table each time you want to take a sip. (Did you just call me lazy, in your head…?)
This is also an awesome gift idea. I’ll probably be purchasing more as anniversary gifts. So mom… take a look, and let me know which is your favorite? 🙂
2. Room Humidifier
For years I’ve had one of those teardrop shaped humidifiers that were all the rage a couple of years ago, but it acts flakey and is hard to get working. I’m over it.
The air gets so dry in colder months, and it makes a huge difference to me to sleep with a room humidifier going. So I finally pitched my crappy broken one, and ordered a new one from Amazon. I was pleasantly surprised at how cheap they are (I got this one for $28 at the time, with an $8 Amazon coupon deal they were running). The cool mist humidifier I picked was smaller than I expected, but it can run on high all night without running out of water. Super easy to fill, nice wide opening for the water, completely silent, and has a pleasing blue nightlight.
No more sore throat every morning! Yeah, me!
3. Paws.com – Furry Pet Blankey
Can you handle the cuteness? For every fur baby parent who doesn’t allow their dog on the furniture… but would really love to cuddle them up on the couch! If there’s still room for you.
I finally broke down after the millionth Paw.com ad popped up in my social media feed (drat you, targeted marketing). This “PupProtector” protective pet blanket can be used on furniture or your bed, comes in 9 gorgeous styles, and it’s washable and waterproof for excellent protection. Amazing. I’m so excited, and for the first time have had my big dogs cuddling me on the couch while I read.
Stay-at-home Bliss.
4. Bed Bath Beyond – Flannel Duvet
I swear by sleeping under a uber soft flannel duvet in winter. Oh, the coziness! One of ours had been rubbed down to the nub, to where it was kinda just a cotton duvet.
And there I sit, on the couch. Restless. With nothing but time, to browse and shop online…
Behold, I found this beauty at Bed, Bath, and Beyond – the UGG flannel duvet cover set. It hits the sweet spot of being very high quality and not being cheaply made, but not too obnoxiously high priced. $80 and it came with two shams. The fabric is AMAZING, luxe, thick, and incredibly soft. This one’s a cozy winner that has made me very happy. And cozy.
5. Company Store – Down Comforter
I’ve been married now for nearly 18 years, and the down comforter we received as a wedding present has pretty much gone kaput. It was time to replace it with a fluffier, warmer down comforter… because truly and honestly, nothing is as soothing as cuddling under a down comforter on a cold night. Nothing.
I ordered “medium” weight, and I’m excited to see if it’s warmer than what I’ve had in the past (it arrives tomorrow).
I hail from Wisconsin when I was little, so I’m partial to The Company Store. Their products are top of the line quality. I got a great Black Friday deal, and they are still running some excellent specials – so now’s the perfect time to invest in one. They are spendy, but last for years and years.
6. Big Lots – Sectional Couch
GO BIG, OR GO HOME!
Yes I did. I bought my family a different couch for corona stay-at-home! And I love, love, love it!
Ugh, our old couch was driving me nuts and getting so saggy baggy. When your couch gives you a backache… ain’t nobody got time for that.
But alas, shopping for a new couch isn’t nearly as fun as you’d think. Plus I have a weird room dimension. So I was thrilled to find this Broyhill Parkdale sectional couch at Big Lots that fit JUST RIGHT. (Did you know Big Lots bought Broyhill furniture, a few years ago?) If you are looking for a couch, I recommend checking out their lineup. Shipping during May/June corona times took forever, but maybe it’s better by now. It’s really nice quality, and we’re thrilled with it.
7. Acorn – Sheepskin Slippers
I just purchased my third pair of Acorn sheepskin slippers. No, they don’t last forever (especially when a mucho naughtio Golden Retriever pup smuggles one of your slippers out into the backyard to chew on for a few hours). But they are truly the best slippers I’ve found, and are incredibly soothing.
The Acorn site doesn’t currently have this style (Oh Ewe II), but it’s my favorite. I wear a 9.5, and a size 9 worked perfectly. I got them from Zappos, and they’re currently 25% off. Woo hoo!
8. Bose – Noise Cancelling Headphones
I have been eyeing these bad boys for two years, ever since my little brother let me try his Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling headphones. They are amazing. And if you are a mom like me, who finds themselves more and more sensitive to nerve-fraying noise… well, I think you can just get these for yourself under the category of “health and wellness” self care.
I could never swing the $300 price, but Best Buy sold them for $199 during Black Friday. If you’re interested, keep watching this holiday shopping season for a sale. Go get you some!
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So that’s it, that’s my list. I’m a SPOILED BRAT… aren’t I?? I will tell you that it’s killing me to not travel. I’m sure many of you feel the same way. These things really have made our home life more enjoyable and comfortable, and I think that’s the best we can hope for right now!
Please share with me! Have you added anything that has made your home more cozy, comfortable, or beautiful during your stay-at-home time…?
