Finding Your Happy Place At Home (+ A Giveaway)

Interiors & Decor

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** THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED **

Oasis, refuge, port in the storm, haven, retreat, sanctuary, happy place. Whatever you want to call it, all of us need a place to escape from all the noise of the outside world and find some sense of peace. No matter how crazy life gets, even during all the chaos of renovating our house and traveling every week, there is at least one constant in the house dedicated to finding my centered and calm: our bedroom.

Living on my own after a divorce, I found one of the most productive ways I coped with my own shortcomings was putting time and effort into making home feel just like that: home. Four years later and a hell of a lot wiser, life has gotten a bit less dramatic (thank god) but it hasn’t gotten any less complicated (does it ever? Asking for me). I’ve become much more aware of my need for privacy– at least a little bit, every day. We do our best about keeping the outside world from seeping into our bedroom. No TV, no computers, minimal cell phone usage. The bedroom is a stress-free zone, and I am intent on keeping it that way.

One minor element that has challenged my “stress-free” room policy, is our current mattress. Said mattress is a hand-me-down and if I understand the history of the mattress, it belonged to Joe’s parents prior to him inheriting it. If you do the math, it’s at least 11 years old. I’ve always heard that you should update your mattress after 30,000 hours which means 8 hours of sleep per night (yeah right) times 365 days in a year, time 11 years = 31,220 hours (Editor’s note: Not factoring in hours logged while home sick, hungover or just feeling lazy). It began to develop an irritating quirk: the right corner sheet pops off every night. Every. Single. Night. It was time for a new mattress.

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As fate would have it, Cocoon by Sealy reached out to me asking for Wit & Delight to try out their new line of mattresses. Sometimes the stars align! We were really happy with the Sealy mattress we inherited and felt good about trying out their new product. 

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Our new mattress arrived via box. Yes, a box, albeit an incredibly heavy box, that arrived a mere 5 days after placing the order online. No salesmen, no delivery people, just a box full of the promise of an amazing night of sleep. Joe and I were amazed our king sized bed fit into this little box, and had some fun watching it “expand” right in front of our eyes. While a little skeptical about choosing a mattress that is available online only, it was reassuring to know that if it wasn’t just right, we could return it within 100 days. And we wouldn’t even have to try and box it back up, Sealy would handle all of it.

After logging roughly 40 hours of sleep (it was a holiday weekend, after all) I’m happy to report my back is a little less stiff and there is yet to be a noticeable “Winnie spot” on the bed. In the upcoming month, I’ll share with you some of the little changes I’m making to the bedroom (emphasis on little, I need a break from large scale projects) to further make it my personal happy space.

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Last, but most certainly not least, I’m so excited to partner with Cocoon by Sealy to giveaway two (2) of their new mattresses to two (2) lucky readers chosen at random. To enter, leave a comment below on what makes your bedroom your happy place. Two (2) winners will be selected at random next Thursday (4/3/16) at 12noon CST. Entrants limited to the continental U.S. only. No purchase necessary to enter.

Ed. note: Wit & Delight received compensation from Cocoon by Sealy  in exchange for a product review on Wit & Delight. While compensation was received in exchange for coverage, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting our partners!

Images: 2nd Truth photography

BY Kate Arends - March 31, 2016

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adair
March 31, 2016 10:14 am

its the place where everyone is the most comfortable!

emily
March 31, 2016 10:16 am

This is such a great giveaway. My sweet pup Winslow makes my bedroom my happy place. Love puppy snuggles.

clare
March 31, 2016 10:19 am

we don’t have a tv or use computers in our bedroom either, it’s a place to read and relax. and we just got a puppy who has brought so much joy to mornings, even the early weekday ones!

Nathalie
March 31, 2016 10:27 am

Our bedroom is our happy place because we leave our day/work/studying stresses out of the bedroom. Its our one tiny room to relax and unwind. Love this giveaway!

Mandy
March 31, 2016 10:29 am

We also keep our bedroom as tech-free as possible, and I love the peaceful atmosphere. Thanks for the giveaway…I am super interested in these new fangled mattress-in-a-box things 🙂

Kate
March 31, 2016 10:30 am

Unwinding with my husband at the end of the day, makes my room my happy place!

March 31, 2016 10:30 am

Thanks for hosting this giveaway! My bedroom is my happy place on Saturday mornings, before I have to get on with my day. I open the blinds and turn on a record (usually James Taylor or Van Morrison) and enjoy the whole waking up process. My current mattress was from my grandparents’ rental beach house for 30 years, so to say my mattress situation could use an upgrade would be a slight understatement. Congrats to whoever wins!

March 31, 2016 10:31 am

I live in a brooklyn studio, so i have to make sure my entire apartment is “bedroom zen.” This means I’m a total clean freak. Absolutely 100% nothing out of place because I can see my entire home from my bed.

It seems a bit rigid to other folks who visit, but sadly it’s what one does to stay sane in a teeny tiny apt.

nina
March 31, 2016 10:31 am

Having a place I know I can read for hours and hours makes me so happy <3

susan
March 31, 2016 10:32 am

I have to say I’m a little disappointed in this post. I would have liked a more thorough review, after all, you are being paid. First of all, how firm is the mattress? What materials is it made of? Was there a smell when you first opened up the package? Did you notice your partner’s movements on the bed? Is it made in the US? Finally, I would have hoped you would have chosen a smaller mattress company to promote. Sealy, who spent over 1 billion dollars to acquire Tempur-Pedic, is simply copying the bed-in-a-box model that was created by… Read more »

Admin
March 31, 2016 11:11 am
Reply to  susan

Hi Susan, I totally hear you. We JUST received the mattress and have a follow up post scheduled to talk about our experiences on the bed after sleeping on it for a couple weeks. That being said, I really appreciate your feedback. We chose to work with Sealy (after being approached by other mattress brands for other paid opportunities) because I’ve trusted the brand with my sleep and my husband’s bad back for years, far longer than I’ve been working on promoting brands online. As I’m sure you are aware, mattresses are expensive, and I was worried about working with… Read more »

Laura
March 31, 2016 10:39 am

I live with roommates so my bed the only place in the apartment that is my personal space!

Danielle
March 31, 2016 10:39 am

It’s a mixture of things. My bedroom has soft cozy textures and neutral colors which are calming. I also have plants in my room which instantly just brightens my mood! And what really makes my bedroom a happy place is my bookcase full of books that I love to read. Nothing makes me happy than curling up in bed with my blanket and a hot cup of tea and a good book to get lost in!

Bianca
March 31, 2016 10:41 am

My bedroom is the place my husband, my two dogs, and my cat can all fit on one piece of furniture and comfortably zonk out for hours and hours and hours. A happy place indeed!

Elisabeth
March 31, 2016 10:43 am

My bedroom is my happy place because of my comforter and soft duvet. I could cocoon under there for hours if I had the time during the day! These mattresses seem awesome, thanks for the giveaway. xoxo

March 31, 2016 10:47 am

photos from travels to our favorite places!

March 31, 2016 10:49 am

Our bedroom is happiest in the mornings, when my husband gets up and brings our daughter, whom we adopted six months ago, in for a snuggle. Never happier than a cuddle with our family of three! Except a new mattress instead of a hand me down-hand me down would be such a bonus!

Hanna
March 31, 2016 11:00 am

It’s the ultimate relaxation spot at the end of the day!

mel
March 31, 2016 11:05 am

Our bedroom as it currently stands would barely be considered a candidate in most people’s races for happy place. We currently don’t have a ceiling, it has the most impossible layout every, and it has a handicapped-accessible bathroom with no door that takes up half the room. Cute! But for some strange reason, still, our bedroom is such a happy place in our home. Maybe it’s because there are absolutely no pretenses about the space–you come as you are.

Chlor
March 31, 2016 11:07 am

Painting the walls navy blue has turned out bedroom into the coziest happy place. It’s like a little cave (in a good way).

Katherine Thul
March 31, 2016 11:13 am

Sleeping with the windows open makes my bedroom my happy place.

Erin
March 31, 2016 11:18 am

Having my boyfriend beside me and keeping our bedroom free from tvs, phones, etc. makes it the happiest room in our apartment.

March 31, 2016 11:28 am

Our bedroom is where I can escape from the outside world and find a little bit of peace. No TV noise, no social media, no work. Just quiet, cats, and a good book.

March 31, 2016 11:28 am

Love this! Our bedroom is my happy place because it’s the spot where my little family takes an extra time minutes every morning to snuggle, talk about the day ahead and start the morning on the right side of the bed. PUN! 😉

Celina
March 31, 2016 11:31 am

I am one of those people that needs at least 8 hours of sleep a night, therefor getting ready for bed and snuggling with my husband and pup at night makes my bedroom my happy place. We’ve also inherited our mattress from my husband’s parents and it’s about time for a new one!

Heather Kirsebom
March 31, 2016 11:41 am

My room is my happy place, where I can guilt-free read in bed, it especially my happy place on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee, snuggled up with some type of book while the morning sun creeps in. Thank you for the give away!

Lauren
March 31, 2016 11:42 am

My bedroom is my happy place because that’s where we can get cozy & cuddle! I try and make it a place where we can relax and leave everything else behind for a little bit.

Isabella Kevlin
March 31, 2016 11:47 am

Hi! My names Isabella and I live in Albany NY. My brother just moved in with me but he still works in the city (NYC). He also does MMA training on his days off. Hes currently sleeping on the couch. A bed would give him a much needed space for a happy place!

Morgan
March 31, 2016 11:52 am

We get amazing morning light in our bedroom and make it a point to keep things clean and minimal, even if the rest of the house is a disaster. A new mattress would be icing on the cake to a calm and restful space!

Tracey
March 31, 2016 11:52 am

The big windows, plants, and quiet reading space make my bedroom my happy place! Great giveaway!

tammy
March 31, 2016 11:59 am

Dark paint, heavy drapes and minimal decor help my bedroom feel like a cozy cocoon.

March 31, 2016 12:01 pm

Our bedroom is light and airy and therefore one of the most peaceful rooms in our house. My favorite thing is piling in bed with my husband, 4yo daughter, and 11yo Boston Terrier before bedtime and relaxing, reading, and being silly as a family.

belle
March 31, 2016 12:01 pm

My happy place is definitely my bed. I love to sleep and a poor nights rest is horrible.
Thanks for the give-a-way!

March 31, 2016 12:11 pm

Books and candles make my bedroom my happy place 🙂

Amanda
March 31, 2016 12:21 pm

My Kindle, my hubby and clean white sheets make my bedroom my happy place.

March 31, 2016 12:21 pm

Living in a studio apartment in NYC, there aren’t many places where I can lay down an have a quiet moment to myself, thus forcing my bed to be my happy place. But it’s cool. I am myself in bed, wholly and thoroughly. There are no rules as to how I should dress or act or speak—plus I love a good night’s sleep, a nap snuck in here or there, spending a weekend in bed reading a new book. It is a place that encourages leaving the stresses of the day behind, allowing you to escape into a literal dreamworld.

March 31, 2016 12:38 pm

My bedroom is my happy place because it’s where I can truly rest & relax with my husband.

Sarah M.
March 31, 2016 12:39 pm

After many post-college years of living in shared apartments (damn Bay Area rent!), my bedroom has long been my personal escape, my quiet time, but also my own living room. More recently, it’s turned into what it should be: not a home office, not a couch, but a soft resting place at the end of the day for sleepy conversations and good books.

Judy
March 31, 2016 12:40 pm

I keep my bedroom white and pristine! It’s my me-space. I like it curated for what helps me relax and allow me to get the best night’s sleep!

Giustina Renzoni
March 31, 2016 12:45 pm

My bedroom is my escape! It’s the one place I know I can relax and get away from the business of the outside world. Nothing makes me happier than cuddling up with my partner, my dog and my cat while reading a good book before bed.

March 31, 2016 12:45 pm

We just moved a couple months ago and have yet to make our bedroom a happy place. It’s dusty, messy, cluttered—just a place to sleep, poorly. Our mattress (Ikea, 3 years old) is killing my back, and we were just talking about getting a new mattress! Would love to win.

Kate
March 31, 2016 12:57 pm

We are moving from Eugene OR to PDX OR in the coming months and we’ve been dreaming up how our bedroom space might look and feel for it to be a serene, loving, calming space. this bed would be a great start 😉

Jessica
March 31, 2016 1:04 pm

Dark curtains and lots of pillows make it my happy place. My boyfriend also moved all of his clothes to our second bedroom so now it’s also my own personal dressing room. He didn’t mind, he “just sleeps in there” – his words. 🙂

March 31, 2016 1:16 pm

What makes our bedroom a happy place is that it’s where we are most us. No makeup, no phones, two dogs, one cat, and a lot of love. It’s comfort.

http://Www.theartfulscavenger.com

March 31, 2016 1:17 pm

My bedroom is my happy place because I love and need lots of sleep – especially as we prepare for our first baby in a couple months! Would love, love, love to upgrade to a king as our family expands!

Steff
March 31, 2016 1:18 pm

My sweetheart makes my bedroom a happy place. Well, and some very, very soft bedding.

Jess Wedel
March 31, 2016 1:18 pm

The beautiful big windows that allow my to see the downtown lights at night and the sun in the morning.

March 31, 2016 1:39 pm

My guy and my pups make my bedroom my happy place! Along with the kitchen, it’s where we gather to catch up on a show or just lay in a pile to unwind at the end of a long day. But a bigger bed would definitely make it that much better – the two of us + two dogs = not much room! 🙂

Daniel
March 31, 2016 1:44 pm

The view from my bedroom, including my puppies and my wife, makes my bedroom my happy place. Perfect for getting in some night-time reading.

March 31, 2016 1:46 pm

What I love about my bedroom is that it belongs to me and only me – my tchotchkes, my art, my linens, my scents. It’s so comfortable and so me!

Erica
March 31, 2016 1:46 pm

My bedroom is my happy place because I share it with my favorite person in the world and it is ours alone! Except for when the baby is wailing or when the dog has somehow snuck under the covers while I’m in the bathroom.

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Hi, I'm Kate. Welcome to my happy place.

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