All I wanted for my birthday was a night off. I didn’t want to go anywhere or see anyone. I wanted to be by myself. It’s not that I don’t love my family or that I don’t miss my friends, but this year, the most ideal celebration of all sounded like an evening where I could indulge in a nice glass (or three) of wine, a large sandwich with sour cream and onion chips, a good book, and guilty pleasure T.V. I’ve dreamt of checking into a hotel for just one night to indulge in this fantasy, but that wasn’t exactly in the cards this year.

Since we are sticking close to home these days, I’ve got the next best thing—a freshly made-over guest bedroom, including crisp white sheets, a cozy quilt, mood lighting, and best of all, no checkout time. 

I get to escape from the piles of laundry and legos that make up our main bedroom and walk into my very own cozy little B&B. If you’re looking for an escape from the stresses of the everyday, might I recommend doing the same? A separate guest room is nice but (clearly) not required. To get that hotel feeling from the comfort of your own home, these are a few of the tweaks you can make to your decor and routine that will help do the trick.

Here’s what you need to ready your room for your next staycation:

Start with Your Bed

A pillow headboard always reminds me of being in a hotel room. The soft, cushioned effect tends to make any bed look and feel complete. The Repose bed frame with a pillow headboard, from Casper, is perfect for curling up in bed with a good read. Which leads me to my next point…

Add a Good Book

From an engrossing nonfiction read to a captivating novel, you can’t go wrong when you’re curling up to relax with a good book. We have a couple of suggestions for you in this department.

• Here are 6 Riveting Books (Written by Women) to Warm You Up This Winter
• 6 Books to Read When You Need a Mood Lift
• The Complete Wit & Delight 2020 Reading List (We’ll have a fresh list coming your way in 2021, so stay tuned for more!)

Factor Bedding Into the Equation

If you can, always add good-quality bedding to your bed. It’ll make such a difference in your comfort level and overall sleep.

• Crisp Sateen Sheets – You truly get what you pay for when it comes to bedding. There is almost nothing better than sliding into cool, crisp sheets after a long day. 
  
• Duvet/Duvet Cover – Because the weather can vary WILDLY here in MN, I’ve got both a lighter duvet and a warm weather humidity fighting duvet from Casper. And knowing that winter is coming, I’ve got quilts too. We’re ready for anything, including an epic blanket fort building day. 
  
• Pillows – Some folks tend to believe the decorative pillow philosophy that more is always better. I’m a less is more kinda gal. I’ll use a few to add color or texture, but they also have to serve a purpose. When I hit the hay, I want to be comfortable, which is why I choose a down pillow as my pillow “base” to help me sleep through the night.

Add Mood Lighting

Overhead lights are great for certain occasions, but when I’m imagining I’m on vacation and not just down the hall from the chaos, I want something more soothing. For me, that means candles and table lamps. If you’re looking for an option that’s in between the two, Casper’s Glow Lights have warm light that gradually dims to help you fall asleep. They’re a win-win.

Add Your Favorite Entertainment to the Mix

Might I suggest tuning into that movie/T.V. show/podcast you’ve been waiting all week (or month) to watch or listen to? Here are a few of our team’s favorites.

• 19 Shows and Movies We’d Recommend Most Right Now
• 10 of the Best Podcasts to Match (And Brighten) Your Current Mood

Eat Your Favorite Foods

A staycation is never going to be complete without your favorite comfort food. You can find twenty-nine food ideas that fit the bill below.

• 9 Grown-Up Spins on Your Favorite Childhood Foods
• 20 Recipes Every Cook Should Know

As Always, Practice Self-Care

Yes, self-care may be something of a cliché at this point, but that’s only the word itself—not the meaning behind it. Take away the overuse of the term and what you’re left with is a truly meaningful way to help your brain and body reset from a hard hour, day, month, or year. On that note…

• This is the nighttime routine I use to wind down most evenings, FULL of ideas for how to take care of yourself.
• These are a few of the hydrating products I use on my skin most often. The mask is a GREAT way to unwind at night if you ask me.
  • Eye Cream: Firm + Brighten
  • Moisturizer: Replenish + Protect
  • Ultra Hydrating Mask: Restore + Soften

Do Your Best to Tune Out Distractions

Here, I’m referring to the aforementioned chaos down the hall… When you need a break (especially if someone else is available to help out with any kiddos or pups), noise-canceling headphones are one way to really tune out and relax. There’s no shame in doing whatever you can to shut out the occasional mayhem once in a while.

Here’s to many a staycation to come. Pearl, for one, thinks it’s a great idea.

I’d love to know YOUR staycation essentials down below in the comments. What routines and creature comforts do you turn to when you need an at-home escape?

Want to know more about the products we used in this room? While some pieces are vintage, I’ve linked both exact and similar products below for your browsing pleasure.

Product Sources

Rattan Lamp: Similar via Urban Outfitters, Similar via simplySUEL on Etsy
Desk: Similar via Urban Outfitters
Round Red Pillow: World Market
Blue Velvet Pillow: World Market
Yellow Curtain Fabric: Similar via WillowByTheCreek on Etsy
Framed Fan: Similar via MDCGalleries on Etsy, Similar via BCSimplyVintage on Etsy
Quilt: Similar via Calvin Klein on Bed Bath & Beyond, Similar via vintagequiltsbymarie on Etsy
Ivory Rug: World Market
Vintage Turkish Rug: Similar via Anthropologie, Similar via Revival
Candle: P.F. Candle Co.
Wooden Stool: Similar via EVEdeFrance on Etsy
Straw Broom: Similar via HollyShopVintage on Etsy
Wicker Bench: Similar via CoalaCraft on Etsy
Bed Frames: Casper
Sheets: Casper
Duvet: Casper
Down Pillows: Casper

Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business. Have a question or want to learn more about how we use affiliate links? Shoot us an email.

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.