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Sunrooms are not very common in interior design, simply because people believe they have everything they need in their living rooms, dining rooms, or kitchens. Still, sunrooms are a wonderful supplement to every home that has the space, and the conditions to afford them. They are practical and beautiful; and they will certainly improve your life-quality.
Sunrooms were in fact the product of designers’ rich imagination; and numerous Martha’s Vineyard Interior Design in popular magazines. The trend conquered readers’ hearts immediately; and they started working on their personal sunroom design ideas. This is exactly why sunrooms are so diverse and unique: most of the time there are no rules for creating one!
The inspiration for cozy sunrooms derived from fresco living rooms ideas; where it was established that people could benefit from enclosed outdoor areas, able to protect people from insects and unpleasant weather conditions.
Image source: Alan Design Studio
Thanks to sunrooms and their insulated wall-to-wall windows, people can observe their magnificent gardens, while ensuring maximal energy efficiency at the same time. Sometimes, sunroom windows come with inbuilt screens that let air flow freely inside. Insects and vermin, on the other hand, have no access to the rooms.
Even an enclosed patio can also assume the role of a beautiful sunroom; as sunrooms are supposed to be rich with natural elements and decorations. Therefore, if you own a beautiful garden spattered with sunlight, it could be the perfect area for a unique sunroom.
But what does a sunroom actually mean? Which decorations would be most suitable for your favorite retreat place? Let us suggest few creative sunroom design ideas:
Sunroom furniture
Image source: JML Interior Design
The principal rule is as follows: there are no rules! It all depends on your creativity; and the methods you want to use to make the most of the disposable space. It might be a cute haven for morning coffees, decorated with small sets of wooden chairs and tables; or a cozy corner with comfy sofas for friends’ reunion. It could even be your personal exercising facility, where you keep all of the necessary equipment.
Image source: GRADY-O-GRADY Construction & Development, Inc.
As you see it yourself, sunrooms can serve many purposes-they can be a fancy extension of your living room; or separate rooms with their own style and story. Most of the time, they look casual and informal, and are therefore outfitted with ordinary patio furniture.
That’s why processed wood or wrought iron is the best choice when choosing furniture. Few soft pillows and seating pads will invoke a warm and inviting feeling, and will transform the sunroom into your favorite place at home.
Materials
Image source: Martha’s Vineyard Interior Design
We recommend extra precaution when purchasing sunroom materials: have in mind that sunrooms are constantly exposed to heat and sunlight; and could therefore damage even the most expensive furniture and fabrics.
To start with, choose outdoor-suitable fabrics; and wicker furniture with French looks that fades significantly slower than wood. Wrought iron with charming curves is the cutes and solidest choice.
Still, don’t forget comfort when picking materials: the place is supposed to be a relaxing haven, and it won’t benefit from heavy wood, such as cherry and mahogany. Instead, go for natural materials and organic feelings; and use stone, bricks, or bamboo.
Light color palettes
Image source: FGY Architects
Light color palettes are the best solution for cozy sunrooms: firstly, they maximize the energy efficiency of the room, and they keep it warm during winter and cool during summer; and secondly, they make the room appear larger than it actually is. Light hues work perfectly with natural decorations; and they support your efforts to de-clutter and to organize your space.
For instance, we recommend creamy white, cosmic latte, or soft yellow; combined with nature-inspired shades of green or blue. You can even use your artistic skills, and apply uncommon paining techniques (ragging, for instance) to ‘spice’ the dramatic atmosphere.
Windowing
Image source: Highgate Builders
As we already explained, large windows are the focal point of every successful sunroom. The reason for this is that sunrooms can benefit from all natural light they can get, in order to make you feel as if you were outside. Still, you could also consider window covers in case you’re concerned about your privacy.
The most popular option is bamboo blinds, which you could roll up and down according to your needs. Stacked shutters are also an idea, since you could easily take them down when you don’t need them. Light curtains will also look great; as long as you pick colors and materials which are prone to heat and strong sunlight (linen, cotton, etc). Curtains create a homely atmosphere, and they can easily be tied back to provide a breathtaking view.
Floors
Image source: Lucy and Company
Floors should also be as light as possible. Dark floors will make the room less inviting; and they are much more prone to fading. That’s exactly why you need large and soft rugs, ideally beige or creamy. If not sure which material to pick, ask the sales rep for an advice.
Wallpapers
Wallpapers with interesting patterns are the ideal way to bring outdoors inside. You can either opt for an interesting garden theme; or floral/bird motifs. The price should not be of any concern, since the large windows are likely to cover most of the space.
Accessorizing
Image source: Martha O’Hara Interiors
Its true-sunrooms need to look as natural as possible. However, this doesn’t mean you have to heap them with plants. In fact, you might even exclude plants completely, since they could distract visitors’ attention from the amazing view you tried so hard to achieve.
Go for minimal accessorizing, and keep the space uncluttered. Make sure visitors will stay focused on the outdoor view; and they will have enough light to help them enjoy the sunroom at nights.
Life aquatic
Image source: K2 Sunrooms LTD
Decorating with water elements will help you balance the strong presence of sun in the room. Besides, water supports energy efficiency; and it adds unique freshness and airiness to the small room. There are many ways to introduce water into your sunroom design project: for instance, it can be an elegant fountain, with rhythmical gurgles of lapping water to add a revitalizing ambience in your sunroom.
Sunrooms as kitchen extensions
Image source: Lewis Alderson & Co
In many occasions, sunrooms are designed to serve as open-kitchen extensions, something like outdoor kitchen areas devoted to informal relaxing, rather than dining or cooking.
Still, if the sunroom is spacious and wide, it could be a delightful dining space for 6 or even 8 persons. You could even make it more inviting with a set of creative utilities and painted pottery.
Make it relaxing and comfortable
Image source: CCD Architects
As we already said, there is no right or wrong in sunroom decorating: the only thing you need to do is to be creative; and to stay focused on the comfort and enjoyable view for your family and your friends.
Therefore, the room should stay warm and inviting, with comfy seats and couches directed towards your garden. You’re free to decorate it with fountains, sculptures, or paintings; or even personal and creative drawings on the bamboo blinds.
Image source: Colin Cadle Photography
Another smart idea would be to organize furniture in a way which reminds of the overall home décor, so that the sunroom will appear more connected to the house itself.
Yes-it sounds easy, but the truth is there is nothing easy in balancing modest decoration and rich comfort. The secret is to apply as many details as necessary to make the room pleasant, but to avoid such that could distract visitors from the amazing view. In the case of sunrooms, less is definitely more!
Sun room design ideas
About the benefits of the sun it’s not worth talking anymore because we all know there is no life without the sun. So there is no question about having this room or not, it should be part of your house.
Unlike porches the sun rooms are fully attached to the house most of the times, to the left or right, and not in the front of the house at the entrance. If the porches can also have window walls the sun room design is a little bit different and the wall and the ceiling are made of glass so that the sun can enter it from every angle.
These places are like gardens but covered because thanks to the large openness to the sun here you always can see many plants but the furniture is not mandatory. Here you can place a comfy sofa so that you can take a nap while being pampered by the sun’s rays.
If it is not clear enough for you how to built a sun room, take some moments to view these pictures and grab ideas of how your sun room will look. The sun light gives you the energy you are looking for and makes you feel optimist in those days you felt like everything was over, so don’t be afraid and receive its benefits.
