3 Tricks for Designing a Welcoming Sunroom

The sunroom can become one of the most popular rooms in the house if decorated correctly. The natural light helps people connect with nature even during the hot summer months and cold winters, while the large windows work to inspire people to connect with the world around them. However, setting up a sunroom requires more thought than finding large windows to bask in. Homeowners also have to consider the furniture, paint colors, and window treatments. Keep these three things in mind when decorating your sunroom.

Consider Air Flow

Most people enjoy sunrooms because they warm and cool naturally. They’re a great place to curl up with a book in the fall or rest in a sunbeam in the spring. However, if you live somewhere with brutally hot summers or desolate winters, you might want a special HVAC unit in the room.

Photo by Forbes Rix Design – Browse rustic sunroom ideas

Try to insulate your sunroom from the rest of the house. That way, you won’t drive up your utility bills trying to heat or cool a room that’s kind of an extension of the outdoors. Along with insulation, place a mini-split system in the area that will let you control the temperature. This way you can warm or cool the room when it’s in use, and then let the sun handle the thermostat the rest of the time.

Invest in Durable Furniture

While you might be tempted to bring your favorite reading chair into the sunroom, you need to be careful when choosing what and where you place certain items. In the same way that your skin burns after prolonged sun exposure, the “skin” aka fabric of your furniture will start to lighten and fade. Placing a leather chair or dark sofa with soft fabric in the sun could cause irreplaceable damage and make your room look worn and beat up.

Photo by Wissmach Architects – More farmhouse sunroom photos

Look for indoor-outdoor furniture that designers might use for a screened-in patio. If you’re a proud DIY-er, consider looking for wood furniture that you can create cushions for using durable fabric. You will also want to look for wood that you can paint over easily. All of these steps ensure that your furniture will look good for years after you place it.

Look for Contrasting Paint Colors

There is good news for homeowners who are designing sunrooms: this is one of the rooms in the house where they can be incredibly creative with paint colors. The sun will cast a yellow glow in the room, so consider matching it with medium blue hues, lavenders, and even greens. Choosing dark colors will create a contrasting feel against the outside and allow you to choose lighter furniture to create balance in the room.

Photo by Coastal Home Photography, llc – Discover midcentury sunroom design ideas

Most designers will caution against choosing yellow and white paint colors for your sunroom as it will make the area too bright — especially in the summer.

Many people love working in their sunrooms and resting in them after a long day. Whatever you plan to do with the space, make sure you feel comfortable and inspired whenever you enter it.