If you have an existing sunroom or are thinking of adding one to your home its many uses are unlimited. It can really be used as any room in your house. It just depends on what suits your preference.
If your sunroom hasn’t gotten much use over the years and you want to transform it into a room you will use more often there are several easy, creative ways to do that.
Family Room
If you have a rather spacious sunroom but a somewhat small living room in your home, you might want to think about using your sunroom as a family or living room space. Since the family room is often one of the most used rooms in the house, the addition of a sunny atmosphere all year round can only be a good thing. Imagine that you and your family spend less time in front of the television or computer and more time looking at the outside natural world.
Rather than choosing outdoor type furniture, you’ll likely find that furniture that is similar to the furniture in the rest of your home will make your family sunroom a nice continuation of your style. Resist the concrete or patio style flooring and go for the hardwood or ceramic tile floors. If you already have a patio style floor and don’t want to change it, you can lay a wall to wall carpet to make your space cozier.
Dining room
Many homes have separate dining rooms or areas but if your home is smaller without a separate space for eating or if you simply want a larger dining space, then a sunroom might just be the thing. Turning a sunroom into a dining space works especially well if your kitchen is close to the sunroom. Your backyard can also be set up with an outdoor grill in the warmer weather to make it easy to bring the food into the space. Make the table and chairs a special centerpiece. Use lighting to make an elegant statement. Use wood paneling to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Add plants and decor to create the style you want.
Master Bedroom or Spare Bedroom
Having your sunroom act as a bedroom can be a fabulous and relaxing experience. Waking up to the sights and sounds of nature will start your day right! A little forethought and planning is likely necessary to set up a bedroom in a sunroom.
Privacy and temperature control will be very important to maintain a pleasant and relaxing experience. It’s important to install thick curtains or blinds to block out light. It will also help to maintain a proper temperature. Insulated glass will help keep the cold and the hot weather outside.
Sealing leaks anywhere in the room is also important especially in colder weather.
Floor heaters in the winter and air conditioning or oscillating fans in the summer months will probably be a necessity.
Electrical outlets: Adding outlets and wiring will be a must. You’ll likely want outlets beside the bed for lamps and devices.
Furnishings: Create a natural look with earthy tones, minimal furniture but with comfortable seating. Include plants and flowers both inside the bedroom and outside the windows for a harmonious effect.
Craft, Art, or Hobby Room
A sunroom is a natural place for hobbies, crafts and art. The natural light will display the true colors in your craft and art materials and provide a calm place to create. These materials generally need to be organized well in a separate area of the home since they can create a lot of clutter. So if you have a half finished sewing piece or art piece it’s nice not to worry about having to hide them away. If you have a dedicated room, then you are more able to create at your leisure.
You’ll likely need:
- Plenty of storage shelves.
- Storage boxes for small items.
- A tape gun to label boxes.
- A large table to work on.
- A good quality table lamp if working at night.
- Comfortable chair.
- Easel and paint supplies storage cart.
- A place for your computer, TV, iPad, tablet to watch DIY and art shows.
- Fan to ventilate the area if you use strongly scented craft supplies/materials.
Spa Inspired Sunroom
Sunrooms are meant to display the natural world to evoke relaxation so why not enhance that relaxed vibe by incorporating a spa like atmosphere?
- Make sure to have plenty of greenery and relaxing furniture and soothing music.
- Add accent lights around the room with dimmers for night time.
- Use natural wood furniture.
- Natural stone flooring adds another calming touch.
- Add a sound machine to create the sounds of the forest, waves crashing along the shore etc.
- A diffuser that disperses essential oils can add a spa-like effect.
- If you dream about having a hot tub, the sunroom could be the perfect spot for it. Experience the relaxing and revivifying effects of a hot tub in a natural setting after a long day of work.
- Including small indoor waterfalls can create a soothing ambiance.
- Boho style decor such as macrame, pouffes, and carpets creates a beachy, earthy spa-like atmosphere.
Entertainment Room
If you love to entertain guests a sunroom turned entertainment room can be ideal. You can add a bar to mix drinks, add a pool table or games table. Make sure to add comfortable seating but also make sure to have plenty of space for guests to walk around.
Furniture and decor to add:
- End tables
- High tables
- Games table
- Pool table
- Bar for drinks
- Snack table
- Music
- Comfy seats
Some Ideas for Small Sunrooms
All the following can be part of a larger sunroom as well.
Sitting Room or Tea Room
A simple sitting room is a common use for small sunrooms. Enjoy a cup of tea with a friend, or simply admire the view. A couple of cozy chairs, with cozy throw pillows, a small plush rug, and a side table is all you need. A sitting room can provide a little getaway away from the hustle and bustle of common areas of the home.
Breakfast Nook
Do you have a small sunroom, suitable for intimate gatherings of a few people?
What better way to greet the morning than having breakfast with the family in the sunroom. If you have a built-in bench by the windows you can add a table of any shape to fit your family. You can maximize your space with storage underneath the seating. Or simply add a bistro table for 2 for intimate breakfasts.
Book Nook/Library/Reading Room
A sunroom is a natural spot for reading due to all that natural light. Curl up by the window on a bench seat or on an easy chair. Make sure to have suitable lighting for evening reading.
Some suggestions:
- A table to lay out coffee table books
- Built in bookcases or retrofitted off the shelf bookcases
- Bench seat with storage for books or comfy seating
- Throw cushions and blankets
- Sconces and table lamp for night time reading
As you can see, you can turn your sunroom into a useful space of your choice.
For the very best in sunroom design, installation, and repairs, call Sunshine Sunrooms at (972) 243-5390 or request a quote online.
