Sunrooms are also called indoor porches, enclosed porches, or the more formal solarium; but whatever you call it, that space can be an extra haven for relaxing and entertaining.
Design the sunroom, or screened porch, for both indoors and outdoors. Select the furniture, fabric choices, and even layout of the room based on the functionality and seasons. Quality window screening keeps the bugs outside, French doors open wide to get to the patio area, and outdoor furniture fabric choices provide durability.
Here are some more sunroom design ideas to make sure the extra room isn’t a graveyard for outcast, mismatched furniture or an ugly storage area.
Window Treatments
Windows are perhaps the most important feature of a sunroom. Depending on the location, you may opt for window coverings that can be adjusted based on the time of day. Multi-color window shades might be a choice that allows for selective light blocking, or filtering curtains that can be drawn easily as the day progresses.
Often, the wall and window trim inside the home is painted an accent or contrast color. In a sunroom, keeping the window trim the same color as the walls allows an uninterrupted visual flow to the outdoors.
Furniture Style Choices
Typically, cane and wicker furniture follows neutral color tones, and that may be a safe choice for selecting sunroom furniture. However, colorful accessories can make the room feel fun and pleasant. Consider selecting a durable, bright fabric or Sunbrella fabric to recover the chair cushions, and select complementary patterns for the throw pillows. The combination brightens up even the most traditional wicker furniture, giving a fresh, new look without the cost of new furniture for a room that may not be used year-round.
Using a sunroom as an extra dining area is a popular choice for the space. Mission chairs are an option here because of their clean lines and minimalistic appearance, and decorative cushions can enhance the entire table ensemble.
Sunrooms may not be as large as other rooms in the house, so limiting the number of furniture pieces can give the appearance of more space. Using oversized ottomans instead of coffee tables allows for another splash of color in the room with upholstery fabric, and many ottomans also open to reveal hidden storage space.
Depending on your window configuration, you may have built-in window seats that can be covered with cushions to complement the other furniture. If built-ins are not an option, consider setting large trunks in front of the windows, adding removable seat cushions and a bunch of throw pillows across the back for the same type of nook. Bench seats that wrap around a corner have a more polished appearance with cushions that have mitered corners, which can easily be done by a qualified furniture reupholstery specialist.