Sunrooms, also sometimes called solariums, are delightful additions to a house. They offer a wonderful way to bathe your home in natural light and create a connection to the outdoors, all while providing a sheltered space. Whether you dream of curling up with a good book in a cozy nook or entertaining friends in a bright and airy atmosphere, a sunroom can be the perfect solution.
Sunrooms are usually enclosed with large glass windows to allow abundant daylight inside. Often attached to the side or back of the house, this room provides a protected space while still letting you experience the weather outdoors.
These home additions not only provide a generous amount of sunlight indoors. They can also serve as a home library, office, gym, or an extension of your living room, providing versatile functions.
Sunrooms’ ability to adapt to outdoor temperature make them an energy-efficient space to grow plants, improve air quality, and enjoy the outdoors for a longer period of time. Not only do they regulate temperature, they also filter noises, particularly if you reside in a busy area.
And because of its cozy and elegant appearance, it can increase the value of your home. Sunrooms can be a major selling point if you decide to put your house on sale.
Since sunrooms provide stunning outdoors views, you can place them strategically according to your indoor routine. If you’re a morning person, face it on the east side to witness the sunrise and receive the early morning sunlight. But if you want to feel the warmth of midday and observe the sunset later, place it on the west. For a more balanced amount of natural lighting throughout the day, face the sunroom in a north or south direction.
Sunrooms are commonly pictured as an all glass-in space with no cooling system to perfectly mimic the temperature outside. But these three types make sunroom more suitable and functional rain or shine.
Screened-in sunroom. This type uses a mesh screen for windows or walls. While it’s not ideal during the rainy season, screened-in sunrooms allow natural ventilation compared to the conventional type surrounded with glass.
Attached greenhouse. Made of glass or hard plastic walls and ceilings, greenhouse sunrooms provide a more regulated humidity. This type goes beyond providing a haven for your plants. Its concrete, packed earth, or wooden floors help control the indoor temperature. Such conditions make this type excellent not only for plants but also for indoor gatherings and private catnaps whatever the season.
Four-season sunroom. Despite being structured similar to the conventional type, four-season sunrooms differ due to its added HVAC system. This makes it the most adaptive sunroom type to all sorts of weather conditions.
Since the amount of sunlight already makes up for the vibrance of sunrooms, you won’t have to break a sweat in styling them.
First, pick light and warm hues. Aside from enhancing the brightness of the space, this color scheme makes your sunroom look airy and more inviting. Soft tones also balance and complement the strong sunlight, making it easier on the eyes even during midday.
Then, decide on the furniture. To make it cozier, opt for wooden or cushioned sofas and chairs. Adding a coffee table, ottomans, and hanging chairs also highlight its relaxation function. Better to also consider the height of furniture so as to not block the windows or overcrowd the room. And since sunrooms are exposed to sunlight, consider choosing furniture with weather-resistant materials such as synthetic fibers, wicker, rattan, and wrought iron.
You can additionally put rugs and pillows to integrate textures and patterns. You can even place indoor plants to match the natural view outside. Installing string lights or sconces also make sunrooms functional and magical even when the sun sets.
You don’t have to go to the beach to get your dose of vitamin sea (and vitamin D). With only a few steps in your house, you can truly immerse yourself outdoors without having to go outside. More than a house addition, sunrooms are your staycation retreat all year round.
Photos from Pinterest
Read more: Updated Upgrades: Designing Home Spaces in the Post-Pandemic Era
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