Large sunroom boasting elegant floors and window curtains. The rattan seats perfectly fit with the room’s style.
The brick walls in this sunroom are a classy addition to the room together with the elegant brown leather seats set on the tiles flooring.
This sunroom offers many decors and furniture sets. The lighting looks perfect together with the room’s style. This is a wonderfully funky room! Who else wouldn’t to spend their entire life in here! What’s with that miniature bicycle on the wall?
A stunning large sunroom featuring green built and elegant ceiling lights, giving more life to the indoor plants. This is a truly magnificent room with multiple doors and intricate iron metal work. Truly a marvel to look at. It almost seems like this room should be in a museum.
This sunroom features gray walls with white accent together with the hardwood flooring and glass windows. Very clean, very chic, overall a lovely place to hang out. I mean look at that couch in the corner!
White sunroom featuring white cozy sofa set near the fireplace. The glass doors lead to the home’s beautiful garden area. This room is super appealing because the large sliding glass doors allow you to just step right outside whenever you please. Just because on side of the room is windows, really doesn’t make it any less of a sunroom.
A simple set up sunroom with modish gray sofa set along with beige walls and multiple indoor plants. This room is super kid friendly, with a chic bean-bag chair, funky little tables, and plenty of carpet space to fool around.
Okay, HOLD THE PHONE. Have you ever seen a more amazing space? This room is a hexagon. This room is made of windows. This room has green wicker furniture. This room can fit a very sizeable part of people. This room is blowing all of our minds right now.
A massive sunroom featuring white walls and ceiling along with white tiles flooring. The glass windows overlook the stunning surroundings. Though mostly minimalistic, the pattern rug gives a lovely splash of funk.
White sunroom with cherry accent and blue cushion seats along with multiple indoor plants. This is a really lovely country style sunroom complete with tartan, an indoor birdhouse, and a butterfly hanging on the wall. To die!
The warm cherry accent of this sunroom is so perfect together with the greens and the white tiles flooring. The rattan seats and table match the room’s style.
This sunroom is lighted by an elegant chandelier. Cozy sofa set on top of a classy rug provides a perfect resting place as well.
A modish and large sunroom featuring white walls and ceiling together with stylish gray tiles flooring matching the gray rattan seats with cushion. You can sitting on a rocking chair, at the dining room table, on plush chairs, or on wicker chairs. The sitting options are endless!
A huge white sunroom with lots of space unused. The ceiling is stunning together with the glass windows. Maybe I’m crazy, but it almost seems like this giant and amazing room isn’t being utilized properly! Where’s the indoor hot tub?!
An elegant sunroom with yellow walls and classy tiles flooring with a charming rug.
The sofa set in this sunroom looks very lovely. The hardwood flooring fits just well with the yellow walls and white ceiling.
The brick fireplace makes this sunroom look special together with the red hardwood flooring. The seats look cute as well.
White large sunroom with elegant window curtains and foam seats. The room also features French doors and windows.
A classy sunroom featuring beige walls and gray large rug covering the hardwood flooring. The dining nook looks attractive.
White and simple sunroom with carpet flooring and blue foam seats along with beige curtains.
A rustic sunroom featuring hardwood flooring with a modern square dining table set lighted by a gorgeous ceiling lighting.
This sunroom features colorful and lovely curtains matching the foam seats and the throw pillows.
A modish sunroom with stylish lounging seats set on the sparkling gray tiles flooring.
This sunroom looks stunning with its built and furniture sets. The white curtains look very charming as well.
Waterfront sunroom looking fresh and crisp with its white-colored finish.
A classy sunroom with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and brick floors along with a colorful and stylish seat. Do people sit on this often? Probably not. Is it still absolutely wonderful? Yes.
A uniquely designed sunroom featuring stylish railings and flooring. I have no more words. It’s just too amazing.
Spacious, farmhouse sunroom with multicolored pieces of furniture and neutral walls.
Large sunroom featuring beige, pink and brown shade along with stylish windows and cozy seats.
The gigantic two pillars add elegance to this stunning sunroom. The multiple indoor plants add colors to the room as well.
An elegant large sunroom with brown walls matching the brown classy seats and rug covering the white flooring. The large wall decor is a very attractive piece of decoration as well.
Large deck-type sunroom with cozy bench seating and stylish ceiling.
The red walls of this sunroom match the warm brightness of the sunlight breaking through the glass windows.
The stunning panoramic view surrounding this sunroom makes this place a very peaceful and romantic spot.
This white sunroom offers a comfy and cozy seat with a round table and additional chairs set on the brick tiles flooring.
The wall designs matching the colorful window curtains and seats make this sunroom look so lovable.
Large and white sunroom featuring a stunning ceiling with skylight. It also features attractive wall decors.
The white sofa set in this sunroom perfectly matches the white walls and ceiling.
White sunroom featuring tiles flooring and French doors and windows.
This sunroom offers a pleasant view of the sea-side while relaxing on the purple cushion seats.
What are Sunrooms Used For?
A sun room can truly be anything. It has no requirements, except for maybe being made of glass window to let the light in. Whether it be more of a patio enclosure, a screened porch, or a full on solarium, you can create the space as you please and inhabit it with whatever activity you like.
A sunroom can be an extra living room, a home office, reading rooms or nooks, and an extra dining area too. Most often they’re a living room where you sit containing sofas, chaise lounges, chairs, rocking chairs, rattan furniture, etc.
Sunroom Ceilings
As you’ll discover in our photo gallery, some sunrooms have a solid ceiling with large windows, while others have transparent ceilings made of windows as well as walls made of windows. Some are a hybrid with large skylights.
The key is that 3 sides are a bank of windows (at least that was our requirement to include it in this gallery). Some ceilings are flat while others are vaulted or a cathedral shape. Sunroom style has a lot to do with the amount of windows in the space.
Sunroom Floors
Common floors for sunrooms is tile; however, hardwood and carpet are solid flooring options too. If you’ll be entering the sunroom from outside frequently, tile is probably best because it’s the best type of floor to clean!
The floor can also greatly change the overall vibe of your beautiful sunroom. By adding a rough wood floor you can achieve more of rustic style sunroom, whereas linoleum or tile will give it a greenhouse-type feel.
Sunroom vs. Covered Patio
Though both spaces are designed to operate as a half inside-half outside space, there are some differences between sunrooms and covered patios. Patios will commonly have a roof and sometimes a patio door, but no walls, whereas a sunroom will have both walls and a roof.
This not only helps keep your furniture dry and well maintained, but having a sunroom also helps keep the bugs out! Additionally, the windows behave as a kind of insulator. It keeps the wind and cold air out, but keeps the heat from the sun in. Sunrooms can be enjoyed almost any time of year as long as it’s a sunny day.
This means sunrooms are easy to climate control, but the downside is you don’t get the “outdoor” feeling while sitting in sunrooms. Another downside to sunrooms is they cost more because of the finished flooring and expansive windows. The best solution is to have both a sunroom addition and patio (or deck).
Options of Sunroom
Sunrooms, also known as conservatories, are extensions of living rooms that are usually fully enclosed in glass on three sides. Unlike a conservatory, sunrooms have a true ceiling and roof instead of a glass one. However, sunrooms can have transparent roofs as well.
In the United States, sunrooms are used for reading, relaxing or entertaining without having to be outside to enjoy the elements. This guide will show you the features and options of a sunroom and give you design ideas and inspiration for your very own sunroom.
A. Size
Sunrooms are mainly designed for relaxing and hanging out. Some people use them as breakfast nooks or dining rooms or even a space for a home office.
The size of your sunroom will determine what you can actually do with space and what features and options it will contain. When talking about the size of a sunroom, the square footage of the area will be the sole factor considered in its designation.
1. Small
A small sunroom is generally anything up to 200 square feet. While the actual size designation is irrelevant, what you can do with such limited space is not.
Small sunrooms are more often used as sitting rooms for relaxation or reading. They will have a small end table and a chair or recliner and some form of overhead light or lamp. Other than that, they are fairly simple and are used just to watch the world outside. They’re also a great place to grow plants!
2. Medium
Medium sized sunrooms offer more space for a variety of uses. In general medium size, it referred to as a sunroom with more than 200 square feet and less than 500 square feet.
Medium rooms are more likely to be used as an extension of a living room rather than just a room on its own. You can also use this space as a dining room or a breakfast nook. It is a relaxing way to start your morning or end your day. It would also be very easy to host a dinner party in a sunroom.
3. Large
Large sunrooms are defined as any space larger than 500 square feet. Large sunrooms will have a variety of uses for sitting and relaxing to entertaining. Most large sunrooms get converted to home offices.
If this is the case you will need to make sure the electrician knows of your plans prior to installation, so the outlets and wires do not interfere with the large window panes. Window dressings are usually added when the room is more than a relaxation place, or when expensive equipment is stored within.
B. Features
Sunrooms, just like any other room in your home, will need items to make it usable. Furniture and shelving, for example. Once you decide if your sunroom is used as an office, for relaxation, or for entertainment, you will have a better idea of what you need inside.
1. Tables and Chairs
No sunroom would be complete without a spot to sit down. Either at a dinner table or in a cozy recliner to watch the world pass you by, chairs are certainly the only requirement.
Sofas are popular in sunrooms because they offer seating for more than just one, or for one to stretch out and really relax. If you are going to use the space for a home office or for dining, you will also need a table. You can use a mission style desk as a conversion and have both!
2. Couch and Loungers
If you have a medium or larger sized sunroom, you should be tempted to place a sofa in there. You can also use a lounger or a fainting couch for more aesthetic appeal, depending on the style choices you make.
Sofas can even be convertible sofas for laying out under the stars while still being indoors. You would need large skylights or a transparent roof in your sunroom for this, but if you do, consider offering options for laying down.
The great thing about sunrooms is that the furniture will not be subjected to the elements of the outdoors, so furniture doesn’t need to be super sturdy. That being said, furniture does have the opportunity to become sun-bleached, so maybe don’t go overboard with the expensive pieces.
3. Desks
As a home office, your sunroom will need a desk. You should ensure that it has enough room for your computer and equipment as well as phone lines, internet and cable runs.
If you are planning for the sunroom to be used as a home office, you will need to pay extra attention to your budget for the storage and security. Regular glass windows will offer little security against break-ins for a quick smash-and-grab of your belongings.
4. Shelving
Most sunrooms are meant for relaxation and reading. You will need a bookshelf or two as well as a place to store accents and decorations.
Because the room is comprised mainly of glass, it is difficult to mount shelving. However, freestanding options work just as well and can be part of the design or style choices.
C. Lighting
While most of the lighting in the sunroom will come from the sun, natural light has its drawbacks. It won’t last forever, for example, and on cloudy days, rainy days or other bad weather, it won’t be there at all.
You will need to provide lighting to the room just as you would any other room in your home.
1. Overhead lighting
Ceiling lighting is popular in the form of crystal chandeliers that can catch the rays of the sun or ceiling fans to help move warm air around to prevent the room from growing stuffy.
If you have a solid ceiling, these options are easy to install. However, you will need to plan for brackets or even professional installation if you have a glass or transparent ceiling.
2. Skylights
Skylights offer the convenience of a transparent ceiling without the hassle of installing one. You can place skylights in various positions and in various sizes to capture the optimal amount of sunlight throughout the day.
Skylights are also less expensive to install than a transparent ceiling and will still offer you enough of a real ceiling to mount overhead lighting or ceiling fans without special brackets or professional installation.
3. Lamps
Lamps offer a perfect balance between lighting and space saving. You can have floor lamps around the seating options and desk lamps for writing or studying on the desk or table.
Because you can find a lamp in any design style, shape and size, decorating with lamps as accents in a sunroom are also popular and cost-efficient. Using energy saving bulbs and only utilizing the lights you need can also cut down on your energy bill.
D. Flooring
Flooring in a sunroom is just as important as the windows and ceiling, if not more so. You have a large assortment of flooring options to choose from, and all of them have their strengths and weaknesses.
1. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is very popular in sunrooms. It is easily installed and can accommodate the design and atmosphere of the room quite well. You also have choices of your choices as well. You can choose from a large assortment of wood options including cherry, oak, maple and even pine.
One reason for the hardwood flooring popularity is that the cleaning and maintenance are pretty easy. Also, as long as you stay up on the sealant and protection applications (which should be done annually), they will also be resistant to sun fading.
2. Carpet
Another popular option is carpet. With so many piles, colors and materials to choose from you can have a carpet that is soft under your feet and matching any design style you choose.
One drawback to the carpet in a sunroom is that it is susceptible to sun fading and you may need to replace it more frequently than other flooring materials. However, you can find carpets that are protected against sun fading either chemically or naturally, such as wool.
3. Tile Flooring
Tile is a fairly popular option as well. It is relatively inexpensive for the materials and installation and can be done in any style. Tile is primarily used when the sunroom is used as a breakfast nook or dining room. Maintenance and clean up are a breeze and tile hold up to a lot of foot traffic.
Tiles are also not going to be affected by direct sunlight as much as the other options. However, they can retain heat as well as cold and you may not always want to go barefoot on the tiles.
4. Laminate Flooring
Laminate is one of the least expensive flooring materials available and can be bought in virtually any style, color or pattern.
Laminate is easy to maintain and will hold up to foot traffic fairly well. However, it is a weaker flooring material than the other options, and if you are constantly moving chairs around or re-positioning heavier items, it can tear and need replacing.
E. Styles
When designing your sunroom, the style or theme that you choose should add to the ambiance and aesthetics of not only the room but of the home. At a bare minimum, it should complement or match the adjoining room.
Sunrooms can be designed with virtually any style option; however, the most popular choices are:
- Country Sunroom
- Contemporary Sunroom
- Tropical Sunroom
- Farmhouse Sunroom
1. Country Sunroom Style
Country themes are popular in sunrooms because of their use of bright colors and exciting patterns. Checkerboard patterns in blues, red and greens add a great line to the room. Accenting country style sunrooms is just as fun and designing one.
You can have natural wood furniture, flooring and lighting as well as marrying bright, cheerful colors on the walls, braces, and accents. Country style decor can get really fun, with vintage water jugs, old country style landscapes, and many other items you can easily get at an antique shop.
2. Contemporary Sunroom Style
Contemporary styles, when used in sunrooms can really open the space. This style relies on soft colors for the primary design and bolder colors through the accents. By utilizing a contemporary design style, you can create a more relaxed and airy atmosphere.
The furniture is also comfortable with softer textures and linens. Most contemporary flooring is bare floors (usually hardwood or laminate) which allow you to use more natural furniture pieces. Lighter wood furniture such as pine and maple are often seen in contemporary themes. Think mid-century modern, but in a sunroom! Divine!
3. Tropical Sunroom Style
Tropical styles and themes are trendy in sunrooms because they allow you to have a bit of fun with your design options. With the whole point of a sunroom to be inviting and relaxing, you can bring a bit of the tropics indoors. Entering your tropical style sunroom can make you feel like you’re on vacation.
Bamboo and wood are the primary design features which can be carried out through tables, desks, flooring and even ceiling fans. For the furniture, you would tend to stick with wicker and rattan with a lot of large and soft pillows and blankets.
The colors are also fairly muted with natural wood colors being dominant. White, pastels and light blues and greens are often seen in tropical themes.
4. Farmhouse Sunroom Style
Farmhouse styles are also quite popular in modern sunrooms. Farmhouse design features are simple, soft and elegant. The style makes use of a lot of glass, such as shelving, coffee tables, and cabinet doors.
When flooring is involved in the theme, Farmhouse tends to utilize hardwood planks in some of the softer wood tones like pine. Accents can use wire, open beam and canvas textures to draw the room together.
