Sunroom Ideas

Four Seasons

• If you are building your sunroom, consider designing it so that it can be comfortably used during all months of the year. This means you should insulate the ceiling, the walls and even the windows. Add heating and cooling, as well as a ceiling fan or two. You can even add a stone fireplace on the wall that is attached to your home. Making your sunroom usable during all four seasons will make it an actual extension of your house rather than just a fancy porch. It will also add more value to your home.

Windows

• Be sure your windows open easily, which will allow you to enjoy the fresh air and sun on beautiful days. Sunroom windows are usually different from the windows in the rest of your home. Horizontal sliding windows are common in sunrooms, as are push-out windows. When you place your furniture, leave access to the windows so you will not have to strain to open them. Window coverings are useful block direct sunlight and keep heat out of your sunroom on hot days.

Function

• Many people make their sunroom a family room with sofas and a coffee table. While this is nice and may be what your family needs, you can actually make the room a dining space or even an office or bedroom. If you add seating to an office, it serves double duty as a place to relax.

Furnishings

• Wicker furniture is a good choice as well as a glass coffee table. If you have room, include a game table. A drop-leaf table can be placed along the wall with two chairs beside it to save space but be at the ready when it's time to play. Plants give the space an "outdoorsy" feel. Consider hanging plants along the windows. You might want to avoid flowering plants since they tend to drop a lot of flowers.