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Sunrooms Shine in Different Ways
Whether they're used as reading nooks, gathering spaces or just places for daydreaming, these sunrooms gleam with light and functionality
Does the moody winter weather have you dreaming about sunrooms? The sunroom (sunporch, solarium, conservatory) has as many functional purposes as it does styles. As we prepare for more daylight hours, let's take a look at a few sunrooms — it might just be the thing to put us all in a sunnier mood.
The owners of this sunroom previously had a screened porch in disrepair. Crisp replaced the porch with this large, bright sunroom and added lovely French doors for quick access to the outdoors.
Despite the frosty Northeastern winter months, the family uses the sunroom year-round. Light plays an important part here: Recessed ceiling lights and sconces throughout the room let family members gather to dine, listen to and play music, and entertain.
Despite the frosty Northeastern winter months, the family uses the sunroom year-round. Light plays an important part here: Recessed ceiling lights and sconces throughout the room let family members gather to dine, listen to and play music, and entertain.
Like the Connecticut space above, this midcentury modern sunroom can also be enjoyed in the winter months thanks to the modern fireplace, picture windows and plenty of natural and artificial light.
Houzz user kgibbs says of this sunroom, "The polycarbonate clear roof is holding up very well here in frigid, snowy Minnesota. It's an unheated, screened porch that we are able to use from about April till November. We sleep out there whenever we can — that's a wrought iron trundle bed under the deck end of the porch. Rainstorms and snowfalls are really quite magical."
A Spot That Takes In the View
This all-white, side-of-house nook is flooded with light. The result: A cozy space from which to enjoy sea views.
This all-white, side-of-house nook is flooded with light. The result: A cozy space from which to enjoy sea views.
Despite its narrow dimensions, this covered porch's unadorned windows give unobstructed views of a nearby lake. Judging from this sunroom's photo comments, it looks like the Houzz nation is divided when it comes to the ceiling: Some feel like the dark color makes the ceiling appear "visually heavy," while others like how the dark hue evokes a feeling of "being sheltered." I fall in the latter camp; I sometimes tend to feel too exposed in all-white sunrooms, so I appreciate how the dark shade adds warmth and coziness to the space.
A Reading Nook
This sunroom's spartan furnishings and bare, floor-to-ceiling windows make for the perfect, distraction-free reading nook.
This sunroom's spartan furnishings and bare, floor-to-ceiling windows make for the perfect, distraction-free reading nook.
Kelly Scheer of Frisson says of this reading area, "[Here's] an example of a great use of space in a potentially wasted room. The low pitched ceilings present a challenge, but making them giant skylights brings in tremendous light."
An Extra Play Area
A scattering of toys and linen storage bins can only mean that this sunroom also doubles as a play area for children, a place where they can play safely indoors while still enjoying the sun's rays. Notice how the red accents in the outdoor flora are reflected by the interior color palette.
A scattering of toys and linen storage bins can only mean that this sunroom also doubles as a play area for children, a place where they can play safely indoors while still enjoying the sun's rays. Notice how the red accents in the outdoor flora are reflected by the interior color palette.
A Gathering Place
Brazilian interior designer Marcelo Brito says that sunrooms are a vital part of living in Brazil. "Sunrooms integrate the interior of the house to the exterior. They've become like a second living room, with some sunrooms taking up more and more surface area in someone's home," Brito says. The bold, striped furniture covers and area rug add high nautical drama to this sunroom, which reflects its beachside location just two hours away from São Paolo.
Brazilian interior designer Marcelo Brito says that sunrooms are a vital part of living in Brazil. "Sunrooms integrate the interior of the house to the exterior. They've become like a second living room, with some sunrooms taking up more and more surface area in someone's home," Brito says. The bold, striped furniture covers and area rug add high nautical drama to this sunroom, which reflects its beachside location just two hours away from São Paolo.
Like the one in Brazil, this plantation-style sunroom looks like it also serves as a second living room or sitting area.
A Place to Grow Plants
Bring the outdoors in by having a few potted plants and flowers in the sunroom. Since too much greenery distracts from the actual foliage outside, it's best to stick to one or two anchoring plants. This sunroom goes a little further by having furniture fabrics and textiles that mimic the outdoor color palette.
Bring the outdoors in by having a few potted plants and flowers in the sunroom. Since too much greenery distracts from the actual foliage outside, it's best to stick to one or two anchoring plants. This sunroom goes a little further by having furniture fabrics and textiles that mimic the outdoor color palette.
A Place to Dine
If you’re using your sunroom as a dining area, a cast iron table and chairs make a great alternative to wood furniture. Slim and sturdy, with exquisite art nouveau detail, they can make you feel like you're dining al fresco in a French bistro.
More:
Sunrooms: Bringing the Outdoors In
Make a Space Special with Glass
Contractor Tips: How to Choose and Install Windows
If you’re using your sunroom as a dining area, a cast iron table and chairs make a great alternative to wood furniture. Slim and sturdy, with exquisite art nouveau detail, they can make you feel like you're dining al fresco in a French bistro.
More:
Sunrooms: Bringing the Outdoors In
Make a Space Special with Glass
Contractor Tips: How to Choose and Install Windows
How do you enjoy a sunroom in the middle of a Connecticut winter? Quite easily — with the help of heat and insulation, says James Crisp of Crisp Architects. "Well-insulated windows, floors and ceilings can help make up for the large percentage of glass. Radiant floor heat and even conventional heat keep it warm inside, making it perfect for walking around in stockinged feet," says Crisp.