When you have a sunroom, less-than-ideal weather conditions can’t stop you from enjoying your surrounding landscape. A step up from an exposed deck or patio, sunrooms provide shelter from rain, wind and bugs, extending the outdoor season—hence the term four season rooms. With plenty of sunroom ideas to draw inspiration from, it’s helpful to know some of the basics about these structures before you start your addition or remodel.

What can I use my sunroom for?

There are no limits when it comes to uses for a sunroom. Commonly, people take advantage of the plentiful sunlight and use them as informal conservatories or a garden room. If you don’t have a green thumb, you might use it as an additional indoor living space to relax and read, or create an indoor-outdoor feeling, like an enclosed patio or porch. You may also want to use the extra space as a playroom for little ones or a hangout for teens. Transform it into a separate dining area if you want to mimick al fresco dining year round.

What materials are sunrooms built with?

A combination of brick, cement and wood often make up the base, or “knee wall”, which supports the large windows. Clear insulated glass or storm windows are used for the majority of the walls — they allow the maximum amount of sunlight into the space while also trapping heat. With the close relative, screened-in porches, the glass might be replaced with window screens to allow for airflow in warmer climates. Check out plenty of pictures of sunrooms and pay close attention to how they are constructed to draw inspiration for your own. Roofing on sunroom designs can vary. Depending on the preference of the homeowner, the roof may be consistent with their conventional roofing, or could also be glass/plastic panels that let in lots of light. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, these panels are available with a coating designed to reflect ultraviolet rays. Flooring in sunrooms was traditionally tiled to deal with possible leaks, but improved building methods allow for all types of flooring to be installed. Browse sunroom ideas with different styles and see what catches your eye for each aspect of the space, since the material options are pretty wide open.

What type of sunroom decor do I need?

Chances are the decor and furniture in your sunroom will see a high amount of direct sunlight. Keep this in mind when choosing pieces, since some fabrics and materials can quickly fade or become uncomfortably hot. Outdoor furniture will generally stand up well to the heat and light exposure of all-season rooms and patio enclosures, but don’t be afraid to mix and match with indoor pieces as well. Anything made from wicker or seagrass are good sunroom decorating ideas, while you might want to steer away from plastic or metal pieces. Installing shades or blinds is a smart way to prolong the life of your sunroom furniture and accessories when the space is not in use.

Can sunroom additions double as conservatories?

Absolutely. If your solarium roof lets in light, a conservatory or garden room is an excellent use for the space. You will want to fill it with plants that like lots of sunlight and are resistant to temperature change (conservatories can be hot during the day and chilly at night). Succulents and more exotic plants tend to do well, but if you are prepared to pay close attention to your plants, you can grow most varieties in a sunroom, including fruits and vegetables. Now get out there and make your sunroom ideas a reality!