6 Sunroom Decorating Tips From Designers

Summer might be slowly turning into fall, but you don’t need to let the change of season compromise your quality time with Mother Nature. If your home has a sunroom, it’s possible to get the best of both worlds year-round. Call it what you want—a sunroom, a Florida room, or even a solarium—but these spaces’ large windows make it impossible to enjoy nature’s bounty from the comfort of the great indoors.

“Sunrooms are considered distinctly Southern because they are associated with milder temperatures, Southern architecture, gathering and entertaining, and beautiful landscapes,” explains Liz Williams, an interior designer in Atlanta, Georgia. The pros say that a sunroom can be the most popular room in your home, but it has to be decorated with care. Not only can bridging the gap between the indoors and outdoors be challenging, but Williams is also quick to point out that sunrooms are often built (and function!) differently from the rest of a residence.

“A sunroom usually has a large amount of glass, is located on the side or back of the house, and prioritizes light and the view,” she adds. “Other rooms in the house are typically oriented towards a particular room’s functionality or for privacy.” Translation? It can be all-too-easy to have a sunroom look disjointed from the rest of the space, or even worse: A design afterthought.

To help, we tapped a few decorating pros on their biggest sunroom dos and don’ts. Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder; however, these inside tips will help ensure that your special room is designed to shine.

Do: Embrace Your Home’s Exterior

Just because your sunroom is technically inside doesn’t mean that you should ignore the exterior of your home. A lush landscape is often the main view in a sunroom, but Laura Bischofberger of J. Banks Design in Hilton Head, South Carolina, argues it’s equally important to “embrace the exterior finishes.” “I love sunrooms that have the original porch flooring and exterior siding with some more contemporary furniture or lighting,” she explains. “This helps the room feel like an evolution of the history of the home.” In this modern sunroom, a charcoal grey accent wall cleverly complements the home’s moody exterior.

Don’t: Get Stressed Out By Size

When you think about of a sunroom, you might envision a sprawling space with large, sun-drenched windows. But according to Tami Ramsay—partner and principal of CLOTH & KIND, which services Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Athens, Georgia—a sunroom shouldn’t be judged by its size. “It is a mistake to think that a sunroom requires tons of space,” she says. “You can create a perfect nook with some great natural light, even a single window, and a comfortable place to sit.” In fact, Ramsay argues that even a window nook can fit the bill.

Do: Consider The Sun’s Changing Patterns

There’s a reason this special spot is called a sunroom: Thanks to the large, bright windows, it’s the ultimate place to take in some natural lighting. But, Bischofberger warns, it’s important to be cognizant of the sun’s direction throughout the day and year. “A sunroom should focus on the exterior views, designing without thinking of bringing natural light into the space would be a critical mistake,” she explains. “A southern facing sunroom will receive the most sunlight and will feel warmer in the cooler winter months.” For a layout that’s conducive with all changes, place a seat along every wall. That way, you’ll always have somewhere sunny—and somewhere shady—to sit.

Don’t: Forget About Ambient Lighting

The sun will provide a gorgeous glow during the day, but what happens when night falls? “Don’t forget ambient lighting,” Williams says. “While a sunroom can be light and bright during the day, you will want lamp lights at night.” Turns out, a table lamp or a few sconces can be the bright idea you were looking for. If you want to make your sunroom appear light and airy, Williams also recommends staying away from dark, dreary colors. She says: ”

Do: Incorporate Woven Materials

According to Florida-based designer Shani Core, rattan and wicker are “mandatory” in a sunroom. Since these woven materials are commonly used in outdoor furniture, they’re proven to withstand the elements. “I prefer to use indoor-outdoor upholstery fabrics so they don’t fade from all the sunlight,” she shares.

That said, there is a fine line between sunroom furniture that’s practical—and those that veer a little too far into porch territory. “Sunrooms are four-season friendly and can cool down in the summer while feeling a part of the outdoors,” says Sarah Hargrave of The Collective in Dallas, Texas. “When using wicker, rattan, or coastal-inspired furniture, soften with upholstery for added comfort to the extension of your home.” Hargrave recommends using fade-resistant Sunbrella upholstery in the summer and adding plush throw blankets once the colder months arrive.

Don’t: Compromise Comfort

A sunroom deserves to look just as striking as every other room of the house, but it should never come at the sacrifice of being comfortable. “[One of the] biggest mistakes is designing for anything but comfort, albeit still good looking,” says Ramsay. “The best sunrooms are full of super cozy pieces, a place to for your feet, your drink, and your book.” She has a point: If your sunroom doesn’t have cozy furniture, will you ever want to spend time there? Exactly, which means you simply can’t go wrong with a plush, upholstered armchair or loveseat.