A sun room can be bright attractions with a great view to the outdoors that are often thought of as summer-only or three-season spaces. Large or small, their design and furniture styles are typically festive, tropical or completely casual. Rattan and bamboo remain among the favored choices for wicker furnishings and accents in sun rooms. With a little planning, this space can be a favorite landing spot at any time of year. This Top Six list of decorating ideas can help make a sunny retreat even more attractive.
1. Split the Space
Even smaller sun rooms can benefit from a division of space. Expanding usability that the entire family can enjoy may also include incorporating entertaining, mealtimes and even a play area for younger children. Add a pub table and two bar stools at one end of a narrower room while keeping the main seating area intact. A console or sofa table as a buffet and bar setup for serving guests will save steps. If room permits, a combination dining and game table with reversible top and accompanying chairs is a casual addition that will look terrific next to sofa, loveseat and chair groupings. Corner spaces are often hard to fill, which makes them a great area for stashing children’s toys. A storage chest with cushions also adds seating for little ones.
2. Mix and Match Patterns
Stripes and florals are among the most requested patterns for seating cushions while solids remain the safe choice. With some care, bold and subtle pattern selections can coincide happily on a sofa or spread throughout the room. A rocking chair might display traditional large blooms across the seat and back, making it a lively companion to striped accent pillows on a sofa. Pull from the three most-used colors in a single fabric swatch for coordination from one piece to another.
3. Add Window Treatments
Make the sun room a space for all seasons by changing window treatments. Some sort of privacy blinds or shutters may already be in place to control lighting and add a feeling of privacy at night. Full window coverings will also slow the fading and deterioration process from UV rays on furniture, area rugs and wall art. Swags are a favorite choice as they leave an unimpeded view while adding splashes of color. Change them with the seasons for an instant update that can still coordinate with existing sun room decor.
4. Bring Outdoor Furniture Inside
Resin wicker furniture is just as attractive indoors as it is on the patio. Choosing matched pieces or coordinating finishes for both spaces can also create a more fluid effect inside and out. A painted wrought iron bistro set or an ornate aluminum park bench will make interesting pairings with wicker furniture. Accent pieces might include bakers racks, wood garden carts or a rustic work table.
5. Make it Green
While the main purpose of a sunroom is to enjoy the great outdoors, indoor greenery turns sun rooms into a lush year-round paradise. Larger wicker planters can accommodate the stems of a sun-loving schefflera or a smaller-leaved ficus. For tabletops, a kalanchoe with yearlong greenery blooms well into fall.
6. Light Up On Dreary Days
When days are longer, there is little thought to filling sun room spaces with ambient lighting. Torchieres can set an inviting mood as night falls, and standard floor or table lamps are always excellent choices for reading. Wicker lamps designed for indoors or outside are cheerful accompaniments to matching furniture. Hanging drop-down lights that plug into outlets are easy to install in a corner above a single chair or a bar height table.