How To Use Your Sunroom 365 Days A Year

 

Having a small sunroom or solarium in your house can benefit you in all seasons. These glass-encased spaces let you enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of inside and can even help with seasonal affective disorders. Especially in winter, these rooms can give you much-needed warmth without you needing to use a heater. So, if you have a sunroom or are planning to add a sunroom to your house, here are some tips for using it 365 days a year. 

Perfect climate control

Controlling the temperature to get it just right in this room is necessary to make it comfortable all year. You can use ceiling fans on hotter days to draw away hot air. They can also come in handy to spread warm air in winter. 

A fireplace can also help on cold winter days to keep you warm but add it only if your budget allows. The glass windows and roofing used in your sunroom should be energy-star rated to make it easier to heat and cool the space without needing to use lots of energy. 

Adding roof fans may not be enough for adequate air flow. Try adding ventilation fans to draw hot air out in summer. This will help stop the room feeling stuffy.

If you’re having trouble getting the temperature right, a ductless split system will work well and efficiently cool the room in summer as well as heat in winter. You can also try using a portable air conditioning system.

Look after windows

Add weather-stripping or caulk around sunroom windows to help keep the warm air inside and prevent cold air getting in. Also, add clear insulation to the windows to reduce heat loss in winter. Adding a glaze to windows also stops solar gain in summer and heat escaping in winter.

Install block-out blinds

Blinds or curtains can help you as the seasons change to have more effective control over the sunlight and heat that goes in the room. Make sure to pull them down before the sun gets too hot. These curtains also give you some privacy. Insulated curtains are a good option for keeping warm air in during winter.

Keep it simple when decorating

Make it a nice space to be in. Decorate the room and make it more comfortable. Create the best atmosphere possible with seating arrangements. You can add simple wooden furniture with plush pillows, indoor-outdoor rugs, and some plants. Just because it's a sunroom, don’t forget about the lighting system. Add appropriate lighting with multi-purpose appeal.

Make it multi-purpose

Make your sunroom a multi-purpose space. Give this area a purpose like a home office, living room, greenhouse or dining area, so that you use it throughout the year. Small sunrooms can be used for a sitting room, perfect to have a cup of coffee with a friend.

Also, you can make a reading nook for some relaxing. Or you can let your creativity loose and make it a craft room. You can paint, draw, knit, and make it the perfect spot for your creative pursuit.

Meditation space

Your sunroom can be converted into your meditation space if you meditate regularly. If you wish to reduce distraction during your practice, this would be the perfect place for you. Add some flowers, candles, and incense sticks to create positive vibes around you.

Create the right colour theme

Sunrooms are usually small, that’s why to make them feel bigger, light and bright colours are best. Paint the ceiling in a light colour to make the room feel bigger. Use neutral colours for flooring as dark colours will make space seem smaller.

Use it for star-gazing

Use the sunroom at night for watching a sky full of stars. This can give you a perfect sight with beautiful scenery at night.

Increase airflow

Use air conditioning/ heating systems

Final thoughts

To wrap things up, don't think too much about decorating a sunroom. You have the outdoors, so you don’t need to crowd your sunroom. Keep it simple and add only necessities you’ll use. Try and decorate to create a link between outdoor and indoor space as well as with the environment.

These sun-soaked spaces can work throughout the year if you let them. They can be a perfect warm environment in winter and a relaxing cool place in summer.