Sunrooms are marvelous, self-indulgent spaces perfect for lounging, dining, and hosting guests.
These sunny oases offer an abundance of natural light and emulate the feeling of being outdoors — without unnecessary exposure to pests and the elements.
If you have a sunroom and want to turn it into a wonderful extension of your home, you’re in the right place. Here’s how to furnish your sunroom on a budget.
What is a Sunroom?
Sunrooms— also known as Florida rooms, solariums, or garden rooms — are indoor spaces with multiple glass windows. By maximizing natural light and showcasing outdoor scenery, this set-up mimics the feeling of being outside while allowing you to relax comfortably indoors.
This cozy home addition, typically adorned with inspiring decor, bright foliage, and comfy furniture, can serve as an additional living room, home office, hosting space, or lounging area. Sometimes, they’re even used as playrooms for children or hobby spaces for adults.
Unlike screened-in porches, patios, or lanais, sunrooms are designed to be enjoyed year-round since they are often insulated in an enclosed living area.
What are the Different Types of Sunrooms?
American homes often feature one of two types of sunrooms: a three-season sunroom or a four-season sunroom. The main distinction between the two is how often you can use the space throughout the year.
Three-Season Sunrooms
Three-season sunrooms do not have climate control, which means they typically lack air conditioning in the summer and/or heating in the winter. Instead of being used year-round, they’re typically only functional during the three warmest seasons: spring, summer, and fall.
Four-Season Sunrooms
Four-season sunrooms — also known as all-season sunrooms — are equipped with climate control systems, meaning they can be used no matter the weather and no matter the season. This option is optimal for those who like to host house guests, use the space for work, or engage in hobbies and activities throughout the year.
How to Furnish Your Sunroom
Sunrooms offer scenic settings and an excellent space for relaxation. But with a few simple additions, it can become one of the most beloved rooms in your home. Whether you’re turning a deck into a sunroom, equipping a patio sunroom, or doing something else entirely, use the following budget-friendly tips to furnish your space.
1. Determine the Function of Your Sunroom
Before diving headfirst into purchasing indoor sunroom furniture, you may want to consider how you’ll be using the space.
Are you longing for a lounging area that allows you to bask in the sunlight while sipping morning coffee? Or maybe, you’d prefer turning the space into a serene dining area where you can host guests while overlooking your home’s impressive landscapes.
By determining the function of your sunroom in advance, you can eliminate unnecessary furniture and decor purchases later down the line. Here are a few potential uses for your home’s sunroom:
- Extended living room or den
- Breakfast nook
- Dining room
- Sunroom bar or drink station
- Home office
- Theater room
- Craft room or hobby space
- Reading nook
- Greenhouse for growing plants and vegetables
- Children’s play area
2. Choose Your Aesthetic
Modern sunroom designs often incorporate themes and decoration styles to help reflect the homeowner’s interests. For example, you can transform your sunroom into a maximalist oasis where vintage, thrift-store furniture harmoniously intertwines with contemporary decor.
Or maybe, you’d enjoy the ever-popular farmhouse design style — complete with rocking chairs, hand-woven trays, and farmhouse benches. Whatever aesthetic you choose, make sure it embodies your lifestyle and invites you to feel relaxed and rejuvenated whenever you enter the space.
Here are a few sunroom design styles to consider.
If you’re using the space as a dining area…
- Bistro
- Cabana
- Farmhouse
- Coastal
- Meditteranean
- Vintage chic
- Garden pavilion
If you’re using the space as a lounging area…
- Maximalist
- Minimalist
- Hygge
- Nautical
- Grandmillenial
- Farmhouse
- Cottagecore
- Mid-century modern
Deciding on the function and aesthetic of your sunroom beforehand can help you sort through the clutter when pinpointing your preferred furniture and decor items — saving you tons of money in the long run.
3. Consider Sun Exposure
One of the many perks of a sunroom, when compared to a traditional patio, is that furniture and decor items face fewer limitations. You can select various options — from durable outside furniture to comfy, loungy indoor options — without fear that they’ll be affected by weather elements like rain, wind, and snow.
However, one caveat to this design freedom is how immense amounts of sunlight may affect your options. Over time, exposure to the sun’s rays can damage, fade, and shrink delicate upholsteries and fabrics. To circumvent these potential issues, you may want to consider window coverings and/or more durable fabrics and materials.
Window Coverings
Window coverings such as blinds, shades, and curtains not only shield against direct sunlight on warm, sunny days, they also ensure privacy if your sunroom is viewable by neighbors. However, sunrooms are meant to be bright and airy, so opt for natural materials or sheer fabrics that reinforce your chosen aesthetic.
Other window covering options include:
- Adjustable window slats
- Lightweight sunroom curtain panels
- Bamboo blinds
- Retractable mesh screens
Window coverings are often one of the most affordable alterations you can make to a sunroom.
Furniture Selections
When considering how furniture can become affected by long-term sun exposure, it’s best to select pieces designed with durable materials. Without consistent window coverings, you’ll want to avoid natural fabrics like leather and cotton. Leather is prone to cracking and drying out, while cotton is likely to fade over time.
If window coverings aren’t your thing, consider outdoor furniture or synthetic upholstery like polyester, acrylic, and nylon. These options are more resistant to fading and sun damage than natural fabrics and tend to be water-resistant, making them less susceptible to mildew and spills.
4. Focus on Larger Furniture First
Now that you’ve decided on the function and aesthetic of your sunroom as well as considered how sunlight might affect your options, it’s time to furnish the space and bring your vision to life!
Sunroom Daybeds, Sofas, and Chaises
Sunrooms offer the cozy warmth of the great outdoors, and there’s no better way to enjoy those sun rays and picturesque views than on a comfy sunroom couch, sofa, or chaise. Plus, sofas are perfect for converting your sunroom into a lounging area or living space. Sunroom chairs and daybeds serve best as additional seating options when used in other sunroom design styles.
Be sure to choose clean, bright sunroom colors, natural finishes, and sturdy fabrics that match your aesthetic. Dark colors and trimmings can diminish the radiant airiness of a sunroom.
If you enjoy the idea of a comfy reading nook, consider making room for a daybed or lounge chair made from durable materials like leather or polyester. If you’re going the Boho-Scandinavian route, seek out timeless pieces like an elegant sofa — perhaps in a luxurious fabric like velvet.
The sky is truly the limit when selecting seating options for your sunroom, so get intentional about the options you choose. Not only does your final selection need to meet the theme and function of your space, but it should also encourage relaxation, comfort, and the tiniest hint of self-indulgence.
Tables
From end tables and console tables to lavish dining room tables, finding the perfect option is crucial to bringing your sunroom vision to life. Depending on the function of your space, your table choice can either be the focal point of the room or an accent piece that ties everything together.
Here, you’ll also want to select options that are both sun-resistant and bright (i.e., glass, teak wood, and light stone) to fit the ambiance that your sunroom has to offer. Think glass tables with natural frames for a touch of old-world charm or slender console tables for additional storage and attractive display space.
And don’t forget: You’ll want to decorate on and around your tables to maximize its overall appeal. Need a few table decorating ideas? Check out this blog on tablescapes.
Sunroom Rugs
Many sunrooms come pre-equipped with wood, tile, or concrete floors. While these can be beautiful on their own, they can also leave your sunroom feeling harsh and cold.
You can either leave the floors bare or add a touch of softness and warmth with area rugs. However, it’s important to remember that any sunroom furnishings will receive more sunlight than others. Opt for UV-resistant rugs made of materials like polyester or polypropylene to combat sun damage.
6. Seal the Deal with Decor
While the windows in your sunroom offer an abundance of sunlight and sweet, nature-y goodness; they can also make hanging artwork difficult. But don’t let that stop you from bringing your sunroom to glory!
When decorating a sunroom, ensure that the decor options you choose are more or less resilient to fluctuations in temperature and sunlight. Select options like the ones mentioned below to ensure that they can enhance your sunroom while remaining resistant to fading.
Plants
Blooming plants and lush green foliage can add comfort, ambiance, and style to any sunroom — without detracting from outdoor landscapes. This is especially true if you intend to convert your space into a nature-perfect greenhouse. And they don’t have to be expensive!
When decorating your sunroom, try adding a mixture of tabletop plants, potted foliage, hanging baskets, vining plants, and more. Because of the ample amount of sunlight offered by a sunroom, there’s likely no better place for growing foliage — or showcasing faux plants
Paint
Another cost-effective way to upgrade your space is by adding a little color to the room. Top-selling sunroom paint colors often err on the side of bright and vibrant — from spirited yellows and vivid pinks to lush greens and cheerful oranges.
However, if you’re working with a smaller area, we recommend enhancing the size of your sunroom with neutral tones like white and beige. These colors will allow your space to feel as airy and open as possible. Plus, they’ll pair better with bolder accent colors, giving you more opportunities to get creative.
Lighting
If you intend to use your sunroom at night or if natural light isn’t consistent throughout the day, consider adding artificial lighting to your space. You’ll want to compare various design styles when choosing light fixtures to ensure they match the character and theme of your redesigned sunroom.
If you’d like to create a soft, sultry atmosphere, you may want to consider illuminating the space with candles, mason jar fairy lights, or stringer bulbs. And if you want to maintain a nature-inspired ambiance, then lighting options with driftwood or geode bases are the way to go.
Bask in the Sunlight with CORT Furniture Outlet
Furnish your sunny oasis with long-lasting, stylish pieces from CORT Furniture Outlet. Find what you need to transform your sunroom by shopping our collection of new and gently used furniture and decor. Take up to 70% off original retail pricing and enjoy same-day pickup when you shop online or in-store at your local CORT Furniture Outlet.
