FOR THE LOVE OF SUNROOMS
AND SOME FAVORITES FOR AN EFFORTLESS SET UP
I didn’t fully understand the magic of sunrooms until we moved into this house. I never had one growing up or in any of my previous homes, but my grandma had a screened-in porch that I remember vividly: catching a summer breeze while rocking back and forth on one of those old-school glider sofas. Anyone else remember those? Basically a full outdoor couch (floral, of course) on gliders?
When we first saw our house, we immediately fell in love with the sunroom, but we knew it needed a refresh. The walls were painted a very dark almost-black green, and the floors were covered in a pinkish faux terracotta porcelain tile. I wanted the space to feel brighter, something that reflected light and felt open and airy, but we didn’t have the budget (or time) for a full renovation right away. Our quick fix was paint: we painted the walls, the trim, even the tile floors, just to get it feeling lighter and cleaner, laid a large jute rug and furnished it, mainly thanks to a partnership I had with CB2
The space evolved over the years as we had time to address it and layer in some more personality. In 2023, three years after we moved in and after we had addressed most every other room in the house, we decided to tackle the sunroom and tore up the old tile and installed a black and cream porcelain tile in a classic harlequin pattern. It completely elevated the room.
We kept the sectional, which fits the space perfectly and makes the most of both seating and views. The layout is simple but intentional: the sectional anchors the space for lounging or reading, there’s a little bistro table where we eat dinners off the grill, and extra seating that can be pulled in as needed without disrupting the flow from house to patio. I wanted the space to feel relaxed and unprecious, so I mixed indoor and outdoor furniture, layered in an Oushak rug that’s held up really well, and added some potted plants that rotate in and out throughout the year. I actually loved the jute rug we had originally, but after one too many open-window rainstorms it got soaked and had to go, and the warmer tone wouldn’t have worked as well with the new tile anyway.
As an ode to sunrooms and all their magic, I wanted to share the features I’ve come to love most about these special spaces. Whenever I’m working with a client who has or wants to create a sunroom, these are the features I’m always looking for, the details that make the room feel timeless, easy, and lived-in in the best way.
Durable, classic floors: A hard-working floor is essential. I love tile for its practicality and its ability to bring a sense of design to the space, whether it’s a timeless marble, a warm terracotta, bluestone, or even painted wood for a cottage feel. Floors that can handle a little bit of mess are a must.
Relaxed, low-maintenance furniture: I always recommend comfortable seating with washable covers—sunrooms inevitably take a bit of wear from the elements. A mix of indoor and outdoor pieces works best, especially with slipcovers and durable, natural materials like linen, jute, wicker, teak, and wrought iron. The goal is a space that feels relaxed, low-maintenance, and at ease with it’s surroundings.
Character-rich details: Architectural details like paneling, wood beams or tongue-and-groove ceilings add so much character to a sunroom and can help connect the space to the overall style of a home. I also always encourage clients to lean into any natural features they have like exposed stone walls, original brick, or reclaimed wood. One of my favorite features in our own sunroom is the original old stone wall, which used to be the exterior of the house before the sunroom was added. It adds such a sense of history and texture to the room.
A dedicated reading spot: Every sunroom should have a corner that feels made for quiet moments. Whether it’s the coziest corner of a sectional, a deep lounge chair, or a chaise tucked by a window, I always think about carving out a proper reading nook.
Soft, dimmable lighting: This really goes for any room in the house, but especially in a sunroom harsh overhead lighting can completely kill the mood. I always recommend layering in soft table lamps, sconces, and floor lamps for a softer glow that feels cozier and more relaxed than strong overhead light.
A ceiling fan you can live with: Can’t believe I’m saying this because I usually avoid ceiling fans, but this is the one space where I’ll give in. Function wins out in an unconditioned space like ours. While I’d love to swap it for a beautiful light fixture, comfort comes first in this room. (Side note: why are attractive ceiling fans still so hard to find?) My advice is to either keep it simple and choose something that blends in and doesn’t draw too much attention (none of those fans trying to disguise themselves as chandeliers) OR go for one of those palm blade fans for a more tropical / southern feel.
If you’re thinking about refreshing your own sunroom, or creating a similar feel in another space, here are a few pieces I’ve been loving lately. These are all things I’d happily recommend to clients, and they strike that balance of relaxed, durable, and effortlessly stylish.
A timeless floor tile (this combo of pewter and bone concrete look porcelain is what I used in my sunroom).
A classic bistro table for casual dining
Woven chairs that work indoors or out
A cozy, low-maintenance sofa or sectional with washable covers
Vintage-look rugs that can handle life (and a little dirt)
Table, floor, and wall lamps for soft, cozy evening lighting
A neutral ceiling fan that don’t fight the room
Planters and pottery to bring in some life
Striped or subtle print linens to layer in a little pattern
See all my current favorites here.
I feel really lucky to have this little spot in our home. There’s just something about being fully protected from the bugs while still catching a breeze and hearing the birds that feels like the best kind of luxury.