Take That, Winter! Stay Warm All Season Long in a Perfectly Designed, Summery Sunroom

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We’re only halfway through fall, but as arctic blasts spread across the U.S., we’re already missing summer—specifically, lazy weekend afternoons curled up in the sun. But fortunately, if you have the right space inside your home, you won’t have to give up these blissful, vitamin D–drenched days.

By the “right space,” we mean a sunroom, also known as a Florida room or a three-season room. If you’re lucky enough to have one of these indoor, window-filled paradises, then you know that they’re a great way to enjoy the warmth of the sun, no matter how brisk the outdoor temperatures are.

So if you’re ready for the ultimate way to stay toasty this season, keep reading for these expert tips on how to remake your sunroom. (We should note that even if you don’t have an official sunroom, you can try these tricks with any light-filled space in your home.) So what are you waiting for? Get your moment in the sun!

Embrace white and light

Photo by Alexander Design Group, Inc. 

Transforming a room always starts with the colors on the wall, and the sunroom is no exception. But this is one room where less is more.

“While the sunroom is mostly made of glass, if there are any walls, they need to be able to replay the light around the room to get the maximum benefit,” says George Richardson, director of Arbor Living. “With this in mind, off-whites and yellow-based colors are ideal.”

Get your sunroom redesign off on the right foot by finding the perfect off-white shade (like Alabaster from Sherwin-Williams) to enhance the warmth of the space.

Pick plush furniture (that’s also fade-resistant)

Photo by Martha O’Hara Interiors
“When it comes to sunrooms, I am a huge fan of white and cozy,” says designer Justin Riordan of Spade and Archer. “A sunroom is often used to evoke warmth during the colder time of year. Fuzzy textures, plush linens, and tons of reflectivity will make for the warmest, fade-resistant space one can make.”

Plush and fluffy seem to be the main takeaways when choosing furniture for your sunroom, but don’t let the coziness factor make you forget what else matters—like choosing pieces that won’t fade from sun exposure.

“As of late we’ve upholstered everything in our sunrooms in Sunbrella fabrics,” Riordan says. “They’re tough as nails, good-looking, and never fade. They’re also forward-thinking with their prints, patterns, and textures.”

If reupholstering fabric isn’t your thing, you can also shop this collection of fade-resistant sofas from Wayfair.

Add a cozy rug

Beyond a comfy sofa, you should plan on adding a few important extras, like a plush rug.

“Every sunroom we’ve ever designed had a plush rug on the floor, a fluffy sofa, and a coffee table to set warm tea,” Riordan says.

“Bare feet are an essential element for almost any sunroom,” he explains. “And cold toes on concrete floors is a definite no. The more plush and deep a rug is, the more we want it in a sunroom.”

Avoid getting cold feet this winter by shopping one of these soft and chic shag rugs from Rugs USA.

Keep the light under control

Of course, you’ll want to have something in place for the days when your sunroom gets a little too sunny. This is where a good set of curtains or roller shades really comes in handy. Riordan recommends white roller shades that filter out 97% of ultraviolet rays.

“This will allow light to come in without blasting the occupant with overdoses of direct sunlight,” he says.

Home Depot offers a great selection of roller shades to ensure you won’t need to wear sunglasses to enjoy your three-season room.

Complete the look with your favorite plants

Photo by Sam Balukonis | Photographer 
If it hasn’t occurred to you yet, a sunroom is the perfect place for your plants to spend the winter, too. Anything that needs plenty of sun—palms, succulents, you name it—will thrive in the warmth of your sunroom, and also add to its overall feeling of coziness.

“Plants can be a great addition to any sunroom. Just be sure to include ones that do well with higher heat and direct sunlight,” Riordan says. “This may not be the best place for a fern that is used to nearly constant shadow.”

Shop your local nursery to find tropical plants that like the heat as much as you do, and you’ll be one step closer to having your perfect indoor sanctuary.

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