Design Lesson
Designer-Approved Tips For A Cozy Light-Filled Sunroom
Photography by Marc Olivier Becotte (left), Donna Griffith (right)
Design Lesson
Designer-Approved Tips For A Cozy Light-Filled Sunroom
Level up your light-filled sunroom with these simple design tips.
Dreamy and inviting, sunrooms are the coziest place to unwind with a good book or share an evening with friends. “A sunroom or screened-in porch is often the heart of the cottage,” says Katy McNabb, an interior designer with Rewind Design in Georgian Bay, Ont.
Whether yours is in your home or waterfront cabin, a sunroom is an ideal transitional space between your interior and surrounding property.
Taking extra care to curate this space will ensure your favourite room in the house is perfect for years to come. Here’s how the designers make it happen.
Go-to sunroom colour schemes
Photography by Marc Olivier Becotte
“We love embracing natural light in a sunroom with fresh, airy palettes with a timeless backdrop of soft neutrals like warm whites and creamy beiges,” says McNabb.
Bring the outdoors in by inviting pops of natural greens and soft blues to your throw pillows or upholstery. McNabb also suggests leaving the walls or floor with a natural wood finish to contrast the bright room.
If the rest of your home or cottage design leans more dark and moody, consider incorporating that into your sunroom as well.
“The natural instinct is to go towards light and bright in a sunroom, but dark tones create an amazing juxtaposition,” says Michelle Berwick, the founder and principal designer at Michelle Berwick Design in Newmarket, Ont.
In Berwick’s own cabin, she recently painted her sunroom with Benjamin Moore’s Raccoon Fur 2126-20, a mid-toned grey. “When the sun is shining in there, you feel bright and happy, and when there’s a storm, you feel cozy and relaxed,” she says.
The best fabrics and floorings for a sunroom
Photography by Donna Griffith
Sunrooms are all about, well, sun. Choosing fade-resistant fabrics with UV protection and high-performance materials will prolong the life and colours of your upholstery.
Linen and cotton blends are relaxed and breathable, while outdoor fabrics work well with the elements. Berwick also recommends worn leathers that already look lived in.
In terms of furniture, “teak ages beautifully in sun-filled spaces, developing a natural grey over time,” says McNabb.
For flooring, she suggests granite or engineered hardwood with UV protection that can withstand temperature and humidity changes, something that’s particularly important for cottages.
How to lay out furniture in a sunroom
Photography by West of Main
“We’re always thinking about the view in a sunroom,” says Berwick. Whether your sunroom faces a lake, a 150-acre farm, or your suburban backyard, maintaining beautiful sightlines is crucial to your design.
Comfort and conversation are also important factors, says McNabb. Although sunrooms are typically used as sitting rooms with deep couches and practical coffee tables, you might consider incorporating a dining area or coffee spot, depending on how large your space is.
It may sound counterintuitive, but layering lighting is a great way to make your sunroom even cozier for all times of day. “Lighting can really make or break a space no matter how well designed,” says McNabb. “We suggest overhead fixtures for ambient lighting, floor lamps for task lighting, and candlelight for the evenings.”
Similarly, don’t forget to incorporate drapery and window treatments to the windows and doors. “People often say, ‘why would I cover up the view?’” says Berwick. “Drapery ultimately adds softness to a hard exterior and, don’t worry, it doesn’t block the view.”
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