One of the biggest appeals of owning a home is the ability to craft a space that is entirely your own. Done right, the design of your house and the way each room contributes to its construction can work to create an impression that is as unique and vibrant as your personality. When considering how to go about this endeavor, remember not to overlook your sunroom. With careful attention, this airy, sunny space can become the brilliant focal point your home needs to truly shine. Now, don't get overwhelmed. That seems like a monumental task, but it's one that you can begin with one simple step: determine which of the five following interior decorating themes appeals the most to you, and work your way up from there. Don't worry! Along with a description of each style, we will include examples of furnishings, wall colors, and rug and accent pieces for each look.
Traditional
Do you find yourself drawn to rooms decorated with warm, inviting colors that are accompanied by sumptuously regal furniture and bright accents? If so, you may be a traditionalist when it comes to interior design. While the word traditional means many things to many people, in this case, it signifies a preference for rich hardwood floors such as maple, mahogany, cherry or walnut, as well as an appreciation for a good classical line that exemplifies harmony and order. So, what does that mean in terms of your sunroom? Well, you'll probably be looking at a neutral paint color for the walls to better show off your artwork and accent pieces, but don't make the mistake of thinking that neutral means boring. Instead, it opens up a world of possibilities for you to show off your refined and eye-catching style by picking patterns that pop (such as florals, paisleys, stripes, and plaids) for your throw pillows, drapes, and rugs. When it comes to furniture, embrace your luxurious side. Pick armchairs and loveseats upholstered in leather or silk, or simply go for deep reds or browns that make the room feel warm and inviting. Above all, remember that the traditional style values symmetry for the elegance it brings to a home, so consider picking matched furniture to arrange on either side of the room. Now, just give yourself a moment and imagine the golden autumn light streaming through your sunroom windows, picking up on the vibrant depth of color in the hardwood floor and the touchable fabrics of the upholstery, suffusing the room with a glow that turns it from an addition into a haven. Keep that vision in mind when you're selecting decor for your sunroom and there's no way to go wrong.
Modern
But what if that vision just...doesn't do it for you? You're in search of something else, something streamlined, with a smooth, clean appearance and artistic flair. If that sounds at all like you, you might be a modernist, in which case you'll be more inclined to decorate with colors that stay to the lighter side of neutral--a double bonus, because doing so will make your sunroom appear larger and airier than it already is. You might choose to leave your hardwood floors mostly exposed, with one or two colorful Nordic area rugs to add a pop of color and some natural texture to the space. Clean lines are key to a modernist, so we suggest investing in leather couches with exposed legs made of a smooth metal, like chrome, or maybe polished wood. One or two colorful art prints hanging on the walls do a lot to add interest to the room, and you get bonus points if you can match the primary color scheme of the pictures to the color of your rugs or any throw pillows you bought to liven up the couches! The end result, with this design scheme, will be a light, open space at the heart of your home. A place to be; a place to breathe.
Eclectic
If you've gotten this far and you aren't feeling anything except increasingly torn between equally good options, don't worry. We've got your back! The major selling point of the eclectic style is that you don't have to pick one or the other--you can have them all. You like the natural fibers of the wool area rugs but can't give up your dream of a luxurious wingback armchair? No problem! In the eclectic style even more than in the previous two, neutrals are your friend. With a grounding color scheme such as walls done in cream with brown accents, you can pull together a multitude of fabrics and materials without worrying that your visionary design will be lost among too many competing colors. For example, try using fabrics--as upholstery, throws, or area rugs--that match your primary color scheme but introduce a variety of textures to the room. Or, buy rugs or furniture with tassels and fringes that come in complementary colors that stand out against the grounding force of the neutral color on your walls. If you really liked the idea of smooth, modernist metal but can't let go of the traditional preference for dark, warm colors, try picking out a floor lamp or two that comes with a bronze base that will keep the clean line while picking up the warmth of any gold or brown accents you have in the room or on the walls. Your final product will have an array of colors and textures that work together like it was meant to be. Walking into this sunroom will feel like sinking into a bath that's exactly the right temperature--a place to relax and let go of your worries with the assurance that everything is exactly where it's supposed to be.Bold and Bright
You are not a hesitant person. You know exactly what you want and how to get it, and you want your sunroom to be exactly that--a sunny, cheerful center that reflects your vibrant and thriving personality. And we love that about you, so we're going to do our best to help you achieve your vision. First, decide whether you want your walls or your art to take precedence. The one danger with the bold and bright option is that it can become overwhelming, so if you want your family portraits, favorite art prints, or lovingly crafted acrylic paintings to really stand out, we suggest using a bright white wall paint and picking chunky, colorful frames to showcase your art. This technique can extend to your furniture as well--for every colorful piece of decor, be it a bright green accent chair, fun piece of sculpture, or even a brightly flowering houseplant, add a piece that matches the neutral background and you'll end up with a sunroom that lives up to its name. Alternatively, you can pick a bold, saturated color for your walls and tone down the rest of the decor for a look that amplifies the room without being overpowering. Either way, by the end of it all, you'll have a room that feels like family and gives your guests a look at the best of your personality without you having to say a word!
Minimalist
Maybe you're busy, stressed, living an on-the-go lifestyle, or simply hate clutter. Either way, a minimalist sunroom might be the one for you. Much like your modernist cousins, you enjoy a clean, fine line and strive for a sleek, professional finish in everything that you do. When everything is pared down to its simplest, most efficient form, you can truly relax and appreciate the beauty of the sun streaming through sparkling glass panels. To achieve this wonderful sense of having a place for everything and everything in its place, start by creating a--you guessed it--neutral base. Use a shade of white with blue undertones to balance out the warmth of the natural light and create a crisp, fresh look, and consider one of the paler versions of oak flooring to finish out your foundation. To prevent your room feeling cold or bland, pick out accent pieces like sheepskin rugs or knitted throws that match the color scheme but add a deliciously touchable texture and up the comfort-factor. Let the tactile experience of the room speak for itself without embellishment, and go for long-lasting, high-quality materials over impulse buys, and you'll soon find yourself enjoying a morning coffee or evening cup of tea surrounded by the serenity of your own personal oasis.We hope that this article helped start you on your way to a truly personalized experience, but if you want more, you can follow Four Seasons Sunrooms and Windows on Twitter at @SunroomsWindows, on Facebook at @Sunroom, or on Pinterest at @FourSeasonsHP for more design help and ideas. And, as always, you are welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns!