The sunroom can be a place to relax, catch up on the latest neighborhood gossip, or cool down on a hot summer night. It can bring sunlight and air into your home without sacrificing the comfort of the great indoors. The sunroom, however, can get overlooked when decorating. A room such as this ends up as unused, or under-used, space.

According to Remodeling Magazine, adding a sunroom can be a big investment to your home. The resale value of a sunroom averages 89%-115% of original cost and is used an average of 4 hours per day. Sunrooms are one the top important aspects to a house in the realty market. Homebuyers request sunrooms so they can enjoy the outdoors while remaining indoors.

Cost of a New Sunroom

The cost of a sunroom depends on how big the room is going to be, the style or design you want, the type of glass, options you want to add, and the location of the sunspace. Added cost will be in labor and installation, estimated about $3000 for an average size sunroom of 10 x 7. Of course a screened porch is less expensive than having an all glassed sunroom, estimated cost can start anywhere from $5,000. A standard knee-wall, half glassed, and solid roof sunroom can start anywhere from $10,000. Solariums or conservatories are the most expensive sunrooms to build because it requires a cooling and heating system. Starting cost for a solarium or conservatory can be about $15,000.
Climate Control

* Skylights can be added if your roof is a solid roof not all glass. Skylights provide an extra amount of light and airiness. Simply because they are opened directly to the sky, they allow nearly twice as much light to enter the room as regular windows.

* Ceiling fans improves air circulation in a sunroom.

* Shades or Blinds can control the heat and glared allowed to a sunroom by either retaining heat in the wintertime or reducing heat in the summer. Shades and blinds also allow privacy to a sunroom. Adding them to overhead glass can prevent overheating.

* Heaters provide heat for the winter. Heaters can be installed through the floors for comfort. For heating also, consider a fireplace.

Furniture Choices

The first step in choosing furniture for your new or existing sunroom is to decide the function of the room. Will it be used for extra living space, entertaining, a relaxation or reading area? If you plan to use the room for entertaining, you may want to include dining pieces into your plan. Take your room measurements, including placement of doors or other obstacles to your casual furniture retailer for assistance in furniture selection, groupings and placement.

Regarding the type of furniture to use, you have many choices including wicker, rattan, cast aluminum and wrought iron.  Most casual furniture manufacturers will offer options in seating, dining and additional accessories such as tea carts, planters, and buffet tables in the furniture type you decide to use. In addition, you will be presented with many styles within these categories allowing you to create a room that fits your personality and budget.

Be sure to consider the view you can enjoy from your sunroom as you decide which furniture pieces to include and their placement. Instead of the traditional sofa, two chairs and a couple of tables model, you want to consider a circle of four comfy deep-seating lounge chairs around a conversation table, or two loveseats facing each other. Instead of a table, try an over-sized ottoman between the loveseats that can serve as a foot rest or a cocktail table.

No matter what style of furniture you choose, be sure to “try it before you buy it!” Since furniture is made in different lengths, widths and depths, you need to make sure the furniture you buy fits you and your family.

Colors

If the interior of your sunroom can be seen from adjoining areas, be sure to take into account the flow of color between these rooms. To make your sunroom seem like an extension of your home, use the same primary color scheme you’ve used in the interior, varying the intensity of the colors by using brighter, more dominant shades.

Using Accessories

The use of accessories in your sunroom can help bring in some of the colors you need. Area rugs, throw pillows, lampshades, as well as flowers and foliage can dramatically change the look of the room. Don’t worry about needing a green thumb to include beautiful plants! If you choose quality artificial flowers and greenery, you will hardly tell the difference! To give your room a tranquil atmosphere, consider adding a floor or wall fountain. You will enjoy the relaxing sound of the trickling water, and most fountains include an ambient light that add to the effect.