Chevron icon

2022-06-10 19:59:55 By : Ms. Vanda Chen

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

While your backyard might not be available for lounging year-round, a sunroom is the ideal location for enjoying a bit of sun or a soothing rain shower in the comfort of your home. You can choose to be immersed in the surrounding outdoors or just close the doors and windows when you need a retreat from biting bugs or humid air. 

Plus, unlike a fully outdoor space, you can furnish a sunroom with indoor or outdoor furniture, which means soft upholstery, glowy lighting, and even wall decor. Just be sure to keep humidity levels low since some materials can develop mold and mildew. 

Below, we've rounded up five of our favorite sunroom ideas, plus seating, decor, and soft furnishing recommendations to bring each of them to life. If you have a small sunroom, many of these pieces will work well. For budget sunroom ideas, we've included a range of prices and you can also find dupes of pricier furniture on sites like Target, Wayfair, and Amazon. Many of these ideas easily translate to a porch or covered patio too.

There are few things better in life than the crisp ocean breeze, so a sunroom that's set up for seaside lounging by day or night? Splendid. The space is centered around a cozy sofa and fluffy pillows for post-beach day naps, plus modern coastal accessories and a rug to ground the room.

Constructed from solid acacia, this couch not only fits perfectly into a coastal theme, but it’s also just the right place for gathering friends or taking a quick nap.

There’s nothing more classically nautical than blue and white, but these pillows are a more understated version with chambray blue and ivory.

A rug has the ability to pull any space together — even an outdoor one. This handwoven rug is perfect for a covered outdoor space, and the handwoven yarns welcome bare feet right off the beach.

These wall hangings have all the right kitsch in all the right places, paying homage to sand dollars without overdoing the coastal theme.

Woven cane is a classic material in any setting, but wrapped around a vase that's stuffed with some dry florals makes it a decidedly coastal addition.

Arguably the best part of a sunroom is the way it feels completely one with the outside — be it a tropical getaway or just your own backyard. You can build upon this nature-immersed experience by adding lots of plants that thrive in bright, direct light and a bird feeder that lets you get up close and personal to the critters in your own yard.

You’ll want to outfit the space with plants that love direct sunlight. The three plants in this set are major sun-lovers and help bridge the gap between outdoor plant life and indoor living.

A plant stand is perfect for showcasing your greenery. This tiered white stand has a decorative embossed floral design.

What better way to bring the outdoors in than getting up close and personal with the wildlife around you? This bird feeder attaches to a window so you’ll have a perfect view of your winged neighbors grabbing a bite to eat.

What’s a garden without a watering can? This one is begging to be left on display, too, with its curvy lines and brass finish.

French furniture brand, Fermob, has been exporting this iconic bistro set to the US for over 20 years, all while maintaining its original quality and stash-ability. The sage green of this particular set goes perfectly with all those plants you’re bringing in.

The simple, natural elements of a Scandinavian-style room (think: simple chairs made from natural materials, a bamboo pendant light, and minimalist art) will help you clear your mind and enjoy the nature that surrounds you. It also makes a great space for working from home since this aesthetic offers few distractions.

This chair can be paired with a matching ottoman for ultimate lounging or pick up a few to cluster together around a coffee table for entertaining.

The clean lines and smooth ceramic of this riser make it a statement piece on its own, but it’s also great for holding a plant, elevating some decor, or organizing odds and ends as a tray.

A pendant light mounted in the center of a room makes the whole space feel intentional, and this black bamboo construction is right on trend.

The minimalist lines of this art print tie into the pared-back decor and furnishings of the room but still add interest to an otherwise simple space.

A bit of color in a modern pattern is a welcome summer addition to this room that’s grounded in neutrals.

If you're lucky enough to have a sunroom that opens up to the outdoors, consider going all-in on the al fresco eatery vibes by leaning into a bright, entertainment-focused space, with seating for at least four, citronella to keep the bugs at bay, and a bold outdoor rug.

No al fresco setup is complete without a dining table and comfortable chairs. This table is made from teak, so you can happily enjoy dinner in the sunroom or move the setup fully outside.

This candle will keep the bugs away, add a bit of ambiance, and offer a delicate lavender fragrance.

This melamine serving tray is just the thing to transport a meal from kitchen to outdoor table, plus it’s easy to wipe clean and adds a pop of summery color.

A brightly striped rug pulls your at-home outdoor dining setup together and adds a bit of cheer on rainy days.

You’ll definitely need a vase to collect clippings from the garden or to display the florist's finest for a dinner party.

Whether you've got a lake house retreat or you just want to channel the theme of a summer spent in a cottage in the woods, a sunroom is the perfect place to experiment with themed pillows and eclectic decor. A rug made from natural fibers adds warmth, gingham fabric is reminiscent of picnics in the grass, and modern lighting brings a cozy glow at night.

Jute rugs are beautiful on their own, but the checkerboard pattern of this one adds just a bit more interest and a vintage vibe.

There’s nothing better than flipping on the string lights as the sun goes down, illuminating the room, and easing the transition from day to night.

No living space is complete without an armchair for kicking back, and this one comes in three different shades of gingham for any color scheme.

A black and white set of floral outdoor pillows are perfect for lounging but durable enough to be forgotten outside once or twice — it happens to the best of us.

A big, cozy quilt is a must-have for chilly mornings by the water or falling asleep to the sound of the crickets at night.

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@insider.com.