Unused Sun Room - what to do with this space?
Hi,
I have a home that is very compartmentalized. The dining room, office/gym, living room and sun room are all walled off. It is not an open concept home.
I have a sun room that I am just not sure what to do with. I've put a dining table in there, and a sofa and now it has my husband desk. But nothing feels right....
The issues are:
-Room has a ton of light from almost floor to ceiling windows. Blocking the windows with furniture darkens the home overall.
-The outside door needs clearance to open. This door is used frequently.
-Theres an 'alcove', it is 60 x 10, and can make furniture placement awkward.
-The room opens to the kitchen and living room, so its not private enough for a tv, and makes office calls difficult.
I thought about getting a built in desk for my husband in the 'alcove' and trying to set chairs around the space in a circle as a sitting room.
Currently there is a dining room light in there, since that was what it was originally. We've raised it but I dont love it.
the dimensions are 9 feet wide and 13.5 feet long. Just like every other room in this house!
Im going to paint and replace the floors (grayish) but the curtains will stay. Light can go.
Thoughts? thanks in advance!!!
Comments (7)
PROKCR Interiors LLC
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Help with ideas for unused space
Comments (2)When my first two children were young I actually did convert my formal DR to a playroom. I was so tired of their toys cluttering up our family room and they still wanted to be close by where I was instead of off in their room playing with their toys. It opened up to the front door and yes, it was what people saw when they can to visit; but most of our friends had children also and I think everyone appreciated the kids having their own place to play free of any furniture, but still close by. We took out the chandelier which we never liked anyway and put in a semi-flush fixture so that you could walk underneath. I owned a drop leaf table and about once/year I'd move all the toys to the garage and set up for a formal dinner. If I had wanted to make it more private I could've installed french doors leading from the entryway and covered the glass with an opaque film or fabric, but I always saw this as a temporary thing while my kids were young. As they got older, they were OK having their toys in their rooms and I set up their closets with closet shelving and organizers to store their toys in plastic bins. A few months ago someone posted an amazing picture of a built-in that covered an entire wall and had doors, behind which were shelves with toy bins and games. All the toys were stored away and not visable, but fully accessable. Are the bookshelves in your LR built-in? Perhaps you could convert it to something similar....See MoreUnused Space
Comments (15)Mid Century Modern. It's a bit of a catchal phrase thet refers to the more streamlined and modern style ranches that were prevalent from 1950=1970. It's a highly sought after look if done well. Think AMC's Mad Men series and catch up on it if you haven't already. You don't want to destroy the unique positive features of this home! Work within the guidelines that the home's style gives you. The fireplace is a great inspiration, and if there is any way to save those floors and just expand them into the rest of the home, I'd try my darndest to do that. Wood in any of the bedrooms that could be harvested for instance? Just a plain coat of paint in something like a retro natural intense green (Martha Stewart Chardonnay Bottle) with those wood floors and add in some wood blinds and the look would be 1000% improved. A big long Chesterfield tufted low back sofa in a saddle leather and some Panton chairs around a Saarinen table with a Sputnik ceiling fixture. Slab front kitchen cabinet doors in a natural cherry and concrete counters in a cream that matches the fireplace would be terrific!...See MoreNeed help with with "unusable" bathroom space
Comments (9)I agree moving the toilet will give you a much better space if it's possible. I find it gross to bathe in a tub so very close to a toilet - especially with 3 teen boys using that toilet! It seems like a pretty small bathroom, so trying to fit a wall-length counter in doesn't seem like the best use of space. Since the tub must be at least 60" long I assume your bathroom is about 60" to 72" long - you could change the layout to have a vanity with plenty of storage and adequate counter space (somewhere between 30" to 48" vanity) and have the toilet on the far side of the vanity (allow adequate space on either side of toilet for ease of cleaning), attach TP holder to the side of the vanity and then use floating wall shelves or an over-toilet cabinet to give them additional storage, then towel hooks or bars go where the toilet is now....See MoreDon't know what to do with unused door in bedroom
Comments (19)Thanks for all the comments and suggestions everyone! I was afraid that we would be pretty limited on our options because of the placement of the door. I do like the making it a bookshelf idea, but if we were to close off the outside , I think we would just wall it off completely if we went that route. No railing is sort of a concern for us if we do decide to have children... but when i say "balcony".. its more like it goes out onto the roof of the kitchen. Its odd to say the least. I wish there was an old picture of how they had it set up with the apartment upstairs. It is pretty drafty and we chatted a bit with the renters before, and they had children in the room and they said they had to keep the temp turned up fairly high to keep them warm enough. We live in Minnesota so it can get cold! I never thought of the historical district part... its a smaller city, and the neighborhood we're in has a mix of old an new houses... but this house is definitely one of the older houses on the street. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check up on that....See More
PROJudyG Designs
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI would replace the desk, etc in the alcove with either a gas or electric fireplace. Hard to judge distance from the light to that area, but if close, I would leave it. Add a mirror over the fireplace to reflect it.
Now, put your floor plan into an on-line room planner and figure out how to add additional furniture. Thinking a sofa for the solid wall…..
Peaceful Abode · More Info- PRO
Dimensions of Living
6 years ago 
User
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoUser
6 years agoWe have a sunroom off of our bedroom and have it set up for TV viewing -- it was our "office" but with laptops we no longer need a computer office space. We have one wall of books (the only "whole" wall), and then two leather chairs, one ottoman and the armoire that holds our television. A family bookcase holds rare volumes.
I don't have two of those bookcases -- LOL -- I moved it between the chairs when we brought an armoire up for the TV.
User
6 years ago
palimpsest