The Sunroom Reimagined: Designing For Light, Season, And Sensory Living
Photo by Curtis Adams
The word “sunroom” feels like something out of your grandparents’ house: wicker chairs with floral cushions, slatted jalousie windows cracked just enough for a breeze and a folded newspaper in a pool of honeyed afternoon light.
It’s a cozy word—maybe even a little dated—but that’s part of its magic.
In today’s world of open-concept kitchens and all-white living rooms, the idea of a room designed just for sunlight feels radical.
It’s slow.
It’s sensual.
It’s a design philosophy that remembers how to pause. And now, as August tilts toward fall and the light grows warmer and more precious, it may be exactly what your home is missing.
Whether you’re renovating, building from scratch, or just reimagining your space, the “sunroom” deserves a second look because designing for light isn’t just about windows. It’s about intention, atmosphere, and the feeling of catching the season before it slips away.
A Brief History of the Sunroom: From Solarium to Slow Living
While the term sunroom may feel charmingly retro, its roots run deep—stretching back through centuries of design that revered light not just as function, but as feeling.
In Europe:
In the 17th and 18th centuries, aristocratic estates featured orangeries and glass conservatories—elegant structures meant to house citrus trees and exotic plants through the winter. Built to capture and hold sunlight, these luminous rooms were early symbols of luxury, leisure, and an intuitive connection between nature and architecture.
In America:
The concept crossed the Atlantic in the early 20th century, where solariums and enclosed porches gained popularity, especially in homes built between the 1920s and 1950s. During this time, fresh air and sunlight were considered integral to wellness. Doctors sometimes prescribed “sun exposure” as part of a treatment plan, and homes responded with rooms built to hold light.
By the postwar era, Florida rooms and three-season porches had become staples of mid-century American life. Decorated with rattan furniture, jalousie windows, and breezy fabrics, these rooms weren’t for working or entertaining—they were for resting, watching the day unfold, and letting in a little more air.
What Is a Sunroom in 2025? (And Why You Might Want One)
Today’s sunrooms are less defined by their materials and more by their intentionality. A modern sunroom might be:
An enclosed porch with glass-paneled doors
A bump-out with skylights that blurs the edge of a living room
A southern-facing den or breakfast nook filled with linen and quiet light
Or simply a room where you find yourself drawn at 4:30 p.m…every single day
Whether you call it a light-filled den, garden room, or seasonal retreat, the core idea is the same: a space designed to hold sunlight, warmth, and stillness.
It’s also a space that asks nothing of you, except to be present.
The sunroom today isn’t a relic…it’s a return.
A way of designing not just for use, but for emotion.
Interior Design Tips for Creating a Modern Sunroom
Placement & Orientation
The best sunrooms are oriented toward experience. South and west-facing rooms catch golden-hour light that is perfect for reading, resting, or watching the sky change. Even a modest space can be transformed with well-placed French doors, transom windows, or a strategically positioned skylight.
Furniture & Function
Let the room breathe. Stick with materials that feel connected to nature: cane, rattan, linen, unfinished wood. The sunroom doesn’t need a defined purpose because it often becomes:
A quiet space for coffee and clarity
A nap nook
A yoga or meditation zone
Or a seasonal lounge for books and breezes
Flooring & Flow
Painted floors in soft neutrals or muted greens can brighten a sunroom while giving it a European farmhouse feel. Terracotta tile, bleached wood, or stone also add natural texture. Let the floor be the threshold between inside and outside: clean, open, and inviting.
Painting the Light: Color Palettes for Seasonal Glow
Paint is the finishing gesture that turns a light-filled room into a sensory experience. In spaces where sun pours in and shadows stretch long, color doesn’t sit still—it blooms, fades, and glows throughout the day.
Here are three mood-based palettes designed to work with that movement:
Reflective Neutrals (Airy, Expansive, Calm)
Benjamin Moore Wind’s Breath – a warm greige with depth and softness
Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin – classic, chalky, and refined
Sherwin-Williams Alabaster – creamy and sun-kissed without going yellow
Use these where you want the room to feel quiet and open, like fresh linen on a clothesline.
Warm Modern Color (Creative, Optimistic, Light-Filled)
Benjamin Moore Soleil – citrusy and radiant without being loud
Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster – the perfect sunlit blush
Sherwin-Williams Peach Fuzz – ethereal and contemporary
These bring gentle energy to spaces that invite tea, conversation, or imagination.
Earthy & Enveloping (Moody, Grounded, Sophisticated)
Benjamin Moore Georgian Green – a historic green that deepens in afternoon light
Farrow & Ball Dutch Orange – rich and confident, with a soft glow
Sherwin-Williams Antiquarian Brown – warm, burnished, and full of quiet drama
Ideal for west-facing rooms where shadows begin to stretch and the mood turns cinematic.
Finish Matters: Choosing the Right Sheen for Natural Light
Natural light can be unforgiving. It reflects, reveals, and highlights every surface detail. That’s why choosing the right paint finish is just as important as the color.
Satin or eggshell finishes offer a gentle sheen that reflects light without glare.
Matte finishes create a soft, velvety texture—but require expert prep and a flawless surface.
Glossy finishes should be used sparingly—perhaps on a trim or small accent—to avoid harsh reflection.
Stanwich Painting specializes in balancing sheen and tone for rooms where light plays a starring role.
The Stanwich Touch: Paint That Makes Light Feel Like Luxury
Sunrooms are less forgiving than other rooms. Every surface is illuminated, every brushstroke visible in natural light. That’s why high-end execution matters more here than almost anywhere else.
At Stanwich Painting, we believe that craftsmanship should complement sunlight, not compete with it. Our team brings meticulous prep, color consultation, and flawless application to homes across Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, and beyond.
Whether you're restoring an existing space or working with an architect on your dream build, we help you create an atmosphere that’s both beautiful and enduring—down to the very last ray of light.
A Room That Lets You Pause
There’s something about a sunroom that lives outside of time.
Maybe it’s the slow arc of light across the floor. Maybe it’s the quiet it holds. Maybe it’s the way we always seem to wander in, sit down, and forget our phones.
And maybe—just maybe—it’s the kind of space we all need more of right now.
Let the light in. Let the color speak. Call Stanwich Painting for a free consultation and create a space that holds the season just a little longer.
Further Reading & Inspiration“The Meditation Room: Designing Your Quiet Escape” – Stanwich Painting Blog Discover how paint color, finish, and acoustic-aware design create the perfect sanctuary for calm and mindfulness“Sunroom” – Wikipedia A thorough overview defining sunrooms—including solariums, Florida rooms, conservatories—and tracing their architectural evolution and modern adaptations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunroom“The Evolution of Sunrooms in the Past 70 Years” – SunroomsAndAdditions.com A detailed history following how sunrooms transitioned from utilitarian enclosures to well-insulated, year‑round living spaces. https://sunroomsandadditions.com/evolution-of-a-sunroom/“7 Daylighting Techniques for Energy-Efficient Design” – Architecture Helper Offers actionable strategies—such as clerestory placement, window orientation, and light shelves—to harness daylight for beauty, comfort, and efficiency. https://architecturehelper.com/blog/7-daylighting-techniques-for-energy-efficient-design/“Designing with Natural Light: Brightening Your Space with Windows” – Spire Creativity Practical design advice on window types, placements, and reflective surfaces to amplify natural light in modern interiors. https://spirecreativity.com/2024/12/07/designing-with-natural-light-windows/