Our Sunroom Renovation: The Vision, the Fixes, and How We Wanted It to Feel

For a long time, our sunroom was one of those spaces that almost worked.

I loved the windows. I loved the idea of it. But it was never comfortable. In the winter it stayed cold, in the summer it stayed hot, and there was no in-between. It was technically part of our house, but it never felt like it belonged.

This room was added onto the back of our home later on and it showed. There were gaps where the walls met the brick exterior, the insulation wasn’t great, and the ceiling sloped down from about seven feet to six and a half. It made the room feel smaller than it actually was and limited what we could do with it.

We used it as a playroom but it was more of a junk room than a place anyone truly enjoyed spending time in. And I kept thinking that I wish it was more functional and not so embarrassing.

Why We Decided to Change It

The biggest issue wasn’t style…it was function.

The room was uncomfortable year-round and the layout didn’t support how we actually to use the space. 

Since 3 walls of the room were all windows, there wasn’t much wall space for storage. Which meant toys, books, and craft supplies constantly spilled into other parts of the house or just all over the floor of the room.

I wanted this space to do more than just hold things. I wanted it to work with our life and not against it.

My goal became clear:

Create a sunroom that could still function as a playroom but also be a space we could enjoy together. A room where I could work, the kids could spread out, and everything finally had a place to live.

How We Wanted the Sunroom to Feel

From the beginning, I didn’t want this space to feel like an add-on. I wanted it to feel like it had always been part of the house. 

That’s why we tied the renovation into the existing roofline and extended it into a covered patio and outdoor kitchen area (that portion isn’t finished yet, but it was important to think about the full picture).

This room also became a reflection of how my style is evolving.

I wanted to lean into:

• more visual interest
• warmer wood tones
• bolder pattern choices on the floor
• a wood ceiling that adds character and height

Also, raising the ceiling and properly insulating the space would completely change how it feels and functions.

Designing for Real Life (and Real Storage)

One of the biggest changes we made was adding built-ins.

We added two built-in desks along with a lot more cabinets. Which that decision alone transformed how this room functions. 

It finally gave us a place to store seasonal items, organize craft supplies, keep kids’ books contained, and manage the overflow that used to live everywhere else.

This room now works as:

• a playroom
• a homework and craft space
• my home office
• a place we can actually sit and enjoy together

And because we addressed the heat, cold, and ceiling height issues, it’s no longer a space we avoid depending on the season.

Why We Chose to Start Over

At the end of the day, this room didn’t need small fixes…it honestly needed to be rebuilt correctly.

Starting over gave us the chance to:

• raise the ceiling
• insulate the space properly
• add storage where it was missing
• and design a room that finally functions for both kids and adults

It wasn’t the easiest route but it was the right one. Now this space can grow with our family instead of constantly working against us.

What’s Coming Next

This renovation involved a lot of individual decisions that deserve their own space…especially things like flooring, storage layout, furniture planning, and how we designed a room that works for multiple uses.

I’ll be breaking those down in future posts, including:

• how we chose the flooring
• how we planned storage for kids and work
• how I’m thinking about furniture for a multi-use room
• and how we’re tying this space into the rest of the house

If you’ve got a space in your home that’s been almost right but never quite worked, you’re in good company here. I’ll be sharing more as this room comes together including the decisions, the fixes, and what made the biggest difference along the way. You’re always welcome back.