Creating a Sunroom: Infusing Light, Layers, and Tranquility for a Personal Retreat

By Stacy Marineau Bianch

Pictured: Liz Linen Drape Pleated in Ivory White 1908-2

Designing a Sunroom That Feels Like Home

Designing and Enhancing the Space

When I design a room as whimsical as a sunroom, my goal is to create a space that feels easy, lived-in, and full of quiet charm. A room that connects you to nature and encourages pause.

Whether it’s used for hosting, unwinding, or sneaking away for five peaceful minutes, a sunroom should be a soft landing at any point in the day.

This isn’t just an extra room, it’s a space that holds the most tender moments. And here’s how I bring it to life:

Rugs That Ground the Glow

Even in a room filled with light, coziness matters. A thoughtfully chosen rug can anchor the space, soften the floor, and add a tactile layer that makes bare feet feel at home. 

In sunrooms, I love natural fibers—think jute, wool, or vintage-washed cottons—that feel organic and relaxed.

The right rug doesn’t just warm up the space, it sets the tone for how you live in it: slow, grounded, and always with ease.

Ceramics and Greenery That Add Soul

There’s something about combining hand-thrown ceramics and living greenery that instantly breathes life into a room. The natural textures, imperfect shapes, and earthy tones of ceramic pieces pair beautifully with the softness and structure of plants. I love using textured vases, a leafy branch in a weathered vessel, or a simple bowl catching sunlight on the windowsill. For added presence, I’ll layer in potted plants or a statement indoor tree to draw the outside in, bringing scale, movement, and a sense of grounded calm that makes the room feel connected to the world just beyond its walls.

Curtains That Soften the Light and Add Dimension

Natural light is the heart of a sunroom, but it still needs balance. I will always recommend layering ceiling-to-floor linen curtains for depth and softness. This not only lets you control the glow throughout the day but also adds visual dimension and a sense of quiet luxury. The fabric moves with the breeze, filters the sun just enough, and turns every window into a gentle frame for the world outside.

The True Value of a Sunroom

Because at the end of the day, a sunroom isn’t just about sunlight, it’s about how the space makes you feel.

*All photographs credit: Stacy Marineau Bianch

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