Gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike are always interested in finding new and innovative ways to bring nature into their tiny apartments. So lets consider the idea of a sunroom, or sunroom inspired interior decor. Most of us have heard of a sunroom, but what is it exactly? A sunroom is a room that receives the greatest sunlight/light throughout the day. Essentially, in a colder place, this might be a room in a large home that acts as a greenhouse if it has walls of glass windows. In cities, however, where one is unlikely to have an actual sunroom, it may just be a space where we can grow plants and enjoy a little slice of nature without leaving home.
Lets discuss the best ways to turn any light filled space into a sunroom or even a tropical oasis (...without the actual pond, of course. We don't want water leakage complaints from the landlord, but mini fountain? Go for it!).
Renovating A Sunroom
Enlarge The Windows And/Or Remove Any Obstructions
In most cases one can't actually make the windows larger, as there are many issues, but if you live in an apartment that is part of a house for example, rather than part of a building with a standard facade, this might just be an option. The idea is to get as much light into the room, so make sure all the glass is clear glass, and that there is nothing obstructing the windows, such as window shades or curtains. Shades and curtains alike can be hung above the window frames and using bars much wider than the windows such that the curtains can be pulled back to reveal the entire window. Additionally, if you need curtains for privacy, consider using sheer curtains that will allow light to enter, together with a more opaque or black-out curtain that is drawn at night.
Add Patio Furniture
The entire point of having a sunroom is to create a room that is attuned to nature, and a mini escape from the city! So, do not opt for regular couches for your sunroom, rather go for patio or garden furniture. Wooden benches that can be used for seating or as a slim coffee table are also a great idea. Outdoor furniture will of course look great with all the plants you will be adding, and give the feeling, hopefully, of a cozy garden space. Think about furniture that will even allow you to lie down at the end of the day or on a lazy Sunday evening. And if you can, why not install an actual swing, or even a hammock chair hung from a stand?
Tip: Do not add bulky coffee tables; rather, add small side tables or an ottoman that can act as a place to hold coffee mugs and books. You want the space to be dedicated to plants, not furniture!
Add Great Lighting, Garden Features and Decorative Items
While you'll of course enjoy all the plants and greenery the most in natural light, don't forget about adding the necessary lighting so you can enjoy it after dark as well. Whether you opt for something romantic such as string lights and candles in lanterns, or actual light fixtures, lighting plays a huge part in setting the mood and making the most of your space. After lighting think about what you'll put on the floor, whether it is a vinyl floor mat that looks like ethnic tile, or a hemp rug, or even something more cozy not generally found outdoors, go for it, as your space is after all not outdoors! Even if you are truly a plant enthusiast it will take time for vines and plants to entirely cover the walls, so in the mean time opt for some inexpensive printed wall tapestries or even woven rugs or a collection of flat baskets and maybe even an ethnic mirror or two or three to reflect light. Ah yes, and how about a mini gurgling fountain to add some lovely atmosphere? You'll need electricity though, so do keep that in mind.
Choose Plants That Work For Your Sunroom
Choosing the right plants is a topic in itself far beyond the scope of this article, and something that you must spend a bit of time looking into. First of all you need to consider whether there is actual sunlight coming into your space, and if so, for how many hours? If you have sunlight you can grow flowering plants like bougainvillea and some flowering vines. Though you won't want to place most houseplants in an area where they will be exposed to sunlight as they can get burned. Cacti of course love sun, as so many kinds of plants, while standard houseplants, most of which are rain forrest species like moisture and bright light, but not sun. Got it? Learn about plants and choose wisely, and make sure to have a friend lined up to water those plants when you go away, or choose only drought tolerant plants that can go a few weeks without watering.
Flower Vases Add To The Charm
While you may be able to grow flowers in pots, there is nothing quite like the feeling of vases filled with flowers, especially for people whose sunroom isn't actually sunny, so raising plants with flowers can be difficult. (Orchids though are perfect for no-sun bright spaces, do try that!)
A large vase of flowers, or even a giant one on a stand, hung from the wall or placed on the floor can be a stunning decorative accent. Just don't forget to change the water and discard blooms that are spent, as you certainly don't want the pungent smell of rotting flowers to take over your little paradise!
Once you've worked hard to achieve your little tropical escape from the city, why not reward yourself with a flower delivery subscription? You can now get a subscription to a flowers delivery service and receive fresh bouquets at your doorstep every week. Just make sure to specify that you prefer tropical bouquets, as all those lovely large leaves can be used for weeks, in additional vases as the perfect decorative accent! Bringing nature indoors and creating your own escape from the city is something you'll enjoy for years to come, so get started!
