Bringing Beach Life to Your Landlocked Sunroom

Sunlight and the beach often go perfectly together. What do you do when your house is landlocked, though? You can bring the beach to your house with a coastal-inspired sunroom. Such a sunroom will be an ideal space for relaxing and pretending you're at your favorite beach getaway.

The beach style isn't a characteristic design such as Mediterranean or Cape Cod. In fact, beach décor can include elements of either of those styles as well as less formalized styles. These characteristics carry through in the color palette and décor. They will help you make choices in materials, too. Therefore, you should narrow down which type of beach style you want for your sunroom.

For example, Cape Cod is a formal beach style. It features a palette of navy, red, and white with warmbeige accenting. You see nautical themes and stripes in the décor.

You could also channel your favorite beach cabana for your décor inspiration. In this case, you can start with a white base for your palette and layer on neutrals. Conversely, you may opt for the brighter colors found at tropical beaches, such as pinks, peaches, and corals with turquoise accenting.

Sometimes the beach style echoes the beach itself with nautical patterns and themes. However, instead of a stark white, you start with a sandy beige and accent with gentler hues of beach colors. For example, shades of turquoise are popular in this version of the style.

One reason you want to choose your beach décor style ahead of time is that it will help drive your choice in windows. Concerning the glass, you'll want to consult with your window experts to devise a strategy that maximizes the input of natural sunlight while preventing higher cooling costs. This strategy will probably include window films and possibly multiple glass panes.

On the design side, think about your color palette to help decide on the window frames you want. For example, both white and warm neutrals feature in the Cape Cod style. So, you could choose either white frames or those left naturally stained. Either frame finish will complement Cape Cod décor.

For a casual beach cabana with layers of neutrals, both naturally stained and white frames work well, too. However, if you desire a tropical theme, you want to stick to the white palette so the colors pop. Conversely, the more naturalistic theme calls for the natural staining.

The décor style will also help you decide if you want muntins, the strips of wood crossing the glass. For example, the classic grid is ideal for Cape Cod décor. However, more tropical styles call for single panes with no muntins.

The windows are the most important element of your sunroom since they literally distinguish sunrooms from other types of rooms. However, the style shouldn't be your only focus. You'll want to choose how they open up, too.

Sliding glass doors are very popular for sunrooms because they help you minimize the transition between indoors and outdoors. That fact makes them ideal for the beach sunroom to at least give the illusion of strolling out to the sand. However, French doors are more popular with Cape Cod styles. Another method for opening up to the outdoors is the casement window, which cranks open.

Natural materials are ideal for beachy sunrooms because of that outdoors connection. So, consider utilizing wood and stone for the walls, floors, and other architectural details. Keep these natural materials as rustic as possible if you favor the cabana or casual style.

Beaded board is a trim style you commonly see with beach décor. You might find entire walls paneled with beaded board, especially in Cape Cod styles. Beaded board will give your sunroom a charming blend of rustic and finished that captures the essence of a beach house.

Channel the casual cool of the beach as inspiration for your sunroom addition. Mid-South Exteriors can help you design and build your new sunroom.