A sunroom is a place that can evoke the feeling of summer, even during a freezing February. Woven furniture, green accents and pops of floral patterns lend a summery feel to this Chicago sunroom by Third Coast Interiors all year long.

Of course, summer isn’t the only vibe for a sunroom. In Miami, where it feels like summer outside almost every day, a cozy room with a wintry feel can satisfy a longing for seasonal changes. That’s the case in this Geoff Chick & Associates sunroom, where the walls and ceiling are drenched in rich plum paint and a custom sofa is adorned in deep golden velvet. Lighter colors on the window treatments, light fixture, coffee table and rug provide balanced contrast.

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Some sunrooms enjoy a screened-in porch feel, yet they’re protected from the elements by windows. The extensive tree canopy views and the wood ceiling and floor give this northern Virginia sunroom a porch look. But because the room has windows instead of screens, the homeowners were able to furnish it with plush indoor furniture and elevated finishes that won’t be damaged by pollen, rain or snow.

To enhance the indoor-outdoor feel of a sunroom, add life with plants. Sunrooms like this one by Kyle Hunt & Partners are also ideal spaces to store potted or hanging plants like ferns that live outdoors during the warmer months but need to winter indoors.

A well-appointed sunroom will draw in guests at gatherings, so it can be a prime location for a home bar. In this Long Island, New York, design by Christine McGovern Homes, it’s also easy to access the bar from the patio, the family room and the dining area.

Often closed off from the rest of a home, a sunroom can offer an opportunity to make a statement on the floor. To complement this Minneapolis home’s 1913 roots, N Baker Interiors recommended a tile befitting the home’s historic architecture. This tile infuses the room with color, pattern and era-appropriate style.

To maximize the natural light, consider adding transom windows. In this sunroom by Niedfeldt Home Remodeling, transom windows above windows and doors expand views, make the ceiling feel higher and enhance the architecture.

At certain times of day, some sunrooms are bathed in too much direct sunlight. In this San Francisco sunroom by Along Came Lennox, natural woven shades filter out direct sunlight without overly darkening the room. If your sunroom windows extend out of reach, there are motorized shade options that can be raised and lowered via remote control.

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