Thrifty ideas for decorating a small sunroom. Phase 2 of the makeover process.
Our sunroom has really been a work in progress since we moved in in 2016. Last summer I painted the room (BM Gray Owl), rearranged the furniture and hung a new light fixture.
That was Phase 1 of the makeover. It's taken a while but I'm finally ready to reveal Phase 2, and it includes a few thrifty ideas for decorating.
We started with yellow walls and a ceiling fan that didn't work.
A gallon of paint and a little furniture rearranging did wonders for this small space.
With all the big projects done, it was time to work on decor. The plain, white back door (that will eventually be replaced) was calling out for paint and we needed to hang some art.
Painting the door was a really quick and easy fix. You could even call it a thrifty change. I only used ¼ of a quart of paint and it took about an hour to do.
I ended up using the same paint that I used for the kitchen island makeover, Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron.
With the door done it was time to work on the next change...finding something for the one empty wall in the room.
As you can see the room is almost all windows. There is one blank wall though, and it really needed something. I've tried several things since we moved in...a standing mirror, a large picture and a wall gallery. Nothing seemed right until I walked into an estate sale and found these beautifully framed botanicals for $10 each.
There were 8 botanicals for sale, but they are quite large, so I just ended up picking the four prints I liked best. A great find for $10 a piece.
One last addition was the Bird of Paradise in the corner. I wanted a large plant for this space but was trying to decide on what kind when this lovely beast found me. She was in rough shape with torn leaves and sitting all alone in our local Home Depot. I asked a salesperson if she was for sale and they ended up selling it to me for $15. Can a plant be a "she"?
Anyway...
It was too good to pass up so she came home with us. Apparently I didn't think it all the way through though, because I didn't have a large enough pot for her. I quickly found out that large pots are pretty pricey so I picked the nicest one I could find at a price that I could live with. Not thrifty (even though it was on sale and I used a coupon) but I guess you can't win them all.
Our new imperfect plant turned out to be the perfect addition to the empty corner.
We still need to replace the floor and the back door, and I would like to add beams to the ceiling, but that's all down the road.
I'm happy with the progress we've made in here but anxious for the leaves to come out. The view is so much better when everything is blooming.
Sunroom Sources
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hanging light - Lamps Plus
Wall paint color - Benjamin Moore Gray Owl, Regal Select, Eggshell
Door paint color - Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron, Regal Select, Pearl
Faux fur stool - DIY
Striped rug - Nordstrom
Pillow covers - all from HomeGoods
Large planter - West Elm
Want to see more on the sunroom?
Progress and a Home Tour Video
Ivory says
Your sunroom is fabulous, I love the changes. I know this is YOUR private space, only. I would love such space to call my own.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Ivory! I do enjoy this space and now that I hung my bird feeder outside the window, I've been spending even more time in there. 🙂
Marilyn Clark says
I have a sunroom very much like yours! I love it ! I do not have a rug out there yet and I really like your striped one. What size is this rug and do you have a rug pad under it? I have an old fan (it does work) and would love to replace it with a pretty light fixture such as yours. Now to get my hubby on board with that! I love the room ! The plant is perfect - I like large plants especially in a room with high ceilings!
Kristi says
We love our sunroom too. I just put the striped rug out there a few months ago. It's actually on top of a jute rug so there is no need for a rug pad. Hope you're able to get the light you want. I like ours so much better than the broken fan we had. Thanks so much for stopping in.
Julie says
That looks great. I really like how this room is shaping up. Those prints are quite a find! I love the wall color and pillows on the sofa. The black door is always a winner.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Julie! We love this space. Of course I'd love it to be completely done but we can still enjoy it until that time comes. There's always something to do. 🙂
Kim says
The room looks great, super cozy and a perfect place to relax.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Kim! We love the new space room and enjoy hanging out in it. 🙂
MaryJean says
Those prints are spectacular! What a find! Your space is really shaping up. I have big windows in my kitchen and not much wall space because of it, but I wouldn't change it for the world. It is so nice to have my morning coffee and look out the window. Right now it's mostly snow, however the grandkids play gym still has the swing hanging from it (I didn't take it down this year) and when I look out I think of them playing on it which makes me smile.
Kristi says
Thanks so much MJ! I love having the windows too. It helps when there is a pretty view. 😉 I wasn't sure how the hubs would deal with uncovered windows but he's been surprisingly ok with it. He is one of those people that has to have a window covering on every single window, and they must be closed. With this view though, he loves it as much as I do.
Marlene Stephenson says
It does look like a very special place to sit and relax. I love those prints you found they are perfect for this room.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Marlene! I'm happy with the way the space has turned out and we really enjoy using it to relax. 🙂
Shelley says
The botanicals look great in there. It really is a pretty room and I am sure it's even prettier when it gets green outside!
Shelley
Kristi says
Thanks so much Shelley! It's amazing how the view changes with the seasons. It's definitely so much nicer when it's green out. 🙂
Judy says
The plant is beautiful but isn’t it a little large for the space?
Kristi says
Hmmm, I don't think so. The ceiling is really tall and our small fiddle leaf fig was just too small.
Jillian says
Those prints are perfect, love them. You are so thoughtful with your decorating plans. They go perfectly with the new plant, which also looks great in that location. Also like the black door. It took me YEARS to get my hubby to paint our front door black, as he is of the opinion that wood should stay wood colored. Same with all the main floor trim and stair rails. They are finally all cream and I can rest in peace. Of course now he likes it better and recommends it to others. Argh!! Can you tell me if the little dhurrie striped rug can be machine washed? Do you think a large one could be washed in a commercial machine? I have been thinking of a larger one for the dining room but I know a light colored one will get dirty.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Jillian, I appreciate it! I never used to paint our doors but, now that I've started, I just can't leave them be when they're white. Plus it's such an easy project.
The rug is 100% cotton but it says it needs to be dry cleaned. I probably wouldn't attempt to wash it myself because it would change the shape of it. I usually just vacuum it weekly and, since we don't wear shoes in the house, it doesn't really get dirty. I've had trouble finding rugs that you could clean yourself when I was searching for one by my front door. I haven't found one yet so, if you do, let me know. 😉
Ann says
I would be sitting in that lovely room all day every day.
Kristi says
I sit in there as much as possible. We really enjoy it. 🙂
Pat M. says
Love what you've done with this room. The botanicals are perfect and what a deal you got. I've looked at botanicals for a large wall in my living room/hallway and they are quite expensive. One question - where is the "back" door located in this room and where does it lead? Your photos are wonderful, but I can't, in my mind, figure out where that door would be and where it is in relation to the outside of your house. You know I love your home - so I'm interested in all of it - quirks and all. 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks so much Pat! I love the botanicals. I couldn't believe my luck when I found them because, like you, I've looked at them before and know how pricey they can be. I would have liked to buy them all but I would never be able to use them together, too big, so I would just end up storing them away. Trying to be smarter about the stuff I bring in this year.
The back door is to the right as you look at the photo with the sofa and all the windows. I'll try to take a quick video tomorrow, weather permitting, and add it to the end of the post. I'll be sure to pan the whole room and explain all of the quirks. If you're interested look for it Thursday afternoon.
Thanks for your interest in my home and for your continued support.
Debbie H says
My favorite room in your house. I didn't think I would like black interior doors but last night I saw a house on HGTV with black doors and loved it. The pictures are perfect for that room.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Debbie! I never thought I would say it but it is one of my fav spaces. I'm not always a fan of black doors either but I love this color. It's more of a dark gray as opposed to black. I used the same color on the island. Love it!
Hope you have a great week! xx
debbie says
I love it all!! The wall color is perfect and so glad you saved her from Home Depot 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks so much Debbie! I'm glad I saved her too. She seems to fit right in. 😉