A sunroom should be designed to be as transparent as possible, because transparency allows sunlight to fill the room. Design the sunroom according to the client’s needs.
Reasonable Planning
Determine the Function: Clarify the main purpose of the sunroom, such as a leisure and entertainment area, a small garden, a reading space, or a simple bedroom. If it is used as a leisure and entertainment area, plan the space for sofas, coffee tables, etc.; if it is a small garden, consider the planting area and walking paths. Determine the area and layout based on functional requirements to avoid wasting space. Decide on the purpose of the sunroom. For example, if it is used for business, such as an operating restaurant or a coffee shop, make the sunroom as large as possible to accommodate more customers. Only by determining the purpose can unnecessary expenses be minimized.
Optimize the Shape: Select a suitable shape according to the overall structure of the house and the direction of the sea view. Common shapes include rectangles, squares, and trapezoids. If you want to enjoy the sea view to the greatest extent, it can be designed in an arc or trapezoid to increase the lighting and viewing area. Meanwhile, an irregular shape may increase the construction difficulty and cost, so a comprehensive consideration is needed. The shape of the sunroom should be designed according to its purpose. Generally speaking, if the sunroom is for living, the specific shape should be designed according to the area and specific circumstances to reduce unnecessary costs.
Efficient Space Utilization
Add Storage: Storage cabinets and shelves can be installed in the corners or along the walls of the sunroom to store sundries, books, gardening tools, etc., to keep the space tidy. The space under the window sill can also be used to create drawer-type storage to improve space utilization. For the additional storage space needed, set up some storage devices as much as possible, such as storage racks and bookshelves, to save space.
Use Multifunctional Furniture: Choose furniture with multiple functions, such as a sofa bed that can be used as a sofa during the day and opened up as a bed at night; or choose coffee tables and chairs with storage functions. Using one item for multiple purposes can save space and costs.
Selection of Appropriate Materials
Frame Materials: Common ones include aluminum alloy, broken bridge aluminum, and steel structure. Aluminum alloy is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and relatively low in price; broken bridge aluminum has good thermal insulation performance but is slightly more expensive; steel structure has high strength and a moderate price, but rust prevention treatment is required. Generally, aluminum alloy and steel structure are relatively cost-effective and can be selected according to the budget and requirements. Choose more cost-effective construction materials, which have the advantage of a long service life and can effectively resist the impact of time.
Glass Materials: Ordinary single-layer glass is low in price but has poor thermal insulation and sound insulation effects; double-layer insulated glass can effectively improve thermal insulation and sound insulation performance and has a moderate price; laminated glass is highly safe and will not splash and cause injury even if broken, but the price is relatively high. All things considered, double-layer insulated glass is a more cost-effective choice. If the safety requirements are high, laminated glass can be selected.
Sunshade Materials: Sunshade materials are essential in strong sunlight. You can choose sunshade curtains, sunshades, or sunshade films. Sunshade curtains are easy to install and come in a variety of prices; sunshades have a good shading effect and can also enhance the outdoor space sense, but they are more expensive; sunshade films are relatively low in price and can effectively block ultraviolet rays, but their aesthetics may be slightly poor. You can make combinations according to your budget and preferences. For example, use sunshade films on the top and install sunshade curtains on the sides.
Construction and Detail Handling
Simplify Decoration: Avoid overly complicated decoration shapes and processes, and reduce unnecessary decorative lines, carvings, etc., to reduce construction costs. For the walls and floors, simple, durable, and reasonably priced materials such as latex paint walls and laminate flooring can be selected. If you want to save money as much as possible, simplify the decoration and opt for a minimalist style to avoid overly complex decoration styles that may require a large amount of funds.
Supervise the Construction Yourself: If you have the time and energy, supervise the construction process yourself to ensure the construction quality and prevent the construction party from cutting corners or causing unnecessary waste. Meanwhile, you can also identify problems in a timely manner and communicate with the construction workers to solve them, reducing the later rectification cost. The benefit of supervising the work yourself is that it can make the workers complete the task quickly, effectively shorten the processing time, and better ensure the installation quality of the sunroom.
Utilize Existing Resources: If there are some available materials or items in the house, such as old furniture, doors, and windows, they can be renovated and reused, which can not only save costs but also reflect a unique design style. For example, old doors and windows can be transformed into partitions or decorations in the sunroom. Utilize existing resources. For the furniture and fixtures to be installed in the sunroom, second-hand items can be purchased and used, which can maximize the use of surrounding resources and save corresponding funds.