In-home design, there are all kinds of trends that come and go, capturing the attention of homeowners for a short time before they move on to the next big thing. One trend that has managed to really stand the test of time and only grow in popularity over the years is the addition of a sunroom to their home.

Not only does the addition of a sunroom provide homeowners with more space, and the ability to enjoy a sense of “outdoor living” acting as the transition from the home to the garden, but it can also help in adding value to your home. When built in a professional way, using high-quality materials, you could see an increase of up to 5% on the price you paid for your sunroom.

So, if you’ve been thinking about hopping on this trend and adding a sunroom to your home, there are some factors and questions you’ll want to consider before you jump in and get started. Let’s take a closer look.

Set a Budget

Because you are essentially building an addition on your home, a sunroom is no small project. There will be lots of considerations, moving pieces, and variables that will come into play. This is why it’s a good idea to start by setting a firm budget that you stick to throughout the process. The budget can help guide you when it comes to making decisions about the size, materials, layout, and even the furnishings, keeping you in check the whole time.

Now obviously if you only have a small budget, the idea of building a large four-season sunroom, complete with high-end materials, isn’t going to be realistic, so make sure you’re being honest with yourself from the start.

Give Thought to the Size and Configuration

Once a firm budget has been set, you can now start to think about the size and configuration of the sunroom. Homeowners typically want to go as big as space and budget allow, so you can maximize the way in which you use the room. Keep in mind there’s no reason you have to go with traditional shape or style; you can always use a little creativity and put your own personal touch on the room.

You may find it helpful to look at friends and family who have a sunroom, check out the size and configuration, and use that as inspiration for your own design.

porch, sunroom, indoors

What About Planning Permission?

Any time you are building an addition on your home, planning permission is something that will come up. Here in the UK, there are a few factors that you’ll need to keep in mind in order for it to be ‘permitted development’. They are as follows:

  • Your sunroom will not be allowed to have a porch, veranda, or balcony
  • It can’t be higher than the home’s existing roof
  • It must not be bigger than 30m² of living space
  • It should not extend past 8m on a detached house and 6m on a semi-detached house
  • If there are side extensions, they can’t be higher than 4m.

Of course, if you have any questions at all about what is permitted, it’s a good idea to visit planningportal.gov.uk for more details.

Do You Want to Be Able to Use the Sunroom Year-Round?

Asking yourself when you plan to use the sunroom will also be important. You can have a sunroom built that can be used in spring and summer, or you can opt for a four-season style of a sunroom. When you choose to build a sunroom that can be used year-round, there will be more thought that needs to go into the materials you use, heating/cooling, and insulation, which means it will also be more expensive overall. For many homeowners, the increase in price is well worth it since they will get more use out of the room.

How Do You Plan the Sunroom to Open Up to the Outdoors?

The whole idea behind a sunroom is to give the home that transitional space that creates a natural flow from the indoors to the outdoors, so you will also want to give thought to the way in which you open the space to the garden. Do you just want a simple door, perhaps a slider door, or would you rather be able to ‘open the walls’ if you will, and create an open space on nice days?

What Materials Will You Be Using?

The materials you use will play a huge role in how durable, comfortable, and maintenance-free the sunroom ends up being. This is an area that can make sense to spend a little extra money in so that you get a room that is built to last and truly does increase in value over time. Keep in mind that the UK gets a fair amount of rain, wind, and cold temperatures, so choosing materials that can stand up to the weather should be key.

Consider Hiring a Designer

With so many tips, advice, and considerations, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed in the process. This is why it can be extremely helpful to hire a professional designer with knowledge and experience of building sunrooms. Take, for example, The Home Design Group, which works with homeowners to ensure that their dreams and visions are realized in the final result. You can get an instant quote online, or book a free in-home appointment where you can discuss your thoughts and plans with a designer who can then offer feedback. They have experience with sunrooms meant to act as a family/living room space, dining space, as a home office, a toy room, and so much more. They will also be able to discuss specifics such as the different types of building materials suggested and why.

It Could Be the Best Investment You Make in Your Home

Choosing to build a sunroom and adding that extra space to your home will truly transform the way you use the space. It could easily be the best investment you make when it comes to home renovations.