8 Light-Dappled Sunrooms That Will Inspire You to Unplug and Savor Summer

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“Summer house: these two words evoke a sense of nostalgia, a twinge of romance, and a sigh of relaxation. The screen door open to the breeze off the lake. Sunbeams crossing a cheerfully painted floor… It’s sand perpetually on bare feet, on the wood floors, and in bed,” writes Jaci Conroy in her new book, The Summer House: Lakeside Cottages, Seaside Retreats, and Country Idylls. Reading it, we’d add another defining characteristic of both the grandest and tiniest vacation homes: a gorgeous sunroom.

Defined purely by their abundant sunshine, and therefore a good amount of extra-large windows or skylights, sunrooms at their simplest are a place to bask in warm, natural light—lounging like a house cat, working on a big puzzle, or snacking and chatting with friends. Nothing too productive, although studies show that getting more daytime sunlight exposure can actually improve your mental health. Not all of us are lucky enough to have a whole summer house, but a sunny summer room, with a few comfy chairs and not a single television in sight? That’s within reach. Here are four different use cases for the space, straight from the book, to get you inspired.

cover of Summer House book featuring a sofa

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Reading Nooks

All you need is some cushy, upholstered furniture by a big window—bonus points if you can open it to let in a breeze. Plop down and temporarily forget your to-do list. When the sun starts to set, an adjustable task light gets its time to shine.

sunroom with green sofa, blue chair, bay window — Shades of blue, pops of red, and a variety of check patterns make this generational family retreat in coastal Maine, designed by Lilse McKenna, sing. Photography by Read McKendree/JBSA.

sunroom with two yellow chairs and colorful posters — Vintage Herman Miller Summer Picnic posters infuse the living area of a Martha’s Vineyard guesthouse by Mother Studio with color and whimsy. Photography by Nicole Franzen.

Breakfast Rooms

Tucked up against a wall of windows, a breakfast table off of the main living space will get ten times more use than a separate formal dining room. If you only have the square footage for one, may we suggest the former?

sunroom with breakfast table and stools — Architect Tom Kligerman and interior designer David Kleinberg went for double-hung, full-height windows in the breakfast room of this Candlewood Lake, Connecticut, house to ensure that the surrounding landscape is on full display. Photography by Richard Powers.

sunroom with table and bentwood chairs — In the Stonington, Connecticut, home of interior designer Kari McCabe, a vintage kitchen table and chairs are placed next to two window walls that allow glorious views of the yard. Photography by Read McKendree/JBSA.

Sleeping Porches

One true hallmark of a summer house is a room well-suited for napping. Nevermind if it’s an actual porch by the sea, or simply a daybed in a sun-filled corner where you can nod off for a few minutes.