13 Small Sunroom Decorating Ideas That Feel Huge

Your small sunroom feels cramped, right? Like you’re decorating a fishbowl instead of a room. I’ve been there, staring at my 8×9 space wondering how on earth I could make it feel less like a glorified hallway and more like an actual retreat.

Plot twist: I cracked the code. My tiny sunroom now feels spacious, functional, and honestly? It’s become my favorite spot in the house. The secret isn’t knocking down walls or moving to a bigger place—it’s using specific decorating tricks that manipulate how your brain perceives space.

Ready to make your small sunroom feel massive? Let’s get into the good stuff.

1. Paint Everything the Same Light Color

Contrast reduces space, which is a decorating truth bomb. When your walls are one color, your trim another, and your ceiling yet another, your eyes register each color change as a boundary. More boundaries = smaller-feeling room.

I painted my sunroom walls, trim, and ceiling the same soft white. The room flows smoothly because there are no visual breaks, and all of a sudden my eyes are unable to distinguish between different surfaces. The outcome? The room appears larger to my brain than it actually is.

Best paint colors for the illusion of space:

• Soft whites with warm undertones (avoid stark white—it’s harsh)
• Pale creams that reflect light without feeling cold
• Light grays with subtle warmth (cool grays can feel depressing)
• Barely-there beiges that create a neutral backdrop

Additionally, maintain consistency in the finish. Eggshell, which reflects light just enough without being overly glossy, is what I used on everything. Flat paint absorbs light and makes spaces feel smaller, while high-gloss can look cheap. Satin or eggshell hits the sweet spot.

2. Choose Low-Profile Furniture with Exposed Legs

large pieces of furniture that rest directly on the ground? It’s like eating your square footage for breakfast. Your eyes can see more floor space when there is breathing room beneath furniture with visible legs.

I replaced my solid ottoman with one that has slim wooden legs, and I swapped a skirted armchair for a mid-century style chair with exposed tapered legs. Same amount of furniture, but the room instantly felt less cluttered.

Why This Works

When you can see the floor beneath furniture, your brain calculates more usable space. It’s pure visual trickery, but it works every single time. Bonus: furniture with legs is way easier to clean under (you’re welcome).

Look for pieces that sit 4-6 inches off the ground. Coffee tables, chairs, sofas, plant stands—anything you can find with legs instead of solid bases will contribute to that airy, spacious feeling.

3. Hang Curtains High and Wide

Do you want to give your sunroom more height right away without building anything? Mount your curtain rods as close to the ceiling as possible, not right above the window frame where everyone else puts them.

I installed my rods about 2 inches from the ceiling, and the vertical lines make my 8-foot ceilings look like 9-footers. Your eyes follow those curtain panels straight up, and suddenly the room feels taller. It’s like giving your sunroom a visual lift 🙂

Curtain hanging rules for maximum impact:

• Mount rods at least 4-6 inches above the window frame (or ceiling-height)
• Extend rods 6-12 inches beyond each side of the window
• Choose floor-length panels that just kiss the floor
• Pick lightweight fabrics in light colors that filter rather than block light

The wider rod placement makes your windows look bigger than they are, which tricks your brain into thinking the entire room is more spacious. FYI, this is the easiest high-impact change you can make.

4. Create One Large Focal Point Instead of Many Small Ones

Multiple small decorative items scattered everywhere? That’s visual chaos in a small space. Your eyes bounce around trying to process everything, and the room feels cramped and busy.

I learned this the hard way after covering every surface with trinkets, small plants, and random decorative objects. When I cleared most of it away and created one major focal point—a large piece of botanical art on the main wall—the room instantly calmed down and felt bigger.

How to Choose Your Focal Point

Pick one element to draw attention:

• Large-scale artwork (one big piece beats a gallery wall)
• Statement plant like a tall fiddle leaf fig or dramatic monstera
• Feature wall with interesting texture or subtle pattern
• Architectural element like a beautiful window or built-in shelving

Everything else should support your focal point, not compete with it. Less really is more when you’re working with limited space.

5. Use Mirrors Strategically to Double Your Space

I am aware that mirrors are a topic of conversation. But here’s what they don’t tell you: mirror placement matters more than mirror size.

I positioned a large leaning mirror directly opposite my biggest window. It reflects the outdoor view and all that natural light, essentially creating a second window. The room feels twice as bright and significantly more spacious.

Strategic mirror placement guide:

Mirror Position	Effect	Avoid If
Opposite windows	Doubles light & views	You’ll see neighbors
Behind furniture	Creates depth	It reflects clutter
On longest wall	Extends the space	The wall is too busy

Don’t just slap mirrors anywhere. Reflect something beautiful—garden views, your best furniture arrangement, or natural light sources. Never reflect messy corners or boring walls. That just gives you twice the disappointment :/

6. Incorporate Vertical Stripes or Lines

Vertical components make ceilings appear higher and draw your gaze upward. I added vertical lines through my decor choices without making the room look like a prison.

Tall, narrow bookcases, floor-to-ceiling curtains, vertical wood paneling on one accent wall, and even tall narrow plant stands all contribute upward movement. My room went from feeling squat and wide to feeling properly proportioned.

Ways to add vertical lines:

• Striped wallpaper on one accent wall (subtle stripes, not bold)
• Tall planters instead of wide, squat ones
• Floor lamps with slim vertical profiles
• Vertical shiplap or board-and-batten wall treatment

Don’t go too far, though. In order to direct the eye upward without creating the impression of a circus tent, you want just enough vertical interest.

7. Keep Window Treatments Minimal or Sheer

Heavy drapes in a small sunroom are like wearing a parka in a sauna—technically possible, but why would you torture yourself?

Sheer or minimal window treatments let maximum light flood the space while maintaining some privacy. I keep the room light and airy throughout the day by using plain white linen curtains that block the harsh afternoon sun.

Window Treatment Options for Small Sunrooms

• Sheer linen panels for soft light diffusion
• Cellular shades that stack compactly when raised
• Simple roller blinds in white or cream
• No treatments at all if privacy isn’t an issue

The more light you let in, the bigger your space feels. Dark or heavy window coverings absorb light and visually shrink rooms. In a sunroom, that’s basically design self-sabotage.

8. Embrace Furniture with Glass or Lucite Elements

Transparent furniture is like decorating with air. It works without obstructing your sightlines with visual barriers.

My glass coffee table replaced a solid wood one, and I can now see straight through to the floor and the items beyond it. The room feels less interrupted and more flowing. I also added a lucite side table that practically disappears while still holding my coffee and books.

Best transparent furniture options:

• Glass-top coffee tables with minimal frames
• Acrylic or lucite chairs (especially dining chairs)
• Clear acrylic shelving units
• Glass-front cabinets instead of solid doors

You don’t want a room that is entirely invisible, so combine transparent and solid furniture. One or two see-through elements create openness without making your space look like a furniture store’s clearance section.

9. Choose a Light-Colored Floor or Rug

Dark floors can anchor a space beautifully, but in a small sunroom? They can also make it feel cave-like and enclosed.

I brightened the entire space by covering my medium-toned wood floor with a large, light-colored jute rug. The floor plane appears larger due to the light base’s increased reflection of ambient light.

Floor Color Impact on Space Perception

• Light wood or tile: Reflects light, feels open and airy
• White-washed or bleached finishes: Maximizes brightness
• Pale rugs (cream, soft gray, natural jute): Expands visual space
• Medium tones: Safe middle ground but less impactful

If you can’t change your flooring, add a large light-colored rug that covers most of the visible floor. This shifts the color perception without any permanent changes.

10. Declutter Ruthlessly and Keep Surfaces Clear

This might be the least fun advice, but it’s also the most effective. Clutter shrinks rooms faster than anything else.

I went through my sunroom and removed every item that wasn’t either functional or genuinely beautiful. I cleared surfaces, consolidated my plant collection, and stored seasonal items elsewhere. The difference was immediate and dramatic—the room felt like it had grown by 20%.

Decluttering guidelines for small sunrooms:

• Keep only 3-5 decorative items visible at once
• Store seasonal items in other parts of the house
• Use closed storage for supplies and tools
• Follow the one in, one out rule for new items

IMO, empty space is actually part of your decor. It gives your eyes places to rest and makes the items you do display feel more intentional and important.

11. Install Floating Shelves Instead of Bulky Furniture

Without the visual weight of conventional furniture, floating shelves offer storage and display space. They have all the functionality but only a small portion of the bulk, much like furniture on a diet.

I installed three floating shelves on one wall in place of a large bookcase. The shelves don’t create a visual barrier and occupy no floor space, but they have the same storage capacity. The room feels more airy and the wall continues to breathe.

Floating Shelf Placement Tips

Mount shelves at varying heights rather than perfectly aligned. This creates visual interest while maintaining the airy feel. I stagger mine in groups—two close together, then a larger gap, then another shelf.

Use shelves to display your prettiest items and keep the less attractive stuff stored away. Think curated collection, not everything-you-own exhibition.

12. Incorporate Reflective and Glossy Surfaces

Light is absorbed by matte surfaces. Glossy and reflective surfaces bounce it around like a pinball machine, making spaces feel brighter and more expansive.

I added metallic planters (brass and copper), a glossy white side table, and glass decorative objects. These surfaces catch and reflect light from the windows, creating little sparkle moments throughout the day that make the room feel alive and spacious.

Reflective elements that work:

• Metallic planters in gold, brass, copper, or silver
• Glossy painted furniture instead of matte finishes
• Glass or crystal decorative objects that catch light
• Lacquered trays or boxes for functional storage

Don’t go full disco ball—just introduce enough reflective elements to keep light moving around the room. The ideal number of reflective items is three to five.

13. Create an Illusion of Height with Crown Molding

Ever wondered why rooms in old houses feel taller than rooms in new construction? Crown molding gives the impression of height by drawing your attention to the ceiling.

I installed simple crown molding painted the same color as my walls and ceiling. It cost less than $100 in materials, and the room immediately felt more finished and taller. The continuous line around the top of the walls guides your eyes upward.

Crown Molding Alternatives

If installation isn’t your thing:

• Picture rail molding mounted 12-18 inches below the ceiling
• Decorative trim painted to match walls
• Wallpaper border at ceiling height (subtle patterns only)
• Paint line in a slightly lighter shade where wall meets ceiling

The goal is creating a visual line that pulls attention upward. Your brain follows that line and interprets the ceiling as higher than it measures.

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Here’s what you need to remember: making a small sunroom feel huge isn’t about trickery—okay, it’s totally about trickery. But it’s smart trickery that uses color, light, and strategic decorating choices to manipulate perception.

My tiny sunroom used to feel like a cramped afterthought, but now it feels like the largest room in my house. I simply eliminated visual clutter, made the most of light, and approached every design decision with the intention of enhancing perception rather than adding square footage.

A larger sunroom is not necessary. You need better decorating strategies that work with your space instead of against it. You can make small spaces feel incredibly large by using light colors, transparent elements, vertical lines, and brutal editing.

Now stop complaining about your sunroom’s size and start implementing these ideas. Your space has way more potential than you’re giving it credit for. Time to unlock it.