If you just moved to a new home with a cute sunroom or you're having one added to your current house, you may be wondering how best to use that space. Even small rooms can inspire big dreams, and here are four small sunroom ideas to get those creative juices flowing.

1. Start Your Day There.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not enjoy it in a sunny spot? Design the perfect breakfast nook with a bistro table and dining chair set. Whether you need a table for two or four, keep it small and simple so you don't overwhelm the space with furniture. Add a few plant stands near the windows to give it a little life, and if you have a corner to spare, set a cute bar cart with a coffee pot and your favorite mugs there. Press "brew" and enjoy!

2. Make It a Reading Room.

This is one of the best small sunroom decorating ideas for a bookworm! Any avid reader wants nothing more than to spend a lazy weekend curled up with a good book in their favorite sunny spot. If your room has space for a daybed, create the ultimate lounging area with a comfortable cover and plush pillows. No room for one? Place a cozy chair and ottoman in the corner with a narrow side table to hold a cup of tea and that book you can't wait to dive back into. And in case you foresee yourself reading past sundown, add a reading lamp nearby to light up your evenings. Or ask us about our Sunlight Illuminated Valances to bring soft ambient light to the space.

3. Plan for Playtime.

Even a small sunroom is a great spot to let the kids play, and it's perfect for containing their favorite toys. For small children, include a toy chest or a bookcase with cubbies to hold their playthings, and just leave the middle of the floor open so there's room for their imaginations to run wild. For older kids, a card table will set the stage for board games, card games, puzzles, and arts and crafts. The beauty of using a sunroom as a playroom is that when they get a little too loud, you can always shut the door. 

4. Design a Formal Dining Room.

Often, smaller homes are built with eat-in-kitchens or open floor plans that are perfect for informal meals but leave something to be desired during special occasions. Turn your small sunroom into a formal dining room and create that beautiful space for holiday celebrations and cozy dinner parties. Measure the space carefully to choose the best dining table shape to fit your space and leave at least three feet between the wall and your comfortable dining chairs so you can easily maneuver around the room when you're using it. We realize this won't work for the smallest of sunrooms, but if you have the right-sized area, it doesn't take much to create an elegant space for dining.

Implementing Small Sunroom Ideas on A Budget

The beauty of these small sunroom ideas is that they don't require a huge investment. In fact, a trip to your favorite thrift furniture store or a Saturday morning spent visiting yard sales may yield exactly what you need to decorate your room. For more inspiration, check out our DIY Sunroom Decorating Ideas article to see how to upcycle some fun thrift store finds!