A solarium is a glass-enclosed patio or porch that ensures comfort and well-being to enjoy fresh sunlight throughout the year. The purpose of a solarium is to bring in as much natural light as possible. This gives an outdoor feeling without having to leave the comfort of your home, especially during the long winter months.
As compared to a traditional sunroom, the architecture of a solarium has a more modern aesthetic. These structures feature glass walls and typically a glass roof. Solariums are built onto an existing home to provide the feeling of being connected with nature. They can also be slightly different shapes, depending on the style of glass that is selected for your project.
They typically have some window openings and tracks to accommodate shades to help insulate against the variances in outdoor temperatures. You can also bring plants or even a small herb garden into your space to enjoy nature throughout all four seasons. These structures will also increase livable square footage onto your home, while also providing an attractive architectural element.
Tell Us: Which one of these solarium ideas most inspired you and why in the Comments below!
1. Dining Solarium With A Garden View. This solarium is part of a townhouse, featuring central air conditioning and heated French Limestone floors, and seating for intimate family dining. It is used all year round to enjoy the walled private garden in every season. (via Lindsay Architecture Studio)
2. A Pantry Solarium. This kitchen pantry is long and narrow, illuminated by natural light. The windows are custom-made by Bonelli Windows in San Francisco. The windows help to make this small space feel larger than it is. See the rest of this home here: Dramatic modern farmhouse provides ultimate Wine Country getaway. (via a.d.d. concept + design)
3. Solarium Addition. A back porch was transformed into this light-filled solarium. An upstairs balcony was integrated into the design. A wood stove was added for warmth. An integrated flower bed brings greenery into this fantastic space. The flooring is 12″x12″ slate tile. (via Imery Group)
4. Kitchen With A Solarium. Just off the kitchen of a home in Providence, Rhode Island, a solarium addition to the back porch. Heating elements are in the built-ins under each window for heating the space. The supplier is Town & Country Conservatory. (via Baud Builders)
5. Luxurious Solarium. In a home in Greenwich, Connecticut, this beautiful solarium is just off the kitchen. Potted plants bring lush greenery into this space, while windows frame views of nature. (via Forbes)
6. Dining Nook. This luminous dining space just off the kitchen features plenty of textural interest, mixing leather, animal hide, metal, stone, and woven organic. The Ibiza Banana Leaf Dining Chairs can be found at The London Factory. (via Catherine Macfee Interior Design)
7. Light-Filled Dining Room. An addition to a 1920’s Georgian Revival Home in Montclair, New Jersey. This casual dining solarium overlooks the landscaped hillside property. (via Oasis Architecture)
8. A Solarium Greenhouse. This luminous solarium has simplicity in its design, with double-height glass framing views of the greenery of this home’s backyard. (via Solarium Montrรฉal Inc.)
9. Enclosed Porch. Attached to the back of this home, this enclosed glass oasis features an elegant seating area with a bar cart for entertaining. Plants can grow all year round in this space. The furnishings are the La Jolla collection from Restoration Hardware, while Sunbrella was used for the cushions. (via Dominick Tringali Architects)
10. Glass it in. This all-glass solarium features a large dining space for entertaining, giving the feeling of dining outdoors. Overlooking a lake in Boise, Idaho, accordion doors open on either side of the dining space to give an indoor-outdoor living experience during the summer months. (via Martha O’Hara Interiors)
11. Four-Season Living Room. To provide shade to the glass ceiling, the ceiling treatment is woven wood and gives an organic feel to the room. The blind is called ‘Pinoleum’. A bamboo base with fabric originating in France. It is made for slope glazing with rails on both sides to keep it in place. It works with a pulley system and stacks at the top rail of the windows. On the floors, the stone is a full-thickness ledge stone native to southern Pennsylvania. It has been in this house for 80 years! On the chair, the butterfly cushion is from Pottery Barn. This room is roughly 12 x 16. (via Conservatory Craftsmen)
12. Enclosed Living Room With Lakefront Views. This dreamy, light-filled space frames views of Sunfish Lake in Minnesota. The plants make you feel like you are a part of nature. An area rug over the brick floor helps to add warmth and texture to this space. Bringing ambiance to this space, the Duomo Lanterns are from Restoration Hardware. (via Elsie Interiors)
13. Rear Extension With Glass Ceiling. A home in Toronto, Canada features this warm and inviting, glass-enclosed living area that is perfect for entertaining and lounging. (via Brenda Liu Photography for Clemmensen & Associates)
14. Solarium Lounge. The windows were added in the 1930s shortly after the home was built. They were custom-made to fit within the stone arch. The sofa and Zoya coffee table/ottoman are by Randolph + Hein. The drapes were custom-made by Contempo Window Fashions. They are mounted to the ceiling with fabric-wrapped boards rather than using drapery hardware making them decorative side panels, not operable full drapery. The light is from Noir Furniture. (via CASA|WASY interior design)
15. “Great Gatsby”. A home in San Jose California features this gazebo pre-fab structure. Honed black absolute granite and white marble give this space a “Great Gatsby” look. The chaise was an existing piece, recovered in an indoor-outdoor fabric. The chairs were custom and also have indoor-outdoor fabric on them. (via Get Back JoJo)
16. Alfresco Dining Solarium. A patio area off the garage was transformed into this solarium. This magical outdoor space with all that glass and those twinkly lights looks like something out of a fairytale. (via @kindredvintage)
17. A Tropical Dining Nook. This space features an incredible architectural ceiling detail. Brick flooring adds a casual feel to this luxurious space. (via Virtual Studio Innovations)
18. Attached Greenhouse Solarium. A romantic manor house in England features this plant-filled space furnished with iron cafe chairs, a table, and a settee. This beautiful space has a Neoclassical design. (via Architectural Digest)
19. Solarium For Booklovers. The townhouse of artist and designer Bridie Hall in North London features this radiant glazed living space used as a library and snug. Built-in bookshelves are painted in Off-Black – Farrow & Ball, lending an intimate atmosphere. (via House & Garden)
20. Room With A Garden View. A Paris home features this luminous indoor-outdoor space for a romantic dining experience. Surrounded by gardens, this is the perfect spot for working, relaxing, and entertaining guests. (via Gillestrillard)
21. Four-Season Living Room. This wonderful space can be enjoyed throughout the seasons, complete with a living and dining room space that is perfect for entertaining and family gathering. (via Pinterest)
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