Flooded with natural light, a sunroom is the ideal place for relaxing, hosting, or simply taking a moment for yourself. But, all too often, they can quickly become cluttered – filled with unnecessary furniture, piles of books, and remnants of hobbies long since forgotten.
So, what are the golden rules for a clutter-free sunroom? Here, professional organizers share three decluttering tips for ensuring your sunny space stays streamlined.
3 golden rules for a clutter-free sunroom
1. Declutter seasonally
As Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, says, sunrooms typically get cluttered in winter, as they act as a perfect 'make-it-go-away zone.' But, he explains that 'preparing the sunroom is the same as organizing any other space.
'We want to review everything and ask, "Why are we keeping this?" In theory, items in the sunroom are probably not keepsakes, so you need to focus on how expensive an item is and how hard it is to get again.
'Sunrooms also tend to be cluttered with aspirational seasonal items and plants. You need to be realistic about what you are actually using the sunroom for, instead of what you think you are supposed to do.'
Di Ter Avest, professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized, agrees with Ben, and recommends taking 10 to 15 minutes each season to assess what's in the space, and what you can get rid of, collecting them in a storage basket, such as the Mainstays Medium Plastic Storage Bin available at Walmart. This is one of the things people with clean sunrooms always do.
'Do you still need the extra pillows?' asks Di. 'Is that plant collecting dust? Regular check-ins and decluttering sessions not only prevent slow build-up, but also keep you in control of your space, making it feel current and intentional all year long.'
Then, you can decide whether to donate or sell decluttered items to give them (and your space) a new lease of life.
2. Be ruthless with furniture
It's not just miscellaneous items you need to think about decluttering – don't let unused or unnecessary furniture build up, either, says Ben.
'Sunrooms tend to collect excessive furniture,' he warns. 'Think about folding chairs in the basement if you don't tend to have frequent guests, as we don't need seating for 15 in our sunroom.'
This is one of the common things people forget to declutter before moving, too, so there's no time like the present when it comes to cutting down ahead of time, even if you're not considering making a move. Your future self will no doubt thank you.
'If you haven’t used a piece in the past season, donate or sell it,' advises Di. 'Fewer furniture pieces open up the room, letting in more light and making the space feel calm and purposeful, not crowded.'
3. Choose storage which doubles as decor
Finally, take advantage of hidden storage ideas to maximize your space and cut clutter, says Tracy McCubbin, CEO and founder of dClutterfly.
'Find a piece of furniture that can do double duty,' she advises. 'Can you get a table that you can do puzzles on and also have lunch on? The more pieces you have that have multiple functions, the fewer pieces you need to have at all.'
These are also among the best storage ideas for tiny homes, so will come in doubly as handy if your sunroom is particularly small.
'Think ottomans with hidden compartments, wicker baskets, or a coffee table with drawers,' says Di, such as the Sparta Lift Top Extendable Coffee Table With Storage available at Wayfair, which is available in black, vintage brown, vintage grey, and white marble.
'Store blankets, organize board games, or keep books inside. In a sunroom, your storage has to blend in. These stylish-yet-practical options keep essentials nearby without adding visual clutter.'
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Sleekly store away blankets, board games and cushions with this gorgeous rattan basket, with a detachable lid to keep clutter hidden from view.
Your storage doesn't have to be boring. This boucle storage ottoman is fun and fuss-free, available in cream, blush and sage colorways.
Use this magazine rack for displaying magazines on a countertop, or stowing away papers and letters beside a chair.
Meet our experts
If you don't already have one, how much does it cost to add a sunroom to your space? While it will depend on the type, size, foundation and other factors, our pros say this desirable addition could set you back upwards of $47,000.
