A solarium is the one room your household is missing if you love being outside and basking in the sunshine (with boundaries, of course). Flooded with tons of natural light, its entire purpose is to encourage relaxation and bring more light into your home. A solarium can become anything you want it to be, whether it's a space for entertaining friends, taking day naps, or cooking dinner. Below, you'll learn about what a solarium is and how it's different from a sunroom.
What Is a Solarium?
If you already have an area in your home where the natural sunlight drenches the entire space (or if you're considering an expansion in the near future), you'll understand the beauty of solariums. A solarium is an additional space or type of sunroom that is made up entirely of glass, all four walls and roof included. It provides a 360-degree landscape view of your surroundings from all angles. Any home can add a solarium as a continuation of their home or as a freestanding structure. Since the windows and ceilings are glass, there's no insulation, but you can make up for that by bringing in heating or cooling appliances.
Solariums are multipurpose rooms that offer practically endless opportunities to transform and personalize your home. Solarium ideas range from dreamy reading nooks hugging windows to a gorgeous greenhouse for your budding blooms and everything in between. You can stargaze in peace, watch the sunset in style, and even feel tempted to catnap all day long in the warmth of the sun.
Pros
- Captures as much light and outdoor scenery as possible.
- Plant parents will find that it is a perfect home for plants and flowers.
- Additional living area in your home.
- It can be designed to be a kitchen, breakfast room, lounging area, office, or playroom.
Cons
- May lack privacy, depending on where it's installed.
- Can't withstand extreme temperatures (hot or cold) on its own.
- High-maintenance window cleaning inside and outside.
What Is the Difference Between a Solarium and a Sunroom?
While the two are often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference between a solarium and a sunroom. As we mentioned earlier, the majority of a solarium is made out of glass, including the roof, whereas a sunroom has the same roof as the preexisting home structure. Sunrooms are mainly attached to the home as an extra living room area, with high-quality furniture that won't lose color or feel scorching hot in the sun. You'll also hear the term conservatory used to describe a solarium-type room. While a conservatory is very similar to a solarium, since it has a glass roof and walls, it's typically more decorative within. You'll find molding, finials, and all the trimmings to double the visual interest. An atrium is an indoor space with an all-glass roof and regular interior walls. Another room that allows you to enjoy the outdoors from afar is a party-ready screened-in porch. The mesh screens or curtains allow you to feel a hint of wind and view outside without interrupting your relaxation time. Each sun-focused room has a slight difference but still allows you to enjoy any season from the inside, mosquito, and rain-free. Which one is right for you depends on your style, budget, and renovation goals.
Are Solariums Worth It?
Solariums are an investment you won't regret. They're more flexible than sunrooms since they don't share a roof with your home and can be a freestanding structure. It's like a glass tiny house! There's also more freedom to design or build something more contemporary versus sticking to the aesthetic in your home. Once you find a heating and cooling system to use as needed, you're set to drench yourself in the glow of your solarium.
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