Our pets are more than just pets, they are family members! When you are designing a sunroom or outdoor living space, keep your furry family member in mind. The following tips will help you design a safe, and enjoyable sunroom or outdoor living space for your pets and the entire family. A sunroom provides some of the same benefits to your pets as to the rest of your family. Your pets can enjoy the perks of being outdoor without the discomfort of poor weather, bugs, or tracking in mud and debris.
Ideas to Create A Pet-Approved Sunroom
Sunny Spaces for Pets
One of the best features of a sunroom is having a sunny space free of pollen, bugs, and debris. Have a sun-loving pet? With a three-season room or four-season sunroom your sun-loving pet will enjoy basking in the sun’s rays for hours at a time. The sunshine is let in and the mosquitos or other pesky bugs that aggravate your pet are kept out.
Sunroom Window Views to Keep Pets Entertained
Floor to ceiling windows enable even the smallest pet the ability to have full view of your backyard. Allowing your pet to see through the window at their level will reduce your pet’s desire to jump at the window. If your pet is prone to scratching, select our aluminum mesh screens which resist pet claws. A quick trick to prevent cats from scratching screens is to add double-sided tape to areas you don’t want scratched.
Install a Doggy Door for Easy Backyard Access
If you’d like your pet to have easy access to the backyard, consider installing a pet door. If you plan to include a pet door, design your space with a knee wall where a pet door can be easily installed. A pet door is great to allow your pet the freedom to decide when they want to stay indoors and when they want to go out.
Best Flooring for a Pet-Friendly Sunroom
Select pet-safe flooring, flooring that is easy to clean and resists stains. Ceramic tile is a popular choice as it cleans easily, resists stains, and is not damaged by nails or claws.
A hot trend in flooring (not just for sunrooms) is luxury vinyl plank (or LVP) flooring. LVP flooring is a man-made, synthetic flooring made to look like a natural material. It has the look and feel of real hardwood flooring with the benefit of being more durable – dent resistant and even waterproof. These benefits of LVP flooring make this choice ideal for a pet-friendly sunroom. LVP flooring comes in various stains to meet your design taste and style.
Another option is to utilize inexpensive, durable area rugs or washable rugs.
FREE Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Durable, Pet-Friendly Furniture That Lasts
Select pet-friendly furniture with stain resistant fabrics that can withstand fur, claw, tooth, nail, and sun damage. Good ideas for furniture materials are tightly woven fabrics such as: microfiber, tweed, canvas, denim, and pleather. Leather is an easily cleaned and durable fabric but can rip and tear easily. Add furniture just for your pet. A pet bed in the sunroom provides your pet with their very own space to relax and dream of chasing critters and belly rubs.
How to Keep Your Pet Entertained in the Sunroom
Consider including items in your backyard that can provide interest to your pets. Bird houses and squirrel feeders can attract exciting critters for your pet to watch from your sunroom. You may also want to include enrichment toys for your pet to stay in your sunroom. Stimulating toys keep your furry loves entertained rather than bored. Boredom can result in destructive behavior.
Pet-Safe Sunroom Décor: Best Plants & Accessories
Be mindful of the material and location of decoration in your sunroom if you are planning for a pet-friendly space. Avoid decor that your pet may knock over or break. Be mindful of furniture materials or décor that could be harmful to your pet if ingested.
Steer clear of plants that can be harmful to your pet. Generally speaking, spider plants, African Violets, and Boston ferns are considered safe choices. To ensure your sunroom is pet-friendly, check the ASPCA’s full list of toxic and non-toxic plants for dogs and the ASPCA’s full list of toxic and non-toxic plants for cats before adding greenery to your space.
Design a Custom Sunroom for You and Your Pets
A custom sunroom is the perfect way to create a comfortable, pet-friendly space tailored to your family’s needs. Whether you want durable flooring, pet-safe screens, or a cozy spot for your furry friend to bask in the sun, a sunroom can be designed with your lifestyle in mind. From added pet doors to scratch-resistant materials, the possibilities are endless. Ready to create the ideal sunroom for you and your pets? Explore our custom sunroom additions and start designing your perfect space today!
Absolutely! Sunrooms keep pets safe from harsh weather, bugs, and outdoor hazards while giving them plenty of sunshine and backyard views.
Yes! A knee wall is a great place to install a pet door so your dog can easily access the backyard.
Yes, you can add air conditioning to a sunroom. For a four-season sunroom, HVAC systems are often installed, allowing you to regulate the temperature in the space. For three-season sunrooms, you can add a ductless mini-split system or PTAC unit to cool the space. This provides a comfortable environment during the hot summer months, making it more enjoyable year-round.
To block the sun in a sunroom, you can use several methods. Installing window treatments such as blinds, curtains, or insulated draperies can help manage the sun’s warming effects. Additionally, you can opt for heat-reflective shades or cellular blinds, which can minimize heat buildup. Another option is to use tinted windows or glass with UV protection to reduce sunlight and maintain a cooler temperature inside the sunroom.
To keep your sunroom comfortable year-round, consider a mini-split system, which can cool it in the summer and heat it in the winter. Adding extra insulation can improve comfort, though retrofitting may be challenging. Upgrading your windows to block UV rays is another effective option. For seasonal relief, ceiling fans, blinds, curtains, and other window treatments can help regulate temperature. Additionally, installing a retractable awning outside your sunroom can provide shade and enhance the comfort of your outdoor living space.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and ceramic tile are excellent choices as they resist scratches, stains, and water damage.
