Before & After: Florida Room

beach cottage makeover

The sweet little money pit reno continues with...the florida room

what the heck is a florida room?  And do they only exist in Florida?  Florida rooms are making a big comeback, and nope, they aren't just for Floridians.

A look at the before...

A Florida room is essentially a room attached to a house or structure with 3 walls of window.  Think a screen in porch with windows instead of screens.  They are a great extra living space filled with light, and because Florida rooms aren't totally open air there are lots of decorating options.

BEFORE...

The carpet had to go, not a good choice in a humid climate; and the dropped ceiling with the fan was too close for comfort--not good if you were over 5'5"!

Goals:  update the overall look, maximize the uses of the room, new floor, add lighting.

AFTER...

New white outdoor tile brightens the space, the the foundation for using lots of layers of color.

Out door furniture (bonus--you don't have to put away the cushions at night!), coffee table, accessories, are rug, side tables--just like an outdoor living room but with fresh air.  And a great spot to ride out a rainstorm.

AFTER...

Lighting:  Shallow recessed cans (on dimmers!) brighten the seating area while lamps allow the scene to be mellow at night.  A ceiling huger fan with a light over the dining area gives illumination and provides a breeze.

Multitasking:  so there is a seating area, a dining area, and the space also does triple duty as area for painting.   The vibe is more casual so a Florida room is the perfect space for pushing the style envelope.  Try something you might shy away from in your main living area!