Ah, the humble sunroom. Once the dumping ground for old furniture, rougue clutter & the occasional family pet bed. But not anymore – at least not for Di, the lovely homeowner featured on TV show, Space Invaders recently. Di’s sunroom was well overdue for a major overhaul & I was thrilled to do it for her.

Now, let me paint the picture for you: this room had 3 different types of flooring to begin with (because apparently one just wasn’t enough), a whole lot of timber panelling, brown curtains that had seen better days & an air con unit that was so noisy, it could’ve doubled as a lawn mower.

Starting at the Top – Or Not Quite

First things first – the ceiling. Yep, it was asbestos. Now before you freak out, let me assure you: asbestos isn’t dangerous unless it’s disturbed or damaged. In this case, the ceiling was in perfect condition so we left it alone & simply freshened it up with a coat of Taubmans Crisp White paint. No scraping, no sanding (you can’t anyway because of the asbestos) – just a good ol’ paint job. It now looks fresh & bright & will remain this way for at least another decade or two.

The Great Flooring Fiasco

The floor situation was a bit all over the place – carpet, chipboard & tiles, all jostling for attention. We did the only logical thing: ripped all of it out & laid brand new carpet down across the entire space. Suddenly, the room felt cohesive, like it was finally telling one story, not three.

Panelling – But Make It Pretty

The original timber wall panelling was still structurally sound (big shout out to the 1960’s builders for that one) so instead of ripping it all out, we simply painted it in Taubmans Paper Bark in a low sheen finish. This colour is just divine – soft, neutral & warm. It’s got that natural, calming vibe that makes you want to curl up on the lounge with a hot cuppa & good book.

Lighting – With a Little Compromise

Ideally, I would have loved to go full reno-mode & install downlights in the ceiling, but again, asbestos said “not today, Cherie!” So instead, we replaced the tired old fluro light with a new track light, which will definitely help illuminate the space. We added a chic little table lamp from Koala Living over in the TV corner too, adding some vintage charm & function, all at the same time.

That Alcove – It’s Here to Stay

You’ll notice an alcove on one of the walls. We kept it, why? Because it actually opens into the U-shaped kitchen on the other side of the wall so it made perfect sense to leave it be. But I did ditch the faux decorative arches that were trying (and failing) to be charming. Let’s be honest – faux anything is usually a no-go. 😉

Air Con Drama (& Triumph)

Oh boy, the split system. Homeowner Di, was too polite to use it because it was so noisy, her neighbours could hear it from their bedroom. So out it went. That left a whopping big hole in the wall that turns out, wasn’t even built properly in the first place. Surprise! We reframed the wall, added internal & external VJ cladding & installed a whisper-quiet Daikin split system. Now Di can enjoy climate control all year round, without giving her neighbours a sound show.

Curtain Call

The old brown curtains were, well… tragic. We replaced them with light-diffusing curtains from The Blind Factory that offer privacy, while still letting in loads of natural light. Plus, they create a beautiful soft filter that gives the room a dreamy, almost ethereal kind of vibe – especially when you catch a silhouette of the gardens outside.

Storage Game: Level Up

Every great casual living room needs a bit of storage. I opted for the Lugna range from Bunnings & while the assembly process was a bit more difficult & tedious than what I would have liked due to a lug not screw system, the final look was absolutely worth it. We braced a few units together to create one long storage wall – stylish & functional. TV on top, cables hidden behind. Sorted.

Furniture That Functions

Di used this sunroom more than any other room in the house, but her old furniture layout had her staring straight into the kitchen, with her back to the garden. We rearranged things so now she can take in three views, including her beautiful backyard.

We splurged a bit on the furniture – a Koala Living modular sofa with built-in headrests took pride of place which is the modern answer to those chunky old recliners. A luxe oversized coffee table also from Koala Living serves both form & function. A cosy beanbag from Ivory & Deene was added especially for her grandkids. Comfort? Check. Cuteness? Double check.

The Finishing Touches

We wrapped things up with affordable but stylish throws, cushions & decor from Kmart – because why drop $200 on one cushion, when you can get five & a couple of throw rugs for the same price elsewhere? A new artwork from Ivory & Deene ties the whole room together, with subtle pink tones (Di’s fave!) & timber accents that echo the Paper Bark walls.

We even gave the original 1960’s back door, a fresh coat of paint & fixed the lock that had been broken for years on end. A couple of wall lights added warmth & the old spaghetti mess of TV cables? Gone – tucked neatly behind the new storage unit.

The Result?

A sunroom turned sanctuary. It’s now the heart of Di’s home – warm, practical, welcoming & very Aussie in its relaxed, lived-in feel. Most importantly, it’s a space where her whole family can come together, kick off their shoes & just enjoy the moments.

Until next time,
Cherie (CB x)