How to Build a Sun Porch Retreat

There should be one place in your home that is stress-free and relaxing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A 12' x 8' back porch is the perfect place to create such a sanctuary.

The back porch was used for trash cans and off-season storage. When you look past the chipped paint, ugly siding, you can envision a retreat -a place to enjoy morning coffee, a place to meditate, a place to relax.

Created a plan, think about what everyone using the room would need. Of course, the most important user might be the cat. He might need a place to watch the neighbor's Chihuahua.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• wood for shelves
• shelf brackets
• saw, hammer
• primer
• mold-resistant paint
• blue ceiling paint
• white ceiling fan
• blue floor paint

1. 

   Make a Plan

   To create your plan, add plants and start to use the room for its future purpose. As you enjoy your morning coffee, watch the sunrise, explore your needs. Start a journal and paste pictures of your dream room. Before long a plan will form. Maybe the cat needs a perch, so a wide shelf make sense. Since the room is off the kitchen, the shelf will also made a nice place to grow herbs.

2. Empty and Clean the Room

   The room may have been used for storage and a place to keep the trash. The walls are stained and the floor scraped. Paint is peeling off the ceiling and the old metal door showing it's age. Using a strong degreaser, scrub the walls and wash the floors. Vinegar and soap make a nice degreaser that is also environmentally friendly.

3. 

   Build a Wide Shelf under Windows

   Using Metal shelf brackets I built a 8 inch deep shelf under the windows on all three walls. I also chalked the cracks in the bead board ceiling and painted it a sky blue. The room faced south and easily reached 120º in the summer! I removed the bare light bulb and replaced it with a small white fan. As you can see the cat was able to keep an eye on the neighbor and his Chihuahua from a safe place.

4. 

   Paint Ceiling and Walls

   First, paint primer on all the surfaces. B-I-N or KILZ work the best. Since the room has so many windows, it stands the risk of getting wet during a sudden rain storm. Painted the walls with a brilliant white with mold-resistant paint. Fortunately, being able to create needed ventilation is easy by opening three walls of windows. The effect of the paint is magical.

5. 

   The Possible Room

   First a camp cot and a few patio chairs in the room. Many house guests pleaded to sleep in the sun room. The room becomes a favorite place and the bed to creates more room for a nap, yoga and meditation. How to make the straw mat window blinds are detailed in another eHow article. They cost less than $2 each to make!

6. 

   Create A Second Update with wicker and floor paint

   It's was hard to imagine you could improve upon the work already done. A set of wicker from a favorite aunt's estate and a painted blue floor creates a wonderful place to read or have tea.

7. 

   Create A Happy Door

   A few cans of teal metal paint and the dingy old door avoided the landfill. A replacement door was priced between $200 and $350! The paint cost less than $10. The dear old cat has gone across the rainbow bridge but new dogs have taken up Chihuahua-watching duty!

Tips & Warnings

• Old legends explain the reason why ceilings on porches were painted blue. Supposedly, ghosts can not hide on your porch because they think the blue ceiling is the sky and offers them no shelter.

• Use you favorite colors, it's your retreat, make it yours in every way.

• Expect to spend a lot of time out here, you may even find your blood pressure normal again.

Resources

• B-I-N Primer
• KILZ Primer
• PERMA-WHITE, Mold & Mildew-Proof Interior Pain