Exploring the Sunshine State Bliss: A Comprehensive Guide to Florida Rooms
Origins of the Florida Room
The Florida room is a home addition that is named after its popularity in the Sunshine State. It is a living space built into a home’s side or back wall with an attached roof. The open design of this room creates a comfortable space for homeowners to relax and entertain guests while seeping in the fresh air. This concept of a Florida room originated in the 1950s when air conditioning was not a common feature in homes. People would build enclosed patio spaces that were screened in to keep bugs and other pests away, while still allowing a cool breeze to flow through. Over time, home designs evolved, and the concept of Florida rooms became more sophisticated.Design and Structure of a Florida Room
The design and structure of Florida rooms vary widely depending on each homeowner’s preferences and budget. However, most Florida rooms have common features such as:- Attached to a home’s exterior wall
- Roof attached to main home structure
- Larger windows for natural lighting and ventilation
- Screened-in to keep pests out
- Tile or concrete flooring
Advantages of Having a Florida Room
Having a Florida room adds numerous advantages to a home. Here are a few reasons why homeowners prefer having Florida rooms:- Additional Living Space: A Florida room extends the living space of a home. It provides an extra room that can be used for relaxing, entertaining or dining.
- Closer to Nature: With larger windows, Florida rooms provide homeowners with an unobstructed view of their garden, lawn, or yard.
- Increases Property Value: A well-constructed and designed Florida room can increase the value of your home.
- Increase Natural Lighting: The combination of larger windows and simple design elements in a Florida Room offers a lot of natural lighting solutions for homeowners.
- Cost-Effective: As a relatively inexpensive home addition, Florida rooms offer an affordable way to give your home a facelift and add extra living space.
Sunshine State Bliss: Incorporating Florida Room Décor
Florida’s lovely sunshine state culture is typical of vibrant colors, tropical prints, and plenty of greenery. Therefore, decorating your Florida room should give off a feeling of coziness and relaxation. Consider the following décor tips when decorating your Florida room:- Natural Colors: Use soft and warm natural colors. Conventional choices include sandy beige, pale greens, sky blues, and sunny yellows.
- Indoor Plants: Incorporate indoor plants into your Florida room to improve air quality and add pops of greenery to the space.
- Tropical Patterns: Decorate your Florida room by adding tropical patterns that make the space feel more relaxed and comfortable.
- Wicker Furniture: Wicker furniture is a popular choice for Florida rooms since it has a tropical vibe and keeps the room airy.
- Beachy Accessories: Adding beachy accessories such as decorative shells, towels, or coastal art gives off a laid-back feeling that is synonymous with Florida’s coastal culture.
Cost Considerations for Building a Florida Room
The cost of building a Florida room depends on your location, the size of the room, and the materials used. Regardless of location, you should budget for at least $200 per square foot, with some experts recommending $300 per square foot for high-end designs. Materials make up the bulk of construction costs, with the following being the most common expenses:- Windows and Doors: The material and number of windows and doors used will affect the final price.
- Flooring: Tile and concrete are common flooring options for Florida rooms.
- Roofing: A roof must be attached to the main home structure and it must be waterproofed for additional protection.
- Screens, Ceiling, and Insulation: Adding screens, ceiling, and insulation are also essential components of constructing a Florida room and ultimately affect the final cost.