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As fall inches closer to winter, it's not uncommon for people to look to the com- ing cold with a degree of lament. Spring, summer and fall provide ample opportuni- ties to enjoy the great outdoors, but such chances are few and far between once the winter freeze settles in. Though winter might compel the masses to huddle up in- side, there's still a way to take in the great outdoors on cold winter days and nights. It might not prove an exact substitute for summer nights around the firepit, but a sunroom affords homeowners a chance to marvel at snowy winter landscapes without venturing out into the cold. Some- times referred to as "all-season rooms," sunrooms can make for a great retreat on quiet summer mornings or crisp autumn afternoons. Sunrooms can be treated as blank canvasses, which makes decorat- ing them more fun. But a few tricks of the trade can help homeowners turn their blank canvasses into welcoming spac- es to take in all that nature has to offer throughout the year. • Define the purpose. The experts at Better Homes & Gardens recommend homeowners decide how they want to use the sunroom before they begin decorating it. When the weather gets too chilly to dine outside, will the sunroom serve as an al- ternative dining space in the same way pa- tios and decks do during the warm weath- er? Or do homeowners want to turn their sunrooms into reading rooms? Though it's possible to make sunrooms multipurpose spaces, it may be hard to create a relaxing vibe in rooms that are too crowded with furnishings or too busy. Defining how the space will be used also makes it easier when shopping for furnishings. • Define when the room will be used. In addition to defining how the room will be used, homeowners should give ample consideration to when the room will be used. A year-round sunroom will need to be heated, while a three-season sunroom likely won't require heating. Cooling might be a concern on hot summer afternoons, but many homeowners will likely spend such days outside anyway, so cooling the room may be as simple as installing a ceiling fan and ensuring windows can be opened to let fresh air in. Homeowners who want a year-round sunroom should install insulated glass to keep the room even warmer when the mercury dips. • Opt for bright colours. Bright colours can make sunrooms feel all the more in- viting and make for a perfect match with all the natural light already in the room. The renovation experts at HGTV note that white walls and ceilings can maximize the warm illumination of the natural light that will be pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Better Homes & Gardens adds that brightly coloured cushions, pillows and area rugs with similarly hued colors and patterns can add visual interest and texture to a sunroom. • Make use of a view. Homeowners needn't direct too much of their focus on decor if their sunrooms come with a view. Art on the walls and other decorative items around the room are less important if a sunroom affords a view of the ocean or a lake or dense woods that attract local wildlife. In rooms with a view, arrange fur- niture so residents and guests can com- fortably look outward and take in all the surround landscape has to offer. Sunrooms are a great place to take in nature no matter the weather. (MCC) Real Estate Advertorial How to create a sunroom in time for winter weather 15 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,O ctober 21,2021 insidehalton.com #301 - 2180Marine Drive, Oakville For Sale Spectacular 2-bedroom suite boasting 1830 sq ft offering luxurious upgrades. Stylish spacious corner unit featuring an eat-in kitchen, formal dining & living rooms, den, office & 2 bathrooms. Call for your private viewing. Matt Sullivan SaleS RepReSentative 905-580-9196 matt@sullivanrealestate.ca anita Sullivan BRokeR 905-466-4900 anita@sullivanrealestate.ca AWARD NOMINEE 2021 home� nder.ca Find the perfect home, start online at