This Pelham, New Hampshire sunroom sits directly off the kitchen, so the goal was simple: turn it into a casual, comfortable TV and lounge space that would feel like a true extension of the home - not just a seasonal room that only gets used a few months a year.

What started as an awkward, poorly laid-out space is now one of the most used rooms in the entire house.

The Original Challenges

The sunroom was built on a foundation, which meant it had serious potential to become a four-season space but it wasn’t designed that way originally.

The biggest problems:

Three full sliding glass doors - one on each wall
Only two of those sliders actually connected to the deck
Major space-planning issues with zero wall space for furniture
Wood plank ceiling paneling and skylights that were high-risk for leaks
No real heat source to support winter use

It felt disjointed, impractical, and underutilized.

Layout & Space Planning Fixes

The first thing we tackled was functionality.

Two of the three sliding doors were removed and replaced with double windows. This gave us back valuable wall space while keeping the room filled with natural light.

We then added a new sliding door only on the deck side, where it actually made sense.

This single change completely transformed the way the room could be furnished.

Heating & Fireplace Design

Because the room is on foundation, adding real heat was essential.

We chose a pellet stove to create the feel of a fireplace while also heating:

The sunroom
Much of the first floor of the home

Originally the stove was located where the sectional needed to go, so we:

Relocated the pellet stove to the left side of the room
Selected a more modern, small-footprint model to save space

We also added an electric baseboard heater behind the sectional, perfect for shoulder seasons when you just want a little warmth without running the stove.Opening the Sunroom to the Kitchen

Opening the Sunroom to the Kitchen

Originally, this sunroom was actually closed off from the kitchen with a sliding door, making it feel disconnected from the main living space. There was also a narrow 4-foot wide stone step that visually and physically separated the rooms.

We removed the slider entirely and eliminated the stone step, replacing both with a full cased opening that visually ties the sunroom into the rest of the first floor.

To finish the transition properly, we added wood stairs spanning the entire width of the new opening, creating a smooth, architectural connection between the kitchen and sunroom.

This change alone made the room feel intentional - no longer an afterthought, but a true extension of the home.

Ceiling, Lighting & Insulation Upgrades

The wood plank ceiling and skylights had to go.

Not only were the skylights a future leak risk, but they limited lighting options and ceiling height consistency.

We replaced everything with:

Smooth drywall ceilings
New ceiling fan
Recessed can lighting
Spray foam insulation in the ceilings and walls for serious efficiency

Now the room holds heat in the winter and stays comfortable year-round.

Progress: Skylights Removed, Spray Foam Insulation, Cans Installed

Flooring Selection

I wanted a natural slate feel but with the durability and ease of porcelain.

Tile Style: Florida Tile - Cliffside, Color: Gorge Dark Gray

We installed a textured porcelain tile with a soft wavy surface. It adds movement and interest without overpowering the space.

To keep everything seamless and modern, we used black grout, which minimizes visual grout lines and gives the floor a clean, grounded look.

TV Placement & Furniture Plan

With limited wall space, we mounted a smart TV on a corner wall bracket so no bulky console or cable box was needed below.

The furniture was kept simple:

A deep, comfortable sectional facing the slider
Minimal accent tables
No unnecessary pieces — every item serves a purpose

The pellet stove placement and clean layout finally made a sectional possible, which is exactly what this room was missing before.

The Final Result

This Pelham sunroom renovation turned a confusing, rarely used space into a cozy, high-functioning lounge that’s now one of the most used rooms in the house.

It’s warm in winter, bright in summer, and works perfectly as a casual hangout area off the kitchen - exactly what it was always meant to be.

Thinking about renovating your sunroom in Pelham or southern New Hampshire?
Reach out! I’d love to help you reimagine your space.