There’s something new brightening our sunroom. I’m not referring to the fireflies Clara keeps trying to catch and “befriend” (she insists one should live in her room forever). That aside, our sunroom—veranda if you prefer the fancier term—now has permanent lighting thanks to new fixtures mounted on the posts in each corner.
Last summer we planned to install light kits on the two ceiling fans, but we never found fan lights we liked. Over time we warmed to the idea of wall sconces around the room’s perimeter instead of two overhead lights. Sconces offered more charm and a cozier ambiance, so we hired our go-to electricians to add the necessary fixture boxes and wiring.
The electricians tapped into an existing switched outlet in the room that is controlled by a switch inside the house near the sunroom door. From that source they ran conduit under the deck to each of the other three posts so all four sconces could operate from the same switch. The job was trickier than it might sound because the sunroom sits on a slab foundation, which prevented running wiring under the slab. That meant most of the new wiring had to be routed inside the posts or under the deck. Had we decided on post-mounted sconces earlier—when we had the room open to raise and plank the ceiling—this would have been much easier, but the finished result is worth the extra effort.
You might notice the small conduit runs on the outside of each post. Once painted to match the house color they should blend in nicely. If they still bother us, Sherry plans to place planters in front of them to soften their appearance. Practical solutions, minimal fuss.
The lights themselves were found during a Joss & Main sale. We chose them because they matched the size we needed, complemented our existing outdoor lighting, were available in a set of four, and fit our budget at about $51 each with free shipping. The dark bronze finish gives the room a subtle contrast that pairs well with the fans, and the fixtures are compact enough that they won’t be an obstacle when moving around the space.
While the electricians were here, they also removed an old intercom and properly terminated its wires. We feared the removal would leave a large, unsightly hole, but it only left a small entry point for wires and a couple of minor screw holes in the mortar. A much better outcome than we expected.
This sunroom project was part of a larger electrical update across several rooms. We keep a running list of wiring and lighting tasks, and this time we decided to tackle them all at once for efficiency. Because we bulked the work together, we saved on labor costs; we’ll share a detailed breakdown once we receive the itemized bill. For now, there are still a few fixtures to add and some drywall to patch, but those finishing touches will come in time.
The new sconces are the highlight of our electrical punch list. They provide enough light to extend the usability of the sunroom without feeling overpowering. The space now feels cozier in the evenings, and those extra hours outside mean later bedtimes for the kids and more family time. On some nights it translates to a popsicle or two; on others it simply means one less stumble in the dark during Burger’s final potty break. Either way, it’s a pleasant improvement.
We’re enjoying summer evenings in the sunroom more than ever. I’m even tempted to set up a projector and watch a movie out there someday—though that idea doesn’t depend on the new lighting, it’s just a nice bonus to have the space usable longer into the night.
P.S. Teddy’s weekly photo is posted in our gallery, and he’s pretty much the man.