There’s been a little transformation happening in our sunroom lately. No, I’m not referring to the fireflies Clara keeps chasing around—though she’s convinced one should live in her room forever. The real change is that the sunroom finally has proper lighting.
We installed wall sconces on the four corner posts of the space, and it has completely changed how we use the room after dark. For months the sunroom mostly shut down when the sun went down because the only lighting option had been the fans without light kits. Last summer we considered adding light kits to the fans, but we never found ones we liked. Over time we warmed to the idea of sconces around the perimeter instead of overhead fan lights—sconces felt like they would add more charm and a softer ambiance.
To get all four sconces on a single switch, the electricians tapped into an existing outlet that is controlled from a switch inside the house near the sunroom door. They routed conduit under the deck to connect the other three posts. The wiring job ended up being a bit complicated because the sunroom sits on a slab foundation, so there wasn’t an option to run wiring beneath the slab. That meant most of the conduit and cables had to be routed through the posts or under the deck. If we’d decided on sconces back when we had the room opened up during earlier projects—like when the ceiling was raised and then planked—this work would have been much easier. Live and learn.
You’ll notice small conduit lines on the outside of each post where the wiring runs. We plan to paint those conduits to match the house so they blend in, and Sherry is already thinking about placing planters in front of them if they remain noticeable. Minor details, but worth addressing so the posts look finished.
The fixtures themselves were a great find. We ordered matching sconces that complemented our other outdoor lighting and were the right size for the space. Finding four identical fixtures can be surprisingly difficult at local salvage outlets or thrift sources, so buying these as a single set simplified the process and kept the look consistent. They were also budget friendly, which was a welcome bonus.
The fixtures are compact enough that they won’t interfere with walking around the room, and the dark bronze finish provides a nice contrast against the lighter tones of the sunroom while coordinating with the ceiling fans. The overall effect is cozy and subtle—plenty of light for evening activities, without blasting the room like a spotlight.
While the electricians were here, we also had them remove an old intercom unit and properly terminate the wiring behind it. We were relieved to find that the wall showed only a small hole where the wires exited and a few minor screw holes in the mortar—there was no big damage to repair. Small imperfections are easy to touch up once we patch and paint.
This sunroom update was part of a larger group of electrical tasks we decided to tackle at once. We keep a running list of wiring and lighting projects, and consolidating the work made the overall job more efficient. That approach saved us money by reducing repeat trips and minimizing labor overhead. There are still a few fixtures left to install and some drywall patches to finish, so we’ll share those follow-up updates once everything looks more polished. We’re waiting on a detailed itemized bill to provide exact numbers.
For now, the new sconces are the standout improvement. They extend the hours we can comfortably use the sunroom—sometimes we linger later, enjoying popsicles or relaxing together, and other nights they simply make it easier to step outside briefly to let the dog out without sitting in the dark. Either way, the space feels more useful and inviting, and that was exactly the goal.
Summer evenings suddenly feel more flexible here. I’m even tempted to set up a projector and watch a movie out in the sunroom some night—an idea that doesn’t require the new lighting but somehow feels perfectly suited to the renewed comfort of the space.
P.S. Teddy’s latest weekly photo update is up, and he’s definitely stealing the show this week.