How Benson Homes Transformed a Neglected Screened-In Porch into a Stunning Sunroom
When clients start the process and discussion of home remodels, a common scenario is that they want to add more space to an existing family home to maximize their square footage and find a way to introduce more usable space into their lifestyle. While additions are the most popular way to achieve this goal, we’ve also had the opportunity to get creative with some projects and simply rethink existing spaces that aren’t being utilized to their fullest potential. When our client approached us about turning their mostly unused screened-in back porch into a sunroom, they envisioned a bright, functional space that would seamlessly integrate with their home. Here’s how Benson Homes brought their vision to life.
During discussions with our clients, we often find that porches tend to be under-utilized and neglected spaces, and instead of being the cozy sitting areas where clients had imagined drinking coffee in the morning and looking out over the yard in peace, they become “catch-all” storage spaces and extensions of the attic or garage. In this case, the porch was an original part of the house design when it was built in 2016, but had unfortunately become a space the family rarely used. It was often plagued by spiders, snakes, and pollen, which made it unappealing and impractical for regular use. The constant buildup of dirt and debris discouraged the family from furnishing the area, leading them to consider it a "useless space." In addition to wanting to find a way to better utilize the porch by transforming the space, the family expressed a desire to integrate more natural light into their living room, which prompted them to rethink the porch's potential.
3D RENDERING
3D RENDERING
The clients met with us and shared their dream to transform their porch into a usable space for their family that felt open and cohesive with the rest of their home. They had delayed the remodel initially due to their busy lives with young children, but as life settled down, they were ready to commit to creating a sunroom that would be beautiful, open, and functional.
3D RENDERING
AFTER
For the Benson Homes team, taking on this project was particularly significant because other builders the clients previously consulted with had dismissed the idea of removing the existing wall between the porch and the living room - saying the wall removal would be too difficult or even impossible. However, Jim, our founder and CEO, relished the challenge. He loves taking on difficult projects since they push the team to be innovative and deliver results that exceed our clients' expectations, while having fun problem-solving and discovering the hidden potential in homes.
AFTER
AFTER
Due to the client's busy schedule, traditional material selection meetings were not feasible. Instead, our remodeling team took a more flexible approach. They asked the clients about their preferences for finishes and brought samples directly to their home. The clients wanted a light, airy, coastal design for their Virginia Beach home, and this vision guided the material selection and overall aesthetic so our team could nail down the design.
Externally, once the room had been sealed off and insulated, the space blended with the home’s existing siding and trim seamlessly. The client’s goal was for us to take their trim and match it as closely as possible so that no one would be able to tell that the home was not built this way originally, and the team delivered! Large windows were then installed on all 3 sides of the now-enclosed space, as well as a glass door and a skylight to allow even more natural light to flood the living area. For the interior transformation, the design team replaced the entire first floor’s dark engineered hardwood floors with light, luxury, vinyl plank (LVP) flooring featuring a natural wood finish. This upgrade instantly brightened the space, complemented the client’s coastal theme, and offered much more durability to withstand their constant sandy foot traffic coming in from the beach.
Since it now connects to both the kitchen and living room, the client decided that the new sunroom should feature a custom L-shaped banquette in one corner. Our team designed and created comfortable seating with drawers below and soft close slides, ensuring both functionality and elegance. The full overlay cabinet style, painted in a crisp white, provides a clean, cohesive look and creates a cozy breakfast nook for the family to enjoy. Whimsical overhead lighting adds a touch of charm and personality to the warm space.
On the opposite side of the sunroom, a seating area was created, offering a perfect spot for the family to gather and relax. The removal of the dark flooring and the installation of the light LVP not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also ties the space to the home's coastal location and the client's style in their existing living room.
The final product is a living area that looks like a new space entirely, yet fits in with the home’s layout as if it had been there all along by connecting the new space and making it one with what already existed. The light flooring, cohesive cabinetry, and thoughtful design elements have transformed the once painful and unusable space into a bright, inviting area that the family can enjoy year-round. This transformation is yet another example that showcases our ability and desire to tackle challenging projects and deliver stunning results that enhance families’ love of their homes so they can enjoy living life there for years and years to come.
For homeowners that have been considering similar transformations, this project highlights the importance that Benson Homes places on making the most of existing spaces and finding a way to transform every possible square inch of your home to make it beautiful and usable.
If uncovering your home’s hidden potential excites you and you’re ready to transform it into a space where your family can create lasting memories together, we’d love to help!