When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, who doesn’t want to be outside enjoying all Mother Nature has to offer? The great outdoors often beckons, but it also has bugs. Insects, particularly nuisance bugs like mosquitoes or biting flies, are unwanted visitors when enjoying the great outdoors.

Weather also can put a damper on outdoor plans. It’s challenging to get fresh air and enjoy the yard when it’s raining or conditions are especially humid. Instead of limiting time spent outdoors to those occasions when conditions are favorable, homeowners can install Florida rooms to maximize their outdoor living potential.

The term “Florida room” calls to mind different things. Some define it as a walled extension of a home that features a roof - such as a covered patio, or lanai. According to Tripod Aluminum, Inc., a manufacturer of aluminum building products, a Florida room also may be a screened-in enclosure that surrounds a pool area and is designed to keep bugs and wildlife out of the water. People also may consider a Florida room a sunroom, and it may be screened or feature actual windows that can be opened, according to the resource from Farmhouse to Florida. Those thinking about renovating to include Florida rooms can consider the following details.

You don’t need to live in Florida.

Florida rooms may be most associated with the Sunshine State, but you don’t need to live there to have one. Consider your climate and build a Florida room that will meet your needs. Do you want to enjoy the space year-round? If so, you might need some sort of heating or cooling to keep things comfortable.

Decide on the right location.

While Florida rooms traditionally are in the backyard, select a spot that works for you. If you want to maximize morning sunrises, for example, locate the room on the side of the home that faces east. If a view from another side of the house is particularly striking, place the Florida room there.

Determine your needs.

Will you be cooking or entertaining in the Florida room? If so, design a space that will feature cooking and eating areas. Ensure plenty of ventilation for a grill, and consider other appliances to reduce the need to make trips into the house. Although the Florida room creates some measure of weather protection, choose furniture and fixtures that can stand up to outdoor conditions.

Add privacy as needed.

Curtains, greenery, shades, and other details can create privacy when you don’t want to be visible to neighbors.