We’re honored to be featured in Midwest Design magazine, where our designer, Austin Kratochwill, shared insights on one of Minnesota homeowners’ most sought-after spaces: the four-season sunroom.
As summer fades and Minnesotans prepare for the months ahead, many homeowners begin thinking about ways to stay connected to the outdoors while enjoying the comfort of home. A thoughtfully designed four-season sunroom can provide exactly that, offering natural light, beautiful views, and a welcoming gathering space throughout every season.
While sunrooms are often viewed as a simple home addition, Austin emphasized in the article that the most successful spaces go far beyond adding square footage.
“A room that isn’t designed around how it will actually be used just becomes wasted space,” Austin explained. “The goal is to create a room that supports how you live, not to simply add another room to your house.”
Designing Around the Way You Live
At Quartersawn, every project begins with understanding how homeowners want to experience their home differently.
For some, a four-season sunroom creates a peaceful retreat for reading, morning coffee, or quiet reflection. For others, it’s an extension of the main living area where family and friends naturally gather. Some homeowners want an immersive connection to the outdoors year-round, while others are seeking a cozy interior space filled with natural light.
These goals may sound similar, but they often lead to very different design solutions.
That is why we believe the best spaces are not defined by their size, finishes, or features. They are defined by how well they support the lifestyle of the people who live there.
Creating Connection Between Home and Landscape
One of the key topics explored in the feature was the relationship between a sunroom and the rest of the home.
A successful addition should feel intentional, whether it seamlessly extends the existing architecture or introduces a thoughtful contrast. Window placement, roof forms, materials, and views all play a critical role in creating a space that feels connected both inside and out.
Rather than simply maximizing glass, our approach focuses on carefully framing natural views while maintaining comfort throughout Minnesota’s changing seasons.
As Austin shared in the article:
“Thoughtful window placement is more important than sheer quantity, and the best rooms are designed to frame both what you see and what is seen from the outside.”
Comfort Matters in All Four Seasons
Designing a room that performs beautifully in July is only part of the challenge. Designing a room that remains comfortable in January is where thoughtful planning becomes essential.
Factors such as orientation, sun exposure, heating and cooling strategies, window performance, and overall building assembly all contribute to how the space feels throughout the year.
At Quartersawn, we carefully evaluate these elements during the design process to ensure that a sunroom is not only beautiful but also functional, comfortable, and durable for decades to come.
The Bigger Picture
What we appreciate most about this feature is that it captures a philosophy that extends beyond sunrooms.
Whether we’re designing a kitchen, primary suite, whole-home remodel, addition, or specialty space, our goal remains the same: to help homeowners thoughtfully evolve the homes they love for the next chapter of life.
The best projects are not about creating more space. They’re about creating better experiences within the space you already call home.
Thank You, Midwest Design
We are grateful to Midwest Design for highlighting Austin’s expertise and for the opportunity to share our perspective on thoughtful home design. We’re proud to be part of a community that values craftsmanship, creativity, and homes designed around the people who live in them.
If you’re considering a four-season sunroom or exploring ways to better connect your home to the outdoors, we’d love to start a conversation.
Read the full Midwest Design feature here: Want a Four-Season Sunroom?