Create an outdoor reading space in a small garden

Easing away the stresses of life can all be helped by a quiet, calm spot in the garden where you can escape with a good book.

You don’t have to have an enormous space to find a reading haven, say designers Freddie Strickland and Ben Gifford, who will be creating A Space To Read Balcony Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Here the designers outline some tips and insights into how you might create your own reading garden at home within a small space.

What makes reading in an outdoor space so enjoyable?

“Being surrounded by nature, fresh air, and natural light can bring many health and wellbeing benefits. We all need somewhere to escape to outdoors every day. It’s a great way to unwind, disconnect from technology and focus more on the story you are escaping into without distraction,” Strickland offers.

What layout do you need?

“When designing small space layouts, every inch must be accounted for and considered in great detail,” says Gifford.

“We’ve been exploring some different techniques of how we can make the small space layout feel larger. Within our design we are incorporating a magnificent flowering Cornus kousa (Chinese dogwood) tree that enhances the sense of space by concealing the boundary of the balcony and delineates the balcony into two separate areas to read.”

Should plants surround the reader, cutting off distractions?

Yes, surrounding the reader with potted plants can create a sense of enclosure, enhancing focus and immersion into a good book, they say.

This natural barrier helps cut off outside distractions while immersing the reader in greenery. Layering different plant heights and textures can further enhance the cosy, secluded atmosphere.

Which plants might you include?

“Plants are a really important part of a balcony garden, as they soften the boundaries and create a place where you would want to spend long periods of time,” Strickland observes.

“Surrounding yourself in plants, even in a small space, can bring many mental health benefits, especially when living in a city where access to nature is constricted. Within our garden, plants will set the tone for a calming and harmonious space to read.”

Do you need to take account of light?

Strickland says: “We have chosen for our garden to be west facing, ideal for afternoon and evening sun which many plants favour.

“We’d recommend this for a space to read, as the garden will then enjoy plenty of sunlight without overheating, perfect for a reading haven. We have also incorporated some subtle lighting to allow the owners to enjoy reading into the evenings.”

Incorporating shade is essential for comfort when reading for long periods, they suggest. The show garden will feature a tree which provides dappled shade while maintaining a natural, calming atmosphere, perfect for reading.

What sort of furniture makes a good reading nest?

Creating a cosy atmosphere is quite challenging in an outdoor space, Gifford suggests.

“We are featuring comfortable armchair-style lounge chairs and surrounding the seating areas with plants to create an intimate garden. The different warm terracotta hues of the garden pots and back wall will also set the scene for a cosy outdoor snug.”

Soft furnishings like cushions and throws can create a cosy, inviting atmosphere, but colour is highly personal so choose something which feels best for you, they advise.

The designers are featuring greens, subtle whites, pale yellows, deep blues and terracotta tones, integrated through plants, furniture, planters and soft furnishings to create a cohesive and uplifting outdoor space.

What materials might you use for a book lover’s haven?

Strickland says: “The brick design on the back wall is reminiscent of a well-stocked library brimming full of old leather-bound books.

“Bookshelves emerge from a timber inlay as a place to keep small possessions and to put down your book. Many natural wood accents in the garden are a nod to the paper used in books and further enhance the cosy atmosphere.”