As spring approaches, there are few more refined, relaxed pleasures than taking the time to read a very good book inspired by the beautiful view of your garden.
A medal-winning garden at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show emphasised this idealistic desire, with the Doorstop Library Garden showing just how beautiful the concept can be when integrated into your garden.
However, with British spring and even summer weather being as changeable as it often is, is there a way to have a beautiful, curated reading room and library in your garden that is both bright and secure?
A well-designed garden annex can make this happen, with the incredibly versatile space being suitable not only for offices, home gyms, bars, winter dining and even as an additional apartment for relatives, but it can also be a place of solace to find yourself with a good book.
It is a very romantic idea to have a room of one’s own to read, to write and to study, but how should it be designed and set up? Read more for some top tips and inspiration for your own garden reading space.
Why Should You Build A Garden Library?
Whether you are an avid reader or you have not picked up a book in a while but would love to, you understand the importance of where you read. The best types of reading spaces are:
- Quiet – They are less prone to the distractions and disruptions of everyday life. Reading is so often a form of escapism, so the less that reality can intrude into your sanctuary, the better.
- Comfortable – They are spaces you want to spend a long time in and feel completely at ease to keep turning the page. A reading space should be as comfortable as reading in bed or in a very comfy chair in a library.
- Inspirational – The best kinds of libraries are spaces that make you want to read more, stimulating your mind and offering much food for thought.
Whilst there are some rooms in your home that can achieve one or even two of these traits, a garden library is the only room that is geared towards providing all three in the best possible way.
Best of all, a garden annexe is customisable, so it can become not only a dedicated library but a creative space, a home office or any other purpose you can think of.
Why Does The Location Of Your Garden Library Matter?
Ultimately, location matters a lot because where you base your garden library needs to maximise your garden without reducing too much space, but it also needs to be far enough away from the house to provide privacy without being too far away to require a sprint in the rain to reach it at night.
Setting up a covered path may be a good idea if you want your garden library at the furthest end of your garden.
Finally, you want your garden library to have as much access to natural light as possible, although you should have a way to avoid sunning damage caused by direct sunlight. A good pair of curtains or blinds can help a lot, as can a robust set of shelves placed away from where the light touches.
What Lighting Should You Use For Your Garden Library?
Natural lighting is very important, and whilst you always need to be careful of your books (particularly older, rarer ones), you should maximise the amount of natural light you get, with blinds or curtains to control the light levels during particularly sunny days.
Other lighting sources are important too, and it is worth having one of each of these if your budget allows:
- String Lights – Not only does this provide a quaint, cosy aesthetic, but it can also provide ambient light at night that allows enough light to read but not so much to cause a distraction.
- Floor Lamps – They provide bright, diffuse light that allows you to illuminate the whole library space efficiently. Make sure to choose a warm bulb, however, so the lighting feels comforting and relaxing rather than aggressive.
- Table Lamps – A classic reading light, table lamps are perfect for providing enough light to see the pages but not so much to cause headaches.
What Furniture Should You Have For Your Garden Library?
A comfortable reading chair is a must, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time reading.
A big, soft chair with a lot of cushions and pillows can help keep your back comfortable and make your space more inviting. Make sure to have a blanket as well to keep cosy at night.