The Folio Society’s Reading Room Garden is a green sanctuary designed for relaxing in the company of a good book. The garden embraces the transportive effect that books can have.
The space immediately outside the balcony doors is surrounded with plants creating a green oasis – a bubbling water feature creates white noise, zoning out the sounds of the city beyond. Around the corner, the space opens out to oak seating for enjoying the view or socialising.
The back wall is decorated with hand-crafted oak cobbles (the galls found on oak trees were used in ink production up until the 20th century). Designed to be lit from behind, casting interesting shadows at dusk and night-time, this wall also features a cut-out, reminiscent of bookends.
Encouraging a sense of calm away from technology, this space celebrates the importance of reading - for fun and as a way to improve mental wellbeing. The design could be adjusted for different households – whether a family with young children learning to read, teenagers studying for exams, busy professionals seeking solitude after a stressful day at work or retirees engrossed in a new novel.
All Show Gardens

Balcony Gardens
The Doorstep Library Garden: Words Take You Places
The Doorstep Library Garden: Words Take You Places
Feature Gardens
RHS Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration
RHS Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration

Balcony Gardens
The St George ‘Alright Here’ Balcony Garden
The St George ‘Alright Here’ Balcony Garden
Balcony Gardens
The Restorative Balcony Garden sponsored by Viking
The Restorative Balcony Garden sponsored by Viking

Balcony Gardens
The Doorstep Library Garden: Words Take You Places
The Doorstep Library Garden: Words Take You Places
Feature Gardens
RHS Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration
RHS Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration

Balcony Gardens
The St George ‘Alright Here’ Balcony Garden
The St George ‘Alright Here’ Balcony Garden
Balcony Gardens
The Restorative Balcony Garden sponsored by Viking
The Restorative Balcony Garden sponsored by Viking
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.