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Need some extra space around the house? Then have a look at the best outdoor storage boxes for tools, toys, cushions and more. Baby Bathtub
Whether you live in a studio apartment or a five-bedroom colonial, chances are you wish you had more storage space. It’s just a fact of life. No matter how much room we have, there’s always a desire for just a little more for our ever-increasing collection of stuff. And if you do live in that five-bedroom colonial — or, at the very least, some sort of property with outdoor space — then you may have considered the option of purchasing an outdoor storage box.
A cheaper, portable and more convenient alternative to a traditional storage shed, outdoor storage boxes offer loads of flexibility when it comes to keeping your precious stuff safe and protected. Whether you need a deck box for storing pool toys, a stylish storage bench to keep your patio furniture cushions safe from inclement weather or a makeshift shed for your gardening tools, the market is awash with outdoor storage options that will make your life easier.
This is probably what you picture when you think of an outdoor storage box. Typically made of rugged, weatherproof plastic material, these boxes come in a wide range of sizes and are meant to live on your deck or patio, where they’ll keep toys, gear or outdoor furniture cushions safe and organized.
If you don’t have the room or budget for a permanent storage shed in your backyard, then you may want to opt for the portable option. Generally made from the same material as a common deck box (though pricier, heavier wood options do exist), these offer more vertical storage with the general look of a traditional storage shed and are a popular choice for storing garden and lawn care tools.
Cushion boxes, as you may have guessed, are designed to store cushions from your patio furniture when they're not being used. While there are no strict rules dictating what does or doesn't get classified as a cushion box, generally speaking, these boxes tend to be better looking than deck boxes so as to better fit in with your outdoor furniture setup. They usually eschew plastic resin construction in favor of real wood or rattan, with the downside being that they are often less weather-resistant.
Some outdoor storage box options double as furniture in their own right. Whether you’re looking to use it to store the cushions of your regular patio furniture or something else, a stylish bench with interior storage makes for a versatile addition to any outdoor space.
There are a number of factors to consider when purchasing a box that you’re going to be using for outdoor storage. For one, you’ll need to consider the size, both in terms of how much stuff you need to store and how much space you actually have for the box. Outdoor storage boxes come in a ton of different sizes, with capacities ranging from 20 gallons to 200, or even more if you opt for a portable shed option, so you’ll need to pay attention to the capacity as well as the box’s footprint. Just as important as the size and capacity of your outdoor storage box is its robustness. Since the box will be living outside, you’ll need to ensure that it's weatherproof. It should be made from weatherproof materials that won’t degrade in the rain, snow or sun, and it should be waterproof with a leakproof lid so that whatever you’re storing doesn’t get wet. Finally, you’ll want to consider whether you want your storage box to have a lock or not. If you’re worried about kids getting into the box, or if you live in an area where property theft is an issue, then you may want to consider a box with a lock. If you’re more interested in being able to quickly and easily access your storage and thieves aren’t a concern, then you’ll probably want to forgo the lock.
Keter is a name that’s almost synonymous with outdoor storage (it’s the only company with two options in this guide), and the brand offers almost too many outdoor storage boxes to count. But if you find yourself needing a lot of storage, this massive 200-gallon deck box is the way to go. Not only does it have a ton of space, but it’s also made from premium Duotech resin that gives a realistic wood look while offering greater weather resistance and durability. It's also vented below the lid to keep your gear fresh.
Our tester notes that the box hits the most important criteria for a large outdoor box: It’s large (he can fit inside), it's reasonably simple to assemble and it’s not ugly. Tastes vary, but our tester finds the contrasting colors (and textures) of the sides and corners to look a little nicer than just a big black box. Our reviewer also found assembly to be simple but noted that it does require reaching inside the otherwise fully constructed box to tighten a few screws at the bottom. It was a stretch for our six-foot-tall tester, so shorter folks might have a puzzle on their hands. Best of all, our tester notes, it had stayed dry inside through multiple downpours.
Keter's 200-gallon Deck Box is large enough to fit a six-foot-tall man inside (not that that's what you should be storing).
Is more than $2,000 too much to spend on an outdoor storage box? For most people, the answer is probably yes. But if money is no object and you're looking to pamper your cushions, pool toys or garden tools, then Frontgate's Outdoor Patio Storage Chest is worth the splurge. The brand classifies this box as "Marine-Grade," meaning it's capable of living outdoors year-round and withstanding the worst that Mother Nature can throw at it. The box is constructed from an ultra durable bio-based resin called Envirez and is coated with a UV-resistant and rustproof protective layer that will keep it looking like new for years to come (Frontgate says it will never need painting). The hardware is also top-notch, with stainless steel hinges and hydraulic lifts for the lid. It's also strong enough to support the weight of up to four adults, and it arrives fully assembled for ultimate convenience.
Suncast has a ton of affordable options when it comes to outdoor storage, and we’re fans of this wicker-look 73-gallon deck box. It’s water-resistant (not waterproof) and offers UV protection to prevent fading, so it will hold up well in most weather situations. It offers a decent amount of storage for things like pool toys or furniture cushions, but it’s not really sturdy enough to double as a seat, so don’t expect it to pull any double duty.
Outside of being large enough for whatever it is you need to store, the number one thing most shoppers are looking for in a deck box is whether or not it's waterproof. Since you'll potentially be using your box to store non-weatherproof items like cushions from patio furniture, you'll want to ensure that those items are protected from the elements while stored. And with East Oak's range of waterproof boxes, you can rest at ease. The box is made from water-resistant resin (that also fights off UV damage) and features a lid with a waterfall design that forces water to run off the edges during heavy rainfall rather than seeping into any cracks.
While high-quality, faux-wood resins certainly have their advantages when it comes to weather resistance and durability, nothing beats the look and feel of real wood. So if the real deal is a must for you, then West Elm’s Portside Trunk is well worth a look. It’s made from solid wood that’s been weathered to give it a lived-in, coastal look, and it’s pretty much guaranteed to look beautiful in your space. Just be aware that this is a bit of an example of fashion over function, so it’s not as weatherproof as other options.
Rubbermaid’s resin shed is a practical and affordable alternative to building your own permanent backyard storage shed. While obviously plastic, it still has the same classic styling you’d expect to see from a storage shed with its pointed roof and double doors, and it’s a lot more durable than you might think. Boasting a double-wall resin construction and an impact-resistant floor, this shed is made to store heavier tools and can withstand some tough weather. It’s also lockable and customizable with interior shelves, though locks and shelves are sold separately.
With a lot of outdoor storage boxes, it’s unclear whether one can sit on them or not. But with the classic bench styling of our second pick from Keter, there’s no doubt that this is a seat. Its faux-wood resin construction is weatherproof and resists warping, and there’s plenty of room for two adults to sit comfortably. Lift up the seat, and you’ll find 70 gallons’ worth of hidden storage. That number is certainly nothing to scoff at for a piece of furniture, but we feel that for the size of the unit, they could’ve squeezed out a bit more storage space.
Everyone's tastes are different, but for the most part, cushion boxes tend to be a bit more stylish and attractive than your run-of-the-mill deck boxes that are used for storing sports equipment and tools. And Safavieh's Abri cushion box is certainly attractive, thanks to its classic coastal design crafted from eucalyptus wood. It's available in four finishes (the gray you see here, plus black, white and natural) and will surely look great next to your patio furniture setup. Of course, putting style over substance, this cushion box lacks the ruggedness of a true deck box: It's not fully waterproof, it doesn't have a huge capacity and it's not strong enough to be used as a bench. But if your top priority is having a pretty place outdoors to store your cushions, this is a good option.
Rectangle Basket We may be stretching the definition of an outdoor storage box a bit with this one, but since this is a storage box that is very capable of living outside, we think it counts. Yeti’s Loadout GoBox is intended to offer you a safe space to keep all of your portable outdoor gear so it’s ready to go when you are. It offers organized storage on the inside, and since it’s a Yeti product, it’s virtually indestructible. The GoBox is fully waterproof, dustproof, highly impact-resistant, and can withstand low temperatures and extreme sun exposure.