Outdoor storage boxes may be quite handy for a wide range of applications. It can be far more practical to have a deck box nearby rather than carrying all the household goods outside every time you want to comfortably spend some time in your backyard. Furthermore, an outdoor storage box can work as a makeshift piece of furniture, acting as a seating area when the guests turn up in greater numbers than you had anticipated.
An outdoor storage box may help you keep your outdoor furniture looking fresh by storing all the blankets and cushions when not in use. By reducing exposure to the sun and elements, you can prolong their life span and keep them clean and fresh. How to choose the best outdoor storage box for you? Keep reading this article to find out more.
The best waterproof outdoor storage boxes
Good waterproof outdoor storage boxes are often difficult to find. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many great options available. Manufacturers also use confusing catchphrases like ‘water-resistant’ which more often than not don’t actually mean anything. It’s a real shame because a waterproof storage box really comes in handy when you need to hide a bunch of sensitive stuff like books or electronics during an unexpected rainfall.
The two models we would like to recommend, available at Walmart Canada, are the Toomax Florida Storage Bin, and the Leisurelife Plastic Waterproof Container. The lovely Toomax Florida is ideal for your garden, patio, pool, and shed. It was designed with the outdoors in mind, boasting a sturdy yet lightweight design. It’s perfect for keeping household items like pillows or sunglasses safe and dry.
The other model we suggest looking at is the Leisurelife Waterproof Container. A slightly more pricey option, it’s made of high quality plastic, making it impervious to even the harshest weather conditions. It’s equally as robust as the other model, allowing you to seat two people without worrying if it’ll hold together. You can usually find some discounts for this model on our weekly flyers site.
The best wooden outdoor storage box
If aesthetics are important to you, and you don’t mind the higher price range, then you should look into outdoor storage boxes made out of wood. They not only let you store and organize your items, but they bring a naturally rustic feel to your backyard.
We highly recommend the Furinno Tioman outdoor storage box. It’s made out of carefully selected Malaysian dark red meranti timber, with a nice teak oil finish which helps preserve its beautiful look. The build is exceptionally sturdy, providing you with a safe seating space in a pinch. This outdoor storage box is well worth the price tag.
The best outdoor storage box with a lock
Being able to lock your outdoor storage box gives your valuable items an additional layer of security. If you need a strong outdoor storage box that will last for years, the Lifetime products are made for you. They are not only weather- and water-resistant, but have built-in UV protection panels that help with cracking, peeling, and fading. Lifetime’s capacity is enormous at 568L, especially considering how lightweight it is.
The stiff structure composed of double-walls made out of HDPE allows it to be used as a bench. But most importantly, it comes with a built-in lock which helps keep anything you want to store safe and sound. The only drawback of the Lifetime outdoor storage box is a rather complicated assembly process; it took us a couple of hours to put it together, despite the detailed instructions.
The best small outdoor storage box
The Rubbermaid Roughneck Mini Deck Box (available at Walmart Canada) is an ideal solution for storing small goods such as tools or garden accessories when you only have a little bit of space available. It’s extremely compact size makes it easy to keep out of the way when not needed. This small outdoor storage box is very easy to assemble, thanks to a brilliantly designed system of interlocking panels.
Unfortunately, the small size of this outdoor storage box makes it not the most robust of containers, therefore you shouldn’t use it as a chair. However, if your backyard space is very limited but you still want the option of storing a few items in arm’s reach, the Rubbermaid Roughneck Mini Deck Box is the small outdoor storage box for you.
The best extra large outdoor storage box
With a delightful wood-inspired look, and a massive 150 gallon storage space, the Keter Westwood Outdoor Patio Storage Box is the ideal solution if you need a rather large outside container. It can easily withstand over six hundred pounds (300kg) of pressure, so you can comfortably sit on it with a friend. This extra large outdoor storage box is made out of resin plastic, making it impervious to sun and weather, while keeping maintenance to a minimum.
The Keter Westwood was designed with an automatic opening mechanism, and a convenient lock to make it as safe and easy to use as possible. It’s also very well-ventilated, so there’s no risk of mold or mildew creeping inside. It comes in a lovely espresso brown color, which will surely match even the most wild of backyards.
How to make a DIY outdoor storage box
If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to outdoor storage boxes, or the prices seem a bit too steep for your house budget, then it’s time to look into some DIY solutions. With a little imagination, a short Internet search for some schematics, and a trip to the local woodworking shop, you can build your own customizable answer to outdoor storage. More often than not, it will cost you much less than if you were to buy one from a manufacturer.
This way of approach allows you to get the storage box your backyard really needs. An outdoor modular bench with plenty of storage space? No problem. A toy box for your children? Easy. A bunch of patio storage cabinets? The only limit is the amount of work you want to put into it and your raw material budget.
It’s extremely important, however, to pay attention to materials you want to build your DIY outdoor storage box out of. We highly recommend splurging a bit on thermally modified wood. It’s very easy to work with, and the result is highly resistant to any sort of decay or pests. The process leaves the wood with a nice, dark finish, making it stand out in your backyard.
