8 Easy Outdoor Storage Solutions That Are Also Easy On The Eyes

The warmer months are a great time to lounge outside, take in the sun’s rays, do some gardening, and maybe have a cookout or two. But many of these outdoor activities come with their own set of stuff, and all these outdoor paraphernalia need a place to go when you’re not using them. Without outdoor storage, you can easily run into problems as leaving things exposed to the elements can cause them to get dirty, rotten, and broken. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of neat and simple outdoor storage ideas that make storing all your outdoor stuff easy as pie. Everything from gardening tools to outdoor refreshments can be stored in a designated place where they will be out of the way until you need them. No need to worry any longer about tripping on some rusty rake hidden in your lawn, or finding your bicycle covered in bird droppings. 

With just a dash of DIY skill and plenty of elbow grease outdoor storage can be made for any backyard accouterments you can think of.  

Outdoor Storage Bench

This is a cozy and super practical outdoor storage idea that looks good and is easy to use. To top it off, it is one of the most straightforward garden storage solutions you can build yourself. Making one of your very own storage benches is a simple matter of making a wooden box with a lid on top. This box can be made to any dimensions you wish, although a “standard” size of 46”x20” is good enough for most of your outdoor storage needs. All you need to build your own storage bench are some screws, a drill, some wood glue, and plenty of plywood sheets. 

Once the box with its hinged lid is made, all that’s left is to put some nice upholstered cushion material on the lid. A comfy cushion for the bench can be custom-made by an upholsterer without breaking the bank. The beauty of having your own outdoor storage bench is that it can be made to your exact specifications. You can put any sort of trim, finishing, and coloring that suits your fancy, and the box can be made to fit almost any aesthetic.   

Outdoor Coffee Crate Table

Why limit coffee tables to just the living room? An outdoor coffee table is not only the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing beverage, but it can also be a practical outdoor storage solution. This flexible piece of outdoor furniture is a super affordable weekend project that allows you to reclaim wood rather than throwing it away. All you need is a sheet of plywood, four old crates, and a drill. Simply sand the wood, paint it to the color you want, and then assemble the crates so that they are attached to the plywood base and attached. 

Whether Store-Bought or Handmade, An Outdoor Coffee Table Can Be the Perfect Place to Hide It All

Once that’s done, you’ll have a cool rustic table with many little cubbies that can be used to store glassware, silverware, and anything else that makes the great outdoors more fun. For some added practicality, add some wheels to the bottom of your outdoor storage coffee table so it can be easily moved to any place you need it.     

Repurposed Cabinets

You may have an old cabinet or chests of drawers that you’re unsure what to do with. You could just throw those old pieces out, but why not give them new life by using them for outdoor storage? These old pieces of furniture can be refinished and used on covered patio flooring or on porches for storing garden tools, backyard toys, and even outdoor cookware. 

Old Furniture Just Needs a New Purpose, and Outdoor Storage Is a Job It Can Do Well

Many pieces of old furniture are big heavy pieces made of oak or mahogany and are therefore quite durable. So long as they are kept away from excessive moisture these old cabinets can be excellent outdoor storage solutions. Plus, the vintage look and feel can add a cozy and warm feeling to any outdoor space.    

Don't Throw Away Grandma's Storage Chests, Just Take Them Outside

Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets 

Of course, you can also make your own purpose-built outdoor cabinets. These are the perfect companion for an outdoor kitchen and can add even more practicality and style to your cookout center. Outdoor cabinets can be custom-made by a high-end cabinet-making company, and these can be topped off with worktops that match the other countertops of your outdoor kitchen. 

Outdoor Kitchen Storage that Doesn't Have to Cost a Fortune

Bespoke cabinets are the perfect solution if you need a place to put your outdoor cookware and dishware where they aren’t cluttering the space. Another way to do this is simply to build the cabinets yourself using plywood. DIY outdoor cabinets can be made on a weekend with power tools and affordable materials. If you’d rather not build the entire piece from scratch, you can also buy a cabinet kit from a big box hardware store which you can then assemble at home in a matter of hours. 

Revamped Storage Shed 

Toolsheds are a cliché in a traditional backyard vista for a reason: they are a very handy outdoor storage solution, especially if you have a small garage and a lot of miscellaneous tools and items without a home. However, most storage sheds just aren’t designed with storage efficiency in mind. Because of this, many garden sheds don’t make good use of space, and even walk-in models can end up with you at Home Depot looking for storage solutions to add inside it. If you want to make full use of the space a storage shed offers, you’re going to have to make some changes. 

How to Make Your Storage Shed More Efficient and Clutter-Free

One way to make your garden storage shed more practical is to attach rails to the inside of the door handles. These can be used for hanging up tools and gardening supplies so you don’t end up looking for them later. A small rectangular planter can also be hung up on the door to hold smaller items. Simple 2x4 planks can be used for more interior shelf space. Simply attach the planks to the upper part of the storage shed so they span from one wall to the other.  

DIY Potting Benches

If you have limited room but still want to garden, the best thing to do is to have your plants organized in one central place where they can be easily checked on and watered. There are lots of good ways to do this, but probably the most facile solution is to build a simple potting bench. This can be done with plywood sheets and some 2x4s. 

A Potting Shed for All Your Gardening Needs

A potting bench is essentially a double-decker table that is the perfect place for your potted plants to hang out. The space of the potting bench allows for a bunch of different plants to be organized in a grid layout on each deck. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with this simple yet elegant outdoor storage solution. If the bare plywood is a bit lacking in personality for you, it’s pretty easy to instill some character into this bench with some paint and finish.  

DIY Farm Style Table

If you’re struggling to find the perfect centerpiece for your state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen, look no further. This farm-style table has a real “lone star” aesthetic that is bound to look neat in an outdoor setting. This simple yet appealing aesthetic makes this table the perfect nucleus for outdoor family fun and can accommodate bench or stool seating beneath it. It’s homely, cozy, rustic, and stylish, especially if you make it from reclaimed wood. 

If You're Looking for Backyard Dining Options but Don't Want to Crowd Your Outdoor Space

You can certainly find something rustic chic that fits the bill at a hardware store, but why not go full authentic with a DIY version? This table will take a weekend to make, but it’s quite easy to do and will help decrease the appearance of clutter in a small outdoor living space.

Bicycle Storage Shed 

There are plenty of good reasons that you might want a dedicated place to store your bicycle. Most of us don’t have room to keep a bike or two in the garage. Keeping your bicycle outside will make it filthy in no time, and it increases the risk that some stranger will come along and “borrow” your ride. 

If You Have Bicycles Leaning Against Just Any Surface, Consider a Bicycle Shed

A bicycle storage shed therefore has a lot of benefits beyond just giving you a practical place to keep your bicycle out of the way. It will also keep it from getting crud all over it, and hide it from prying eyes. For extra security, you can even install an anchor point to chain your bike to.