A garden bench is always a great idea as it provides a place to sit, relax, and enjoy your outdoor space. However, a garden bench with storage is even better. It may just be the perfect solution for keeping your yard, garden, or patio free of clutter.
What Is An Outdoor Storage Bench?
An outdoor storage bench is a bench that has a hollow base. This base can be used to store just about anything and keeps whatever is inside totally protected from the elements, whether it’s the rain, snow, or Sun’s rays. Because these are outdoor benches they are made to be waterproof and stand up to all types of extreme weather.
Typically outdoor storage benches have a back and arms but there are also some on the market without them, it’s up to your personal preference. They are also normally made from two materials, either plastic or wood.
Plastic Outdoor Storage Benches
Plastic benches are typically made from resin and are very tough and durable. Resin is super strong and also UV resistant which is a great feature with any type of outdoor furniture because it means that its color won’t quickly fade as a result of being out in the Sun, keeping it looking new for years to come.
Another wonderful feature of plastic benches and many homeowners’ favorites is that they require no maintenance. You also will never have to worry about your plastic outdoor storage bench rotting, rusting, warping, or denting. They are also simple to clean, just a quick spray with the hose or wipe down with a damp towel will do.
Plastic outdoor storage benches are less expensive than ones made from wood and require only minimal assembly so they are ready to use in a few minutes after taking them out of the box. Many homeowners actually purchase rattan-look benches that are made from resin but look like real outdoor wicker storage benches. This way they get a bench that looks like wood but with all the benefits of plastic.
There are many outstanding brands to choose from when looking to purchase a plastic outdoor storage bench. The best of these are Rubbermaid, Step2, Keter, and Suncast. Rubbermaid outdoor storage benches all feature their famous double-walled construction for extra toughness and are all reasonably priced as well.
Step2 is a well-known manufacturer of plastic products and makes very high-quality benches. Keter benches are known for their attractive styling which looks very similar to that of wooden benches, and also for the fact that their benches keep storage items ventilated.
Wooden Outdoor Storage Benches
While plastic benches do have many appealing benefits, some homeowners find the look and charm of real wood to be irresistible. Adding any garden bench made from real wood to your outdoor space is always a good-looking and natural way to compliment your outdoor patio or garden.
All wooden outdoor storage benches are treated with a weatherproof finish so they will not be damaged by the elements. Most also have a slatted wood base which allows for ventilation. There are many different types of wood available such as cypress, shorea, cedar, wicker, acacia, and more.
The most popular of which is wicker. This is because an outdoor wicker storage bench is not only great looking, and very stylish, but wicker is also an extremely strong yet lightweight material. And of course, it’s the best material to choose if you already have an outdoor furniture set made from wicker or rattan.
Teak is another very popular choice and one which can last for generations as teak is an exceptionally tough wood. Unlike other types of wood, its oils naturally repel water and insects and only need an occasional cleaning to keep it in top form.
Unlike plastic benches, there are not as many manufacturers of wooden outdoor storage benches. The most well-known of these are Wholesale Teak, Belham living, and Coral Coast. All of these brands offer a number of fantastic-looking benches that are all durable and very sophisticated looking.
What Size Bench Do You Need?
When deciding what size bench you will need you will see that the storage capacity is either advertised in how many gallons of storage the bench can hold (especially with plastic benches), how many cubic feet of storage space it has, or it will tell you the dimensions of the base of the bench in inches.
A Gardener’s Best Friend
Many gardeners love outdoor storage benches because they can use them to keep all of their gardening tools and supplies. A bench conveniently placed near the garden allows them to sit and admire the beauty of their hard work also knowing that their materials are close at hand.
This is an especially good idea for older gardeners or people with physical problems who don’t want to have to be carrying bags of mulch or soil back and forth from their garage or storage shed to their garden. Simply lift the seat and your supplies are right there ready for you to use.
Perfect For The Pond
An outdoor storage bench is also a fantastic idea for anyone who owns a pond or water feature. In fact, there really isn’t any reason to own a pond if you can’t sit and enjoy it. Being able to relax, listen to the sound of the water, and watch your koi or other ornamental fish placidly swimming is the reason most people install a pond or water feature in the first place.
An outdoor storage bench allows you to do so while keeping all of your pond supplies, nets, and fish food right next to the pond where they should be. And of course, they will be protected from the weather as well.
Poolside Comfort
Outdoor storage benches are also very popular by the pool and for good reason. They can provide a comfy spot sit while keeping an eye on the kids, or just relaxing. And of course, their large storage capacities make them a great place to keep the pool vacuum, pool supplies, and all of the pool toys.
An outdoor storage bench can also be used anywhere you could think to or want to use a normal garden bench. They go great on patios, decks, along a garden path, in a gazebo, or maybe under a shady tree or awning. Some homeowners like to keep their benches near the grill so they can keep extra charcoal inside.
Many people simply use the storage to keep the cushions for the bench itself. Whatever is convenient for you is the right answer! Whether you choose plastic or wood, an outdoor storage bench will make your outdoor space not only better looking but more organized as well. With so many places they work well the hardest part is deciding where to keep them!
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