When it comes to outdoor furniture there’s never been so much choice, yet the garden storage bench remains popular as ever. Whatever the size of your space, versatile seating can transform your garden.
Investing in a garden storage bench can give you year-round enjoyment, providing a comfortable place to relax – especially ideal in the summer months. And with so many styles to choose from, you can create a range of looks. i
Whilst they offer an easy way to add a decorative touch to your outside space, they also provide a discreet place to hide your garden tools, kids’ toys and cushions, too. What’s not to love?
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite options available now, as well as a handy guide covering everything you need to know about this essential furniture.
Our Top Pick
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FB33GYC?tag=best-garden-storage-benches-21&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
Keter Rockwood Pillow Box
This anthracite grey pillow box won the top spot on our list thanks to its contemporary look and huge 570-litre capacity. There’s plenty of room to store cushions, garden tools and toys, and it’s strong enough to be used as a seat.
Made from durable wood-effect plastic, it’s low maintenance and will stand up against all weathers. The lid is slightly larger than the box, so rainwater runs off onto the ground rather than into the box, ensuring the contents stay dry. Handy for the British winter – and spring, summer and autumn come to think of it.
There isn’t a backrest with this bench, but pair it with a few cushions and position it next to a sturdy fence or wall and it would make a comfortable addition to your garden.
Key features
- Huge 570-litre capacity
- Easy to assemble
- Wood-effect finish
- Lockable
- Soft-close lid.
Keter Eden Bench
This elegant wood panel-effect bench doubles up as a fantastic storage box. It has a smaller capacity than the Rockwood, but at 265 litres it still offers lots of room for a small family.
The Eden comes in a great choice of colours – anthracite, beige, brown espresso and grey pipe. It has two armrests and comfortably seats two adults. With a cupid’s bow curved backrest, it’s the definition of chic.
Like the Rockwood, it’s durable and weather-resistant, keeping your things dry but well ventilated. Plus, it has a lockable option for added security.
The fact that it’s plastic means it copes well with the sun – you won’t need to worry about maintenance or discolouration.
Key features
- Low maintenance
- Weather-resistant
- Lockable
- Lightweight
- Resistant to sun damage.
Lifetime Heavy-Duty Outdoor Storage Deck Box
This robust storage box has a great capacity of 439 litres. While it’s large, it’s easy to move around thanks to its moulded handles.
Available in a desert sand colour, the Lifetime box is attractive and will go very well in a natural-themed outdoor area. Its neutral shade means it won’t look out of place even if you already have other garden furniture in different colours.
As the name suggests, the box is strong and durable, meaning you can use it as seating. Made from plastic, it’s low maintenance and weather-resistant, with a water-resistant seal that keeps the inside dry.
Key features
- Durable resin
- Weather-resistant
- Low maintenance
- Large capacity.
Keter Resin Storage Box
With a capacity of 830 litres, this enormous resin box is ideal for all your outdoor storage needs. With its big presence, it’s not the most subtle of storage boxes, but it’s immensely practical and offers more than enough space for all of your cushions, gardening tools, and more.
It’s made from strong moulded resin with a textured wood-look finish, meaning it’s water and UV-resistant.
Along with the huge capacity, reviewers praise the quality and strength of the box.
Key features
- Enormous 830-litre capacity
- Assembly required
- Lockable
- Made from recycled materials.
https://www.wayfair.co.uk/garden/pdp/dakota-fields-lian-wooden-bench-akds1074.html
Dakota Fields Lian Wooden Bench
Ideal for smaller areas, the Lian is a high-quality, traditional bench with bags of appeal. It’s made of solid pine, meaning it’s sustainable and a strong choice for the environmentally conscious. The classical design makes it an attractive bench for your garden.
It comes with three layers of water-based coating, but because it’s softwood, it does require some maintenance. The manufacturer recommends that it’s treated with a colourless glaze for outdoor use at least once a year. In time, you may also need to repaint the bench.
Key features
- Solid pine
- Comfortably seats two
- Easy to assemble but needs two people.
Sol 72 Aalap Storage Bench
(https://www.wayfair.co.uk/garden/pdp/sol-72-outdoor-aalap-storage-bench-u000931122.html)
The Sol 72 Aalap Storage Bench is sleek and sophisticated. With a grey rattan finish and two solid wood arms, it’s contemporary and versatile.
The frame and arms are made from solid eucalyptus, which is an excellent quality hardwood. It’s durable and weather-resistant, ensuring you’ll have years of use from this bench. The bonus is it also comes with a seat cushion, saving you the job of shopping around.
With a spacious trunk, it’s big enough to store your furniture cushions, toys and gardening supplies. Plus your items are protected from dust and moisture thanks to the lined lid.
Key features
- Easy to clean with a damp cloth
- Low maintenance
- Sustainable hardwood.
A Complete Buyer’s Guide to Garden Storage Benches
What are the benefits of a garden storage bench?
One of the biggest benefits of garden storage benches is that they are extremely practical. Not only do they offer a solution to your outdoor storage woes, but they act as additional seating.
With so many looks to choose from, garden storage benches can easily blend with its surroundings, or they can form a contemporary centrepiece that makes a statement in your garden.
But there are a few things to consider before investing, which we cover below.
Things to consider before buying a garden storage bench
Size
The space you have available is an important consideration when selecting the right furniture. If you are short on outside space, having a decorative bench that doubles up as storage is an ideal option, but we recommend that you measure the area that you plan to put it in.
You might want to consider its location in your garden in terms of where you get the most sun or choose a sheltered spot away from the worst of the rain.
You should also think about your storage needs – now and in the future. Before you invest, take a look at what you have and measure how much room you might need. Because most storage compartments are measured in litres, check the height, depth and width dimensions, so that you have a good idea of how the items you plan to store in your garden storage bench will fit.
Design
Contemporary or traditional? Rounded or square? High back or no back? There are plenty of options on the market to suit everyone’s tastes.
If you have already invested in other garden furniture, think about the materials and colour scheme to co-ordinate your look. Even if you can’t find the same materials or style, simply ensuring the colours co-ordinate will create a theme that flows. You can always add the same cushions to help bring everything together too.
Quality
No one wants to invest in a storage bench, only to have to replace it a year or two down the line. Our recommendations include only well-built and sturdy options, to save you from any disappointment. It’s a good idea to check out the materials used too so you can make an informed decision.
Materials
Garden benches come in a range of materials, including plastic, wood and metal, with varying levels of maintenance.
Wood is the ideal option if you want a truly natural theme. It can be painted or stained different colours when you fancy a change, and because it doesn’t retain heat, you don’t have to worry about burning your legs on hot and sunny days.
Although wood is a great sustainable option, it does involve more maintenance. Softwoods such as pine need more protection than hardwoods like teak, and you will probably need to paint or stain the furniture every year.
Plastic garden furniture is often more affordable, but it might not always be as durable as other materials. That said, many high-quality plastic and resin benches will look brand new for several years if you take care of them. Covering them up or putting them away in the winter months will help extend the life of the furniture.
The major advantage of plastic furniture is it requires little to no maintenance. It’s weather-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about the contents becoming wet or rusty.
Metal is also a durable, low maintenance option. It’s sturdy and weather-proof – as long as you opt for a rust-resistant metal. You will need some cushions if you plan to use it for seating, as it’s not the most comfortable material and can get hot in warm weather.
Features
Consider what features are most important to you when choosing a storage bench. Are supportive backrests and armrests a must, or can you manage without? Would you like the extra reassurance of having a lockable option? Do you want it to be lightweight and easy to move around the garden? And if you live alone, you might also need to bear in mind how easy it is to put together.
Comfort
Nobody wants to sit on an uncomfortable, hard bench and you can avoid this by using good cushions. This is especially important if your space is limited, and you need the bench to act as primary seating.
Some storage benches do come with matching cushions already. If the one you have in mind doesn’t, do some research and see whether you can find seat pads or cushions in your budget.
FAQs
What should I look out for to ensure I purchase a high-quality garden storage bench?
Expect to pay more for a more robust, higher-quality bench.
If you’re opting for a wood bench, the quality of the timber is important, with hardwoods such as teak and eucalyptus being of a higher quality than softwoods like pine and cedar.
Pay attention to the joints too. For example, dovetail joints, where two sections of wood come together with interlocking pieces, are much stronger than butt joints, where two pieces of wood are held together with nails or glue.
When purchasing anything made of wood, you can check the rings to determine its quality. The smaller the gaps are between the rings, the higher quality it is. The size of the gap gives you an indication of how old the wood is – and the older it is, the stronger it is. If you choose a high quality hardwood garden bench, it can last for decades.
Are plastic benches better than wooden benches?
There are advantages to both plastic and wood, so it really does come down to your personal preference.
Maintenance and durability are important factors for busy families, so choosing a plastic bench can make your life easier. Many plastics are weather and sun-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about colour-fade. But if you are happy to take on maintenance responsiblities, wood can last for many, many years.
How can I waterproof a garden storage bench?
Most good garden storage benches are already fully waterproof and weather-resistant, but it’s essential to check you have assembled your bench correctly. If the alignment is off even slightly, it can cause water to seep in.
If you do need to take extra steps to waterproof your bench, you can apply waterproof sealant where needed. You can also staple tarpaulin inside the box and lid to stop water coming through.
How can I make my garden storage bench more comfortable?
Garden furniture isn’t always super comfortable, but this can easily be solved with a few stylish, comfy cushions (plus they’re great for adding extra colour too).
You can also buy seat pads that cover the length of your bench. Pair comfortable seat pads with some scatter cushions and throws, and you can create a tranquil and attractive retreat.
How do I maintain my garden storage bench?
As we have covered, plastic garden storage benches are extremely durable. But you can do more to keep it in tip-top condition. Think about its position when you’re not using it throughout the winter – could you move it to a less exposed spot to minimise sun exposure? You should also clean it regularly with warm water and a mild soap, like washing up liquid.
If you buy a painted wood bench, you shouldn’t need to worry about weather-proofing the timber in the first year. After this you will need to top-up with varnish or paint at least once a year to protect the wood. For best results, we recommend taking the time to sand the bench first.
Firstly, make sure you give the bench a good clean with water and mild soap. Let it dry, then lightly sand the wood with fine-grain sandpaper – you can do this by hand or with a hand-held sander. Be careful not to use coarse, gritty paper as this can cause scratches in the wood – opt for 180 to 220 GSM.
Frost and ice can cause havoc with any furniture. When not in use over winter, it’s always an idea to store it away in a shed or garage if you have room. Alternatively, you can throw over a waterproof protective cover.

When our world experiences profound changes we look to what people have been through in the past. By surveying your competitors, you will not only be able to figure out which audience to target.