Sneaky Ways to Incorporate Storage into Your Deck or Patio

Are you looking to get more utility out of your outdoor living area? Whether you feel that you need to free up some more space or just want everything a bit more organized, clever storage options are often your best friend. With the right options, your yard will feel more structured; you’ll have more room to move about and you can even store things so that they become more accessible and useful (candles or coasters perhaps?). Here are some of the best ways to implement hidden storage into your patio or deck.

Storage Benches

The most ideal way to create storage space outside is to add it without taking away the usefulness of that space. Storage benches are fantastic for doing just that. Whether you prefer wood or plastic or some other resilient material, storage benches make for great outdoor furniture that are as good for resting on as they are for storing things.

Ottomans and Deck Boxes

To scale the space used and potential storage back a bit, you could try the smaller ottomans and deck boxes. Ottomans can range in use from foot stools to undersized benches. Deck boxes, on the other hand, could be used for sitting or they could be more like a second dining table depending on their make. At Velago, we have several deck box options that fully protect your cushions and other deck items.

Coffee Tables

Everyone likes to sit around a table outside with their friends or family. If you are interested in the aesthetic offered by an outdoor coffee table, you may want to pick one that contains a shelf or two below the surface. Tables with built-in cabinets or drawers can also be a great option for stashing food and beverage related paraphernalia.

Bars

You don’t necessarily need a full-blown bar forged of stone to take advantage of the space a bar offers. There is all kinds of bar furniture you can purchase for the great outdoors. These hold plenty of storage space beneath and are fantastic for making, serving, or consuming food and drinks over. Some even come with wheels for that extra bit of versatility.

Cubby Holes

Maybe you haven’t used a cubby since grade school, but that doesn’t mean they ever went out of style! Whether homemade or purchased, cubby holes can be the perfect spot for grab-and-go stowaways like tools or that pair of muddy work boots. You could even spruce them up by placing flowers and other decorations within or on top. Cubby holes can also be placed under a bench to act as shelving.

In The Land Down Under

Out of space for new furniture additions? Utilizing the space underneath your patio or deck can work well if you have a significantly raised porch. You can install a sturdy cabinet or storage shed here to store all the extra things you can’t find a home for. You may even consider creating a storage space directly under your stairs for easy access (permitting you have stairs and they are a large enough flight).
Hopefully you have a few new ideas to make your outdoor sanctuary the oasis it deserves to be. Just remember that any furniture from tables to chairs to stands has the potential to offer you that extra storage space you’ve been missing!