Anatomy of Outdoor Storage
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When it comes to getting outdoor storage right, there can be a lot of confusion: Where do I start? What’s worth investing in? How do I make it look good but function well, too? Because your outdoor furniture has to brave the elements, you want to make sure you’re buying quality pieces made to withstand harsh wind, rain, sun, and even snow. However, you also want to be sure that these pieces serve a purpose, and look good doing so. With all the outdoor games, pool toys, gardening supplies, and backyard dinnerware you need to store, it can quickly become an overwhelming task.
It comes down to three main points: You want your outdoor storage to look good; maximize space; and be built to last. If you hit these, you can easily hack your yard to become the zen space you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you’re working with a tiny apartment balcony or a large yard complete with a pool and pergola, your outdoor space needs to be functional, so you can actually enjoy your time outside! Turn to our three tips below for optimal organization and style—this way, you can do more of what you love, like hosting backyard parties, sipping cocktails with friends, and enjoying the fresh air with loved ones.
1. Invest in Closed Storage
An outdoor buffet cabinet made from metal or treated wood is an excellent place to store backyard entertaining pieces, like melamine plates and platters, outdoor table linens, and cutlery. This way, they can stay protected from the elements, and you don’t have to worry about finding a place to stash them in the kitchen. The top of the cabinet can double as a prep space for cocktails, charcuterie boards, or even as a grazing table for backyard parties.
But closed storage isn’t just for mealtime needs—you can also use outdoor cabinets for plants and garden storage, stashing extra soil and planters inside and using the top as a designated potting zone for your favorite blooms.
2. Utilize Vertical Space
One thing to remember, especially if your backyard or patio is small, is to utilize your vertical space as much as you can. Your slatted wall panel comes in handy for that—just add hooks to hang gardening or grilling tools for quick and easy access. If your cabinet is metal, you can even add magnetic hanging strips onto the sides for extra storage opportunity. Have a bulky hose reel taking up valuable real estate? Swap it for a wall-mounted holder to free up your floor.
Adding a slatted wood panel with shelving also gives you ample opportunity to display potted plants, a pretty watering can, a mister, and more. Decant birdseed into a glass container so you don’t have to hide it away, and add citronella tea lights and smaller lanterns to the shelves for evening gatherings.
3. Make It Hidden in Plain Sight
Retro patio coolers, storage benches, potted garden hose containers, pretty storage baskets—all of these storage solutions are hidden in plain sight, providing you with some much-needed storage while looking fabulous doing it. Your storage doesn’t have to look like storage. It can be functional and beautiful at the same time.
Stash your kids’ and pets’ toys in outdoor baskets for easy access to play, and make use of storage benches for things like outdoor pillows and pool toys. It’s also a great place to store other bulky pieces once winter comes to save them from months of snow, wind, and ice. Just remember to give pillow covers a wash once you take them out in the spring to keep the fabric looking fresh!
By Hannah Baker | This article originally appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of Drew + Jonathan Reveal, Drew & Jonathan’s home and lifestyle magazine.
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