Outdoor Storage Benches

1. Outdoor benches provide homeowners an easy, attractive way to keep outdoor items, whether gardening tools, yard supplies or picnic materials, tucked away from weather and pests.

2. Busy kids can take their messes outside, but an outdoor storage bench can make sure balls, sporting equipment, and sandbox and water toys stay off the lawn.

3. Wooden outdoor benches are often equipped with deluxe features for all their purposes: cooler liners for barbecue beverages, armrest storage space for sunglasses and sunscreen, and finger-protecting designs so users won't get pinched.

4. Recycled plastic outdoor benches can provide handy seating, so outdoor bench cushions are key; consider outfitting your storage benches with weather-ready vinyl cushions and padding.

5. Outdoor benches are generally constructed of durable, all-weather materials, including cedar, teak, ash, wicker, plastic and rust-proofed metals.

6. When choosing an outdoor storage bench for toys, opt for resilient, easy-to-clean plastic, especially ideal for pool toys that may be wet when it's time to put them away.

7. When organizing a small outdoor space, or just one that isn't used heavily, a storage box fits well into the scheme; its small size is easy to work with, and it offers all the storage and seating benefits of a larger bench.

8. Make sure outdoor benches and boxes are heavy enough to endure strong storms, and made of a durable material to stand up to cold or other harsh weather. Make sure, too, the lid is tight-fitting to keep out unwanted visitors.

9. Outdoor benches, thanks to a variety of styles and materials, work on more than a porch or deck; consider a wicker or decorative metal bench for a garden.