The Comfiest Outdoor Garden Storage Bench of 2021 (Reviews)
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Having an open garden space should mean more than just watching the grass grow throughout the year, and then reluctantly getting your lawn spreader out on weekends or during your downtime spare time.
It means on some days, when the weather is hot and the sky is a sea blue, you may want to sit out, set-up that hammock you’ve been meaning to all summer, read a book and spend a significant part of your day there. This is why garden storage benches are essential.
Why Use a Garden Storage Bench?
Why you ask? Because they’re practical in a sense that they provide an ideal place to perch, and also a great amount of storage.
Garden storage benches are an essential for your outdoor space – they provide hidden storage while adding a decorative touch to your garden. However, buying a garden storage bench is not all plain sailing.
There are a few things that you’ll need to consider before you take the plunge and buy one. For example, where will it go? The location that you’re planning to put your new bench will mean you’ll need to consider the size, weight and weather conditions.
If you’ve got a particularly sunny spot in your garden that you’d like to place it in, you’ll need to consider how the material will withstand the increased exposure to the sun. Is your garden prone to flooding? You might also want to bare this in mind, too.
BEST GARDEN STORAGE BENCH
In this buyer guide, we review a list of the 10 comfiest garden storage benches that are worthy of your garden space.
We do so based on: capacity, weight, size, comfortability and more. We’ve also added a separate, more detailed considerations list at the end of this guide. If you still have any unanswered questions, we’ve added an FAQ section, too.
Keter Eden Bench Outdoor Plastic Storage Bench
Able to seat three people comfortably, without stress or being tightly sat beside each other, (although the company advises two people), the simple, elegant Keter Eden Bench kicks off our line-up. It has two armrests/ guardrails and it is made out of lightweight plastic. The plastic does well in the sun as is fully weatherproof.
This means you’re fine storing items that can rust when wet and their well-being ensured. In addition, this garden bench comes with a latch to lockup any items or equipment of considerable value.
Although you may opt for conservatory cushions for extra comfort, you can sit pretty comfortably without them. With a 265-litre capacity, it can contain most if not all of your tools, accessories, toys, and cushions.
The design is a simple wood-like brown and beige, that looks and feels homely. The decorative wood-style finishing also adds to the overall elegance and spirited design of the product and, by extension, your garden. Lastly, while it says “outdoor plastic storage box” on the name, it is just as functional for indoor storage so you can put in in a corner of your shed if you have the space.
Key Features:
Lockable latch function
Huge 265 litre capacity
Ultimate comfort
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
140 x 84 x 60 cm
Weight of bench
7.2 kg
Material
Plastic
Capacity
265 litres
Pros
Light-weight yet sturdy
Resistant to sun damage
Huge storage capacity
Cons
Not easy to assemble
Keter Anthracite Jumbo Storage Box
Great for indoor or outdoor use, the Keter Anthracite Rockwood Jumbo Storage Box is a robust storage box that doubles as a formidable seat for two people (you can squeeze on a small third).
It has the largest volume garden storage box in this review with a 570 litre capacity for your garden equipment, tools, and more. The box is weather-sealed and waterproof with a lid that has a piston close mechanism. They do well with keeping items dry and you can rest assured that you won’t have to move it about or ensue panic when it rains.
The assembly of this bench is easier to construct than the smaller Keter (above) and the plastic material comes with a smart looking wood-effect finish. The only main negative with this garden storage bench, as you may have guessed, is the lack of a backrest. This makes it difficult to sit out and enjoy the view for a prolonged period of time.
In spite of that, we feel that the huge capacity of this storage bench, coupled with a few cushions, and sat in front of either a garden wall or sturdy fence, would make a fantastic addition to any garden and any gardener that has quite an extensive tool set!
Key Features:
Wood effect finish
Fully lockable
Twin Soft Close Pistons
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
155 x 72.4 x 64.4 cm
Weight of bench
22 kg
Material
Plastic
Capacity
570litres
Pros
Ultimate comfort for 2 large adults
Easy to set up
Completely weatherproof - battles all the elements
Huge storage allows storage of bigger equipment
Cons
Has no backrest
Keter Grey Brushed Storage Chest
This elegant bench makes up the trilogy of the Keter products on our list. (We promise you, it’s the last one.) Made out of lightweight plastic and resin, the Keter Grey Brushed Storage Chest is a solid one that seats two adults comfortably and conveniently without cushions. The plastic is ventilated and weatherproof so you can be sure that any stored items are safe in the box.
With a 227-litre capacity, it can fit most gardening tools, accessories, toys, and even cushions. In addition, it comes with a latch to keep all this locked away from any children that may be getting a little curious. Broadly speaking, it is a pretty affordable model and the ergonomic back and arm support make a rather thoughtful additional that enhances the practicality of the bench.
It is easy to construct and comes with a decorative wood-style finishing. Overall the bench is both durable and elegant, great for outdoor as well as indoor or shed usage. It is also easy to clean and maintain with a damp cloth.
Key Features:
Storage is lockable
Wood effect finish
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
132.7 x 63.5 x 89.5 cm
Weight of bench
16.9 kg
Material
Resin and plastic
Capacity
227 litres
Pros
Ultimate comfort with backrest
Resistant to sun damage
Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
Wood effect means that the slats a moulded from a wooden bench and may be uncomfortable to some wanting a smooth sitting surface
Koopman Outdoor Storage Bench
The Koopman Outdoor Storage Bench is another garden bench which helps declutter your garden. It has a great compact design and is able to seat 2 adults comfortably. This bench measures as 130 x 60 x 85 centimetres and comes with a 320 litre storage space that keeps your materials safe from the elements and any wondering children.
This is a storage bench that is perfect for your garden or patio, adding seating and a large storage unit all in one. This cargo storage box is suitable for all sorts of DIY and garden products including a petrol lawn mower, other tools, cushions and bird food, such as niger seeds, if you’re an avid bird watcher. The ability to padlock your valuables will also give you peace of mind if you frequently travel abroad for long periods of time.
The decoration fits well into your garden or lawn without qualms, giving your space an upmarket and elegant look and feel. Assembly is no sweat due to it being a flat-packed unit. The seat and arm rest are both built for comfort, with the whole construction of the site incredibly durable. The bench is made out of a UV Resistant, heavy duty plastic and can be used as main seating or as extra seating in your garden.
Key Features:
Fully lockable
Waterproof
Flat-pack assembly
Specification:
Brand
Koopman
Dimension
130 x 60 x 85 cm
Weight of bench
35 kg
Material
Plastic
Capacity
320 litre
Pros
Built with comfort in mind
Resistant to sun damage
Large storage unit
Cons
Joints can be a little britlle
SoBuy White Storage Bench
The SoBuy White Storage Bench is a padded bench that is admittedly small, but very functional; especially as extra seating. It features three independent drawers that can be used for separated storage. Its drawers can be great for storing outdoor tools for children, as well as garden tools that need to be kept away when not being used.
The cushions can be removed for storage and are quite easy to hand wash. The handle of the drawers are quite brittle to handle. Like the Keter Anthracite Jumbo Storage Box, it has no backrest or armrest though has been built with seated comfort in mind, coming with a built in (yet easily removed) comfort cushion unit which makes prolonged seating doable. The bench also comes with a detailed easy to follow instruction label so the assembly can be done without a problem.
Overall, this bench is probably best suited for indoor use, but is great as additional seating and storage when the sun is out.
Key Features:
Three seperate drawes
Removable cushion seating
Flat pack product boxing
Specification:
Brand
SoBuy
Dimensions
105 × 35 × 43 cm
Weight of bench
17.3 kg
Material
Engineered Wood / Plastic
Pros
Padded sitting ensures ultimate comfort
Great storage unit for kids toys
Cons
Can be prone to serious adverse weather
No back or armrest
Keter Outdoor Storage Bench
The Keter Outdoor Storage Bench is a comfortable and sturdy bench with a deep storage option, great for smaller spaces where you can benefit from having extra storage.
This is unlike other seating options, such as a hanging egg chair which lacks any form of storage space. It is watertight with ventilation, so you can store soft furnishings such as cushions, rugs and throws in there knowing that they will be safe and dry. It has enough space for two adults to comfortably sit, or three small children.
The colour is a natural deep brown which is gorgeous.
Key Features:
Deep set storage which is watertight and ventilated
Can seat two adults or three children
Sturdy and weatherproof design
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
L 140cm x D 60cm x H 84cm
Storage
265 L
Material
Resin
Pros
This is an excellent bench for smaller gardens with limited space
If you have a family, you can also store toys in here as well as soft furnishings
Cons
Colour and design may not be to everyone's taste
Keter Eden Garden Storage Box
The Keter Eden Garden Storage Box is a modern and chic bench with storage underneath. It has a stylish riveted design with a cupids bow style back rest.
The storage is deep and perfect for soft furnishings or toys if you have a small family, and overall the design is easy to maintain and can withstand extreme weather conditions.
It’s also lockable so if you are worried about the safety of the contents, you have the option to lock it if you wish. Overall a great design suited to couples as well as small families.
Key Features:
Deep storage
Monochrome, modern design
Seats two adults or three children
Lockable storage
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
L 28cm x D 50cm x H 38 cm
Storage
265 L
Material
Plastic
Pros
Easy to assemble and maintain
Design is stylish and would suit any type of garden
Cons
No cushions
Keter Chest Eden Bank
The Keter Chest Eden Bank is a stylish and sturdy bench with deep set storage. The neutral cream and brown colours work perfectly with other garden furniture that you already may own, and the design overall is easy to maintain.
The materials used are robust, and this bench can seat either two adults or three children.
It comes with lockable storage which is watertight but also ventilated.
Key Features:
Deep storage
Lockable storage feature
Low maintenance design
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
L 84cm x D 60 cm x H 140 cm
Storage
265 L
Material
Resin
Pros
Easy to erect and maintain due to the simplistic design and durable materials
Lockable storage is ideal if you are in a shared garden
Cons
No cushions
Keter Patio Garden Bench
The Keter Patio Garden Bench is a taupe, wooden bench with a riveted design and deep set storage. It has a gorgeous ergonomic design which looks modern and slick.
It can seat two adults or three to four small children. The arm rests are sturdy and the storage is excellent for toys, soft furnishings or other outdoor furniture which can fit in there.
The assembly is very easy – even if you hate DIY.
Key Features:
Sturdy, wooden design
Storage is lockable, watertight and deep set
Simple to erect
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
L 64 cm x D 40 cm x H 88 cm
Storage
265 L
Material
Wood
Pros
Ideal for smaller gardens which need extra storage space either for soft furnishings or toys
Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
No cushions
Keter Patio Cushion Storage Box
The Keter Patio Cushion Storage Box is a water resistant bench with a sturdy storage box. The dark brown colour is perfect for those who want natural looking furniture/storage in their garden.
It holds up to 227 L which is ideal if you need to store soft furnishings or toys. It seats two adults or three small children, ideal for families.
Overall it’s an attractive design which d0es what it says on the tin.
Key Features:
Storage is deep and sturdy
Waterproof and weather resistant
Stylish, natural colours in the design
Specification:
Brand
Keter
Dimensions
L 138.6 cm x D 38 cm x H 88 cm
Storage
227 L
Material
Plastic
Pros
Simple to maintain, takes seconds to clean
Storage is great for smaller gardens or if you want to rid your space of clutter
Cons
Storage is slightly less than standard
SUMMARY on Outdoor Storage Benches
As their namely aptly states, these benches serve an extra purpose of doubling as a storage space for your garden tools and your retractable washing line during the wet season. It may even provide comfortable seating as you watch birds flock to your bird table and take refuge. Alternatively, you can keep birds out with heavy duty mesh bird netting. It could also double up to store your garden or conservatory cleaning products such as your moss killer or weed killer and other items that are only required when you need to maintain your outdoor furniture.
When choosing your garden bench, you should consider the space that you want to place the bench in and ensure that it doesn’t impact any notable plants or wildlife that may be inhabiting there. The ergonomics of the bench is also a notable factor, because if you are susceptible to posture issues, you will want a bench that will not feel uncomfortable.
Other things relating to appearance, such as colour, build and materials should be considered as they have a small but significant effect on the overall aesthetics of your space.
The factors that we considered before making our selection include the materials the bench is constructed from, the durability of the product, the number of people that can be seated on said bench, the comfort of the bench and the capacity of the storage area.
When searching for the latest addition to your garden there are a few key elements you need to look out for:
Size
The crucial selling point of these storage benches is what you can put in them. Before you even consider looking for your new bench, you need to take time to assess what volume you require now and possible in the future. Lay your bits and bobs out (if you can stack them up, even better), and measure the width, depth and height of the larger points.
From this, you should be able to get a good idea of the size you need. While you can measure your garden tools, furniture and kid’s toys, many items sold online for outdoor storage are measured in litres. Not very useful when we probably don’t plan to store liquid in them. 100 litres converts to 100,000 cubic centimetres. But you also need to keep in mind the shape of the storage bench.
Some benches will have more height than depth and vice versa, so if you have a particularly long or tall tool, such a rake, it doesn’t always mean it will fit.
Always take into account a little extra space to actually access your items as some of the options might have a roof overhang. When in doubt, it’s always best to have too much space rather than too little.
Design
Believe it or not, the design and colour scheme of your storage bench is important to consider, particularly if you have already invested into other garden furniture. You want it to look aesthetically pleasing. Whether you have an outdoor bar table or cascading water features – observe what materials and colours are used. That should help you make your overall decision so furniture doesn’t look out of place.
Where Will it Go?
Before you make a purchase, where will your new storage bench go? If you are planning on placing it on a patio or decking you will need to consider the weight. You don’t want any cracks or scratches to appear over time.
Has your garden ever flooded? Or are there any areas prone to retaining water during the wetter months?
Although your bench might appear fine from the outside, water could leak through causing damp, mould and mildew. It could also compromise the structure, especially if you have a wooden bench. You don’t want it to collapse next time someone sits on it!
Similarly, you may have a lovely sunny spot on your garden that would be perfect for kicking back on your new bench during a summer BBQ. But will the material withstand this? Sun exposure may cause colours to fade, especially on plastics.
While a wooden bench can be spruced up each year with a new lick of paint or varnish, there is little we can do to revive plastic benches.
Comfort
Who wants to sit on a cold, hard bench? That’s why we love a good outdoor cushion. Some storage benches come with these and some don’t.
Obviously, it is easier to purchase one with cushions or a padded seat but it may not be an option for the perfect bench for you. Do some research and see if you can find some online that are in your budget and are suitable for outdoor use.
There’s little point investing in a storage bench if no one wants to sit on it so if cushions aren’t available, you may need to re-think your options. We’ve seen a surge in popularity for hammock stands this year, so we recommend checking out our review on these too.
Garden Storage Bench FAQs
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.
How can I make a storage bench?
Sometimes it is just far more satisfying to make your own storage bench rather than buying one. Read our blog on how to build a garden storage bench. Or alternatively, watch this video explaining everything you need to know.
How can I waterproof an outdoor storage bench?
Firstly, check you have assembled your bench correctly, a few centimetres off can cause seals to not be aligned and allow water to seep through.
If you are still having trouble, you can apply waterproof sealant between slats. An easy fix is to use a staple gun to attach tarpaulin or similar waterproof materials to line the box and lid.
How can I upholster a storage bench?
The best way is to create custom cushions that are removable. You don’t want anything permanently fixed to your bench as this will eventually succumb to the elements after being outside for so long.
The easiest way is to make one cushion that fits on top of the seat. Measure your seat and subtract at least half a centimetre on each side. Using upholstery padding or wadding, measure this size and cut.
Choose a fabric that suits your tastes and create a pattern to cover each side of this padding, remember to allow some extra for your seam allowance. Sew together and use a zip, buttons or poppers for the fastening so you can easily remove the cover if it needs to be cleaned.
You can also attach cord, ribbon or string to the corners so you can tie your new cushion onto your bench so it doesn’t slip.
How can I check that the storage size is right for me?
100 litres converts to 100,000 cubic centimetres.
Further Reading
If you’d like to read a bit more about how to build your own garden storage benches, click here.