25+ genius garden storage ideas

Brilliant outdoor storage solutions

Is your outdoor space lacking storage? Our backyards are extensions of our homes and keeping them looking at their best requires some considered garden storage options.

From compact outdoor boxes for tiny gardens to wow-factor entire rooms for big backyards with built-in space, we've found the best garden storage ideas to make use of and maximise every inch of your plot.

Read on to discover them...

Add shelving to the shed

Although a shed is probably the most common form of garden storage, unless it's properly organised it can become a dumping ground of all sorts. And, once crammed, items are harder to access.

Ensure there is a place for everything in your shed by fitting practical shelves in a lightweight but strong material so you can rearrange your items as needed. This wire-framed shelving racking is ideal for smaller gardening equipment like string, secateurs and seedling containers.

Carry a caddy

Portable storage is ideal for keeping smaller garden tools and items together. A metal trug like this will make a charming vintage-style addition to potting sheds and greenhouses.

Plus, there will be no more going back and forth between the shed and the flower beds while gardening. This will benefit your (many) garden tasks and improve your organisation when it comes to tidying up.

Customise the shed

When it comes to practical and attractive garden storage nothing beats the traditional wooden shed or summerhouse. Safe and secure, big or small, they can be filled with patio furniture, outdoor toys and garden tools.

As for the style factor, a stained finish looks rustic and organic, natural tones are calming and in keeping with the surroundings, bright colours stand out and black is urban and Scandi cool – the finish choices are endless. Why not take your shed two-tone like this uplifting blue shed complemented with chalky white French doors and trim?

Add bench storage

A roomy garden bench has a practical dual purpose with box storage underneath. Lift up the seat to reveal space for outdoor cushions, gardening or laundry drying equipment.

Positioned by the back door, a garden bench with added storage will offer the ideal spot to perch when putting on garden shoes or Wellington boots. Once you're done simply pop them back inside the bench ready for your next outing.

Upcycle a pallet

Wooden pallets have so many uses for garden upcycling and they are ideal for creating rustic-style outdoor storage ranging from seating with drawers to tables with cubby storage. And the best part is the humble pallet looks more interesting with age so shouldn't need upgrading for years.

This simple garden shelving solution has been created by mounting a pallet to a wall with what looks like bicycle wall hooks. Mounted to a wall and decked out with various hooks, the structure holds plenty of garden tools as well as pretty plant pots.

Go for garden shelves

Shelves might not be the first garden storage idea that comes to mind for your outdoor space. But, mounted to exterior walls, the easy addition can create practical display storage for plants, lanterns and attractive tools, whilst adding a homely vibe to outdoor terraces and patios.

Why not create a vintage look by making your own garden pallet hack shelf using reclaimed wood and basic shelf brackets? This elongated shelf looks endearingly rustic set against a brick wall.

Build a bespoke bench

An outdoor terrace dressed to the max with layered cushions and textiles looks enchanting, but where to store all those soft furnishings when the weather changes?

A built-in bench with secret storage space under the seating creates ideal compartments to put everything away, including Candle Safe lanterns by lights4fun.co.uk, after an alfresco evening or unexpected downpour. Ensure the design is weather-tight when building to prevent leaks and mould forming.

Pop in a potting table

Make planting and seeding a doddle by turning an area of your garden or outbuilding into a potting corner. This potting table with a galvanised worktop offers plenty of storage solutions for all kinds of tools and gardening essentials.

Look for units with drawers designed to store loose soil and shelves to keep larger items such as watering cans and big containers safely tidied. Complete the organised space by installing shelves and hooks for larger equipment alongside.

Build a bin store

Build stylish wheelie bin storage to hide unsightly but necessary bins in a front garden. There is now a good range of ready-made versions available that come either flat pack or fully assembled.

Or, if you fancy doing an upcycling garden project, steal this idea from ClaireDouglasStyling.com. Claire made her bin store complete with cubbies for smaller bins and a top planter, which she filled with plants to mask odours and soften the hard lines.

Set up a drinks station and store

Make sure outdoor refreshments are ready to pour with a pretty pink garden drinks cabinet. This bright and beautiful refreshment stand used to be a potting table and has been transformed with a hue Barbie would adore.

This creative DIY drink station will certainly be a conversation started when entertaining alfresco. Stock your station with all the essentials and allow guests to be the mixologist themselves, leaving you to enjoy the garden party.

Stack up crates

Repainted fruit crates assembled on top of one another can be transformed into thrifty and pretty cottage-style storage. Give the crates a lick of colourful paint and once dry, drill the boxes together to secure and make them home for rustic items such as terracotta pots wicker baskets and galvanised watering cans.

You can tuck these stacks into corners in even the smallest garden, instantly maximising the space.

Maximise shed storage

So, you've organised the inside of your shed with plenty of garden storage options, but have you thought about optimising the shed exterior?
If your shed or summer house is not butted up against a fence or exterior wall, then why not use the facade as a garden storage idea too?

Take advantage of the unused space by mounting a shelf or two and using them to store weatherproof items such as plant pots and garden tools. This will free up more space inside for items that need more protection from the elements.

Go for a stylish wood store

Add structure to your garden with statement storage that looks ultra stylish. This house-shaped wood store looks ultra chic made from black coated black metal. Angular compartments keep wood sizes arranged and organised.

When looking for log storage for contemporary or urban gardens a modern alternative with simple clean lines will add attention to detail and enhance the simple yet sophisticated style that's required.

House tall garden tools

You can never have too many tool hooks in the garden. These budget-friendly  DIY holders are useful for hanging tools with long handles as the heads slot in perfectly at the top.

Not only is this slatted storage handy for hanging tools but hoses, lanterns, festoon lights and lightweight foldable outdoor furniture can be lifted off the floor and held up too, if needed.

Call on colourful storage

Add a shot of colour to a Mediterranean-style garden with a plant box that looks iconic. This box-shaped beauty is designed to hold and display plants, but it's truly multi-purpose as its trough design is also ideal for pots, vases and garden tools.

We think this plant box is too chic to be left in the garden during winter months. So, why not give it a wipe down and bring it inside to store and display house plants, magazines or even kitchen equipment?

Upcycle a hallway shelf

Here's another upcycled hack that's both handy and handsome. Give an old hallway storage shelf a new purpose by painting it with weather-proof paint.

Mounted to a wall, the new structure looks country-couture with plenty of garden tools hanging from the hooks beneath. Matching pretty plant pots, garden lighting and a decorative Lavender wreath from Lights4fun.co.uk on the shelf above, finish the stylish garden storage statement.

Select a statement sideboard

The rise of indoor/outdoor living has seen us extend our interior style to the outdoors on terraces and patios. So, it's wise to invest in storage that works in both areas.

Time outdoors can be easily tidied away with a weatherproof outdoor sideboard or two. Go for super practical and convenient galvanised steel that doesn't rust and can be cleaned easily such as this IKEA unit tucked into an outdoor deck.

Store wood well

Whether it's for an outdoor firepit or indoor woodburning stove, a garden log store is both a practical and attractive asset to gardens.

Choose a sheltered spot to protect the firewood from rain and divide the space with a shelf for smaller twigs and kindling. You can use the flat top of the unit as a coffee table and why not paint it an appealing tone to enhance the feature and match your garden's aesthetic?

Paint a pocket-sized greenhouse

Greenhouses aren't just for those with a lot of outdoor space. This mini wooden greenhouse painted in a pretty pink not only creates an attractive garden feature but also provides adjustable shelving space for potted plants both large and small.

You can lean it against a wall or fence without losing a lot of space in the garden, which you make up for with all that storage anyway! Double doors are perfect for easy access to store larger items during winter, too.

Box outdoor items up

Basic box storage makes a quick and convenient garden storage solution. Recycled plastic versions are budget-friendly and are usually purchased as flat packs. Wooden and wicker versions look smart but are more expensive.

Although water-proof, mould can creep in so here's a tip: add some silica gel packets to help absorb any moisture. But be careful to keep them secure from children and pets though.

Add a traditional boot rack

Declutter the boot room or porch by moving Wellington boots outside. A wall-mounted welly rack will look charming whilst storing outdoor shoes in country style.

Placing boots upside down ensures water and moisture are kept to a minimum. A handy shelf protects wellies from all weather conditions and will look pretty with potted plants placed on top.

Seek out innovative ideas

Looking for a tall contemporary planter to decorate your urban garden? This linear slatted version makes excellent use of its height with an added, discreet lower storage section.

The pull-up door lifts to reveal a neat compartment with plenty of room for watering cans, secateurs, fertiliser and more.

Weatherproof a console table

Rescue an old console table or chest of drawers from heading to landfill by giving it new value as garden storage. All that's needed for it to last well in its new home is a weatherproof coat or two of exterior wood paint to withstand the elements like any other piece of outdoor wood furniture.

This upcycled console table has been transformed into a potting table with the help of a palette wall storage unit installed above to house pretty plants ready for potting.

Add storage to food prep areas

Avoid repeated trips to the kitchen whilst alfresco dining with outdoor kitchen storage cabinets set next to the barbecue. Closed cupboard, weatherproof storage can be used to house picnic tableware, BBQ tools and condiments.

Raise the dining experience up another level by completing the look with open storage mounted above to keep and display herbs, wooden chopping boards and attractive melamine glasses.

Splash out on storage furniture

An outdoor sofa or dining suite makes a luxurious garden patio feature. This clever design has the added benefit of an underseat storage box that's ideal for storing seat cushions when not in use during warmer months.

As winter begins, transfer the cushions to a damp-proof place such as the garage and ensure the investment suite is stored under protective covers.

Opt for multi-functional storage

Outdoor furniture that doubles up as garden storage makes practical sense in smaller spaces. If your garden isn't the biggest, you can easily find multipurpose pieces to save on space.

These contemporary iron box stools will suit both rustic and contemporary gardens and can be filled with logs or garden tools, while cushions make them soft to sit on. Bring a few together and you've got yourself a seating area to enjoy the great outdoors.

Curate outdoor display storage

Give your garden the interior decorator's touch by turning an old console table over a rug into an outdoor display piece whilst storing plants and pots. Load up a table with spare pots, planters and containers in various colours and sizes, using plants in different shades and textures.

Introduce hanging planters from above to marry the look and create the impression of splendour rather than a stockpile.

Include toy storage

Encourage little ones to keep outdoor toys tidy with garden storage ideas just for their playthings. Purchase a low-level, outdoor storage box that opens out for easy access.

Or try upcycling an old shoe rack like this one and create a backyard storage bench with various compartments for sports or playtime equipment.