Storing Outside: Outdoor Storage Ideas

No matter how organized and tidy you are, it’s only natural to accumulate stuff. From your hobbies to your chores, you have tools, equipment, and gear galore. And sometimes, it’s tricky finding a home for all those items as it seems your home is already overflowing with your belongings. 

If that’s the case for you, then it might be time to begin looking outside your home for storage solutions. And yes, we really do mean outside. 

Believe it or not, your outdoor space is actually a very viable storage place for those items that don’t fit inside your home. For example, maybe you have some empty space in the corner of your side yard or a vacant area in the middle of your patio. There are actually tons of ways to incorporate outdoor storage solutions into your front or backyard, and we’re here to help you discover them.  

Our guide addresses all the best outdoor storage ideas to inspire you to take advantage of your outside space!

Why Outdoor Storage Matters

If you’re fortunate enough to have an outside area to call your own, then you also have some coveted storage space. You see, there are plenty of ways to incorporate outdoor storage solutions into your yard to help you declutter your indoor space. So, instead of filling your garage to the brim and cramming your belongings in your spare bedroom, you can utilize your outside area for all your storage needs!

That said, we don’t mean turning your perfectly manicured yard into a dumping ground for your belongings. On the contrary, we’re here to provide you with the best outdoor organization ideas so you can find homes for your items without cluttering up your lawn. 

Follow along for the best tips on how to organize and store your stuff outside!

How to Prepare for Storage Outside

Before you start looking into our outdoor storage options, we recommend following these simple steps to prepare your items and your outdoor space for storage. 

Run an Inventory

Our first suggestion involves taking inventory of your belongings. Begin by categorizing them. For example, your potting soil, fertilizer, and gardening tools can go in one pile, while your kids’ roller skates, skateboards, basketballs, and other recreational gear can go in another. Understanding what types of items you want to store will help you find the appropriate outdoor storage solutions for them. 

Next, sort through these items and make sure you’re not planning to store anything you no longer want, need, or use. If anything is broken, expired, or too worn out to use, consider donating it or tossing it. Remember, there’s no point in keeping your stuff simply for the sake of storing it. If you don’t need it, get rid of it so you can make room for the things you actually use. 

Access Your Space

Once you have a better idea of what you want to store outside and how much room it will require, you can assess your outside space. If you have just a handful of items, can you clear a space on your patio or tuck a storage receptacle in your side yard? Now, if you have a lot of things that need storage, you may have to get creative with your space to ensure you have enough room. Can you rearrange your patio space or make additions that match your outdoor decor? 

While you’re at it, take note of any special storage conditions. For instance, do your items require a waterproof storage space? And what about sunlight? Will direct sunlight interfere with certain items? Outdoor elements, like extreme temperatures and inclement weather, are additional factors you’ll want to keep in mind when exploring outdoor storage solutions.

Ideas for Outdoor Storage

If you’re having trouble picturing what kind of outside storage options would work best with your space, check out our suggestions below! We’ve included our favorite outdoor storage ideas for inspiration. 

Invest in a Storage Bench

Does your outdoor space have a seating area? If so, consider adding a storage bench. We love this outdoor storage option because it serves dual purposes. You can hide your belongings inside the bench and then use it as a place to sit! Go ahead and tuck camping gear or lawn games inside. Your guests won’t suspect a thing!

Incorporate Indoor Elements Outside

If your outdoor decor is essential to you, get creative with some storage solutions usually reserved for indoors. For example, what if you placed a weathered armoire outside on your patio and stored your belongings inside? Or what about a vintage-looking dresser with spacious drawers? You could tuck your items in the drawers and then some trinkets or object darts on top of it for decoration. This furniture will elevate your decor while providing additional storage space. 

Create a Storage Shed

Building a storage shed is one of the easiest outdoor storage ideas if you have space for one on your property. We like this idea because it gives you plenty of space for storing larger items, such as your lawn mower and weed whacker, that you wouldn’t otherwise want on display. Storage sheds basically provide you with a mini house to keep all your equipment, gear, and products. As you browse through the storage shed options, you’ll find rustic wooden ones, chic metal ones, and maybe even ones that match the exterior of your home!

Designate an Outdoor Toy Box

You likely already have a toy box in your playroom, so why not place one outside, too? Your kids can easily toss items such as tennis rackets, balls, jump ropes, and remote-controlled cars inside. With this handy storage idea for outside toys, you will no longer need to worry about a cluttered yard.

Make Outdoor Cubbies

Whether you have a furnished outdoor patio or a vacant lawn, outdoor cubbies can make a world of difference when it comes to your outdoor storage options. You see, cubbies provide you with compact spaces to organize and store all your outdoor items. To keep things even more streamlined, consider labeling each bin so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for.

Build Storage Cabinets

For this easy DIY outdoor storage idea, gather your tools and build yourself some outdoor storage cabinets. How you decide to craft your containers is entirely up to you. For instance, you could build some crates to stack your items in the corner of your yard or craft a full-on cupboard with cabinets and drawers to lean up against your fence. To help inspire your creation, consider the objects you plan to store and what kind of receptacle would be most suitable for them. 

Use a Rolling Cart

If you’re looking to store items you use often, you may want to look into a rolling cart so you can move it around as you please. For example, if you’re storing gardening equipment on the cart, you could easily transport it to your vegetable plot. Or, you could keep all your grilling tools on the cart and roll it over to your grilling station. Look for a rolling cart with drawers or cabinets to ensure you have plenty of storage space. 

Purchase a Deck Box

Deck boxes are another favorite outdoor organization idea of ours because they’re simple to implement. You can purchase a deck box from your local home improvement store. Place it in a convenient spot in your yard, and then fill it to the brim with all your belongings. The best part is that they’re waterproof and designed for outdoor elements. 

Utilize Your Bar Area

If you have a bar area or are planning to install one, consider incorporating drawers or cabinets where you can stash some of your belongings. For instance, if your built-in grill area has shelves, line some of your items along them. If you have an outdoor sink with cabinets, use those to your advantage. This is one easy way to keep your belongings organized without cluttering your outdoor space. 

Place Excess Items in Storage

Depending on the size of your outdoor area and how many items you need to store, you may need extra storage space. That’s where a storage unit can come into play. Whether you want a unit the size of a closet or one that’s big enough to hold a car, you can find the perfect space to accommodate all your storage needs. 

Contact Stor-It Today

Here at Stor-It, we’re the experts when it comes to storage tips. After all, we’re the oldest and largest storage facility in Idaho, so we know storage like the back of our hands. Ready to start storing your belongings with us? Check out our handy storage space size guide and find a storage unit near you today!