I’m not sure what clutter accumulates on your deck or patio, but here’s a partial list of the problems that plague mine: scattered garden tools, a half-full bag of potting soil, seat cushions, the giant spatula my husband uses to flip burgers on the grill, tongs (why do we need tongs if we already have a spatula big enough to flip brontosaurus burgers for Fred Flintstone?), and many scruffy-looking dog toys and bones. A highlight of the toy collection is a pink stuffed flamingo with one leg, also missing an eye.
Outdoor chaos needs to be eliminated, to put the visual focus back where it belongs: on the landscape. One solution would be to not accumulate clutter. But so far the dogs resist this suggestion.
If you face similar challenges, perhaps a deck box is the answer. Instant outdoor storage. A deck box can sit unobtrusively in a corner or behind a bush. Here are 10 favorite wooden deck boxes, made of a natural material that fits in easily with the surrounding landscape:
Above: Deck box as mini shed. A spruce Aldsworth Tall Outdoor Storage Box (also shown in the top photo) has a galvanized slanted roof to prevent leaks; £430 from Garden Trading.
Above: Open slats on an oak Garden Chest improve air circulation for stored items. Covering the lid is a waterproof zinc sheet; €1,269 from Manufactum.
Above: Ikea adds wheels: thank you. An Äpplarö outdoor storage bench is portable; $129.
Above: A slanted roof keeps stored items dry. From UK-based Rowlinson, an English Garden Wood Garden Deck Box with a weatherproof mineral felt roof is $275.49 from Home Depot.
Above: With solid brass handles, a 62-inch solid teak Camrose Storage Box is $1,800 from Bison Furniture (currently out of stock).
Above: Mini deck box to the rescue. For a small balcony or deck, a Small Camrose Teak Deck Box measures 26 by 31 inches (and is 28 inches high); $1,179.99 from Wayfair.
Above: A weathered gray finish fades into the background. A Portside Outdoor Storage Trunk made of sustainably sourced solid wood with a wire-brushed surface is $559 from West Elm.
Above: Some deck boxes can double as outdoor seating. Made in Indonesia, a Teak Deck Box with a 500-pound capacity is $1,309.99 from Wayfair.
