10 Best Deck Boxes | December 2016

For many homes, the most important "room"in the house is actually the outdoor space. Many families (and couples and individuals too, of course) spend the maximum possible amount of time outside enjoying the fresh air while gardening, grilling, playing sports or lawn games, or simply relaxing with a book and a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

When it comes to establishing the ideal outdoor space, proper planning and organization are critical. If you and your family enjoy cooking and dining outdoors, then you should maximize the amount of space you dedicate to a deck or patio, and consider the investment in a outdoor kitchen amenities like a grill, sink, and even an outdoor fridge. If playing games in the grass is more important, then establishing and maintaining a robust and health lawn should be a leading goal.

As all aspects of an outdoor space tend to be interconnected, it's important not to consider any element of your property's design in a vacuum. Landscaping will have an impact on your hardscaping and vice versa. The trees you plant today may provide wonderful shade in a few years, or they might create too much shade and have a deleterious impact on your garden or damage your patio due to root growth.

And remember that as your family grows, with kids getting older and with everyone's interests evolving and changing, the way you use your yard will tend to change. While a swing set might be thoroughly enjoyed for many years, don't be afraid to later replace it with a hammock or a fire pit, or something else intended for enjoyment by an older group of relatives or friends.

Also never overlook the importance of outdoor storage. The better care you take of outdoor pillows, the longer they will last. Having a place for all those toys and balls to be placed after the play is over will keep your yard cleaner and classier. And when towels are always readily on hand, the pool or hot tub is always that much easier to enjoy. All these items and many more can be stored in a catch all solution: the deck box.

If all you're looking for is some added outdoor storage space, and aesthetics aren't much of an issue, then you are in luck: there are myriad outdoor storage containers made from durable plastics that resist rain, won't fade in the sun, and that can handle plenty of goods, from balls to cushions to grilling tools and more. Just take stock of the amount of stuff you need to stash, then check the storage capacity of a few of the lower priced deck boxes and consider the best match in terms of size.

But before you commit to buying a deck box for storage, do think about its placement. If your deck box sits on a patio, grass, or other feature that's at ground level, it might be subject to water issues when there is heavy rain or a build up of snow. Look for a unit that sits a few inches off the ground on its own legs if this is a potential issue. Also consider whether or not you will ever want to move the container around the yard; some deck boxes have convenient handles built in, while others are simple large rectangular cubes that are hard to move when not emptied of their contents.

When choosing one of these large and rugged deck boxes, do keep in mind that unless you have a side yard, a duck with space underneath it, or some other feature that lends privacy, you'll be seeing it all the time. Investing a few dollars more for a great looking deck box might not be the worst way to use money.

An attractive deck box arguably performs three distinct functions. First, of course, it stores lots of items to which you want easy access while you're outside. Second, it can serve as another piece of furniture, suitable as a bench or side table. And third, a great deck box can make your lovely outdoor space look even better.

When you choose a deck box designed to look like an inviting bench, or else one that's wrought with a handsome wood or wicker finish, you can improve the look of your deck, patio, or yard that the added storage space might almost seem like a fringe benefit. Using a deck box as a bench beside your outdoor dining table or as added seating near the pool, grill, or fire pit can provide a comfortable place for people to sit down while also offering storage for towels, charcoal, and logs and kindling, respectively.

A good looking deck box is the ideal place to store muddy shoes or toys that you don't want brought into the house but that you also don't want to leave lying around in plain sight outside. Just make sure you choose a deck box that matches the existing furniture and decor scheme of your outdoor space. Even the best looking deck box available will look out of place if it doesn't match the rest of the items in your yard.