It doesn’t take long for a new deck to become the living room of your outdoor space. Before you know it, the deck is cluttered with all kinds of furniture, outdoor toys and gear, and everything else!
A deck box, on the other hand, keeps things tidy and arranged. You can stuff anything in a well-organized deck box area – cushions for your outdoor furniture, play settings for outside games, BBQ equipment, balls and outdoor toys, as well as hot tub supplies.
What Are the Best Things to Put in a Deck Box?
One of the most crucial things you can do when getting your deck box organized for the first time is to consider how you want to utilize the storage area.
Prioritization is everything
Some people spring for an oversized deck box (or maybe even build their own), figuring that it will turn into a bit of a catchall. But then they are surprised when that’s exactly what happens!
There’s nothing wrong with using your deck box this way – it’s just that a catchall kind of storage container can be a little bit difficult to navigate, especially in a hurry or when space is relatively limited (the way most deck boxes will be).
However, by prioritizing your deck box storage, you may ensure that essential belongings are kept in a waterproof location without having to carry them inside or into the garage/shed all of the time.
It’s a good idea to make sure that the following things have a semipermanent home in your deck box:
- Cushions for furniture you don’t want to get wet or moldy
- Outdoor lighting that you don’t want to leave up permanently
- Outdoor place settings, utensils, and cooking equipment for the ground
- Flashlights, lanterns, and candles (including citronella torches)
… And anything else you can see yourself using outdoors on a regular basis that you don’t necessarily want to have to bring outdoors with you every time you step outside.
It might not be a bad idea to keep things like bug spray, sunscreen, couple of towels, and maybe even a blanket or two in the deck box either. This guarantees that you’ll have this stuff close at hand when you are enjoying your outdoor space.
Big Benefits of a Deck Box
There are a couple of reasons that deck boxes have become so popular over the last 20 years or so.
Storage
The most typical reason individuals choose to upgrade from a deck box to a deck box is to gain some more outside storage without having to invest in another shed or garage.
Having all of your outdoor deck equipment within easy reach, rather than keeping it in the house, garage, or shed, makes enjoying your outside area a lot more convenient.
Deck boxes are the perfect solution for having a space to tuck things that otherwise might not have had a space to call “home” before.
Safe and Dry
Another big reason that people love this kind of accessory on their deck is because it is a convenient place to keep things safe and to keep things dry.
The majority of deck boxes are designed to be completely waterproof, ensuring that your belongings remain clean and dry no matter what the weather is like outside.
On top of that, these deck boxes are also built with latches that can be padlocked shut.
It’s nice to have a bit of peace of mind knowing that your outdoor valuables are safe and secure on a deck box that has been mounted securely to the deck itself and is then further locked down.
That’s tough to beat!
Come in All Shapes and Sizes
There’s no real one-size-fits-all for deck boxes, just as there’s no one material that these accessories are made from.
Deck boxes are available in a range of sizes and footprints, with prices varying depending on the manufacturer. You won’t have any trouble finding the correct deck box for you, that’s for sure.
Best of all, you can even whip up your own deck box in a weekend without too much headache or hassle.
This lets you custom tailor the features that it brings to the table, the amount of storage space that it offers, and even lets you personalize the finish so that it goes perfectly with where you want to put it on your deck as well.
It doesn’t get a whole lot better than that, does it?
Deck Box Tips and Tricks
Right out of the gate you’ll want to make sure that your deck box securely mounts down into the deck itself.
A lot of deck boxes are designed to sort of “free float” on your deck, and maybe that’s a good idea if you want to move the box around every now and again.
But if you’re going to be storing important things – or valuable things – in your deck box it’s a good idea to give it an anchor point to the deck below.
Second, pick up a few deck box dividers (or build some). Dividers can be used to break up the area in a variety of ways, allowing you to compartmentalize the amount of room available in the box.
It’ll make life a whole lot easier!
Lastly, think about getting an all-weather outdoor cushion that you can mount directly to the top of the deck box itself. This’ll turn the deck box into a bit of extra seating.
You can also get (or make) other accessories for the top of the box, turning it into a serving area, a makeshift tiny ping-pong table, and anything else that you can dream up.
Closing Thoughts
When all is said and done, it’s important to remember that this is your deck box, and you can squeeze anything that fits in it inside!
Lots of people like to keep outdoor gear, equipment, toys, and cushions inside the deck box. And that’s not a bad place to start.
Find ways to make your box your own, though.
You’ll love it!
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