Garden Storage Boxes and Sheds Worth the Space
The Keter Store It Out Max is the best all round garden store for bins, mowers and tools. The Keter XXL 230 Gallon Deck Box is the pick for sheer capacity on a patio, and the Suncast BMS4700 is the value choice for a narrow side passage.
The Keter Store It Out Max leads this list, the Keter XXL 230 Gallon Deck Box wins on raw capacity, and the Suncast BMS4700 Horizontal Storage Shed fits the narrow spaces where nothing else will.
Garden storage is easy to get wrong because listed capacity is measured to the very top of the lid and rarely reflects what actually fits, and a box that keeps rain out in June can let water pool through a seam by December. We ranked these on usable internal dimensions, weather sealing, lid and floor strength, security options and what owners report after a full year outdoors.
How to pick the right one
Measure what you are storing, not the space Listed capacity in litres or gallons is measured to the underside of the closed lid and includes the awkward sloping volume nobody can use. What matters is whether a wheelie bin fits upright, whether a mower handle clears the doorway, and whether the internal depth swallows a coiled hose. Write down the dimensions of the three largest items you need to store, then compare them against the internal dimensions rather than the headline capacity figure. Manufacturers publish both, and the difference is often substantial.
Weatherproofing lives in the lid overhang and the base Resin storage rarely leaks through the panels themselves. Water gets in where the lid meets the body if there is no overhanging lip, and it gets in from underneath if the unit sits directly on soil or an uneven slab where water pools. Look for a lid designed to shed water outward past the body, and plan to stand the unit on a level, drained surface such as paving or a timber frame. Raising it even slightly off the ground makes a large difference to what survives inside.
Access design matters more than people expect A lift lid box means every item at the bottom requires lifting everything above it. A shed with front doors means the back is reachable but the top is not usable. The units that work best day to day, such as the Store It Out Max, offer both a lifting lid and front doors, so a bin can be wheeled out through the front while tools are reached from above. Think about the item you will retrieve most often and check it can be reached without unpacking anything.
Assembly, base and anchoring are part of the job Almost all resin garden storage arrives flat packed with dozens of panels, and the floor must be assembled on a level surface or the doors will never close cleanly. Budget a couple of hours for a box and most of a day for a shed, with a second person for the roof sections. Larger units are light enough to move in a strong wind when empty, so check whether the design includes anchoring points and use them, particularly for anything shed sized in an exposed garden.
The top picks, ranked
Keter Store It Out Max Outdoor Storage Shed
The Store It Out Max is the size that solves the most common problem, holding two wheelie bins or a mower plus tools while remaining low enough to sit under a window. The lid lifts and the front doors open, so you can reach the back without crawling in. Assembly is straightforward, though a helper makes the lid section much easier.
Pros
- Fits two wheelie bins or a mower and tools
- Dual access from lid and front doors
- Low enough to sit under a window
Cons
- Floor panel flexes under very heavy items
- Lid section needs two people to fit
Keter XXL 230 Gallon Deck Box
At 230 gallons this swallows cushions, pool equipment and garden games with room to spare, and the wood effect panelling looks acceptable on a patio rather than obviously plastic. The lid is strong enough to sit on, which turns it into extra seating. It is genuinely large, so measure the space carefully before ordering.
Pros
- Enormous usable volume
- Lid doubles as patio seating
- Wood effect finish suits a deck
Cons
- Takes up a large footprint
- Lid only access makes reaching the base awkward
Suncast BMS4700 Horizontal Storage Shed
This horizontal unit is designed to sit against a wall in a side passage or narrow yard, with a shallow depth that leaves a walkway clear. The lid and doors both open, which is essential given the depth. Its shallow profile naturally limits what will fit, so it suits bins and hand tools rather than a mower.
Pros
- Shallow depth suits tight passages
- Reinforced floor handles heavier loads
- Dual access despite the compact shape
Cons
- Too shallow for a large mower
- Assembly instructions are fiddly
Lifetime 60012 Extra Large Deck Box
Lifetime builds this from thicker high density polyethylene than most resin boxes, and the difference shows in how little the walls flex when loaded. It is the box to choose in a location with real weather or where children will climb on it. The trade off is weight, and it is not something you will reposition casually.
Pros
- Noticeably thicker walls than typical resin boxes
- Gas assisted lid opens and holds safely
- Long warranty backs the durability claim
Cons
- Heavy and awkward to move once assembled
- Plain finish is more utilitarian than decorative
Rubbermaid Big Max Junior Storage Shed
A proper vertical shed rather than a box, tall enough to hang a strimmer and long handled tools without laying them down. The double doors give walk up access and the floor panel is designed to carry real weight. It needs a level base, and an uneven patio will make the doors bind.
Pros
- Tall enough for long handled tools
- Walk up double door access
- Sturdy load bearing floor
Cons
- Doors bind if the base is not level
- Smaller footprint limits total capacity
Suncast DB8000 Deck Box
A straightforward mid size deck box for cushions, toys and hose fittings at a modest price, with the familiar resin wicker texture that blends into most patios. Assembly is quick with snap together panels. Wall thickness is modest, so avoid loading it with heavy or sharp equipment.
Pros
- Quick tool free assembly
- Attractive wicker texture finish
- Good value for the capacity
Cons
- Thin walls flex under heavy contents
- Not suitable for storing tools with sharp edges
Keter Factor 6×6 Outdoor Storage Shed
For anyone who has outgrown boxes entirely, the Factor is a walk in resin shed with steel reinforced construction, a skylight and a floor rated for real weight including a ride on mower. It needs a prepared level base and a full day of assembly. Once up, it requires none of the painting and treating a timber shed does.
Pros
- Walk in space with a strong floor
- No painting or timber treatment needed
- Skylight and ventilation come as standard
Cons
- Full day assembly with a prepared base required
- Highest cost and largest footprint here
How they compare
| # | Model | Capacity | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keter Store It Out Max Outdoor Storage Shed | Around 1200 litres | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Keter XXL 230 Gallon Deck Box | 230 gallons, around 870 litres | Best for capacity | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Suncast BMS4700 Horizontal Storage Shed | Around 70 cubic feet | Best for narrow spaces | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Lifetime 60012 Extra Large Deck Box | Around 116 gallons | Best for durability | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Rubbermaid Big Max Junior Storage Shed | Around 32 cubic feet | Best small shed | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Suncast DB8000 Deck Box | Around 73 gallons | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Keter Factor 6×6 Outdoor Storage Shed | Around 6 by 6 feet footprint | Best full size shed | 8.0 | Check price |
Good to know
Is resin garden storage actually waterproof?
Well designed units are highly water resistant rather than sealed. Rain runs off the lid and away, but condensation can still form inside, so store items that must stay dry in a sealed container within the box.
Do I need a base under a garden storage box?
A level, drained surface is important. Paving, a concrete pad or a timber frame all work. Placing storage straight onto soil or grass leads to water pooling under the floor and a damp interior.
Can I store a lawn mower in a deck box?
Only in the larger units with a reinforced floor. Check the internal height against the mower handle, and drain fuel before long term storage in an enclosed space.
How do I stop condensation inside?
Ventilation helps, so choose a unit with vents where possible and avoid packing it completely full. Storing damp items inside is the main cause, so let tools and cushions dry before they go in.
Are these boxes secure enough for tools?
Most take a padlock, which deters casual theft but not a determined attempt, since the plastic body can be cut. Keep high value tools indoors or in a metal store.
Will a resin shed blow over in wind?
Empty units can shift in strong wind. Use the anchoring points most manufacturers provide, and where they are not supplied, weight the base or fix it to the paving.
How long does assembly take?
Roughly one to two hours for a deck box and most of a day for a walk in shed. A second person is genuinely useful for roof and lid sections.
Can I sit on the lid?
Only on models specifically rated for seating, such as the Keter XXL deck box. Sitting on a lid not designed for it will crack the hinges over time.
Final word
The Keter Store It Out Max is the garden store that solves the most common problems at once, taking bins or a mower while offering access from both the lid and the front. Choose the Keter XXL 230 Gallon Deck Box when raw volume on a patio is the priority, and the Suncast BMS4700 when the only available space is a narrow passage down the side of the house.
