Outdoor Storage Bench
A dual-purpose seat with dry storage below — perfect for cushions, garden tools, kids' outdoor toys or barbecue kit. Teaches lid geometry, weatherproof detailing and the difference good hardware makes.
What you'll need
Materials
- Frame timber, seat boards, marine ply or slatted base, A2/A4 stainless screws, stainless butt hinges or piano hinge, gas strut or chain stay, optional rubber feet or paving spacers.
Tools
- Mitre or hand saw, drill/driver, countersink bit, spirit level, clamps, sander, jigsaw for any cut-outs, exterior hinges and a soft-close stay are well worth the spend.
Material complexity: Medium
Allow one spare frame length and 10% extra on seat boards. Hinges always feel cheap when you economise — buy stainless butt or piano.
Main risk: Flat lid without fall, or solid (non-slatted) seat — water pools, ply base swells, and the inside stays damp.
Tips & traps
- Flat lid with no fall — water pools, soaks in, then drips inside.
- Solid panel seat instead of slats — traps moisture under cushions.
- Cheap hinges that rust and seize.
- No drainage in the storage compartment base.
- Skipping the soft-close stay — a slammed lid splits the seat or pinches fingers.
Planning & timber detail
Why build this?
A storage bench combines joinery basics (frame and panel, hinged lid) with real outdoor durability lessons (drainage, sloped surfaces, end-grain protection, hardware choice). It is a satisfying step up from a planter and immediately useful — a finished one earns its keep within a week of being installed.
Where it works best
Covered or partly sheltered spots — under a porch, against a house wall, beside a summerhouse. Full-exposure positions work but reduce lifespan; mitigate with a stainless drip detail under the lid and slatted seat.
Planning notes
Slope the lid 5–10mm front-to-back so water runs off — this is the single detail that determines whether your storage stays dry. Put the hinges on the HIGH side so rain doesn't pool in the hinge knuckle. Plan a small front overhang to throw drips clear of the box.
Typical sizes
A 1200×450×450mm bench seats two adults comfortably and holds 8–10 cushions or a barbecue kit. Storage capacity is roughly 150–180 litres. Scale up to 1500mm for a 3-seater or down to 900mm for a small porch.
Suitable timber options
Cedar is the comfortable default — warm to sit on, easy to work, naturally durable. Iroko if you want heirloom durability and don't mind weight. Treated redwood for budget with the trade-off of more frequent finishing.
Fixing and finishing
Screw frame joints from inside where heads will be hidden. Use stainless throughout — plain zinc bleeds rust onto cushions and stone. Counter-bore and plug if you want a fully hidden finish on the seat boards.
Hinge the lid with stainless butt hinges (3 across 1200mm) or a continuous piano hinge — much better than two cheap brass hinges. Add a soft-close stay or short gas strut so a slammed lid doesn't pinch fingers or crack the seat. A rubber bumper strip under the lid front gives a satisfying close.
Maintenance
Empty out once a year and check for trapped moisture in corners. Re-oil before the finish goes chalky (every 2–3 years). Tighten hinges after the first season as the timber settles.
Lift the lid on a dry day each spring, check the inside for damp corners and re-oil any visible weathering. Lubricate hinges with a dab of marine grease.
Timber behaviour
Durability
UC3 minimum for any timber on the bench. If the legs sit on paving or decking, put rubber feet or stainless washers under them so end grain doesn't sit in standing water. Avoid placing directly on lawn.
Movement
Wide seat boards cup if fixed rigidly across width. Slatted seats with 5–8mm gaps drain and ventilate beautifully — the right call for outdoor use. Lid panels need slight room to expand, especially in summer.
Go deeper
Get the Timber Buying Companion
An 8-page practical guide to choosing better boards, avoiding waste and spotting common timber problems before you buy.