Outdoor storage box is a great way to organize your garden or yard. This build-it-yourself outdoor storage box is simple, lightweight and easy to assemble. The simple design allows it to get the job done in a quick hour or two. Once you’ve got the plan laid out, all you need is some lumber and nails – wait for it – and you’re good to go. Building a simple storage box is easy with this step-by-step guide. All you need are some good old recycled materials (newspaper, cardboard, and wood) and a little skill.
At this point, we’re all familiar with outdoor storage solutions like deck boxes and patio cabinets. And while these are both great options for storing your outdoor gear and furniture, you might be looking for something a little simpler that can still hold your stuff while blending into your backyard. That’s where an outdoor storage bench comes in handy a great way to store all of your extra pool toys or seat guests at the next barbecue. Our tutorial below outlines how to make a storage bench out of standard lumber and without any special tools (just a saw and drill) so you can build in just one weekend. If you’re ready to tackle this project yourself, keep reading.
Materials
Materials you will need:
- 2×4 lumber
- 2×6 lumber
- 2×8 lumber
- 2×10 lumber
- 1×4 lumber
- 1×6 lumber
- 1×8 lumber and additional materials (see below)
Tools:
Tools:
- Measuring tape.
- Table saw.
- Power drill and cordless drill both are needed to make the box. Cordless drills offer more versatility, but they’re also usually weaker than their power counterparts and can’t handle as many tasks. A good corded drill has a lot of torque and power, so you’ll be able to take on big jobs like driving long screws into hardwood or softwood boards without having to change bits every couple seconds. The best ones have lights on them so you can work after dark or in dimly lit areas without straining your eyesight; this is especially important if you have poor vision due to age or injury (like cataracts). They also come with different speed settings that allow for more control over how quickly the bit spins inside its chuck when it’s engaged against whatever material it’s drilling into (this helps prevent kickback). If possible, buy one with lithium-ion batteries instead of older NiCad models they charge faster than standard batteries do.
Step 1: Cut The Wood
To start, you’ll need to cut your wood to size. We recommend using a miter saw to do this, but if you don’t have one and aren’t comfortable with a handsaw, go ahead and use the latter.
After cutting your wood pieces, you’ll need to drill pilot holes for each of the screws that will be holding everything together. This is essential because if you don’t pre-drill your pilot holes then you could end up splitting or cracking the wood when tightening them down with power tools.
Once all of your pieces are cut and pre-drilled, it’s time for them to be assembled! First thing’s first: mark where each piece goes on both sides of your box so that when fastening things together later on it will look nice and symmetrical (and professional looking). Make sure each side gets marked as well as any other reference points such as corners or edges so there won’t be any confusion later on down the line when putting everything together in its final form.
Step 2: Attach the Back Pieces to the Sides of the Box
Step 2: Attach the Back Pieces to the Sides of the Box
With your box and lid pieces all cut, it’s time to attach them together. First, lay out your sides on a flat surface and align one of your back pieces with each side piece flush against its back edge. Next, use screws or nails (we used 5/8″ wood screws) to secure each side piece to its corresponding back piece; make sure all pieces are flush with one another at this point in order for everything later on in this project to fit right! The front edges should line up perfectly so that no gaps occur between any two pieces when you close your storage box up again afterwards.
Step 3: Create the Front Frame of the Box
Once you have the sides and back frame all ready, it’s time to create the front frame of your box. The front frame will be made up of two pieces of wood that are cut to size and attached together with a hinge.
- Cut two pieces of wood to size for your front frame. If you’re using 2x4s or similar lumber, make sure that one piece is longer than the other so that it can overlap on both sides when you attach them together in order to create a solid structure.
- Attach these two pieces together with hinges by drilling pilot holes first (in both pieces), then attaching eye screws through them before screwing them into place with screws or nails as needed.
Step 4 (Optional): Make Corner Braces for Strength
- Corner Braces are optional, but they add a lot of structural strength to your project.
- To make corner braces, you’ll need two pieces of 2×4 wood. Cut them to be about an inch longer than the width of your box. Then cut notches in each end so that they can fit onto the corners and lock into place (see photo below). You can use a miter saw or hand saw for this step.
- Drill holes through the board where it will meet both sides of your storage box frame, then drive in screws from inside the box frame and secure them into place with glue if you have some on hand!
- Repeat for all four corners.
Step 5: Attach Front and Back Frames to Sides
- Attach Front and Back Frames to Sides
Attach your front and back frames to the sides of the box using nails, making sure that you hammer them into place straight. If you have access to a nail gun, this is the best option for securing these pieces together. If not, use a hammer instead—it takes longer, but it works just as well.
Step 6 (Optional): Attach Cross Bracing to Add Strength
If you want to make the box stronger, you can add cross bracing. This is similar to how an I-beam works—the horizontal boards are called flanges and they provide strength by connecting the vertical beams together.
For this step, we recommend using 2x4s that are at least as long as your longest side of the box (if you don’t have any leftover pieces). If there’s not enough leftover wood from making your cuts earlier in this project, then cut four 2x4s down to size with your saw and attach them horizontally across each of your four walls (top, bottom and two sides).
You can also choose to attach these cross braces vertically so that they form an “I” shape on each side of the box. If you choose this option: 1) Cut one piece of 2×4 into six equal lengths (each should be about 4 feet long); 2) drill pilot holes through each end of one piece; 3) place those pieces vertically next to each other so they form an “I”; 4) repeat steps 2 & 3 for each row you’ll need two rows per wall; 5) finish with a top piece at each end–this will complete one vertical side.
Step 7: Fill Nail Holes and Sand Surfaces Smooth
- Fill Nail Holes and Sand Surfaces Smooth
Now that your box is assembled, you’ll want to fill any holes left by the screws. To do this, use a nail set to drive in and conceal the head of each screw into its appropriate hole. Then use a sanding block to sand the surface smooth so that no rough edges remain (this will make it much easier for paint and stain to adhere). Wipe away any remaining dust with a damp rag or tack cloth.
Step 8 (Optional): Paint or Seal Your Finished Box
You can paint or seal your finished box to protect it from weather, add color and texture, or design it with a specific look in mind. Painting or sealing is also a great way to make sure that the wood you used for construction will last for years outdoors.
The best part about painting is that it’s easy! You just need some latex paint (or even acrylic), some brushes and rollers if desired, and something to mix the ingredients in (which could be as simple as a plastic bowl). Here are some tips:
- Make sure all surfaces are clean before applying any coatings. If you’re painting an existing box rather than building an entirely new one from scratch, give yourself plenty of time between coats so that everything can dry thoroughly before going on top of each other again
Takeaway. This outdoor storage box is an awesome way to stay organized in your backyard.
This outdoor storage box is an awesome way to stay organized in your backyard. You can also use this box to store items in your garage.
It’s a simple project that you can knock out quickly, and it’s great for any skill level.
Final words
And that’s it. You just built your very own outdoor storage box. This project is a great way to get started in the world of woodworking and learn basic skills like measuring and sawing, as well as more advanced ones like attaching joints and cross-bracing. It’s also a fantastic way to transform your backyard into an organized and comfortable space where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy nature.
