A garden bench with storage sounds like the perfect solution: you sit on it, and your cushions, blankets or the kids' toys are stored underneath, out of sight. Especially on a small patio, you want every square metre to do double duty. Still, the range is smaller than you might think, and not every storage bench keeps your things truly dry. In this guide you'll read what to look out for, how many litres you need and what you can buy now if you want to combine sitting and storage.
In short: none of the garden benches we're currently comparing has storage space. The smartest route is a garden bench with a separate cushion box next to it. Work out how many litres you need, and don't assume a box is waterproof: the three cushion boxes available are listed as not waterproof. So keep your cushions dry.
Storage bench, cushion box or cushion bag?
There are three ways to store your garden things near your seating area. A storage bench is a bench with a chest under the seat. A cushion box is a separate chest that you place next to or behind your bench. A cushion bag is a sturdy bag in which you store your cushions together, for example in the shed.
| Solution | Advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Storage bench | Sitting and storage in one | Limited range, often few litres |
| Garden bench with cushion box | Free choice, lots of litres | Takes up more floor space |
| Cushion bag | Lightweight, fits in the shed | No furniture on the patio |
A storage bench seems the most efficient, but the chest under the seat is usually shallow. A few seat cushions fit in there, but not a complete set of lounge cushions. A separate cushion box often offers much more space, and you can choose your bench based on comfort instead of the chest underneath.
Honestly: the current range
We compare garden benches based on the product information from the shops. For all the garden benches we're currently comparing, that information states that they have no storage space. So we can't show you a garden bench with a chest underneath at the moment, and we're not going to make one up.
What is available: three cushion boxes, ranging from 490 to 1240 litres. If you place one of these next to or behind a garden bench, you get the same combination of sitting and storage, with more room than in most storage benches. You'll find those three boxes further down in the comparison. If a garden bench with storage space becomes available, we'll add it.
What should you look out for when buying?
Whether you choose a storage bench or a separate cushion box, the points to watch are largely the same.
Checklist for garden storage
- Capacity in litres: work out what you want to store, not just the external dimensions
- Waterproof or not: if it isn't stated in the product information, don't assume it is
- Ventilation: moisture needs to be able to escape, otherwise cushions will smell musty
- Lid: does it stay open when you're lifting cushions out with both hands?
- Lock: lockable doesn't always mean a lock is included
- Material: plastic and aluminium need little maintenance
Capacity in litres
The external dimensions tell you little: walls, lid and base take up space. So look at the capacity in litres. You can read how to work out how much you need in the steps below.
Waterproof or water-resistant
This is where things most often go wrong. A chest standing outdoors gets rain, dew and condensation. If it doesn't explicitly state that it's waterproof, only put dry cushions in it. The three cushion boxes in our comparison are even explicitly listed in the product information as not waterproof. That doesn't make them bad, but at least you know what you're getting.
Ventilation and location
A chest that is completely closed also traps moisture. Place your box or bench on a flat, dry surface, preferably slightly away from the wall, so air can circulate. On grass or soil, moisture will seep in from below.
Lid and hinge
A lid that stays open on its own, for example with a gas strut, is handy when you're lifting cushions out with both hands. Whether a model has this isn't always visible in the photo. If it isn't in the product information, ask the shop.
Material
| Material | Strong point | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic | Lightweight, easy to clean | Can fade in strong sun |
| Aluminium | Sleek, doesn't rust | Larger and more expensive |
| Wood | Warm look | Needs maintenance, affected by moisture |
Want to know more about the materials of the bench itself? Read the garden bench materials comparison.
How to calculate how many litres you need
With a tape measure and five minutes, you'll know what size box or bench you need.
For each type of cushion, measure the length, width and thickness in cm. Don't forget the back cushions and decorative cushions.
Multiply length x width x thickness and divide by 1000. A seat cushion of 60 x 60 x 12 cm is 43,200 cm³, so just over 43 litres.
Add the litres of all cushions together, plus anything else you want to store, such as a blanket or a bag of toys.
Cushions never stack perfectly neatly. Add roughly a quarter on top, so you can still easily take them out.
Calculation example: four seat cushions of 60 x 60 x 12 cm together come to just over 170 litres. With four back cushions of similar size, you get to about 340 litres. Adding a quarter margin, you're looking for a box of just over 400 litres. A complete lounge set with thick cushions quickly requires double that.
The cushion boxes in the comparison
These are the three cushion boxes currently available. The specs come from the product information; you can see the current prices on the cards.
| Model | Capacity | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Primo 490 l | 490 litres | Plastic |
| Primo 680 l | 680 litres | Plastic |
| Cambridge | 1240 litres | Aluminium |
According to the product information, all three can be locked with a padlock, but no lock is included. And all three are listed as not waterproof. None of the three states that you can sit on it.
Primo 490 l: compact for a small set
A plastic cushion box in dark grey with black, measuring 146.4 x 61 cm and 64.4 cm high. At 490 litres, the calculation example above fits inside. Thanks to its low height, it doesn't stand out too much next to a bench.
Primo cushion box 490 l
Primo 680 l: same width, more space
Just as wide as the 490 litre version, but deeper and taller: 146.4 x 71 cm and 74.9 cm high. The extra 190 litres is handy if you also want to store thick lounge cushions or a few blankets.
Primo cushion box 680 l
Cambridge: aluminium and the largest capacity
The Cambridge has an aluminium frame in taupe and measures 155 x 97 cm with a height of 82.5 cm. At 1240 litres, it's the largest box in the comparison, enough for the cushions of a complete lounge set. It is noticeably bigger, though, so measure your spot carefully.
Cambridge cushion box taupe
You'll find all storage boxes together in storage boxes.
Choosing a garden bench to go with it
If you opt for a garden bench with a cushion box beside it, you can choose the bench purely for comfort. Pay attention to seat height: for most garden benches in our comparison, it falls between 41 and 49 cm. The cushion boxes, at 64.4 to 82.5 cm, are considerably taller, so it's better to place the box next to or behind the bench rather than in front of it. You can read more about the right height in how high should a garden bench be.
Aluminium garden benches
View benches →
Wooden garden benches
View benches →
Bench cushions
View cushions →Want to know which benches we consider the strongest this year? Read the top 10 garden benches of 2026. Looking for a bench for a corner of your patio? Check out buying a corner bench for the garden.
Place the box where you use it
A cushion box next to the bench means your cushions are within easy reach in seconds. If it's at the back of the garden, you're more likely to leave cushions outside when a shower starts.
Keeping cushions dry
A cushion box protects against the worst rain, dirt and leaves, but it's not a drying cabinet. These habits will keep your cushions fresh:
- Only store them dry: after a shower, let cushions dry out before they go into the box.
- Air it now and then: leave the lid open for an hour on a dry day.
- Cushion bag as an extra layer: a bag inside the box keeps the cushions together and clean.
- Bring them in during winter: cushions that aren't used for a long time are best stored in a dry shed or in the attic.
Coverit cushion bag 153 x 68
View bag →
AeroCover cushion bag 175 x 80
View bag →
All protective covers
View range →The Coverit cushion bag closes with elastic, while the AeroCover cushion bag has a zip and breathable fabric. According to the product information, the latter is intended for indoor use, so for in the shed. You can read more tips in storing garden cushions and what to do with garden furniture in winter.
Does a cushion smell musty when you take it out of the box? Then it was stored damp. Let it dry in the sun and air the box before you put anything back in.
Common mistakes
Assuming the chest is waterproof
If it isn't stated in the product information, it isn't. Only store dry items in it.
Choosing based on external dimensions
A large chest can still have a small capacity. Compare the capacity and work out what you need.
Sitting on a box that isn't designed for it
Not every cushion box is made to be sat on. Only do so if the manufacturer states it's allowed.
Forgetting the lock
In the boxes in our comparison, lockable means you have to add a lock yourself. So order the lock along with the box if you want to secure it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a garden bench with storage or a cushion box waterproof?
Don't count on it. Always check the product information: the three cushion boxes in our comparison are listed there as not waterproof. Therefore only store dry cushions in them, place the box on a flat, dry spot, and for extra protection use a cushion bag inside the box.
How many litres of storage do I need?
Measure your cushions: length x width x thickness in cm, divided by 1,000, gives the number of litres per cushion. Add up all the cushions and allow roughly an extra quarter for air and for easy packing and unpacking. A seat cushion measuring 60 x 60 x 12 cm already holds over 43 litres.
Can you sit on a cushion box?
Only if the manufacturer states that it is possible. The cushion boxes in our comparison do not state this in the product information. At 64.4 to 82.5 cm they are also taller than a regular seating height. So use them as storage next to your garden bench, not as a place to sit.
Are there garden benches with storage in your comparison?
Not at the moment. The garden benches we are currently comparing state in the product information that they have no storage space. If you want to sit and store, the best route is a garden bench with a separate cushion box placed alongside it.
Can I put a lock on a cushion box?
According to the product information, the three cushion boxes in our comparison can be locked, but the lock is not included. You will need to buy that separately.
