Outdoor cushion storage box: do you need one, and what works better

What a storage box is for

Keeping cushions off the ground, out of the leaves and out of sight between uses. It is not a drying cabinet. A cushion that goes in wet comes out mouldy, box or no box. Drying comes first; see how to dry outdoor cushions.

What to look for

• Ventilation. Vents in the sides or lid, or a slatted construction. A sealed resin box sweats inside.
• Raised floor. Feet or a plinth so ground moisture does not wick up.
• A lid that sheds water. Sloped or domed; flat lids pool water and leak at the seal.
• Capacity. Six 45×45 hollow-fibre cushions need about 150 litres. A corner-sofa set of seat pads needs 400-600 litres.
• Gas struts or a stay. You will be lifting the lid with cushions in one hand.

What to avoid

• Sealed plastic trunks without vents. Cheap, common, and the number one cause of mouldy cushions we see.
• Fabric "cushion bags" in PVC. Same problem, worse.
• Boxes placed under a dripping gutter or against a north wall where they never dry.

Alternatives that work as well or better

• A shelf in a shed, cushions standing on edge. Free, ventilated, best.
• A bench with storage, if it has a slatted base.
• Breathable cotton or mesh bags hung in a garage.
• No storage: Sunbrella® cushions with hollow-fibre filling can stay on the furniture all summer and only need storing in winter for convenience. See can Sunbrella cushions stay outside.

Using the box in winter

Clean and dry the cushions in October, stand them on edge in the box, and open the lid on a dry day once a month. If the box is outside, put it somewhere it gets sun on the lid. The full winter routine: how to store garden cushions.