Don't Neglect Your Patio: The 11 Best Furniture Items To Use To Keep It Organized

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Anyone with a patio likely knows how valuable this space is. While a patio doesn't offer livable square footage, it's an ideal space for social gatherings, relaxing, and enjoying fresh air during prime weather months. Because the patio is such a prized space, it makes sense to treat it as such — this means properly outfitting the area to serve you with the right furniture choices. Even if you've been getting by with a random mashup of furniture you've acquired over the years, you could better use your patio to its fullest potential with some select pieces to keep the space organized.

Every patio is different and every person has unique tastes, so you'll have to choose whatever furniture your lifestyle requires for an organized outdoor living space. For some, this will mean tracking down outdoor shelving units that can store a variety of plants, or perhaps even a potting bench for gardening projects. Those who enjoy hosting patio gatherings might benefit from a hybrid piece like a cooler side table or folding patio chairs. There are also purely practical additions to keep patio inventory under control, like hose reels, outside cabinets, and pool toy storage bins for corralling those pesky pool noodles.

Outdoor patio shelving is a no-brainer when it comes to keeping your space organized. Instead of items and supplies cluttering up walking space or taking valuable square footage from your surfaces, you can take advantage of vertical storage space. If you have a large collection of plants that you want on display, you can score the IKEA IVAR 3-section shelving unit ($315), which has ample space to organize decorative plants and herbs alike.

Hose storage can be the difference between visual order and a tangled mess of rubber on your patio. (Proper storage techniques will also extend the lifespan of your hose.) You can choose a purely functional hose reel to prevent damage and tripping hazards or something a little more aesthetically appealing, like West Elm's Radius Hose Storage ($149). If you like hosing down your patio on a regular basis, it can make sense to spend a little more on a more attractive model.

There are always random odds and ends to organize on the patio. Using a cabinet is the smart storage solution that keeps outdoor pillows clean and dry, and an outdoor cabinet can effectively organize things like extra pots and lanterns that you don't want left out overnight. Remember to opt for something that has been primed for outdoor use to prevent premature corrosion, rust, warping, or other breakdown. The IKEA KOLBJÖRN cabinet ($169.99) is a popular choice for patio use, bringing a versatile look and practical capabilities.

If you're a gardener but lack a greenhouse or gardening shed to work in, you know how important a surface for repotting plants is. While you could use a patio table to do this, it's hardly an organized approach. Instead of cluttering up the same patio table that you have weekend meals around, a potting bench provides you with the ultimate workspace. Choose one with storage underneath so that you can keep your gloves, trowel, and other potting gear on hand. You can repurpose any old table or purchase a dedicated potting bench if your budget allows.

Ideal for stowing items like extra furniture cushions, kids' toys, or even patio cleaning supplies, an outdoor storage box makes for a great low-maintenance, catch-all piece. You can opt for whatever material of storage box you'd like, whether that's a sturdy plastic suited for outdoor use, or some timeless wood, like in the IKEA NÄMMARÖ storage box ($125). This stylish IKEA item adds instant privacy and storage to outdoor living spaces and has received positive feedback from customers, with a 4.6-star average rating.

A good patio has plenty of spaces for people to kick back and relax, but when seating is not in use, there's no reason for it to clutter up the area. That's where folding chairs come in. As easy to pull out and put to use as they are to store, folding chairs allow for carefree hosting and an organized look whenever it's patio weather. The IKEA NÄMMARÖ foldable chair ($50) is a nice-looking option that is compact and has good reviews from buyers — it is said to be easy to move around and comfortable, too.

Having a place to put your cup of coffee or glass of wine is a must when it comes to patio furniture. But why not opt for something that serves a dual purpose? A coffee table with some storage space underneath or within it can give you a sneaky spot to organize items that you like to have on hand, like extra cushions, a rag for wiping up messes, or other outdoor essentials. 

If you love hosting patio gatherings, you know what a disorganized mess the drinks situation can be. Having to fill an ugly cooler with ice and haul it outside can be a huge annoyance; plus, it just clutters up the space, aesthetically speaking. An innovative option is to purchase a cooler side table, which combines two functions into one compact piece. The Veradek Kona Cooler Side Table ($119.99) from Target is a good example, providing a sleek appearance, hours of cold drinks, and good capacity for cans and bottles. The top serves as a surface for holding drinks, too.

If you have a pool or hot tub on your patio, keeping towels accessible and organized is a better option than having them strewn across seating surfaces. For a dedicated piece of furniture that can organize your towels on a hot summer's day, a towel valet is a good choice. While you might be more used to seeing these items at a hotel pool, you can purchase one for your own patio. The Birch Lane Broughton Metal Towel Valet ($279) from Wayfair is a portable option that is practical when unpredictable summer weather strikes.

Speaking of poolside organization, there's nothing worse than floats and pool noodles littering your patio all summer long. You can reduce poolside clutter with this pool toy storage tip: Purchase a storage bin for large and bulky pool items. For a high-rated option, check out Keter City's 30-Gallon Resin Outdoor Storage Box & Patio Side Table ($39.97) on Amazon, which has a large capacity for pillows, pool toys, and anything else that is bulky and needs a home. Remember to choose something that is weather resistant to avoid a premature replacement.

Having a place to put your feet up is ideal for a relaxing patio afternoon. An ottoman is a natural furniture choice for your patio, but why not combine it with some storage potential, too? This is a low-lift hack for adding organization space to your patio. You can find a large selection of options at patio furniture stores or retailers like IKEA, with its GAMLEHULT ottoman with storage ($99.99). This particular product has a 4.7-star average rating from customers, who praise its appearance and performance, saying it is easy to bring inside or outside.