Keter Eden 2-in-1 Bench Storage: Garden Bench Review

Toys, cushions, watering can – and nowhere to put them?

A simple garden bench promises to hide it all away while also providing extra seating.

Many keen gardeners will recognise the situation: after a few summers, items seem to collect in every corner, the lawn starts to look like a storage area, and the appeal of relaxing outdoors after work fades. The Keter Eden 2-in-1 Bench Storage aims to solve this with an interesting combination. It is designed to serve as storage, seating and a reasonably stylish piece of garden furniture in one, retailing for around £100 at B&M in the UK. But how well does this combination furniture work in everyday use, and who is it genuinely worthwhile for?

Garden bench with hidden storage: what the Keter Eden offers

The concept is straightforward. On the outside, the Keter Eden resembles a conventional garden bench with a backrest. Beneath the seat, however, sits a storage compartment offering around 265 litres of capacity. That is enough room for plenty of smaller items that might otherwise end up scattered across the patio or lawn.

The Keter Eden brings together a two-person bench and a proper garden storage box, tackling two issues at the same time.

Everyday items that can be stored inside include:

• Garden cushions and throws
• Small gardening tools such as a hand trowel, gloves and a plant mister
• Children’s toys, balls and water toys
• Board games or card games for an evening on the patio
• A picnic blanket, watering can or barbecue accessories

The key benefit is that there is no need to keep carrying everything back into the house: it can all go into one piece of furniture. Families with children in particular will notice how much calmer the garden appears when toy cars, sand moulds and balls are no longer spread everywhere.

Design: does the Keter Eden bench suit a typical UK garden?

Keter has chosen a wood-effect finish with a panelled texture. Although the bench recreates the look of a traditional wooden bench, it is made from plastic resin. This allows it to blend relatively discreetly into many garden settings, whether placed on a paved patio, beside a raised bed or against an exterior wall.

At approximately 140 x 60 x 84 centimetres (width x depth x height), its dimensions mean it does not resemble a bulky cabinet while still providing meaningful storage space. It is likely to be too large for a city balcony, but it is generally manageable in a terraced-house garden or on a small patio.

Comfort: simply a storage box or proper seating?

The Eden is intended by the manufacturer as a two-seater. It accommodates two adults, whether for an afternoon coffee or an evening glass of wine. Anyone planning to sit for longer will usually add seat cushions or a slim bench pad, both of which can be stored inside once they are no longer needed.

The backrest is fairly basic and practical rather than sofa-like. Anyone accustomed to spending long periods on upholstered furniture will notice the difference. For the classic “sit down briefly, stretch out your hands and look at the garden” break, though, it is more than sufficient.

Materials and durability: how robust is the Keter Eden?

For the Eden bench, Keter uses weather-resistant resin: a durable plastic suited to permanent outdoor use. Compared with wood, it brings several practical benefits:

Resin (plastic)	Wood
No painting or oiling required	Needs regular maintenance with oil or wood stain
Resistant to moisture and will not rot	Can rot when continually damp
UV-resistant and barely fades	Fades and turns grey over the years
Easy to wash with water and mild cleaner	Dirt tends to become embedded, making cleaning more demanding

This is a real advantage for families with little interest in ongoing wood maintenance. In spring, dirt, pollen or bird droppings can simply be washed away with a bucket of water or a garden hose, leaving the bench ready to use again.

Weather resistance: suitable for year-round outdoor use

As the material is weatherproof, the Eden can normally remain outside all year. Sun, rain and frost have little effect on it. The only important point is to ensure that large amounts of water are not left inside over winter, where they could freeze and create pressure. Those who keep an eye on this and make sure the lid closes cleanly should ideally be able to use the bench for many years.

Security: add a padlock for peace of mind

The lid includes a fitting for a padlock. A lock is not supplied, but one can be added for just a few pounds. It will not protect high-security valuables, but it helps keep curious children away from sharp garden tools and discourages opportunistic theft.

With a simple padlock, the bench becomes lockable storage – handy for tools or more expensive garden cushions.

This is particularly reassuring in rows of houses where several neighbours’ children play outside together: non-hazardous toys can remain accessible at any time, while sharp shears, fertiliser and metal skewers stay securely stored away.

How practical is the Keter Eden in daily life?

Its usefulness becomes clearer when considering ordinary household situations. Here are three examples from the perspective of different homes.

Families with children

For families, the bench is almost like an extra outdoor cupboard for a child’s bedroom. At the end of the day, all outdoor toys can go inside instead of being left all over the lawn. Parents regain a clear view of the garden, while children can find their toys more easily. If visitors arrive, the patio can look tidy within minutes.

Working couples

People with limited time tend to value uncomplicated solutions. The Eden can hold seat cushions, small plant pots, a watering can and perhaps even a string of lights. This keeps everything dry during the week, while at the weekend everything needed for an evening on the patio is ready with just a few quick movements.

Small gardens or allotment plots

Every square metre matters in allotments or very narrow urban gardens. This is where the bench stands out, as it provides storage and seating within the same footprint. Anyone who previously had a separate storage box alongside chairs can replace both with the Eden, freeing up room for beds or a barbecue area.

Value for money: is the investment worthwhile?

At around £100 in UK shops, the Keter Eden is not an ultra-cheap bargain, but it is also far from luxury garden furniture. When the cost of buying a sturdy bench and a weatherproof storage box separately is compared, the total will usually be significantly higher.

Those who place great importance on natural materials are unlikely to be satisfied with its plastic appearance. For anyone primarily looking for order, practicality and minimal maintenance, however, the proposition is fairly convincing.

Anyone currently considering a separate garden bench and cushion storage box should keep the Keter Eden in mind as a combined option – it saves space, time and often money too.

Practical tips for everyday use

A few simple measures can make the bench even more useful:

• Small folding crates or baskets inside help separate toys from tools.
• Place heavier items, such as compost, at the bottom, with lighter items such as cushions on top.
• After heavy rain, check that the lid has closed properly so that water cannot get in.
• In high summer, avoid placing highly flammable materials directly next to the bench, as plastic can heat up.
• Wipe the inside with a damp cloth once per season to remove dust and cobwebs.

This keeps the storage area hygienic and easy to use, while avoiding the familiar “chaos box” in which nobody can find anything in the end.

FAQ: key questions about the Keter Eden at a glance

What exactly is the Keter Eden 2-in-1 Bench Storage?

It is a two-person garden bench with an integrated storage box beneath the seat, providing around 265 litres of storage capacity.

How much does it actually hold?

To give an idea, it can easily accommodate several thick seat cushions, a blanket, a ball, a few garden tools and some additional small items. It is not intended for large garden equipment such as lawnmowers.

Can the bench stay outside throughout the year?

Yes. The weatherproof resin material is designed for permanent outdoor use. The bench is resistant to rain and sunlight.

Does it need painting or treatment?

No. Unlike wood, the material does not require stain or a protective coating. An occasional wipe-down is entirely sufficient.

How does the locking system work?

There is a fitting at the front where a standard padlock can be attached. This makes it possible to lock both the contents and the lid.

Why thoughtfully designed storage furniture changes everyday garden life

Garden organisation may sound unexciting, but it has a major effect on how relaxing an evening feels. Anyone constantly stepping over buckets, toys and stray cushions has little chance to enjoy the view of the beds or the sunset. A piece of furniture that gathers up the clutter while also offering seating noticeably reduces that pressure.

There is a psychological element too: a tidy outdoor space signals that “everything is in its place”. It can make the mental to-do list feel shorter. Rather than thinking, “I need to sort that out as well”, it is enough to reach for the bench: lift the lid, put things inside, close the lid. Done.

Anyone already planning to make the garden an “extension of the living room” benefits twice over. Cushions, string lights, games and blankets remain close at hand outdoors. Trips back into the house become shorter, and the barrier to spontaneously spending another hour outside becomes much lower.