At first glance you might not think there are many ways to store items on a veranda or patio. After all, it?s basically a large flat area that is perfect for using to relax on a lounger on those long hot summer days.

But there are ways to incorporate some storage ideas that won?t detract from the overall look of your garden ? and they will certainly come in very handy as well.

Depending on the size of your veranda or patio, you may have room for a small summerhouse. These are far more attractive than a standard shed, but they can just as easily be used for storage. Small garden items such as garden tools and plant pots can be stored away in plastic boxes to protect them from the cold and damp, while larger items such as the lawnmower can be tucked away out of sight ? perhaps covered by a tarpaulin.

The rule is to keep things below the level of the windows, so that when anyone looks inside they won?t be greeted by a haphazard mess of pots, bottles and assorted other paraphernalia. A summerhouse can also be dressed with window boxes to help soften its appearance and help it blend in with the rest of the patio or veranda area.

If you need to store smaller items and you haven?t got the room for a summerhouse, then cleverly built planters can afford a solution ? as well as forming an eye-catching addition to your area. If you are handy at building (or know someone who is) try building a stepped planter which has several different areas in which to plant your flowers, each one at a different height. If these are built so they are raised off the floor, you can incorporate a small storage area in the base of each one. These are ideal for storing garden tools and plant pots in.

Garden benches can also hide extra storage space if you build them yourself. A sturdy wooden bench which has a seat that lifts up to reveal a space within can be a real boon in a garden which has little room for a shed or other large place for storing garden items in.

These are just a few ideas for creating clever storage areas when you might think there is no room for any. The key to your success is to consider every space you have, and how it could be used for more than one purpose.