20 Sturdy Outdoor Shelves – Reviews + Buying Guide

Outdoor shelves can be very useful for you to display decor or gardening tools, and they come in a huge range of shapes, sizes, and materials. This allows you to have space for everything while keeping it within easy reach. No matter if you’re looking for a permanent storage solution that locks or a simple outdoor shelf to set your seedlings or plants, we have one for you on the list. We’ve rounded up and reviewed 20 outdoor shelves for you to compare below.

There are dozens of outdoor shelves to choose from, and some are sturdier than the others, so it’s good to know what’s out there.

1. Black Metal Stand – Top Pick

This is a five-tier outdoor shelf that is great for small garden accessories or plants, including sprinklers and hand-held pruners or scissors. It’s made out of metal, but it has a powder coating on it to help protect it from rust, corrosion, or the elements as long as you don’t scratch it.

This is a more narrow outdoor shelf that is only 12-inches deep, but you can easily fasten it to a wall or deck railing to ensure it stays upright. However, you don’t necessarily have to do this to keep it upright, especially if you put heavier items on it.

PROS:

• Made out of metal
• Has a powder coating
• Five shelves
• Easy to assemble
• Holds a decent amount of items
• Flexible
• From a reputable brand

CONS:

• Shelves are only a foot deep
• May need to secure it to the wall

2. Bamworld Plant Stand – Step-Up Pick

The second outdoor shelf on the list is a fantastic way to display your plants. It works very well placed on a balcony or patio because it’s not too large. In fact, it’s less than 34-inches wide and roughly 32-inches tall. All of the parts are made out of wood, and the joints are made out of plastic. It comes flat-packed in a box and you have to put it together by pushing the wood pieces into the plastic joints.

The wood for this outdoor shelf has undergone a carbonization process, and this can help the wooden shelf stand up to exposure to the elements. The carbonization process will kill any fungi inside of the wood, and this can make it last much longer.

PROS:

• Comes flat-packed
• Not too large
• Works well on balconies or patios
• Made out of wood
• Easy to assemble
• Very user-friendly
• Not too expensive

CONS:

• Joints are plastic
• Won’t hold a huge amount of items

3. Gracious Living 4 Shelf – Mid-End Budget Pick

This is a plastic resin outdoor shelf that features interlocking components that are injection-molded from one piece of resin to make the final product long-lasting, lightweight, durable, and great for light-duty storage. The frame and shelves all snap together conveniently without needing any hammer or screwdriver.

The instructions you get on these outdoor shelves allow you to set it up quickly and easily without using a lot of time. You can also connect additional shelves to this unit if you decide that you need more space for your items. This is a very solid shelf that won’t break your bank, and it goes with a huge range of decors.

PROS:

• Tool-free assembly
• Works for light-duty storage
• Clear instructions
• Can add more shelves as needed
• Very stable and sturdy design
• Matches a range of decors
• Decent price

CONS:

• Made out of pure plastic
• Not suitable for heavy items

4. Bonviee Tall Plant Stand – Bargain Budget Pick

These outdoor shelves are made with 100% solid wood that undergoes a high-temperature carbonization process to kill any fungi and extend the life of the shelves. This is a taller shelf that you can put indoors or outdoors to display your potted plants, gardening gear, or seasonal items. It also works nicely as a decor piece for your porch.

These sturdy outdoor shelves have a higher capacity and can hold more than seven potted plants at once, and the distance between the shelves allows all of your plants to get sunlight. This shelf is easy to assemble without any specialized tools, and it comes with everything you need to assemble it. You get a 100% satisfaction guarantee with each purchase too.

PROS:

• 100% solid wood design
• No special tools required to assemble it
• Undergoes a high-temperature carbonization process
• High capacity
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• Friendly customer support
• Clear instructions

CONS:

• Not extremely sturdy
• Smaller shelves

5. Veakoo Bamboo 3 Tier Stand – Best For Hanging Baskets

This is a three tiered ladder-style outdoor shelf that offers a horizontal rod in place for your hanging plants. It has a bamboo material for the design, and there are two layers of varnish painted on it to help it hold up to the elements. It can hold up to 220 pounds, so it’s great for light and heavy-duty storage. There are also two adjustable holes for your hanging planters, and there is a rear crossbar behind each stand for additional bracing.

You can use these outdoors shelves for a huge range of storage items, and it is sturdy enough to use both indoors and outdoors. It has a tiered design that folds up to make it easy to store in the off-season. It’s a corner shelf, so it’s very sturdy when you get it in place.

PROS:

• Comes in two sizes
• Has space for hanging baskets and pots
• Folds to store very easily
• Uses bamboo
• Has a double coat of varnish
• Suitable for light and heavy-duty storage
• For indoor and outdoor use

CONS:

• Assembly can be tricky
• Legs are thin

6. Sunnydaze Meranti Wood Stand – Best For Large Planters

These wooden shelves allow you to quickly and easily store your potted plants on the porch or deck all summer long, and it can hold up to 110 pounds. It’s ideal to place in your greenhouse as a working or storage space, and you can use it to prep seedlings or plants on the shelves that are above and below the main work surface.

These outdoor shelves are easy to put together, and you get everything you need to assemble it in the box, including the hardware, tools, and instructions. This is a very solid design that is very stable, and you get a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on each purchase.

PROS:

• Holds up to 110 pounds
• Works nice to pot seedlings
• Easy to assemble
• Comes with all hardware and tools needed
• One-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Wood has stain to seal it from the elements
• Doesn’t take a lot of space

CONS:

• Can flake around the edges
• Boards are slightly thinner

7. Liberty Garden Hose Stand – Best For Hose Storage

This is a very simple but sturdy metal stand that you buy, unwrap, and push down in your yard to get a great hose storage space. You can simply pull it up and move it to another location if the need arises. The shelf is smaller, but it’s large enough to hold different hose nozzles or sprinklers to keep all of your items together.

The simple design on this outdoor shelf will hold up to 125 feet of ⅝-inch garden hose without an issue, and it has a sleek black powder coating on the metal material to prevent it from rusting or corroding with exposure to the elements. It also features a heavy-gauge steel construction that won’t bend under your hose’s weight.

PROS:

• Easy to assemble and use
• Features a small shelf
• Fun decorative design
• Powder coating
• Heavy-gauge steel material
• Several designs available
• Easy to move

CONS:

• Stakes aren’t pointed
• Slightly smaller hose holder

8. Gizoon Outdoor Storage Cabinet – Best For Bigger Garden Tools

This is a very sturdy outdoor shelf with three tiers, and it’s a secure storage cabinet that can hold a range of household items or garden tools like pole saws or smaller hand tools. You can easily take the shelves out to get a bigger compartment to store your larger items like ladders, rakes, mowers, and brooms. It’s made from solid fir, and the exterior has a coat of varnish to make it weather-resistant.

There are four adjustable foot pads on these outdoor shelves that make it more stable on uneven ground. There is a wooden latch on this door to secure your tools and it has a powerful magnet to make it easy to open and close the doors. There is a shutter design to give it better ventilation, and the roof has asphalt to seal the water out.

PROS:

• Three tiered shelving unit
• Can make it one big compartment
• Magnetized doors
• Four adjustable foot pads
• Asphalt roof to seal rain out
• Shutter design to improve ventilation
• Made out of fir wood

CONS:

• No actual security lock on the door
• Heavy

9. Greenhouse with Shelves – Best For Beginner Gardeners

If you’re someone who wants to get a head start on your growing season, these outdoor shelves can help. It has a clear PVC cover with ventilation windows, and it’s a walk-in outdoor greenhouse. It also comes with shelves on each side of the main aisle to set your seedlings or seed trays. The zippered roll-up door has two velcro side windows to help you regulate the external airflow to keep your plants healthy.

You get 12 wired outdoor shelves with six on each side, and they measure roughly 55.5-inches long by 56.3-inches wide. This gives you plenty of space for your plants. The cover is a thickened PVC material that lets your plants absorb as much light as they can, and the frame is rust-resistant. Every part is detachable, so you can move it as you need without a huge hassle.

PROS:

• Tool-less assemble
• Very user-friendly
• Comes with 12 shelves
• Has a clear PVC cover
• Two ventilation windows
• Zippered roll-up door
• Rust-resistant frame

CONS:

• Not for bigger plants
• Not great for bigger people

10. BS Lockable Storage Cabinet – Best For High-End Items

Some people prefer not to have a cluttered look when it comes to their outdoor shelves. If you’re one of these people, you may benefit from shelves with closing doors. This unit allows you to tuck your items in here, close the door, and not worry about clutter. It even has a few holes in the doors where you can put a padlock if you want to secure your items.

To allow these outdoor shelves to stand up to the elements and make it more weatherproof, you may want to put a waterproof caulking or epoxy along the joints and seams when you put it together.

PROS:

• Metal design
• Has holes to padlock it shut
• Enclosed design
• Protects from the elements
• Very sturdy and durable
• Features a thicker plastic design
• Easy to set up

CONS:

• Doesn’t have a metal body
• Thinner design

11. ShabbyDecor Outdoor Wall Shelf – Best For Small Items

When you start looking for outdoor shelves, this may not be what you have in mind. However, they look very neat and blend well with rustic decor. This is a galvanized metal, farmhouse-style shelf that you can use outside or inside. You can attach it to an outside wall, deck railing, or fence.

You may not be able to get a sense of the scale of these outdoor shelves from looking at them. However, the smaller shelf of the two is 15-inches wide and the larger one is 16.5 inches wide. They’re not huge, but they work to hold small toys, plants, or outdoor knick-knacks. The metal body is weatherproof and resists rusts and corrosion in rainy, snowy, or humid environments.

PROS:

• Two shelves per order
• Features galvanized metal
• Decent sized shelves
• Easy to install
• Can attach to a range of spaces
• Available in farmhouse and industrial looks
• Price

CONS:

• Doesn’t give a lot of storage room
• Metal is thinner

12. Rubbermaid Extra Large Cabinet – Best For Patio Storage

This outdoor storage cabinet comes with a shelf, and it’s a great option for someone who needs storage on their patio or deck. It’s a great place to store gardening tools or outdoor cushions to keep them secure and out of the way. It’s made out of a very durable UV-resistant resin that won’t rot, rust, or fade with exposure to the sun. It also comes equipped with a lid to help seal water out.

There is a double-wall construction on these outdoor shelves that is designed for durability and strength, and the two layers give you reliable protection. It’s leak and weather-resistant, and it has assisted-lift hinges that make it easy to open with a touch, and it props them wide open for convenient access. They’re made to last without breaking the bank.

PROS:

• Has a thicker shelf
• UV-resistant resin design
• Won’t rust, rot, or fade
• Double-wall construction
• Weather and leak-resistant
• Assisted-lift hinges included
• Made to last

CONS:

• Only has one shelf
• Bulky design

13. DTY Outdoor Eucalyptus Sideboard – Best For Deck or Patio Placement

This sleek cabinet features outdoor shelves that are made out of eucalyptus wood, and you can choose from a few stained finishes to match your aesthetic. It is FSC certified wood, and you get two outdoor shelves with a smaller storage cabinet underneath to keep your hand tools. It looks fantastic sitting in your outdoor kitchen, patio, or inside.

There are no shelves inside of the cabinet area, but it wouldn’t be too hard to create one if you’re a DIYer. It comes with a very wide and sturdy base that won’t tip or move when you load or unload your items. There are small knobs on the cabinet doors to make them easy to open and close.

PROS:

• Four finishes available
• Two shelves with a cabinet
• Very solid
• Easy to assemble
• Has a very sleek look
• Smaller slats for different-sized items
• FSC certified eucalyptus wood

CONS:

• Finish can wear off
• Will fade relatively quickly

14. Auledio Plant Stand – Best For Wet Environments

These outdoor shelves feature durable and high-quality iron that can support up to 150 pounds without an issue. It’s powder-coated with a deep black finish to help it stand up to corrosion and rust, and you can use it both indoors and outdoors as it’s weather-resistant. It has three shelves with a larger storage space, and they give enough space for several potted plants.

Each shelf has a 50-pound weight capacity, and it has a folding design that makes it easy to store between uses. It features a wrought iron-inspired design, and it makes it a nice focal point in your lawn. The raised legs keep the plants off the ground and allow for great drainage.

PROS:

• Easy to assemble
• Wrought-iron design
• Powder coating to resist rust and corrosion
• Durable metal design
• Folds for easy storage
• Larger outdoor shelves
• Has raised legs

CONS:

• Shelves are thinner
• Easy to scratch

15. Bealife Outdoor Storage Cabinet – Best For Suburban Spaces

This is a high-quality outdoor shed with shelves that allow you to organize and store your garden equipment and tools. You can also easily remove the shelves from this cabinet to leave more space to store bigger tools like weed wackers and it comes with double doors with a magnetic lock to keep the doors shut when you’re not around.

These outdoor shelves are made with durable fir wood that resists rot, and the shutters on the doors ensure that you get adequate ventilation to prevent any musty odors. The roof is built at a slope and covered with asphalt to prevent water from leaking in. You can use it as a garden shed, utility tool closet shed, patio storage, and pool supplies.

PROS:

• Includes all of the necessary tools
• Works to store small and large tools
• Magnetic lock
• Roof is sloped
• Asphalt roof resists leaking
• Fir resists rot
• Great ventilation

CONS:

• Instructions are difficult
• Doors may not line up

16. DOEWORKS 4 Tier Metal Stand – Best For Sitting on Wooden Surfaces

These space-saving outdoor shelves come in a three or four tier design, and they allow you to display a range of decorative items. It’s very easy to move from point A to point B, and it comes with a matte black powder coating that helps it resist rust and corrosion, and the metal construction will withstand exposure to the elements.

There are foot pads on the bottom of these outdoor shelves that allow it to sit solidly on the ground, or it can sit on your hardwood flooring without scratching it. You’ll get a decorative design on the side that looks a little like vines, and the customer support team is very responsive.

PROS:

• Space-saving design
• Three or four tiers available
• Easy to move
• Powder coating
• Has a metal design
• Foot pads on the legs
• Decorative scrollwork

CONS:

• Doesn’t hold a large amount of weight
• Not extremely stable

17. Aboxoo 3 Tier Stand – Best For Sheltered Spots

These upgraded outdoor shelves are very cost-effective, and they allow you to display or store a range of items like toys, potted plants, shoes, books, decorations, or gardening tools. It features a solid steel material that has a powder-coated black matte finish that helps lock the elements out and prevents it from rusting or corroding. This will also help it last for a long time either indoors or outdoors.

You’ll get a more retro and elegant design on these outdoor shelves that will match many decors. There are multi-purpose supports and shoes in place to hold the stand up when you assemble it. It’s very easy to assemble when you get it, and it offers a very simple and sleek look and feel with a durable frame.

PROS:

• Has a very thick frame
• Metal design
• Black matte powder-coated finish
• Easy to assemble
• Wide shelves
• Has light designs on the side
• Wider base

CONS:

• Easy to scratch the powder coating
• Bulky to move

18. Furinno Hardwood Shelving Unit – Best For Hand Tools

These outdoor shelves feature a durable and pretty Malaysian dark red meranti wood that they treated with teak oil to make it water-resistant, durable, and able to withstand sun or snow without fading. You get a very simple design with this product with three shelves that sit on a very sturdy base to keep your items up off of the ground and safe in all weather.

There are slates on these outdoor shelves that allow water to drain through and away from your items to keep them in good condition. It has a smaller design that fits nicely alongside the wall in your outdoor entertainment area, or you can use it inside. It folds up for easy storage.

PROS:

• Made with Malaysian dark red meranti wood
• Treated with teak oil
• Has decent water-resistance
• Very sturdy
• Offers three shelves
• Has a wider base
• Easy to assemble

CONS:

• Only holds a few plants
• Sticks out from the wall

19. MORITIA Metal Shelves – Best For

These durable and sturdy outdoor shelves feature a metal construction that has a durable black powder coating to help protect from corrosion and rust. You can use it indoors or outdoors, and it has a sleek design that complements most design styles. You can set multiple plants or smaller items on it without worrying about it breaking.

You can choose from a three, four, or five-tier design when you purchase these outdoor shelves, and they’re supported by thicker steel framework to make it more stable. The base is wider too, and this helps to keep it more stable. You can assemble it in a few minutes without any special tools.

PROS:

• Durable metal construction
• Available in 3, 4, or 5 tier designs
• Thicker metal framework
• No special tools needed to assemble it
• Easy to move around
• Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
• Holds several plants

CONS:

• Can scratch the floor
• Sticks about a bit from the wall

20. 4 Tier Standing Shelves – Best For

The final outdoor shelves on the list offer four tiers of storage with a larger frame that allows you to place up to eight objects or flower pots from your container garden on them without running out of room. This product features thickened steel pipe that has gone through a high-pressure baking process to make it waterproof and anti-rust with exposure to various conditions.

The elegant black powder coating allows it to fit in with almost any decor, and each product undergoes a strict quality control review before it goes out. It can hold up to 100 pounds without an issue, and you get simple instructions that allow you to assemble it very quickly.

PROS:

• Thickened steel material
• Fits a range of decors
• Holds up to 100 pounds
• Larger storage space
• Very stable design
• Very simple instructions
• Easy to move around

CONS:

• Can be tricky to snap together
• Sides are open

Buying Guide

When it comes to your outdoor shelves, you want to take your time and keep a few key considerations in mind when you shop. Doing so will help ensure you get an outdoor shelf that will last for years and accommodate everything you need. They include:

Material

Outdoor shelves have to be sturdy enough to withstand exposure to the elements, so it’s a good idea to consider the material. Metal is very popular, especially if it has a powder coating on it. Another option you have is wood with a sealant or stain on it to help lock out any moisture, water, and save it from fading in the sun.

The material of your outdoor shelves will dictate how long it lasts, and some of them are more durable than others, like metal.

Size

Your outdoor shelves should be big enough to accomodate all of your items but not too large that they stick out and take up valuable space you could use for other items. So, measure your space and consider everything that you want to store. This will help you figure out which shelf is going to work best for your needs.

Style

When you think about all of the outdoor shelves available, it can get overwhelming. Do you want something that attaches to the wall? Maybe you want something that is freestanding and you can move around. Do you need something ornate or simple?  The goal is to pick out a style that follows your design aesthetic and blends in nicely.

Durability

It’s essential that your outdoor shelves can withstand whatever conditions your climate throws at them. The durability will also depend on whether or not you have your outdoor shelves in a sheltered location or out in the open. Powder coating and stain can help, but you should double-check the manufacturer’s instructions too.

Bottom Line

We’ve outlined 20 great outdoor shelves for you to consider. You can compare your options and use this short buying guide to make your final choice. If you get it right, you’ll have a durable space to store your items that lasts for years.