Gardeon Wicker Outdoor Storage Bench - 102L, 300kg Rated, Cushioned Seat | Black PE Rattan

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Brand: Gardeon
• Overall dimensions: 100cm W × 47cm D × 45cm H
• Seat height: 45cm (standard bench height)
• Storage capacity: 102L / 27 gallons
• Frame weight rating: 300kg (structural - distributed load)
• Wicker material: PE (polyethylene) rattan - UV and weather resistant
• Frame material: Steel
• Colour: Black
• Cushion: High-density foam outdoor cushion - included
• Hinges: Anti-rust
• Lid support: Steel ropes - hold lid open during loading/unloading
• Handles: Integrated - both ends
• Suitable for: Indoor and outdoor use
• Assembly: Required - straightforward, manual included
• Warranty: 1 year

Note: The 300kg weight rating is the structural frame capacity for storage loading. Always use common sense with seating loads - this bench comfortably supports adults but is not rated for standing or jumping on the lid.

FAQs:

Q: Is PE rattan suitable for Australian outdoor conditions - sun, rain and humidity?

A: PE (polyethylene) rattan is actually better suited to Australian conditions than natural rattan or cane, which is why most quality outdoor furniture brands have switched to it. Natural rattan absorbs moisture (leading to mould and rot), bleaches and becomes brittle from UV exposure, and can crack with the humidity cycles common in coastal and subtropical Australian environments. PE rattan is a synthetic polymer that's engineered to resist all of these - it won't absorb moisture, fade significantly, or become structurally compromised from UV exposure over time. The PE rattan on this Gardeon bench is UV-stabilised, meaning it's been formulated specifically to resist the UV intensity of Australian sun rather than just standard northern-hemisphere outdoor conditions. In practical terms: leave it outside all year, hose it off when it gets dirty, and it will look much the same in five years as it does today.

Q: What outdoor furniture also provides storage underneath?

A: An outdoor storage bench (also called a deck box bench, storage ottoman or wicker storage bench) combines seating with a lift-lid storage compartment underneath - giving you both functions in one piece instead of two. This Gardeon bench provides 102 litres of enclosed, weather-protected storage under a cushioned seat that comfortably fits two adults. The most common uses are storing outdoor cushions from other furniture (keeping them dry and clean when not in use), pool and beach gear, children's outdoor toys, and garden tools. The enclosed storage means contents are protected from rain, UV fading and insects - unlike open outdoor shelving. For small outdoor areas like balconies, courtyards and smaller backyards, an outdoor storage bench is often the most efficient outdoor storage solution available because it uses the vertical space you were going to use for seating anyway.

Q: How much actually fits in 102 litres of outdoor storage?

A: 102 litres is roughly the volume of four large shopping bags or a medium wheelie bin. In practical terms: 4–6 folded outdoor seat cushions; a full set of children's outdoor toys (balls, chalk, outdoor game equipment); pool floaties, goggles, sunscreen and towels for a family; a season's worth of garden hand tools and gloves; or approximately 10–12 wine bottles laid flat. The 100cm width of this bench means long items - pool noodles, yoga mats, garden stakes up to about 90cm — can be stored without folding. It's worth noting the bench is not waterproof in submersion (it's weather-resistant, not waterproof) - the lid keeps rain off the contents effectively but it should not be submerged or left in flooding conditions.

Q: What does the 300kg weight capacity mean for this bench?

A: The 300kg rating is the structural capacity of the steel frame under distributed load - this is the rated weight the frame can support when loaded as a storage unit. As a seating surface, the bench comfortably supports adults in normal seated use. The 300kg figure should not be understood as a rating for standing on the bench or for extremely concentrated point loads. In practical terms, you don't need to worry about this rating for normal seated use (even with two adults sitting on it) or for typical storage loads. The 300kg figure is a reassurance that the frame itself is genuinely robust - not the flimsy steel found in cheaper resin storage boxes - rather than a literal maximum for everyday seating.

Q: Can this bench be used indoors as well as outdoors?

A: Yes - the black PE rattan wicker aesthetic reads well in indoor spaces, particularly in hallways, entryways, mudrooms and under windows. Many buyers use this bench as an entry bench for putting on shoes with sports gear or umbrella storage underneath, or in a laundry for storing cleaning supplies with a folded-laundry surface on top. The steel frame and PE wicker construction are over-engineered for indoor use - there's no durability concern with indoor placement. The cushion is rated for outdoor use (high-density foam that handles temperature variation and moisture) which means it performs comfortably in any indoor context too.