Declutter Your Space: Why Rubbermaid Is a Top Storage Solution
Let’s be honest. Your garage or patio often becomes a pile of things you’ve tripped over this week, not a functional space. Restoring order usually comes down to one simple thing: finding a proper place to put everything.
You’ve likely seen Rubbermaid’s plastic storage units everywhere. They are common for a reason—they just plain work and solve clutter problems effectively and affordably.
We’ll explore two of the most popular styles that can help you win back your space. One is a tall, slender cabinet perfect for garages, and the other is its shorter, wider cousin, the horizontal shed, designed for the outdoors.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which one has your name on it and is ready to help you reclaim your space from the chaos of clutter.
What Is the Vertical Cabinet? Your Garage’s New Hero
Imagine a tough, upright locker designed specifically for your garage. That’s the Rubbermaid vertical cabinet. It’s built to get clutter off your floor and neatly organized onto its shelves, with most models including four or five.
While specific weight capacities vary, the resin construction is durable enough for heavy garage items. It can easily hold pounds of car wax, half-used bottles of weed killer, and those mystery tools you forgot you had.
One of the best features is the tool-free assembly. The promise of snapping it together without digging through your toolbox is a welcome relief for any project.
Furthermore, the doors are lockable, though you will need to provide your own lock. This adds a layer of security, making it an excellent spot to store items you want to keep safe from children or curious neighbors.
Real Talk: What Do Owners Think of the Vertical Cabinet?
The consensus from most owners is overwhelmingly positive. They frequently praise its surprising sturdiness and its ability to hold a ton of stuff, which is precisely what you need in a garage storage solution.
The tool-free assembly consistently gets a big thumbs-up, making setup less of a chore. It’s designed to click together like large building blocks for a straightforward build.
However, no product is perfect. The main grumbles revolve around the instructions, which some find a bit confusing. Be prepared for a moment of head-scratching.
You might also have to wipe out some plastic shavings left over from manufacturing. This is a small price to pay for a tidy garage.
The tough resin material means it won’t rust, peel, or get sad in a damp garage. Plus, the adjustable shelves provide incredible versatility for organizing your gear.
How Can You Use Your New Garage Cabinet?
This cabinet is the perfect soldier for taming the chaos in a garage, shed, or basement. It provides a dedicated home for all those items that currently live on the floor or a cluttered workbench.
Use it to create a dedicated car care station. All your waxes, polishes, microfiber towels, and detailing supplies can live in one organized, lockable space.
It’s also ideal for gardening supplies. Keep bags of soil, pots, fertilizers, and hand tools neatly contained and out of the way until you need them.
For the classic car enthusiast or home mechanic, this cabinet can store parts, specialized tools, and fluids. It gives everything a home, which helps you find your floor again and makes your workspace more efficient.
What Is a Horizontal Shed and How Can It Help You?
Now let’s shift our focus outdoors. The horizontal shed is a low-profile unit made to live on a patio, in the yard, or on the side of the house. Its compact size, with common dimensions around 4.5 by 3 feet, allows it to tuck away neatly.
This is the designated spot for bulky outdoor items. Think patio cushions, messy garden tools, pool chemicals, or kids’ toys that are currently scattered across the lawn.
Built from the same weather-resistant resin, it ensures everything inside stays dry and protected from the elements. It typically comes in neutral colors, so it blends in with your fence or home exterior without being an eyesore.
Just like its taller sibling, this unit is also lockable. You can secure your belongings and keep your backyard looking pristine.
Honest Feedback: The Verdict on the Horizontal Shed
People who own a horizontal shed often point out how incredibly tough it is. They rave about how well it stands up to harsh sun and pouring rain, keeping its contents perfectly dry.
Its compact size is another big win. It fits into small, awkward spots but still manages to swallow a surprising amount of outdoor clutter.
Many models offer dual-access, letting you open it from the top like a treasure chest or from the front doors. The lift-up lid and double doors make it easy to get to your stuff without digging.
Now, a heads-up on assembly.This can be a two-person job. It sometimes feels like a wrestling match, and having a rubber mallet on hand can help you persuade the pieces to cooperate.
What Can You Store in a Horizontal Shed?
This little shed is a workhorse for cleaning up an outdoor living space. Its primary function is to hide away items that make your patio or yard look messy.
Use it to conceal unsightly garbage cans or recycling bins. This instantly improves your home’s curb appeal and keeps pests away.
It’s the perfect home for bulky patio cushions, protecting them from rain and sun damage. You can also store the kids’ army of outdoor toys, making cleanup a breeze.
For those with a green thumb, it’s great for bags of mulch, soil, and small lawn equipment. Giving everything a designated home can make your patio feel more spacious and relaxing.
What to Expect During Assembly
Let’s talk about putting these units together. Your experience will differ significantly depending on which model you choose.
The tall, vertical garage cabinet is designed for tool-free assembly. The pieces are meant to snap right together, making it a manageable solo project.
Patience is key, especially with the picture-based instructions. Take your time, lay out the parts, and it should come together without much of a fight.
The horizontal outdoor shed, however, is a different story. The assembly can be a bit more of a workout, and calling a friend for help is a genuinely good idea.
A rubber mallet isn’t included, but you’ll probably want one. A few strategic taps can help align panels and persuade them to lock into place. It’s a small effort for a storage solution that will protect your gear for years.
Which Is Better: The Tall Cabinet or the Horizontal Shed?
So, which one is right for you? Your decision comes down to what you are storing and where you are storing it.
The tall Freestanding Cabinet is your champion if you need to organize a multitude of smaller items on shelves. It thrives inside your garage, workshop, or a covered area.
It is the perfect choice for heavier tools, car care supplies, and anything you want to keep securely locked up and vertically organized.
The squat little Horizontal Shed is built for the great outdoors. It is better suited for bulky, awkwardly shaped items like patio cushions, garbage cans, or bags of mulch that don’t require shelving.
| Feature | Freestanding Storage Cabinet | Small Horizontal Storage Shed |
|---|---|---|
| Highlights | A lockable locker for your garage with multiple shelves for organization. | A weatherproof chest for your patio with easy top and front access. |
| Best Use | Getting smaller tools, supplies, and parts off the garage floor. | Hiding bulky outdoor items like cushions, bins, and garden gear. |
| Assembly | A solo job, mostly. Just be patient with the picture-book instructions. | Bring a friend and a mallet. We’re not kidding. |
How to Choose the Right Storage Unit
Before you click “buy,” run through a few quick questions to ensure you get exactly what you need.
First, measure your spot. Break out the tape measure and confirm the dimensions. A tall cabinet needs adequate ceiling height, while a short shed requires a specific footprint on your patio or lawn.
Next, know your clutter. Are you storing heavy engine parts or light, fluffy cushions? The tall cabinet excels at heavy, shelf-based storage, while the shed is an empty box for large items.
Also, think about security. If you’re storing power tools or chemicals you don’t want little hands getting into, a lockable unit is a non-negotiable feature.
Finally, consider the environment. Is your new unit living in a cozy, dry garage or braving the wild outdoors? An outdoor shed is built to handle rain and sun, while an indoor cabinet prioritizes shelving and capacity over weatherproofing.
Are These Units Durable and Weather Resistant?
One of the biggest advantages of Rubbermaid storage is the material. Both the indoor cabinet and outdoor shed are made of a high-density, durable resin plastic.
This material offers all-weather protection. It will not rot, rust, dent, or peel, meaning your investment stays looking good and functioning properly for years.
This makes them an excellent choice for a variety of climates. The weather-resistant construction essentially laughs at most weather conditions.
Maintenance is also incredibly simple. A quick wipe-down with soap and water is all it takes to keep them clean. There’s no need for painting, sanding, or weather-sealing.
While the garage cabinets are durable, the horizontal sheds are specifically designed to withstand direct exposure to the elements year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rubbermaid Storage
Q: What’s the biggest difference between the vertical cabinet and the horizontal shed?
A: The vertical cabinet is like a tall locker with shelves, perfect for organizing lots of smaller items inside your garage. The horizontal shed is a short, wide chest designed to hide bulky outdoor items like lawnmowers or patio cushions.
Q: Can I use the garage cabinet outside?
A: It’s best suited for a protected area like a garage, basement, or covered porch. While its plastic is durable, it’s not made to endure direct rain and sun like the weatherproof horizontal shed is.
Q: Which one is better for my messy backyard?
A: It depends on what you’re storing. For lots of small pots and tools that need shelves, a vertical cabinet in a covered spot is a good choice. To hide a few large items like garbage cans or a push mower, the open space of the horizontal shed is exactly what you need.
