C LO S E TO H O M E
Organized Play
Pool toys don’t need to wreck the backyard aesthetic By Shelley Sakala
I
f you give a kid a pool, he’ll want pool toys. And if he gets pool toys, you’ll need a place to store them. It doesn’t feel like summer until you break out the rafts, noodles, beach balls, goggles and dive sticks. Pool toys are great. It’s the storage that’s a problem. It seems like the default storage Stay Organized method is to pile everything up PVC pipe and joint fittings from any home imon the pool deck until the next provement store lets you create a relatively swim session. Aside from wreckcheap and easy framework for organizing ing your backyard aesthetic, a rafts and pool noodles. stack of wet rafts and inflatable pizza slices makes a perfect hidframe and ing spot for critters and creatures seeking nylon mesh sides and floor, almost resembling shade and moisture in the Arizona heat. a giant playpen. It doesn’t hide your pool toys, But with a little investment in pool storage, but it keeps them all in one place. And the mesh you can easily corral every last beach ball, panels allow toys to air dry and resist mildew. floatie and kickboard. The key is finding a Budget priced at $75 on Amazon. storage solution that checks all your boxes, The caddy including your preferences for capacity, organization, weather protection, and proximity Big, floppy rafts and oversized pool noodles to your pool. There’s no right answer—only tuck nicely in a poolside float caddy. While the right answer for your situation. A small these don’t offer much protection from sun household with just a couple of rafts has dif- and wind, they do keep your toys nicely orgaferent needs than the family of six with every nized and easy to reach. The Crossley Palm pool toy ever made. So, with this in mind, here Harbor Wicker Float Caddy is available at are five different storage solutions for pool toys. Home Depot for $198. It features a steel frame and UV-resistant wicker construction. Treasure chest The life expectancy of pool toys left outside is rarely more than one season. If the sun doesn’t bake them, the next monsoon will carry them away to the neighbor’s house. A large, hinged outdoor chest secures everything in one place while offering protection from the elements. Prices range up to $600 or more, depending on size and materials. Tough, UV-protected versions are made of durable, weatherproof resin (similar to the material used to make Igloo ice chests). Higher-end version are built from wicker, cedar or acacia. The Novel 90-Gallon Resin Desk Box is available on wayfair.com for about $70.
The big basket
If you favor function over form, consider the Rolling Pool Storage Bin. It features a PVC
an interior shelf for stacking and organizing. Made of double-wall resin to keep contents safe from the sun, wind and rain. $265 at Lowe’s.
The locker
The deck box
One of the more elegant storage solutions you’ll find is the Goplus Outdoor Storage Shed. Over 5 feet tall, with adjustable shelves. It’s a large and functional wood furniture piece resembling something used to store the pool towels at a swanky resort. $280 on Amazon. If you’re not ready drop more than $70 on a toy bin, there are plenty of DIY ideas on Pinterest that even a minimally handy person could master. You get the same storage result at a fraction of the cost. And you can invest the money you save in more pool toys!
The Suncast 195 Gallon Java Deck Box has tons of storage space, plus three-door access and
Shelley Sakala is a local Realtor with The Sakala Group, and an 85085 resident.
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