This IKEA “Neutral” Outdoor Storage Gem Is Made of Galvanized Steel (It’s So Durable!)

Finding durable outdoor furniture is tricky enough when you live somewhere with normal temperatures, but add Phoenix’s unrelenting summer heat and you need to get pretty creative. (I routinely see 100-plus degree temperatures for weeks on end.) I was using a wooden cabinet on our back patio for storage, and as a little grilling side table, but it was absolutely demolished by the scorching Arizona sun.

I set my sights on a replacement and came across IKEA’s KOLBJÖRN Indoor/Outdoor Cabinet, which is made from galvanized steel and has a creamy beige-hued polyester powder coating on the exterior. The size was literally perfect for what I needed, I’d had really good luck with steel in my yard already, and I loved the shelving inside — so I picked it up and put it together.  

Made of powder-coated galvanized steel, the KOLBJÖRN Indoor/Outdoor Cabinet is perfect for indoor or outdoor use. It measures 31 1/2 inches wide, 13 3/4 inches deep, and 31 7/8 inches tall, and can hold up to 66 pounds. 

Because this cabinet is part of IKEA’s KOLBJÖRN collection, you can pair it with matching pieces, like the new extra-tall cabinet (which I’m considering for my garage) and the short shelving unit. You can even stack the KOLBJÖRN shelving units on top of this particular cabinet. 

What I love about this piece is the neutral color, the interior adjustable shelving, the magnetic-close door, and the feet that you can adjust up or down so it stands evenly on uneven flooring. Also, and this is a big deal with our dusty winds and just outdoor grime in general, the powdered coating cleans up super easily. A simple wipe-down with a damp cloth and it’s back to new. 

I use this cabinet to store outdoor odds-and-ends, including some pool equipment and gardening accessories. Because it sits adjacent to our grill, I often use the top to assist when grilling outside; it’s perfect for plates, cooking utensils, and accoutrement like spices and sauces. 

Its durability means it could also work nicely as an outdoor potting bench, as a mudroom organizer, or even in the bathroom or a closet to organize towels, linens, and toiletries. Overall, I’m extremely happy with this purchase and can’t recommend it enough! 

Buy: IKEA KOLBJÖRN Indoor/Outdoor Cabinet, $169.99