You're proud as punch of your new deck box – it is the perfect addition to tie in everything that your patio is made of, and serves as the perfect place to store everything you could need to entertain your family and friends. But over time, it seems like it just gets in the way – especially during those hot summers when grilling out seems like the perfect option. You've got two ice chests full of frosty cold beverages, followed by your box perfectly in the way. Isn't there a way to combine everything, and make your deck flow as well as your barbecue is?

There is a very simple way to simply your deck, and make your deck box the centerpiece of your barbecue. Why have two ice chests in addition to your box, when you can have the best of both worlds and have a ice chest box? While it may sound like a rather daft idea, implementing this idea just takes a little ingenuity and good old-fashioned know how.

Regardless of what your deck box is made of, making a cooler out of your deck box is not a complicated process. Both plastic and wood serve as a great insulator to keep the cold inside without having many problems leaking out. The result is cold drinks surrounded by even colder ice. The only major difference in materials is how we will approach turning your deck box into a deck cooler.

If you have a plastic deck box, most of the work has been done for you. To turn this into a regular ice box, make sure it has been cleaned out with warm water and a mild cleaner, like a dish soap (because nobody wants to drink dirty beverages). Once done, fill with ice and enjoy your cold drinks at any time during your barbecue! To remove the remaining water from the ice, simply tip over gently unto your lawn, and let the water go.

If you have a deck box made of wood, you simply have to take another step in order to make your storage area a home for your drinks. Many wood boxes come with snaps around the edge, in order to store ice without letting the moisture soak into your wood. Once you have this, simply snap the liner around the edge, fill with ice, and enjoy! Once you are done, unsnap the edges, carry the water to an appropriate dumping place, and let the water go.

But what if your deck box didn't come with snaps for a liner? Don't worry too much – if you have a smaller box, there's still ways to turn it into the ice chest of your dreams. First off, start with a heavy-duty trash bag that will fit inside your deck box. If you have old blankets laying around that you don't worry over too much, pack them around the edges – this will serve as the perfect insulation. Cut the trash bag down from the opening, and fit the trash bag in snugly around your blankets. Add ice, and you've just created an ice chest! To empty, just remove the trash bag and dispose at will.

As the famous old adage goes, “Less is More.” This has never been quite as true with a deck box, as they allow you to have more fun with taking up less room at the same time!