The easiest way to keep porch packages dry when it rains

If you order anything online, you know the sinking feeling of opening a soggy box. Between rain, splashback from the driveway, and wind, packages don’t stand a chance on an unprotected porch. You don’t have to build a full-on delivery locker to fix it, though. A simple setup can keep most boxes dry without making your porch look cluttered.

Start with where the packages usually land

Think about your delivery pattern. Do drivers always set boxes right in front of the door, or do they naturally gravitate to one side? If you’re not sure, check past delivery photos or pay attention for a week.

Once you know the “drop zone,” that’s where you’ll focus your fix. Fighting that habit rarely works. It’s easier to make that exact spot more protected than to hope every driver reads a note and changes course.

Add a small, covered landing spot

The easiest solution is a weather-resistant bin, bench with storage, or lidded deck box near the door. It doesn’t have to scream “package box”—it can just look like normal porch storage.

Leave the lid propped open with a simple sign that says something like “Packages here, please.” When rain is in the forecast, that lid is what saves cardboard boxes from falling apart or soaking through at the bottom.

Use a raised surface to keep boxes off wet concrete

If a full box or bench isn’t realistic, even a raised spot helps. A simple outdoor side table, plant stand, or wooden pallet painted to match the porch keeps packages off direct puddles and splashback.

Rain on the ground can wick up into cardboard. Elevating boxes a few inches allows air to move around and keeps the bottom from staying damp. It’s a small change that makes a big difference on rainy days.

Position packages away from drip lines and splash zones

Look up and watch where water goes when it rains. Rooflines, gutters, and nearby plants all direct water. If your usual drop zone is under a drip edge, try shifting your package spot a few feet left or right to a drier corner.

Even with the same overhang, some areas stay much drier than others. A little trial and error after a rainstorm will tell you exactly where packages should live to avoid the worst of it.

Add a simple, polite note for delivery drivers

Most drivers are happy to help if it’s clear and easy. A small, weatherproof sign near the door or box that says “Packages: please place under lid/bench” gives them instant direction.

You don’t need a paragraph—just something readable at a glance. Back it up by making the packaging area the obvious, easy choice so they aren’t hunting around or balancing boxes in weird places.

Keep the area tidy so it doesn’t turn into storage overflow

Whatever solution you set up—box, bench, table—commit to keeping it mostly clear. If it constantly has shoes, toys, and random stuff piled on it, drivers will go right back to the wet step.

Do a quick porch reset every week or so. When your package spot looks intentional and open, it’s more likely to get used the way you want it to.

A little planning on the front end saves you from soaked cardboard, damaged goods, and that shuffle of trying to rush home before the next storm hits.