Filing Cabinets for Office Organization
Without a proper filing system, your bills, contracts, manuals and other important documents will quickly become lost in a sea of paper clutter. Filing cabinets are the solution. These units have been specially designed for use with file folders to store and organize all paper documents. These functional cabinets are a must-have in any home office.
Filing cabinets are available in three main styles: vertical file cabinets, lateral file cabinets and file cabinets with shelving.
Vertical File Cabinets
Vertical file cabinets are tall, narrow units with two to six drawers. These drawers are fitted with metal rails to hold letter- or legal-size hanging files. These filing cabinets take up very little floor space but come with deep drawers for file storage. However, because of the depth of the drawers, files kept near the back can be difficult to access. For this reason, vertical cabinets are often used to house archived files that won't need to be accessed very often.
These units are available in two main styles:
- Wood file cabinets are cabinets made of hardwood or engineered wood. They are available in light and dark washes with gorgeous wood grain showing through. These cabinets look great next to sturdy wood desks.
- Metal file cabinets are primarily made of steel and are available in white, black and silver finishes. They often come with wheels, making them easy to move around for cleaning or redecorating. These cabinets coordinate well with modern metal or glass desks.
Lateral File Cabinets
Lateral file cabinets are generally shorter and wider than their vertical equivalents. Each drawer can fit letter or legal-size hanging files. Some units are short enough to fit into otherwise unused spaces, like under a windowsill. Others can be hung on the wall above a desk. Most of these cabinets are made of wood or engineered wood in various shades like light pine and dark mahogany.
Unlike vertical file cabinets, the drawers on these lateral cabinets are wide rather than deep, allowing you to access all files with ease. These cabinets are great for storing files that are used daily.
File Cabinets with Shelves
Though most filing cabinets are simple units with two or more opaque drawers, some also have a small section with open shelving. This open shelving space increases the usefulness of the unit by providing a spot to store any items that you wouldn't want to be hidden away in file cabinet drawers.
Use these shelves to house any or all of the following items:
- Work-related documents that are in file boxes or binders instead of in hanging folders.
- Books and reference materials that must be kept within reach.
- Office supplies, like pens, staplers and scissors. Extra file folders can also be stored on these shelves.
- Decorative accessories to brighten up the workspace, like plants and flowers, candles and picture frames.
Filing cabinets add order and function to any home office. With the right cabinet and plenty of file folders, you can transform bundles of loose and disorganized papers into an organized and easy-to-access catalog. Since these cabinets are available in both vertical and lateral models, you can use whichever type best fits your space. And with metal and wood file cabinets to choose from, you can ensure that your file storage cabinet not only functions well but also coordinates beautifully with the rest of your office furniture.