If you constantly find yourself inundated with a pile of paperwork on your desk, it's time to put some thought into how to choose filing cabinets to clear up the mess.
If you constantly find yourself inundated with a pile of paperwork on your desk, it's time to put some thought into how to choose filing cabinets to clear up the mess.
Table of Contents Hide
Not only can a good set of filing cabinets help clear up the clutter, but they can make you more organized and effective at your job, too. Whether you're wondering how to choose filing cabinets for your home or for your office, you've come to the right place.
Consider these common types of filing cabinets as you begin your quest for a new set.
Lateral
Lateral filing cabinets are most often used in office settings, as they contain multiple drawers and are designed to hold lots of paperwork. They generally have anti-tip features so that they won't fall on you when the drawer is pulled out all the way. These filing cabinets get their name from how you do the filing - side-to-side rather than from up above. They can handle both legal - and letter-size hanging folders.
Vertical
A vertical filing cabinet is similar to a lateral filing cabinet but is a better choice for home offices or other small workspaces. Often, these have just as many drawers as lateral files but they tend to be narrower and are sorted in a front-to-back order.
Mobile
Mobile filing cabinets are best for workers on the move. They can be rolled wherever you need them to go and can usually fit underneath a desk for more convenience.
Open shelf
Open shelf files look like bookcases, and have open fronts that are designed to be filled with folders arranged side-by-side. They may not be the best choice for confidential documents, but add visual interest to a modern office when filled with books or colored file folders.
Flat
A flat filing cabinet is one that consists of multiple flat, shallow drawers that contain large or oddly-shaped items, like blueprints, securely. These can usually be stacked on top of each other.
Without a doubt, size is the most important factor to consider when you are shopping for a new filing cabinet. They usually are sold in letter or legal size. While letter-sized drawers contain documents that are a typical 8 ½"x 11", legal-sized drawers can hold documents that are 8 ½"x 14".
Choosing your filing cabinet size in this regard will depend on what kinds of documents you are filing. You will also need to choose how tall and wide your filing cabinets are. A vertical cabinet usually has between two and five drawers, while a horizontal filing cabinet may only contain one or two.
Filing cabinets can be found in all kinds of styles and colors, but are normally made out of metal or wood. While wood filing cabinets can be quite attractive, metal ones tend to be safer and more durable.
One of the most important features to consider when choosing a filing cabinet is whether you want it to be fireproof. If you work with valuable or sensitive paperwork, this is a must-have feature. Although fireproof filing cabinets are a bit more expensive, the benefit is that they also tend to be resistant to water damage and theft, too.
Something that goes hand-in-hand with that kind of security is whether you want your filing cabinet **to lock. **You might not realize this, but not all filing cabinets lock. It can be worth the extra investment.
A filing cabinet with counterweights is important, too, especially if you have small children or others that could be seriously injured by the weight of a falling filing cabinet. Counterweights prevent cabinets from tipping, which is important if you tend to pack your cabinets as full as they can get.
Some filing cabinets have features like follower blocks and hanging bars, too. Follower blocks are metal dividers that can help you keep your files more organized. Otherwise, a filing cabinet with hanging bars should do the trick to help you stay organized.
No matter what kind of filing cabinet you select, make sure you choose one that has good reviews and safety ratings. Otherwise, knowing how to choose filing cabinets that match your existing decor will be an easy-peasy process.
Solid Wood Lateral File Cabinets
Flat File Cabinets
Solid Wood File Cabinet 2 Drawer
File Cabinet Casters
Stylish Filing Cabinets
Solid Wood Filing Cabinet
Card File Cabinets
Vertical File Cabinets
Antique Drafting Tables
Computer Desks With Wheels
Secretary Desks With Hutch
Orthopedic Chairs
Computer Armoire With Pocket Doors
Computer Armoires & Hutches
Cabinet For Printer
Modern L Shaped Computer Desk
Drop Leaf Work Table
Computer Printer Table
Executive Home Office Furniture Sets
Wood L Shaped Desk
Wooden Swivel Office Chair
Secretary Desks For Small Spaces
Modern L Shaped Desks
Oak L Shaped Desk
Narrow Secretary Desk
Solid Wood Home Office Desks
Small Computer Desk With Drawers
Furniture Secretary Desk Cabinet
Teak Home Office Furniture
Modern L Shaped Office Desk
Wood Computer Desk With Hutch
Corner Computer Desk With Shelves
Wood Printer Stands
Modern Drafting Tables
Small Roll Top Computer Desk
Small Roll Top Desk
Corner Desks With Hutch For Home Office
Drafting Table With Drawers
Space Saving Home Office Desks
Small Secretary Desks For Small Spaces
Secretary Style Computer Desk
Oak Corner Computer Desk
Small Computer Table On Wheels
Small Desk With Drawer
Computer Desk With Locking Drawers
Small Secretary Desks
Furniture Secretary Desk
Executive Desk And Credenza