FREE Delivery When You Spend Over $1500 (Perth Only)
How to Find the Best Filing Cabinet for Your Office
Are you facing the challenge of limited space in your office? We understand that office rent can be expensive, and the number of employees may fluctuate from year to year. Instead of resorting to the hassle of moving to a new location, why not invest in efficient storage solutions, such as high-quality filing cabinets? While it may be tempting to assume that all cabinets are created equal, the reality is quite different. The process of acquiring the best filing cabinet involves careful consideration of various factors.
Lateral vs. Vertical Files
Lateral files feature a shallow drawer extension that can house many files. This design option is great for walkways and putting in tiny nooks – making it ideal for small offices. If your files are between 80-100cm, they can be neatly arranged in a lateral cabinet. Choose a cabinet with two or three drawers and it’ll store dozens of documents.
Vertical files, on the other hand, have deeper drawers. This cabinet design usually holds fewer documents, but are great for everyday use at a workstation. Most storage cabinets close to desks are vertical.
Advantages of Lateral Filing
Lateral filing cabinets offer a number of advantages over vertical filing cabinets. First, they provide more storage capacity in a smaller footprint. Second, they make it easier to access files since you don’t have to reach as high to grab them off the top shelf. Third, they tend to be more stable than vertical cabinets, so your files are less likely to tip over and get damaged.
Advantages of Vertical Filing
Vertical filing cabinets have a few advantages of their own. First, they’re typically less expensive than lateral cabinets. Second, they’re perfect for small spaces since they don’t take up as much floor space. Third, they’re easier to move around since they’re not as heavy as lateral cabinets.
Is Your Office Always Changing?
Mobile cabinets could be a good option for you. Move your storage around the office whenever you need. If you’re switching desks around, your cabinets can easily follow. This is beneficial if one of your employees is working on a client project for a few weeks. Position the cabinet close to their desk and once it’s over, push it out of the way. Instead of a permanent structure, you can store a mobile cabinet under a desk or pull it out when it’s needed.
When deciding between the two, it’s best to look at all the files you’ve got. This will help guide your buying decision. Think about features such as locks, wheels, the number of drawers and how they extend. Also, would you like to use the top of the cabinet for anything? You can add an item or two, but avoid cluttering it to maintain a minimal look.
After selecting the best type of cabinet, estimate the size and number of drawers. You’ll be able to work out how many cabinets you’ll need if you’ve got an extensive collection of documents.
The most important part of choosing storage for your files is ensuring they’re safe. Invest in well-designed cabinets to maintain the integrity of your documents for many years to come.
Things to Consider before buying a Filing Cabinet
Storage Capacity
When choosing a filing cabinet, you’ll need to consider how much storage space you need. If you have a large volume of files, you’ll need a cabinet with more shelves and drawers. If you have a small book of files, you can get away with a smaller cabinet. Remember that you can always add more filing cabinets later if you need to expand your storage capacity.
Cost
Filing cabinets come in a wide range of prices, so you must set a budget before you start shopping. Lateral filing cabinets are more expensive than vertical ones but offer more storage capacity. If cost is a primary concern, look for filing cabinets made of lower-cost materials like particle board or laminate.
Consider the Future
When purchasing a filing cabinet, it’s essential to consider future needs. Will you be adding more files in the future? If so, buy a cabinet with additional shelves or once it’s over drawers. Otherwise, you may have to replace your filing cabinet sooner than you’d like.
Choose the Right Material
Filing cabinets are made from various materials, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Metal filing cabinets are durable but can be expensive. Wood filing cabinets are less expensive but may not be as durable. Laminate filing cabinets are budget-friendly but may not be as stylish as other options.
Get the Right Size
Another important consideration is size. Make sure to measure your available space before you start shopping for a filing cabinet. You must leave enough room around the cabinet to open the drawers and move freely.
Hunting for high-quality cabinets to store your items? We have an extensive range of options to suit different office designs. Combine the storage cabinets with cupboards or desks to achieve a complete look.
If you need help choosing the right size, contact us. Our storage experts can run you through the different size options.
8 Sure-Fire Hints To Guarantee Success
When Ordering Office Furniture Online
Download this FREE Cheat Sheet and get foolproof tips on the most important things to be aware of when ordering furniture for your office online.
