File Cabinets for Office Storage Necessities

Most often, whatever furniture we may use at office we may just as well employ at home, despite of the specificities both office furniture and home furniture have. However, it is true that some pieces of furniture within our offices are more difficult to match with our home furniture, though at the bottom of line, if we do not care that much about the way it looks and about their proper utility, nothing can stop us from purchasing, for instance, file cabinets for our homes. Of course, we risk to be called unconventional or eccentric.

File cabinets, as the name suggests, are designed as storage devices for files. Working in an office usually entails employing files and, consequently, at a certain moment we will face the necessity to clear our desks and to preserve at the same time the files we must remove. The best way to do that is to use these specific pieces of office furniture, also referred to as filing cabinets. Unlike any other furniture, they are less various. But this is not necessarily a drawback if we consider that the general diversity of tools and devices we make use of is a response to the diversity of needs or demand we may have we respect to those tools or devices.

Regarding file cabinets, our single most important requirement is to store in the most efficient way the files we do not currently use, but we do not want to throw away because we expect to use them again sooner or later. The main two types of filing cabinets are the vertical and the lateral files. Vertical cabinets, though common at the moment they were invented are nowadays exceeded in popularity by lateral cabinets, because the main advantage of lateral cabinets is that they allow an easier access and view of files.

But we should not belief our options are so much diminished only because the main utility of these cabinets is to store files. On the contrary, there is a variety of filing cabinets with respect to the material employed in manufacturing them. Metal is the most common, but glass, vinyl, wood or medium-density fiberboard are also used. The material used in manufacturing them is important because it can guarantee a more or less secure storage of the files. Also, it is relevant to our possible requirement of matching the filing cabinet with the rest of the office furniture, in case we care about this aspect.

In addition, filing cabinets are different with regard to their storage capacity. Thus, though the depth of a cabinet is typically of 20 inches, we may choose with respect to width, the latter varying between 30 and 42 inches. Again, according to these measures and to our storage necessities, filing cabinets are available in 2, 3, 4 and 5 drawer forms. And this is, perhaps, the one demand we should make and acknowledge while deciding to purchase a filing cabinet.



By: Clint Jhonson

About the Author:

It is possible that file cabinets represent some of the most typical pieces of office furniture. For storing files of all sorts they are excellent, and if we consider that working at an office usually involves employing large amounts of files, they really are essential for the efficiency of our activity.



When someone runs a home business the last thing he or she wants is a project coming to a halt because the home office supplies are over. When this happens, everything else has to be kept on hold and you need to order additional home office supplies immediately. There are few things that should be kept in mind if you as a home business owner do not want to face such a situation.

Getting organized:

You need to keep your workspace very organized so that you never run out of home office supplies. There are many home business owners who do not give a lot of importance to organizing material and supplies. They ignore proper planning and only think about filling in thousands of orders, even if they do not have enough supplies. But when your business is doing well, you will be naturally spending many hours in the office everyday and due to this you should try and make it more organized. There are many factors on which the process of organization of the home office will depend; for instance where your home office is and whether you use it for any other purpose or not. If your printer and computer desk are in a corner of your living room, you will be probably using the cabinets in the family room for storing the home office supplies.

On the other hand if you have staked a claim on the spare bedroom in the house and moved away the bed and bureau, then you can use some space for stacking the home office supply products. Try and install a desk that is large enough for the computer, keyboard, phone, coffee cup, printer and CD rack.

Convenient storage of things:

A good worktable is very useful if you are not working on a computer. You can use this work table for drafting, writing or doing any other work that is part of the home business you run. It is a good idea to keep each home office supply in an appropriate and convenient place from where you can easily access it; for instance, keep the cartridges and printer paper near the printer, folders and files near the filing cabinet. Keep your financial records separate from the business orders that you get. If you are planning to store the home office supplies in the drawer, then you need to keep a constant track of what is there in each drawer and also create an inventory every time you use a supply. This needs to be done so that you know when you have to stock the drawers again.

Knowing everything about your expenses:

It is very important to keep a track of how much you are spending on buying your home office supplies. You need to have the information for tax purposes as well tracking monthly expenses. By knowing how much money you are spending on buying the supplies will help you to cut costs and manage the home office in a more efficient manner.



By: Kris Koonar

About the Author:

Home Office Organizing just got a whole lot easier with http://www.MyVitalfiles.com. You will never have to search through heaps of paperwork again in with our Filing System. Dealers and affiliates needed.



Finding A Home For The Home Office

“Wouldn’t it be great to work from home!” That is a dream for many people who have to commute every day. However for those who have managed to create a home office situation, often over time that thought of how great it would be to work at home instead becomes, “Help! I can’t work because…

…I can’t concentrate.

…I’m not comfortable.

…I don’t have any storage room.

…I don’t know what systems I need.

Home offices have their unique set of challenges. They often start with a vision but not much concrete planning because you did not anticipate at the beginning how quickly you might grow and how rapidly things could accumulate.

I have worked with many home office situations. Some of them have their own rooms and some share just a corner of that room. The toughest one was an attorney who had recently had a baby and was working most of the time from home at that point. She had her desk inside her clothes closet, which had louvered doors. She faced the wall. Above and on both sides of her were hanging outfits, plus piles of shoes, etc., on the floor. That one embodied all four of the following points to deal with in getting started or in reevaluating your current situation.

Location: Choose an area that both fits you right now and that will allow you room to expand as your business increases and diversifies.

Do you want to be close to where children play?

Will clients and customers be coming in?

Can you focus when you hear the television?

Will having office materials in your bedroom disturb your sleep?

Do you dislike climbing stairs to get to your workspace?

How much space will you need for your type of work?

Comfort: Do not choose something just because it is available, like a fold-up table and extra dining room chair. On the other hand, a beautiful antique piece may also be incorrect. Invest in something that will provide ergonomic relief.

Does your chair provide good back and arm support?

Do you have an adjustable keyboard tray?

Is there enough space around your desk area so you do not feel closed in?

What kind of view do you need?

Is the lighting adequate?

Storage: This is one of the most difficult areas to handle because so often all available spaces within a house are already filled, and often overflowing. Then you try to bring in more materials, and you can end up with stack boxes and piles of papers everywhere because nothing else was added to accommodate the incoming items.

Does your desk have drawers for small office supplies?

Can some of your desk drawers support hanging file folders?

If not, do you have a rolling cart to use for Daily Action items?

Are there a sufficient number of file cabinets?

Is there a closet available that you can convert for office use?

Systems: Once the above three focuses are determined, it is time to invest in learning. Very few people have ever been taught organizing strategies as part of their education. It may have been presumed that you just knew this, or that you would hire someone who did. That is why people struggle with organizing at every level. As their business progresses, they find themselves becoming less and less productive with their time because of a backlog. It can even get to the point, where you no longer want to work in that space and end up on the dining room table.

Do you have a Daily Action file for all of your incoming work?

Is your email program set up with folders and action files to clear your inbox?

Do you have an effective filing system?

Can you find anything within seconds that you file?

What time management tools are you using?

Having the opportunity to work at home eliminates the time involved in commuting, gives you extra flexibility in your schedule, and can allow you more family time. On the other end of the equation, it can become a trap. Take steps now to make sure it is a dream situation, not a nightmare.

©2006, Key Organization Systems, Inc., All Rights Reserved



By: Denise Landers

About the Author:

As a productivity trainer and organizing specialist, Denise Landers helps companies and small business owners develop effective time management skills to improve daily workflow. Visit Time Management Today for more productivity tips.



Wherever you work from, may it your office or home, your workplace acts as a tool. A home office may not instantly increase your income, but a good office environment could improve your efficiency greatly. The greater your efficiency, the better would your profits be.

Whether you are trying to work from home, or are already managing a home-based business or are finding ways to be more efficient, there are many ways of improving it. Following are some tips, which could come handy for simplifying this.

Do away with the trash

First and foremost, you should trash all the junk. Unused and old paperwork are very often the culprit for almost 99% of the trash in your home office. Dont follow the old habit of I might need this later; do it instantly. Dont limit your cleanup drive to paperwork. Things that are not needed for the day-to-day business activities need to go now!

Sort emails

Sort through your email box and delete all unneeded or old emails, which very often take nearly 95% of the mailbox. All the items that you wont be using hence should go.

Organize Paperwork

Put together similar documents and paperwork to make sure they stay organized and neat. If various types of papers are accidentally put together, you may probably never achieve even half of what you could during the day. Instead, you might waste time frantically looking through the papers for the one you need, when you could possibly have it at hand with some simple organization.

Use appropriate and convenient furniture

Use appropriate furniture like closets, shelves, and other furniture. There are times when the desk is not the only piece of furniture in the home office. If you have a shelf or cabinet in your room, use them as well.

By using cabinets, you can categorically separate paper. You could keep separate shelves for the important papers, not-so-important papers, and trivia.

Sort important documents

Use colored labels for each shelf, a separate color according to the importance. For example, you could have one with the most important documents labeled in orange; the less important could be labeled in yellow.

Following some handy tips can make managing home office relatively simple to function from. You will be surprised to know that you can improve work merely by throwing away items you no longer use and simply organizing the ones that are crucial.

Many people have lost hours of productivity because of disordered items every year. If you follow the advice given, you will notice the rise in efficiency at work, tasks will be done much faster, and there would be a remarkable increase in income. Well-organized, well-planned home-offices offer the best of all worlds; comfort, convenience and professional image that all entrepreneurs seek.

Make a schedule for your daily activities, if you are self-employed. The home office can help you in being more efficient, productive, and organized. However, being organized and taking charge needs commitment – your commitment – to test something new and get rid of bad habits. Simple and easy techniques and methods will improve work and make your job a whole lot easier.



By: Kris Koonar

About the Author:

Home Office Organizing just got a whole lot easier. My Vital Files has created a Home Filing System that is color coded for the ultimate ease of use. Check it out at http://www.myvitalfiles.com/cm/Home.html.



Fireproof file cabinets play an important role in keeping your information safe. Fireproof file cabinets can safely and securely store paper files and data files. These fireproof file cabinets can be invaluable to your home or business. Finding the right fireproof file cabinet for your storage needs can mean the difference between success and failure in a business setting.

 

The most popular fireproof file cabinet is the vertical file fireproof cabinet. This type of fireproof file cabinet is found in most homes and offices. A vertical cabinet offers front to back filing and this fireproof file cabinet can be purchased in several drawer configurations. These fireproof file cabinets typically have each drawer insulated separately and have a UL rating of 350 for 1 Hour. This fireproof rating should meet your fireproof file cabinet needs, but should you want to store data disks or other data storage material, you might want a fireproof file cabinet with a higher UL rating. These fireproof file cabinets most often have plunger locks. Several handle designs are available in fireproof file cabinets. Some fireproof file cabinets have recessed handles, while others have handles extending out from the face of the fireproof file cabinet.

 Lateral fireproof file cabinets are another option to explore when looking for a fireproof file cabinet that meets your needs. These fireproof file cabinets are wider than they are deep and offer several filing options. Being able to handle both letter and legal size files, these fireproof file cabinets offer versatility. Side by side filing is also available in the lateral fireproof file cabinet. These lateral fireproof file cabinets are also available in two, three or four door options. High security locks are available on these fireproof file cabinets as well. Plunger locks make picking locks on these fireproof file cabinets difficult for a thief to do.

 Most of these fireproof fire cabinets have an impact rating of thirty feet. This means it is much more difficult for a burglar to break into your fireproof file cabinet and your documents will remain secure. Each one of the drawers of these lateral fireproof file cabinets is insulated separately. This means that should the drawers in one drawer catch fire while that particular drawer is open, the other drawers of the fireproof file cabinet will not catch fire.

 A side/tab end/tab fireproof file cabinet is often the choice of medical and dental offices. These are an efficient way to store many files and access to each file in these fireproof file cabinets is easy. This type of fireproof file cabinet can hold either letter or legal sized documents. These fireproof file cabinets are H.I.P.A.A. compliant, reinforcing their popularity in medical offices. These fireproof file cabinets are available in multiple drawer options and can be assembled together in different configurations. These fireproof file cabinets typically have a UL 350 1 Hour rating and are impact resistant up to thirty feet.

 Visit iShopit.com for more information on fireproof file cabinets.



By: jackinator

About the Author:



Let Lawrance be your one-stop destination for Southern California’s most complete collection of office furniture and home accessories. We have two beautiful showrooms located in San Diego and Encinitas, and we also deliver to the Los Angeles and Palm Springs areas. Lawrance is your one-stop for your home office including wood desk, office chairs, glass desk, mobile file cabinets, leather desk, credenzas, bookcases and much more. Shop online today….

At Home in Your Home Office

If you’re thinking of setting up a home based business, then designing your home office is one of the first things you need to do. Just because you’re working from home does not mean that you should think of your workplace as a mom and pop outfit. A home office can and must be as professional a setup as any other. How you design yours will depend on a whole lot of things.

The first thing to figure out is where you will set up your home office. Of course, available space may be the deciding factor, but if you can’t make up your mind between a couple of options, consider this. A spare bedroom might be ideal, especially if it has a separate entrance for visitors, so that they don’t intrude into your home. Attics and basements are great options for businesses that don’t have client walk-ins, and can provide much needed privacy at work. However, mildew, poor lighting and inadequate ventilation are issues that need to be dealt with before you move in.

Once you’ve zeroed in on the location, it’s time to design the home office. If your work is desk based, it’s likely that your computer will be the centre of your universe. Place your desk in a way that you can see visitors enter. If you have the luxury of space, create a small discussion area in a corner – this could also double up as a reading area.

Make sure that your desk is large enough to accommodate the computer as well as other tools, like folders, writing instruments, calculators, handheld devices and whatever. The chair is perhaps the most crucial element in your home office, after you, of course! Don’t skimp on this one – choose comfortable, yet functional chairs. Ensure that they have an adjustable seat and backrest, so that you can maintain a natural sitting posture. Swivel chairs are a good idea but might damage the flooring. And don’t forget storage! A cluttered office will do nothing for your professional image and efficiency – put in an adequate number of shelves and filing cabinets.

Once you’ve dealt with the basic furniture, it’s time to move onto lighting. A well lit home office not only makes a pleasant workplace, but also does wonders in limiting fatigue. While natural lighting is great, it’s highly unlikely that you won’t need other sources. Get the office fitted out with sufficient lighting for all your needs. Halogen bulbs are energy efficient light sources, while warm fluorescents on the ceiling might be a good idea. Very important – make sure the light sources are placed above or behind your computer, and are not reflected off the screen. If you can’t, better stock up your medicine cabinet with Aspirin.

While we’re on the subject of electricity, let us also remind you to fit out your home office with a number of electrical outlets. Power surges can kill your equipment, so the decision to invest in a multi outlet surge suppressor is a no-brainer. If you’re not a born handyman, talk to your local electrician on what and how.

That leaves you with one final decision – what equipment to use. Home office owners might find it hard to resist the temptation to use the family computer for their business. Before you do that, think of the risks involved – virus attack caused by an email attachment your sister sent you, “accidental” deletion of your files to make space for your teenage son’s favorite music…. We don’t know of any client who can see the funny side of data loss! Given that the computer is going to be your business’ lifeline, it’s wise to invest in a good one. Your PC is probably becoming outdated as we speak, so when you buy a new one, choose a model that will remain in fashion a couple of years down the line. You’ll also need to invest in peripherals – a multi-purpose machine that print, scan, fax and copy should do the trick.

Furniture vendors like can cater to all types of office spaces and might even be able to give you some useful tips. Remember, however, that setting up a home office is your decision. Be sure to get it right!



By: Akhil Shahani

About the Author:

Hi, I’m Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out http://www.SmartEntrepreneur.net . It’s full of articles and resources to help you start and grow your business successfully. Please visit us & download our special “Freebie of The Month” at
http://www.smartentrepreneur.net/freebie-of-the-month.html



Better Have File Cabinets Than Clutter

If you have tried locating a misplaced piece of paper for hours and have not succeeded or if you have scoured the stack of files locating one single document and was frustrated, this article is for you.

The most common error for misplacing an object is dropping it at a place that is convenient during the time. A regular space for keeping important objects and documents makes it easier for anyone to locate them when the need to remember them arises.

This is why filing cabinets are special tools for safekeeping that when used regularly is the best way to track documents and important objects not only at work but also at home. A good filing system can save you hours and even money, without which would otherwise have been frustrating.

Filing cabinets are constant fixtures in any workplace that requires safekeeping and tracking of documents despite the rise in the electronic data keeping systems. Choosing one will require more than just deciding on the number drawers. There are subtle differences in filing cabinets that are adapted to particular requirements.

The two main types of filing cabinets

The vertical file cabinet is the traditional type where you can have anywhere from two to five drawers. The drawers are designed to fit the legal sized files and are stored facing the front of the drawers. Vertical file cabinets are space savers that make them the preferred choice in offices where rents are at a premium.

The other option, although not as commonly used are the lateral type files cabinet. These file cabinet types are much wider than standard designs. The files can be stored side to side or front to back. The design is not as deep as the vertical file cabinets that it can also be used as a wall partition or a wall divider. The lateral file cabinets have more versatility in terms of file storage and takes up less wall space.

The quality of the file cabinet is also one area that is to be given good attention. The best way to examine the quality of the file cabinet is the suspension system. A good file cabinet has strong suspensions that enable it to carry weights and still close and open smoothly. Some file cabinets have built in safety features that allow only the opening of one drawer at a time. Usually safety feature includes counterweights or internal locking devices. File cabinets that do not have this feature can accidentally tip over when all the drawers at the upper part are open.

Good file cabinets have to be built to take some abuse. It is important then that file cabinets be made of quality and thicker metals so that it protects the internal parts preventing it to be easily damaged.

Because of the valuable material that could be stored in a file cabinet, many are made to be fire and impact resistant. Fire resistant cabinet can maintain inside temperatures less than 350 degrees (most paper burns upward of 350 degrees Fahrenheit) enough to prevent the burning of its content even when outside temperature rises to 1700 degrees.

File cabinets depending on the feature, design, materials and number of drawers are priced starting from $20 to about $1,800 dollars for the top of the line option.

File cabinets also come today in designs and color that are veering away from the traditional types. Newer file cabinets can no longer be the ugly steely types of cabinets. They can come in a variety of decorative colors, materials and designs that can be blended with your furnishings.



By: Robert Thatcher

About the Author:

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides file cabinet resources resources on www.about-file-cabinets.info.



Home Sweet Home Office

If you are considering a home office, you may feel a little overwhelmed at the logistics of getting started. After all, there are a lot of things that need to be considered. Setting up your home office should be an exciting time, not a stressful one. Taking it one thing at a time will make it easier and a lot more fun. Most of the things that you will need fall into 3 categories: work station, organization, and communication. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Work Station

Your work station will most likely involve the most planning and expense. This is going to include your desk, chair, and computer among other things. You can go simple or extravagant. If you are just starting out and don’t have a big budget, keep it simple and put your money into the things that will help you work more comfortably and efficiently first.

Keep your desk functional and space appropriate without being flimsy. There will be plenty of time to upgrade to that cherry desk with the marble table top later. One with a file drawer and CPU cubby built in will help you maximize the use of your space. An “L” or “U” shaped desk has the advantage of giving you a workspace for your computer and keyboard while also allowing for space to spread out documents that you are working on and/or a writing space. Many people find that a desk that has a keyboard tray allows them to sit more ergonomically correct while others prefer to use the keyboard on the desktop. The other ergonomically important aspect of your office will be your chair.

Your chair should be something that you splurge on. You will want a chair that has adjustments for height and back support. You should be able to sit at the back of the chair, with your feet flat on the floor and have about 2 inches between the seat of the chair and the back of your knees. For those people with shorter legs that are not able to set the height of their chair to comfortably reach their desk, and still have their feet flat on the ground, a foot stool is recommended. A cushioned chair with fabric is also usually preferable to leather or a hard surface. The cushioning will pad your backside while the fabric allows it breathe during extended sitting. You may be spending a lot of time in this chair talking on the phone or staring at a computer screen and you want to make sure it is comfortable.

Next you will need to consider your computer and monitor. If you already have a computer, evaluate its efficiency and ability to handle the increased demands that will be put on it while going from recreational use to full time business use. Do you have enough memory and processing speed to handle the additional files and workload? You may be able to either simply upgrade your current computer to handle the extra load, or it may be necessary to buy a new computer. The major computer makers (Dell, Gateway, Mac, IBM) can usually help you with what you will need in terms of memory, processor speed and hard drive space for what you plan on using the computer for. Check out the websites or go to your local electronics store and talk to the sales people. They are generally very knowledgeable and willing to help.

Your monitor is going to be a work station tool that you don’t want to skimp on. A flat screen is best. They take up less space, they are better on your eyes, and also use 50% less energy. Shoot for 19 inches if you can get one within your budget. If you do a lot of detailed graphics work, 21 inches will be preferable. Just like your chair, the return on your investment with your monitor is going to be less stress and strain on your body and allow you to work more comfortably for longer periods of time.

Organization

As I stated before a desk that has a file drawer built in will save you the most space, but the most important thing is that you do have one whether it is attached or not. Some people may also be tempted to combine their personal and business file cabinets. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you can devote a complete drawer or drawers to business only. The co-mingling of personal and business files only leads to confusion and you will be able to find things much more quickly if they are separate.

Another organizational tool that you may consider is a contact manager. Only you will know if this tool is something that you can use, but if you deal with a lot of different clients or if you need to keep a list of potential clients and business contacts, a contact manager is going to help you tremendously. It will allow you keep a list of all of your contacts and their essential details such as where you met, personal details about them, and what services they may be interested in. It will also keep track of your appointments and to do list to keep you organized and on task.

Communication

Your communications are going to be vital to your new home office. This is another place where you want to make sure that you don’t skimp. Make sure that your entire communication system, from Internet access to fax is efficient and projects an image of professionalism.

First of all, dial up just won’t do. It may have been fine for your occasional surfing or for the kids to do their homework. But dial up does not move at the speed of business. You will be wasting enormous amounts of time waiting for your downloads whether it is web pages or email. It will be worth it to upgrade to DSL or cable.

For your phone and fax communications there are a number of options. When establishing your home office communications important things to consider are image, flexibility, and space. Instead of the expense and hassle of installing a second phone line, consider a virtual phone system that will forward your calls to your already existing phone line. There are a number of advantages of setting up your communications this way.

Your image is going to be very important as you establish your home office. One of the first impressions people will get of you and your business is when they call you. First and foremost, it is important to keep your personal calls separate from your business calls. Nothing screams unprofessional louder than your child answering a client’s call. A virtual phone system will assist in the professional image department in a number of ways.

One, it will allow you to have the call announced to you so that you, and your child, know that it is a business call coming in and can handle it appropriately. Two, most virtual phone systems have an automated attendant, just like the Fortune 500 companies have, that will allow you to greet your callers with a professional recording such as, “Thank you for calling ABC Consulting. For sales press 1, for billing press 2″. Third, it will have voicemail that you can access online, through email or over the phone. That way, if you do miss a call, and regardless of where you are, you can get your messages quickly, easily and get back to your clients in a timely matter.

For flexibility a virtual phone system can’t be beat. It will allow you to transfer your business calls to anywhere you are. So when you are in your home office your calls will forward to you there and when you need to leave, your business calls can follow you on your cell phone. After all, one of the advantages of working from home is the freedom to step out when you need, or want to.

For saving space in your new home office, combine your fax communications with your new virtual phone system. Fax machines take up a lot of space, not to mention ink, paper and maintenance. Most virtual phone systems will have fax features as well that will allow you to send and receive your faxes right from your computer. With electronic, or virtual, fax you can scrap the fax machine completely.

Establishing a home office is an exciting time. Don’t let the logistics of it overwhelm you. Breaking things down into categories helps you to focus on one thing at a time. You need a work station, organization and communications. Taking each one separately and determining what you will need for each will make things easier on you. You’ll have your home office set up in no time.



By: Brandi Cummings

About the Author:

Brandi Cummings, an expert author writing on topics relating to small and home based businesses, recommends checking out www.Freedom800.com for more information about how a virtual pbx will enhance your home sweet home office. For a downloadable Home Office Essentials Checklist click here.



Office file cabinets are necessities in the workplace as well as in many home offices. I thought that computers were suppose to cut down on the amount of paper we saved, but it seems like we accumulate even more paper these days. If you haven’t shopped for a filing cabinet in recent years, you’ll be surprised at the amount of options that are available. Here’s an overview of the three kinds of office file cabinets we’re going to discuss here: vertical files, lateral files, and fireproof files.

Vertical file cabinets were the original design. If you have limited wall space, they are a good choice as they take up less wall space than lateral files. Vertical office file cabinets do not accommodate both letter and legal size file folders, so you must select either vertical or lateral cabinets. The other necessary decisions are paint color, depth, pulls (if the brand you are considering has more than one pull style), and the number of drawers (2, 3, 4, or 5).

Lateral file cabinets are the most popular these days and also more versatile than verticals. Many workstations use two drawer file cabinets under work surfaces. Laterals will accommodate both letter and legal size file folders, so it’s not necessary to make that decision. The folders will be arranged either side-to-side or front-to-back in the drawers. There are many choices for these cabinets. The necessary decisions are paint color, edge detail, choice of pull style, depth of cabinet, width (30, 36, or 42 inches), and the number of drawers (2, 3, 4, or 5).

Custom lateral file cabinets are available from some manufacturers, but they are more expensive. They are custom in the sense that you can “build the file” yourself; in other words, you choose each piece from the base to the top. Since there are so many ready made options, it is rare that you would need to go the custom route.

Lateral File Tips:

A five drawer lateral file is more convenient if the top module is a lift up door rather than a pullout drawer as it’s impossible for most people to see inside the top drawer.

For a more finished look you can order laminate or wood tops for lateral files that will match the work surfaces in your cubicle or your desk top.

Fireproof file cabinets are not widely used. However, they do serve a purpose particularly since they double as a safe. The things you need to know about fireproof files is that they are expensive and extremely heavy. If you purchase a large size be prepared to pay a hefty delivery charge.

Purchasing Suggestions For Vertical and Lateral File Cabinets:

Choose high-quality office file cabinets that are made with a thicker grade of steel. This will eliminate warping or bulging cabinets when they are filled to capacity.

Purchase units that allow only one drawer to be open at a time, which will prevent the cabinets from tipping over.

Purchase office file cabinets made by the same manufacturer as the furniture in your office or your workstations/cubicles. There are several reasons why this is important:

The paint color or wood finish will match perfectly.

Choose the same edge details and pulls as your furniture.

All locking drawers can be opened with the same key as long as your furniture dealer orders it that way. It’s called “keyed alike” and insist that your private offices as well as your workstations are ordered “keyed alike.” If you order additional furniture with locking drawers, request lock cores with the same key numbers.





By: Janet Vogel

About the Author:

Janet Vogel, who is retired from the office furniture industry, is now the owner of a website dedicated to creating Homemade Theme Gift Basket which she created to supplement her retirement income



 Page 9 of 10  « First  ... « 6  7  8  9  10 »
Powered by WP VideoTube