Designs to Support Filing Cabinets

Built In

• One design idea for filing cabinets is to incorporate built-in filing cabinets. These can be built right into an office wall. Each drawer can be designed to look more like a closet door or dresser drawer, rather than an old metal piece of furniture. The built-in option also means that you do not have to buy a filing cabinet, or find a place to put it, as the cabinet is already built into the room. The downside is you cannot move it in case you decide to redecorate or re-purpose the space.

Small Pieces

• Another idea for filing cabinet designs is to purchase a small piece, or several small pieces, depending on your needs. Small filing cabinets can also serve as end tables or have other functions besides just storing files. The small shape allows you to place them anywhere, plus they are more subtle than larger cabinets and are usually not the focus of an office or other room. Also, they are usually less expensive than the larger, bulky filing cabinets.

Wood Pieces

• Many people think of large, cold, metal objects when they thing of filing cabinets. However, many more stylish options are available these days. Several manufacturers design filing cabinets with different wood designs. You can find a wood filing cabinet in almost any wood tone to match a room's decor. Metal and plastic filing cabinets are also available if those materials are more appropriate for your design, but wood is a nice alternative because it allows you to match the filing cabinet with other furniture like desks, dressers and bed frames.

Large Pieces

• Large filing cabinets are essential for people with many types of documents, small business owners or people who work from a home office. Large pieces are bulkier and often more expensive, but they can still add style and appeal to a room. You can find tall, floor-to-ceiling filing cabinets that provide ample storage but take up a smaller footprint in the space, or long credenzas that are the height of a desk but run the length of a wall. Long-and-tall pieces give you more floor space, while short-and-long pieces allow you to use the table top and wall above the piece for hanging photos or other decorations.