Keeping your office neat, tidy and well organized not only shows a certain level of professionalism, it will also help you be more productive throughout the day. Cramped spaces can make staying organized especially challenging, but with the right layout and storage tools, you can make the most out of any office space.

Perhaps nothing is more helpful when it comes to storage and organization than the classic file cabinet. While the office and work environment has gone through major transformations over the past decades, the file cabinet has remained a staple, and for good reason. Although a lot of information is now stored digitally and with cloud computing tools, there are still plenty of situations that require hard-copies of important documents. A file cabinet provides a simple and secure way to make sure that files are easily accessible.

If you are in the market for a file cabinet that will meet your storage needs, here are some features to look out for and other considerations to take into account before you buy:

Why Buy a Filing Cabinet?

It all comes down to secure and convenient storage that can be adapted to fit your existing office space. If your office has yet to go paperless or you work in a field where it is vital to have documents on hand, then the last thing you want to do is randomly stuff papers into your desk drawers. Not only will this create clutter, it will also make it impossible to quickly locate a file when you need it. The right file cabinet will:

• Help you stay organized
  
• Allow easy access to important documents
  
• Provide the right level of security to ensure privacy
  
• Easily incorporate into your existing office space
  
• Eliminate unnecessary clutter
  
• Different Types of File Cabinets
  

Lateral: A lateral file cabinet features drawers that extend from the longest side of the cabinet. It provides a wider drawer that doesn’t offer the same depth as other models. This layout may be ideal for smaller spaces where there isn’t enough room to extend a longer drawer into the room. A lateral configuration also allows workers to sift through files from a seated position.

Vertical: Vertical models have drawers that extend from the short side of the cabinet. Typically, this means that the drawers offer greater depth. These cabinets are also usually taller than lateral models and will need adequate space to be fully extended and provide easy accessibility to files located throughout the length of the drawer.

Mobile: It should come as no surprise that a mobile file cabinet is one that can easily be moved around the office. These cabinets come equipped with casters that allow it to be rolled over carpets and other surfaces. This provides an easy way to transport files throughout the office and push the cabinet out of the way when it isn’t in use. Instead of a permanent cabinet that takes up space, you can store a mobile model under your desk and simply pull it out when you need to access a file.

What are the Best File Cabinet Materials? 

Steel file cabinets provide the most durable option on the market. These models are designed to withstand years of use without warping, sagging or wearing down. They are also impact and scratch resistant, so that will continue to look like new even in demanding work environments. When you invest in a steel model, you can rest assured that you won’t have to go file cabinet shopping again for some time.

In addition to durability, steel models also incorporate more features than plastic or wood models. They typically come with lock systems, counterweights for smooth operation and full drawer suspension capabilities. Steel file cabinets are real workhorses that will keep up with your needs.