Cluttered files, small office items littered everywhere, and generally unkempt office materials do not only create an eyesore in your space. They also pose real problems that may be hazardous or distracting in nature. This is the reason it’s important to find the best filing cabinet. Take a look at the things that can happen with clutter in your space:

• Files lying about in the open can pose risks due to exposure of sensitive data
• Having to find missing items because of being misplaced can cause lost time that could have been better spent on real work
• Wires lying about can cause fire hazards, tripping, and premature damage to the wires and the electrical devices they are connected to
• Too much visual clutter can be distracting and can exacerbate feelings of stress and fatigue

Keeping a clean and organized space will benefit your overall wellbeing, so it’s important to give everything in your space its own place. Invest in the best filing cabinet.

What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Filing Cabinet

If you’re looking for the best filing cabinet in the market, the first thing to do will be to determine the top filing cabinet features that are important to you. And when it comes to this, you have several options to choose from.

Material

The filing cabinet will be used to safeguard your files and other office items, so you need one that is made from tough, wear-resistant, and high-quality materials. Stainless steel is one of the leading materials you can find out there. It’s durable, long-lasting, and you know it cannot be damaged all to easily—guaranteed to protect all of its contents. You will also find wood or laminate filing cabinets, which offer a more stylish appearance but may be less durable than stainless steel.

Drawer Configuration

Filing cabinets come in various configurations. You have your 2-drawer, 4-drawer, or multi-drawer setups. Consider the number of drawers you need based on your filing volume and the different types of materials you plan to keep in the cabinet. Aside from the main file compartment, do you need a compartment for items like notebooks and pens? Find the best filing cabinet that will meet your specific needs.

Locking Mechanism

The best filing cabinet is a lockable filing cabinet. It will provide added security for your confidential documents. You may consider some filing cabinet models that have locks for the main file compartment but none for the other compartments for easy access to your stuff, or filing cabinets with a central locking system that secures all drawers with one key. Choose based on the security and the convenience that you need.

File Size Compatibility

When looking for the best filing cabinet, ensure that the cabinet can accommodate the file sizes you use in your office, whether they’re letter-sized, legal-sized, or A4-sized files.

Size and Dimensions

Apart from being able to accommodate your files, you also want your filing cabinet to hold all the other items you need stored, and all while making sure that it fits your space. Therefore, consider the cabinet's dimensions to ensure that it is a good match both to your space and your storage needs.

Adjustable or Removable Dividers

In relation to above point, it may be important to you that the files inside your filing cabinet be organized properly, too. And if that is the case, then dividers will be helpful. They will help organize files within each drawer, and they can be adjusted or removed to accommodate different file sizes.

Label Holders

Like the dividers, built-in label holders or label frames are not found in all filing cabinets, so it’s important to check if this will be important to you and, if it is, to find one with the said feature. These holders will make it easier to organize and identify the contents of the filing compartment at a glance.

Drawer Mechanism

Complete access to all of your files and all the contents of your filing cabinet is important, so check the access mechanisms available in your chosen cabinet. For one, look for a smooth-glide drawer mechanism that will make opening and closing easy and simple. You may also look into full-extension drawers that allow access to the entire drawer, making it easier to retrieve files.

Anti-Tip Design

This feature may not look important at first consideration, but this is beneficial in the long run because it offers convenience of access. When you have a full drawer and you need to open it fully, with the drawers extended, in order to gain complete access to all that is inside, there may be a tendency for the filing cabinet to tip over because of the weight of the drawer that is extended. You can prevent this with an anti-tip design, which is crucial in enhancing safety and stability.

Caster Wheels

For added mobility, some of the best filing cabinets you will find in the market come with caster wheels, which allow for easy movement. This is helpful when you need to move around the cabinet when cleaning or rearranging your space. Just ensure that the casters have a locking mechanism in place to keep the cabinet stationary when needed.

Ventilation

Some cabinets feature ventilation slots to prevent moisture buildup and keep documents in good condition. This is helpful for files that you will need to store long-term where mold may be a potential problem.

Finish and Style

Although this is not a practical feature, the finish of a cabinet is important as it can affect both aesthetics and functionality. When it comes to this, you have options between traditional wood finishes, modern metal, and plastic designs. Choose the best one for you.

The features mentioned above are a combination of aesthetic and practical features. Check which of these are the most important to you so you can find the best filing cabinet.

About Us

MotionGrey is a Canadian standing desk company that specializes in ergonomic furniture. We supply and install only the best quality standing desks and ergonomic chairs in the country. We offer free shipping within Canada and the US.

What made you switch to standing desks? Our products are designed with wellness as the focal point. From our electric standing desks to our office and gaming chairs, we deliver best value by putting your health, safety, and comfort as top priority. Boost your creativity and level up work performance. We want you to create great outcomes so we’re providing you only the best tools to make them possible.

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