Filing Cabinet Basics: The Key to Staying Organized

If you find that your family is constantly struggling to keep paperwork, instruction manuals and other paper items organized, a filing cabinet could be just the solution you've been looking for. Instead of stashing paperwork in various locations around your home, keep all your items organized and easily accessible by using an inexpensive filing cabinet. Here are a few filing tips you can use to get household paper clutter under control.

Finding the Perfect Filing Cabinet

If you don't already own a filing cabinet, perhaps it's time to buy one. Although some people think of filing cabinets as just something to use in the office, they can actually be useful in other rooms of your home as well. Today you'll find a wide selection of filing cabinets available in a variety of different sizes, colors and shapes.

If you're thinking of buying one, take the time to think about what filing cabinet might work best in your home. The room in which you plan to use the cabinet should factor heavily into your decision, along with your space availability. For example, if you're a bit short on floor space, a tall three or four drawer cabinet could be the best choice. Although a tall filing cabinet will provide you with plenty of drawers in which to store your paperwork, it won't take up any more floor space than a small two-drawer cabinet.

If floor space is not an issue, you might find that a lateral filing cabinet would work best. As an added bonus, lateral filing cabinets often have stylish designs that more closely resemble furniture pieces. Lateral filing cabinets will also provide you with some additional horizontal space, which can be handy if you're looking for a place to store your printer, paper stackers, or other items.

Choosing the Right Accessories

Once you've selected the perfect filing cabinet, you'll want to give some thought to file folders, racks and other accessories. Give some thought as to the kind of papers you plan to store in your cabinet. For example, if you simply want to keep some paperwork safe and sorted, simple hanging folders labeled with plastic tabs might be all you need. However, if you have large quantities of papers you wish to store or bulky owners manuals and books that you'd like to store, box-bottom hanging folders could be a better choice. These folders have a wide, squared bottom that allow you to store larger quantities of papers in a neat and easily accessible manner.

Some filing cabinet styles require the addition of metal racks before hanging folders can be used. If this is the case with your cabinet, you should be able to find what you need at your local office supply store. Pay special attention as to whether you have a letter or legal-sized filing cabinet when buying your metal racks and hanging folders so that you are sure to get the right size.

Develop a Filing Strategy

Once your filing cabinet is set up and properly equipped, you’re ready to start adding your paperwork. It's best to design a neat and organized filing strategy that makes sense for you and your family. There's no real right or wrong way to do this, since everybody's filing needs are different - just find a method that works well for you.