File cabinet tips

Types of file cabinets

When it comes to file cabinets there are two types to choose from, vertical or lateral. Both come in a variety of sizes.

Vertical file cabinets

Vertical file cabinets

Vertical file cabinets are the most common type of file cabinets used. Vertical cabinets take up less floor space and store the most paper.

Lateral file cabinets

Lateral file cabinets are best used when floor space is not 

a concern. These cabinets are much wider than vertical and ideal when filing 

documents of greater width. Lateral cabinets are not deep, and generally used in

businesses to store files ranging in width. 

Lateral file cabinet

Use separate file cabinets for personal and business files. All files should be divided up, labeled  and kept organized. Files can be sorted and stored alphabetically, numerically, color coded, by date, by subject, geographically, or by using your own system. Keep current files reachable and inactive files stored away in basements, garages or attics.

Fun tip: Organizing can be fun and stylish, to create a unique file cabinet try a stenciled file cabinet like this one below, check out Two Twenty One for this DIY project.

Please share, comment, subscribe.

Filing tips

A filing system is critical to staying organized. There are several systems that work, find the one that works best for you. Below is an effective system I use with many of my clients.

Start out by creating categories that work for you, use the plastic tabs for each category. For example, you can start off with these:

• Automobile
• Credit Cards
• Banking  

Behind each category create file names. Do not use plastic tabs for the file name, instead use the file folder tab. This is how the system  works:

Automobile (use plastic tab)

• Insurance (file folder tab)
• Parking violations (file folder tab)
• DMV (file folder tab)

Remember:

• Use a label maker when creating labels, letters should be in all capital letter format, black ink on white label
• Only use plastic tabs to separate categories
• Always purchase the best quality folders you can afford  
• Each category can have its own color, or keep them all the same if you don't care for colored folders

 Fun tip: Organizing can be fun, try purchasing decorative folders for files that you keep on your desk, check out Kaboodle or The Container Store.

Please share, comment, subscribe.