Filing Cabinet Alternatives: 11 Storage Secrets Revealed
In your office or home, a filing cabinet might not be the best option for storing files. These cabinets usually look terrible, which is why people avoid them.
They’re also not the best option if you’re looking for a simple and easy way to store your tax documents, medical information, or receipts at home.
Most of the time, these filing cabinets clash with modern-day decor.
Additionally, it doesn’t seem like it would be very practical or worth the trouble to have to buy this monstrous piece of metal just to store a few files.
If you’re looking for smart, actionable, and inexpensive filing cabinet alternatives, this article will detail and explain the absolute best file storage secrets.
They are as follows:
Table of Contents
Best Filing Cabinet Alternatives
1. Storage Containers/Baskets
Cube storage containers are specifically designed to store files in a neat and attractive manner.
These containers are a wonderful budget-friendly option and are made from plastic, thick board, or some kind of durable material depending on the design.
Due to their simplicity and accessibility, these containers can be tucked away into a bookshelf or placed on a shelf, cabinet, or counter.
Grab a few of these containers and put them on top of one another with ease.
For a functional, practical, and cheap filing cabinet alternative with safe storage, this quick solution is worth trying.
Large storage containers can also store files vertically, which is incredibly useful if you need a handy and quick storage system in place. Use labels and stickers to organize and keep things in order.
If you prefer an all-in-one option, consider getting a storage container shelf on wheels that can be moved to any room or corner with all files safely stored in one place.
The only notable drawback to this alternative is how cheap plastic storage containers look except for the decorative storage options like the one in the example above which looks elegant and stylish.
This may have a negative effect on your decor and may not be the best option for blending into a modern and trendy style of decor.
However, with this small inconvenience aside, storage containers are one of the best and most inexpensive ways to store files.
2. Chest of Drawers
A stylish and modern solution is to use a chest of drawers as a means to store and categorize files.
Given that they come in a variety of styles, designs, colors, and sizes, this idea is suitable for any setting and decor.
If you already have a chest of drawers at home, consider making some space or turning the entire chest of drawers into file storage instead.
With this solution, you don’t have to compromise on the aesthetic of the decor and the type of drawers can also store a number of files.
A chest of drawers can also be used to store books, toys, blankets, pillows, and other items.
3. Dressers
Another practical, fashionable, and contemporary option for efficiently storing and managing files is a dresser.
With most dressers, there is a sufficient amount of space to store necessary files and folders.
This is a more visually appealing storage system than that of filing cabinets and you can easily use separators to help organize and find files quickly.
It can also be another safe and sufficient way to store important files, documents, and receipts.
However, this might require stacking the files if your dresser has a shallow or narrow shelf space. The drawback of this is that it might be challenging to access specific files quickly.
Investing in a dresser with deep shelves can help to properly store files and folders.
A dresser is a fantastic and useful filing cabinet alternative that accomplishes two things: it stores files efficiently and makes a valuable contribution to the space.
Since dressers are generally narrow in size, you can easily fit them into any empty corner or in another ideal location that is convenient to access.
4. Decorative Boxes
Another crafty, smart, and portable way to store files would be to use decorative boxes.
This could be in the form of gift boxes or patterned boxes that look attractive. They can be filled with a limited number of files.
Compared to a metal filing cabinet, these decorative boxes are way better for the overall appeal of your decor.
Check out this portable file organizer box on Amazon
It is a discrete storage technique that can be used anywhere.
To point out a specific location, these boxes can be placed on a shelf or in a cabinet.
Decorative boxes are also cheap and readily available online or at local stores.
The boxes with lids usually cost anywhere from $19-$30 depending on style, pattern, and material.
You can use labels and separators to help organize the boxes and the files if you plan to consult these files often.
5. Shelves
Shelves offer an open, seamless, and convenient place to store documents and files with easy access being the key feature.
However, to make shelves work, organizing and storing files in an effective, clean, and neat fashion will ensure your decor still remains presentable.
To do this, you can use decorative boxes, file storage containers, baskets, or colored folders with labels, or you could arrange them in the space as you would with a bookshelf.
If there isn’t any free shelf space, think about getting a bookcase or some floating shelves to add some extra storage.
Shelves can also be custom-made to suit your needs, which is a great help for most.
For those who need a safer option to store important files and documents, consider getting a shelf or bookcase with cabinets that can be locked.
Another way to hide certain files is to keep them in specific binders or decorative boxes and place them on a shelf.
This filing cabinet alternative is useful for saving floor and cabinet space.
For a visually appealing way to store files, this is definitely a great way to do so.
6. Storage Trunks
Storage trunks have been used to store a wide variety of items, including clothes, tools, toys, duvets, and blankets.
So, there’s really no harm in using a storage trunk as a filing cabinet alternative.
Storage trunks have deep storage space that can fit a large number of items.
The great thing about these trunks is that there are plenty of designs and styles that will be suitable to place in any area of the room without impacting the aesthetic of the decor.
A storage trunk can be placed at the end of a bed, in the corner of the room, or as a decorative furniture piece in any empty space.
If you need a hidden place to store files, this could also work great for bedrooms and living rooms if you don’t have office space.
Also, you don’t have to dump all the files in the trunk at once.
To make things easier, consider using storage boxes or file organizers to organize your files.
This way, when you’re looking for a particular file, you won’t have to start digging through mountains of files.
Storage trunks are excellent for long-term storage but are not as suitable for regular use, which is another important point to take into consideration if you plan to go for this option.
7. Ottoman
Utilizing an ottoman to store files, documents, or receipts is another brilliant hidden storage idea that also serves as a fantastic filing cabinet substitute.
This works best for paperwork that needs to be stored away for a certain period of time.
These ottomans look great in bedrooms, living rooms, or any other room that has space for them or would benefit from the design and appearance of the specific ottoman. It saves on desk, cabinet, and shelf space.
8. Storage Bench
A storage bench with at least 2–3 boxes or compartments is ideal to store files.
This provides a hidden storage method that fits in with the decor while adding a unique and charming feature to the space.
Storage benches like an entryway bench, bedroom bench, or bench in the office or living room are ideal for this purpose.
If you already own a storage bench, consider using this as a filing cabinet alternative that will help you store important files and documents.
To help organize the files in the storage bench, think about using boxes or containers, just like with the other suggestions.
9. Window Bench
A window seat bench is a particular spot that is smart and practical for storing files.
These benches are also really useful for storing other items as well.
This is a fantastic hidden storage solution that is unobtrusive and offers plenty of room to store documents without having to place a filing cabinet in the space.
A window or storage bench’s height is one of its main drawbacks. It might be inconvenient and irritating to constantly have to stoop down or bend over to get a file out.
In order to sort through the files more easily and provide easy access, consider installing a roll-out system on storage benches that open at the bottom.
Therefore, if you intend to use this storage bench for long-term storage, this wouldn’t be a big deal for you.
10. File Racks
You’ve probably never thought of using the wall space in your office as a filing cabinet substitute. This can eliminate the need or use for a filing cabinet, shelf, or drawer.
This could be a great way to keep files that need to be accessed quickly. Simply mount file racks or folders onto the wall above a desk or on any empty wall in the room in a neat arrangement that looks attractive.
I don’t recommend this for important files or documents with sensitive information but for normal types of files, this is not a bad idea.
Additionally, this solution works well for a small number of files or documents that are suitable for home use,, but if you own a business and frequently have a lot of files and documents, choose something like a cabinet, drawer, or storage containers that will offer plenty of room for storage.
11. Display Cabinet
Convert a discarded or outdated display cabinet to a filing cabinet. When displaying and organizing files in a glass display cabinet, think about using boxes, elaborate folders, or binders.
Even if you don’t already have one, buying a display cabinet in the right design and style could make it simple to integrate it with the rest of your home or office decor.
Pay careful attention to how many files you store in this cabinet.
For a cabinet that is in a high-traffic area like a living room or dining room, it’s best to make sure the cabinet and files look organized, whether that’s stacked or aligned and pleasing to the eye.
The last thing you’d want is a messy, cluttered, and overpacked display cabinet of folders, papers, and documents.
A display cabinet is a great alternative to a filing cabinet because it could function in similar ways but is a more visually appealing option compared to an old-fashioned metal cabinet that could stick out like a sore thumb, especially in a home setting.
Closing Thoughts
A storage container or filing box is a great portable means of storing files, folders, documents, and other paperwork.
You can fill multiple containers with files that can be stored literally anywhere in your home. This affordable solution can work for just about anyone who needs a quick and easy solution.
In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to store documents in inventive ways, such as arranging them on shelves or mounting them to a wall with file racks.
For hidden storage means that are equal matches to a filing cabinet, a storage bench, dresser, chest of drawers, display cabinet, or storage trunks are fantastic alternatives.
Any of these above-mentioned ideas will provide you with easy, simple, and affordable means to store your files in a neat, organized, and creative fashion.
