When choosing office furniture, you must take into account the appearance of the room itself and its style. In addition, under no circumstances should you take furniture that would be inconvenient to use. And the last statement applies not only to chairs and tables, but also to office cabinets, which are often remembered only as an afterthought.
If you need comfortable working conditions, we recommend that you pay attention to cabinets with glass doors that have excellent ergonomics. Thanks to the shelving type of construction and transparent doors, you can easily find any item in them. For obvious reasons, such cabinets are completely unsuitable for storing truly valuable items. Moreover, they must be preserved not only from intentional theft or deliberate damage, but also from fires, floods and similar force majeure events. Most often, the charter of an enterprise, the list of its members, accounting documents, archival documents and even periodic reporting need protection. Anything that, even indirectly, can help competitors find out trade secrets must be either securely stored or completely destroyed.
Design Features
Typically, an office filing cabinet is equipped with many medium-sized separate shelves. The design allows you to conveniently store papers in blocks by category. This arrangement makes it possible to quickly find the desired document - there is no need to sort through a large volume of the archive. A distinctive feature of the cabinets is that the size of the shelves in them most often corresponds to the A4 paper format - this is the most used form of documents in offices. Furniture facades are usually wooden or metal; for ease of viewing, they can be supplemented with glass doors.
This office cabinet is considered standard. The internal filling, external design, materials used, the presence or absence of sashes vary depending on the model and the requirements placed on it. In addition to documents, office cabinets can be used to store employee personal belongings, consumables and office supplies. The furniture can be equipped as a buffet and located in the tea area. If space allows, filing cabinets with glass doors are used simultaneously as interior decoration, although for the most part such products are produced in a minimalist design, discreet colors, and are characterized by the absence of complex decor. Since the furniture is used under conditions of intensive use, the structure is usually durable, wear-resistant, and technically safe. Its main functions are the safety of documents, their protection from moisture, dust, fire, and other external negative factors.
Filling office metal cabinets
A distinctive feature of metal office cabinets is their brevity and clear correspondence between the architecture and the functions performed. In their strict forms there is no place for useless decorations.
The internal structure of the office box meets the conditions for storing various categories of items: documents, office supplies, books, etc. The shelves and drawers are designed in such a way that all work supplies can be easily accommodated on them. Its design is determined by what requirements are placed on the box and what functions it will perform.
For the convenience of employees, different types of metal cabinets are often installed in offices:
- To place the clothes of employees and visitors of the company. Such boxes are equipped with hooks and crossbars for placing textiles, as well as an upper shelf for hats and a lower shelf for shoes. Often, wardrobe doors are sliding and a mirror is mounted on them - this provides additional comfort for users.
- Metal office cabinets for documents, stamps, office equipment and stationery. Inside they have many cells, shelves and drawers of the required size.
There are many variations of the internal equipment of an office box. They may have catalog sections, boxes and trays, safes, separately locked compartments - all this is necessary to ensure the convenience of the company's employees. If the organization has a culture of food in the workplace, then several compartments can be allocated for a microwave oven, electric kettle and cutlery.
Popular models
Office cabinets vary in type of construction. It affects all the main parameters and characteristics of furniture. It is necessary to select a filing cabinet taking into account the purpose of use, because each model has its own characteristics.
- Built-in. An ideal option for small spaces. Such office furniture is offered with any internal content - these can be shelves, drawers, cells, places for storing large boxes with filing cabinets. The built-in design is multifunctional and is a universal solution for any office. A variation of such a wardrobe is a compartment-type model with sliding doors.
- Retractable. This type of cabinet looks more like a bedside table, from which a shelf with folders slides out on rollers. A similar solution is used by organizations that work with a large volume of paper certificates and reports. Storing in this form makes it easy to structure papers, for example, alphabetically. The downside is that the product is narrowly focused - apart from documents, nothing else can be placed here.
- Swing. A classic version with doors opening outward in different directions. This design is used in cabinets for any purpose. Its main advantage is reliability. If the office is small, or employees move around often, such doors will be inconvenient.
- Folding. Document racks are usually equipped with such doors. The design involves tilting the door from top to bottom. This type of cabinet is usually used to store archival papers.
- With different numbers of doors. This is practically a whole complex of separate cabinets. Such models are intended for large companies and allow you to store archival documents, office supplies, and employee belongings in one place.
- With a lock. Sometimes there is a need to lock documents so that only certain officials have access to them. The lock will also protect archives from intruders.
A fireproof cabinet for storing office documents is the most reliable, durable and wear-resistant model.
Popular are the open version with shelving modules, a closed filing cabinet with built-in shelves (sometimes even mezzanines), and products with sliding doors that save usable office space.
Types of tourist furniture, basic requirements for it
Built-in
Retractable
Swing
With different number of doors
With a lock
Fireproof
Tips for selection and placement
The question of how to choose the right furniture for your office and how to place it correctly worries many. Here are some useful tips on choosing office furniture and its location:
- the characteristics of office products must correspond to the style of the company and the size of the room for convenient work of employees;
- if the company cannot afford expensive furniture made of natural wood due to financial costs, then it is better to choose a bedside table made of metal, and shelves with shelves made of chipboard;
- The cabinet, as a rule, is installed close to the desktop so that it can be quickly accessed. The clothing item is located in the corner of the room, and the rack is in the middle of the office;
- In order not to get confused in the archives, for storing them it is better to choose furniture with compartments that can be labeled later. Document storage cabinets must have doors with a lock, otherwise anyone will have free access to the archive. Such furniture is located directly in the employee area;
- For a home office, the choice often falls on a double-leaf corner cabinet. Its design allows you to save free space in a small room. And the elements built into the closet will allow you to arrange the client’s outerwear and hide household appliances from prying eyes.
Having considered a detailed description of all types of office cabinets, many will be able to rationally decide which furniture is best suited for homes with offices and large companies. The right combination of appearance, design and content will allow you to create not only an individual interior of the room, but also convenience for carrying out work.
Internal filling
Based on the type of internal content, office cabinets and shelving are divided into three main categories - archival, accounting and filing cabinets. The names make it clear what purposes each group is intended for:
- The archival cabinet is usually metal. It is designed to store a large volume of documents. If necessary, such models are equipped with locks. The metal will protect the paper from fire and dust, and the presence of rubber gaskets at all joints will protect it from moisture.
- An office accounting cabinet is actually a safe for documents related to the financial issues of a department or the entire company. Seals and sometimes even money are also kept here.
- File cabinet. Convenient if documents need to be structured. Usually made with drawers or special small compartments.
The following are standardly used as internal filling for office furniture:
- Shelves. They can vary in height, width, depth. This is the simplest and most convenient design for storing office papers.
- Drawers. Can be used in any type of cabinets. Suitable for storing any items except clothes.
- Cells. Separation helps to structure archival data into categories, which greatly simplifies access to documents.
- Safe. Can be part of a large closet. Any things are placed on ordinary shelves, and securities, receipts, and money are hidden in the most secure compartment.
Many filing cabinets also come with spacious drawers for boxes of rarely used files.
The semi-open type of cabinet implies the presence of closed and open compartments with drawers and shelves.
Archival
Accounting
Card index
Shelves
Boxes
Cells
Safe
Manufacturing materials
The materials from which office furniture is made are the same as those used to produce other interior items. This is wood, chipboard, MDF, plastic, glass, metal. A detailed review of the properties of each option will help you make your choice:
- Tree. This model is one of the most expensive solutions. Meanwhile, the furniture not only looks more presentable than its budget counterparts, it is durable, environmentally friendly, and reliable. A wooden filing cabinet will fit perfectly into the office of a manager or chief accountant.
- Varnished chipboard. This is the most economical material. Most office furniture is made from such raw materials. The only thing you should pay attention to when choosing is quality certificates. Cheap material can emit formaldehyde that is harmful to health.
- MDF. Improved version of chipboard. It has adopted all its properties, but is characterized by increased flexibility, and the likelihood of harm to the body is minimal.
- Plastic. Typically used in the manufacture of individual parts. Although increasingly, offices use a closed cabinet made entirely of this raw material. The furniture looks quite decent, it is resistant to many external factors, but at the same time it is not too strong and durable.
- Glass. Document furniture with glass is often combined with other materials, in particular wood or metal. You shouldn’t buy a completely glass cabinet for your office. But using this material to make doors and shelves is a completely reasonable decision.
Distinctive characteristics of the filing cabinet, types of designs
As for metal, it is used both for the production of individual elements and for the manufacture of entire furniture. This can be a safe cabinet for storing documents and other specific models.
Tree
laminated chipboard
MDF
Plastic
Glass
Selection rules
The quality of the product is always characterized by the absence of defects, exclusive decor, color, and convenient shapes. Therefore, when choosing furniture for your office, you need to take into account its appearance and the nature of the surface.
You should pay attention to the purpose, which plays a big role in the stylistic design of the room. The selection of a cabinet for storing items is carried out according to its completeness, operational purpose, functionality, design and technological characteristics.
It is important to remember that products from the manufacturer always have a quality certificate, sanitary-chemical and physical-hygienic conclusion. Each product must be clearly labeled.
Dimensions
Typically, the dimensions of cabinets are selected taking into account the following nuances:
- The product must not interfere with the work of employees.
- A small room will become even smaller if you choose a closet that occupies half of the entire area.
- If you intend to store not only papers, but also personal belongings, the size of the product is selected taking into account the number of employees.
Dimensions vary depending on how and for what the furniture will be used. The height of the cabinets varies from 75 to 250 cm, width - 70–80 cm. The depth is usually standard, ranging from 35–40 cm. A filing cabinet can be high and narrow, like a rack, or long and low. The first one is suitable for a small office. It won't take up much space, but thanks to its height, it can hold a lot of papers. Long models are needed for archives or filing cabinets. It’s easier to search for information here; such solutions are better suited for structuring than others.
The product must not restrict the movement of employees
A large closet will visually reduce office space
The size of the cabinet is selected taking into account the number of employees
Locking systems
Among the most common types of locking devices:
- Rotary lock. The usual type with a key, which is used in most doors.
- Push-button mechanism. Designed to securely close the sash so that it does not open accidentally.
- Coded. In order to open such a door, you need to know the secret numbers set by the owner or manager.
- Electromechanical. The lock with an electric drive has increased reliability and protection from both brute force and code selection.
- Electronic. To open, use a card, magnetic key or any other object programmed to unlock the lock.
Types of upholstered furniture for restaurants, cafes, bars, style solutions
Another gradation of locking systems is based on the type of installation. There are overhead and mortise lock models. They are chosen based on the material used to make the furniture and the required tasks. For example, overlay systems are suitable for thin wood or wood boards, since a cut-in can severely damage the door. At the same time, the latter take up less space, but they require thicker walls. For metal and plastic cabinets, individual locking devices are often used.
The locking system is selected depending on the function of the office cabinet
Colors and design
The color of office furniture is selected so that it matches the overall interior design and corporate style of the company. A black or white cabinet is always a win-win option. These colors fit perfectly into any interior; they look restrained and laconic. The most popular styles for filing cabinets are:
- modern - laconic design, combination of materials, original textures, neutral colors: gray, brown, beige;
- minimalism - simple forms, lightweight construction, restrained colors;
- hi-tech - the optimal choice for companies working with IT technologies, furniture is usually metal or plastic, with asymmetrical shapes, clear outlines, often complemented by built-in lighting;
- loft - these are mainly combined open models with a metal frame and wooden shelves or drawers.
A universal model that gives the office respectability and solidity is a classic wooden cabinet, strict, symmetrical, with clear lines.
Often there is a choice between matte and glossy types of furniture coating. Each option is beautiful in its own way. Gloss looks more impressive, but light rays can be reflected from it and disturb employees. In addition, such a surface requires constant maintenance, as fingerprints are clearly visible on it. Matte furniture is free of such disadvantages.
Modern
Minimalism
High tech
Loft
Posting rules
The most important tip is that the cabinet should not block the light sources. Among other posting rules:
- You should not place it next to the workplace of one employee, unless it is an individual storage system. Otherwise, constant use of the cabinet by other specialists will cause inconvenience.
- If documents are rarely used, it is better to place the cabinet in the far corner or even in the utility room or basement. The choice depends on what kind of papers you plan to store.
- It is undesirable to place furniture next to a humid environment - washbasins, tea areas. This arrangement increases the risk of paper documentation being damaged.
The combination of an employee wardrobe and a place to store documents in a product implies the location of the cabinet at the entrance to the office. This solution will help to avoid workers moving around the premises in outerwear. At the same time, it will still be convenient to use the documents, especially if the office is small. When choosing an office cabinet, you should give preference to high-quality products from well-known brands, which are accompanied by the appropriate certificate and hygienic conclusion.
Access to the cabinet should be convenient for all employees
If documents are rarely used, the cabinet can be placed in a corner or in a utility room
Placing furniture near washbasins or tea areas increases the risk of paper documentation being damaged.
Advantages of office metal cabinets
There is a common misconception that metal furniture is only suitable for technical rooms or warehouses. Today these are no longer angular, unaesthetic structures, as they were before. Now office metal cabinets can fit perfectly into almost any interior without losing their functions.
Modern design solutions, a variety of colors and types of construction allow metal furniture to move from the category of applied furniture, which has only practical significance, to the number of items that can become a real highlight of the interior.
Office metal cabinets allow you to place paper documents in them in such a way that unhindered access to them is ensured and all storage conditions are met. However, this is far from their only advantage. Metal office furniture has many advantages over wooden ones.
Racks, pencil cases, accounting and archival cabinets, filing cabinets and other types of storage made from such material can be disassembled, transported and reassembled countless times - their service life is so long. Of course, after the nth assembly, the cabinet may fail, but this will not happen soon enough that such issues will no longer worry you and your business.
Another important advantage of metal office filing cabinets is their environmental friendliness. Such pieces of furniture do not contain chipboard, resins and other harmful compounds that can spoil the environment of the room.
Recommended reading
- Cutting copper with a laser: advantages and disadvantages of technology
- Types of metal cutting: industrial applications
- Metalworking according to drawings: convenient and profitable
Cabinets made of metal are easy to maintain - cleaning them will not take much time. In addition, iron storage facilities are not afraid of water and chemicals, so you can be sure that nothing will happen to your filing cabinet, shelving, accounting cabinet or its contents.
Unlike wooden furniture, metal cabinets are moisture resistant and are not afraid of air temperature changes. This allows them to be used in rooms with unstable levels of humidity and heat.
Cabinets and other pieces of furniture made of metal can be installed not only in offices, but also in schools, warehouses, etc. The versatility of such boxes allows them to be installed in places with high intensity of use, where wooden furniture would quickly become unusable .
The most popular pieces of furniture of this type are metal office cabinets: filing cabinets, safes, shelving, archive and accounting boxes. They are easy to care for and convenient to use. In addition, special locking mechanisms protect documentation from theft or unauthorized access.
