Whether at work or in your home office, there’s no better way to keep your important documents organized than a filing cabinet. With these simple tips and tricks, your cabinet will be the best it can be, making your work faster and more efficient. Follow these 6 simple tips you’ll find yourself with a flawless organizational system, whatever space or the file!
Table of Contents
1. Create a coherent system
You need to choose a system that makes sense to you. The filing method that you choose will have to be comprehensive, simple and effective so that you can find what you need immediately – no more wasting time scrambling for the right piece of paper! The system you opt for is entirely up to you and how you like to work.
Organize by numbers, alphabetically, names, client, company or date – as long as it makes sense. Another important pointer is to remember that once you’ve picked your method, you’re going to have to stick to it, so be deliberate in tailoring it to how you like to function.
2. Have a list handy
As you sort through your documents it’s a very good idea to compile a list. By keeping a note of exactly what you’re placing into your filing cabinet, you’ll be able to keep track of your files. You can keep this note stashed on your computer or taped to the side of your cabinet for help with any missing files in the future. Write your list alphabetically for extra organizational points.
3. Avoid catch-all folders
It’s very tempting to have that one file tucked away in your cabinet named Miscellaneous. As easy as it seems to place your random documents, invites and notes into one catch-all folder, it’s guaranteed to become dreaded as time goes by. Instead, think carefully about whether these need to be kept in your cabinet if so, slot them away in the same organized fashion as you would your other documents.
4. Get personal
When you think of a filing cabinet, it’s bound to look flat and a little boring. This doesn’t have to be the case, you can get creative with the look of your filing system! Bring some aesthetic appeal with colour coordination, different file shapes and exciting patterns – these can introduce an immediately recognizable method of visual organisation to your cabinet.
If colours aren’t your thing, try exploring stylish and understated filing cabinets that will coordinate well with your workspace. If you really hate the idea of a filing cabinet in your home office or workplace, why not try getting more creative? There’s a whole world of furniture that you can use as a filing cabinet and storage system. Display cabinets are a fantastic option!
They look vintage and homely whilst also being stocked full of drawers and compartments – perfect for tucking away clutter. The glass system means that you’ll be able to see what’s where without even opening a drawer! If you have a color-coded filing system, a display cabinet is a perfect way to show it off.
5. Keep it clean and clear
Start with a blank canvas. By removing all of your files you can have a proper clear out before you start to build your new filing system. If you do this once every few months you can catch stray documents and any unwanted dust that’s hiding away.
6. Make it easy to file your documents away
Of course, you can’t expect your office or workspace to be perfectly organized 24/7. For those days when sorting takes a backseat, have a tray or basket that lives next to your filing cabinet available to store your documents short term. This should never pile up too high, otherwise, your filing system becomes redundant and you have to start from the beginning. Pay it some attention every three or four days to stay on top of your organization.
