Recently, I wrote an article on fun little ways to recycle household items into storage options for your office. I still fully suggest to anyone to try some of those creative options to get your space more organized. But we must also consider all that additional clutter that accumulates throughout the work week that requires a lot more than a small jelly jar to contain. That’s where vertical and lateral files come in. And keep in mind, for those of you who still appreciate the benefits of being eco-friendly in the office, these filing systems can be purchased pre-owned, so that you don’t have to sacrifice your pro-environmental efforts for a quality heavy-duty filing solution.
The question left to answer is which filing system will work best for your space, which is why this blog post will focus on comparing the space saving and value of vertical vs. lateral files.
Space:
Vertical files take up much less wall space due to their deep storage drawers. They protrude much further out from the wall, but their narrow width could allow more wall space for additional furniture or storage. Overall, this shape is limited as to where it can be placed, and doesn’t work in many spaces.
Lateral Files are ideal for smaller offices because they take up little interior space. They are available in various widths and heights for as many filing drawers as you need, with the additional option to stack multiple files for more storage in less space. Bigger lateral files can even help divide a room where smaller options can fit under your desk to maximize your space.
Functionality:
Vertical filing is typically best for archive files that don’t need to be retrieved often. Their front-to-back files are less convenient for pulling out files regularly when they are located deep within the drawer and are harder to access.
Horizontal files provide a more manageable file solution since each file is as easy to reach as the next due to their side-to-side organization. Files can be located without having to stand up or extend to higher drawers, especially if you are holding heavier files. Lateral files are also functional as a secondary work surface depending on the height of your file.
Savings:
Once you compare the inches of filing provided by each file, the benefits of a lateral file over a vertical file become much more clear.
For example, here are the breakdown measurements of a 4-drawer vertical vs. a 4-drawer lateral of different widths:
*Notice: If you file front-to-back in a 30” wide cabinet, you get the same amount of filing as in a 36” wide cabinet. And you really get the most filing for the best value with a 42″ lateral.
Now, consider the savings on purchasing these same lateral files pre-owned:
*Notice: It’s a no brainer.
Overall, lateral cabinets provide a whole-new level of organization and convenience to your office. Often the reason people are more inclined to use a vertical file is due to the belief that they get more filing per inch, but based on the information above, the lateral file is in fact more efficient than the vertical file. In addition to this, the shape of the lateral files allows much more flexibility to an office design and is very convenient for accessing files without requiring you to stand up or extend yourself to find what you’re looking for. They’re sturdy structure will also help protect the physical shape of your files as well.
The whole intention of a filing system is to organize an office so that files are easy to find as soon as they are needed. With convenience being one of the main benefits of buying a lateral file, it is the most practical choice for any office space.