Vertical Versus Lateral Office Storage Cabinets – Which Is Better?

Office storage cabinets are an essential for any business that wants to ensure employees can find stored files quickly and easily. A messy office, with files all over the place, is not conducive to a productive working environment and will actually cause a lot of frustration, inefficient use of time and a lack of motivation amongst employees. This is why having the right sort of storage cabinets on hand is essential. We have outlined the pros and cons of the most popular types here.

Vertical

This sort of office storage has been around for a long time and is the most popular type on the market. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before purchasing:

Pro – these cabinets are available in a range of sizes, from the very tall to the very narrow, ensuring that they will fit in even the most difficult of spaces. This is perfect for unusually shaped or small offices.

Con – these cabinets generally come with two or three drawers as standard; if you require less or more drawers, you will often be forced to search around for a product that is suitable.

Pro – these cabinets are available in a range of designs, from the elegant and modern to the traditional and dull. This ensures that you will find the perfect match for your office, no matter the décor.

Con – these cabinets can sometimes make it difficult to find files that are located right at the back of the drawer. Often, the back is obscured within the unit and it can be hard to get your hands in.

Lateral

This sort of office storage is slightly newer and is quickly growing in popularity. There are also a number of advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before purchasing:

Pro – these cabinets help you to maximise your available space, as they have horizontal drawers that hold files side-to-side. This is perfect for tight offices or cubicles where space is at a minimum.

Con – these cabinets are usually quite narrow, so you are forced to store files side-to-side and must work your way up and down the drawer when looking for something. Many people are not used to this.

Pro – these cabinets are capable of accommodating a large number of files, as well as different sized files. This is perfect if you are unable to get your usual folders or if you have lots of clients.

Con – these cabinets can rarely be stacked, which means that you are often forced to make do with two or three drawers. This is because the higher they get, the harder they are to use.

As you can see, there are plenty of pros and cons associated with both types of office storage cabinet – the final decision on which will best meet the needs of your workplace is a completely personal one. It is important to assess your available space and the needs of your employees; this will allow you to determine whether vertical or lateral storage will best meet your needs. You can also speak with a professional should you require more assistance.

Tom Smith has been working as a freelance writer for interior design and decoration, equipments hire and scrap metal recycling.