Good Questions: Paper Control?

2004_7_question mark.jpg Hello AT,

I have a quick question for you concerning files...or the fact that I have so much loose paper flying around, and do not know what to do with them.

I am a creative writer and so I tend to have lots of loose papers. Filing cabinets are so large and ungainly that I do not like them much. Do you have any suggestions for loose papers that wouldn't require a cabinet, but still is neat and organized?

Andy

Depending on your space, our all time favorite mobile paper organizer is the Ikea Sumera file cart. Levenger also sells some nice solutions, like the Project Conceirge. The main thing is that you want to be able to SEE where stuff is so that it doesn't start growing behind closed doors. For general open storage, the Container Store has tons of solutions, and right now we are using the Makati baskets to control the paper on our desk. (Thanks, Andy!) MGR

Comments (3)

I use a 10-drawer Bisley cabinet for various drafts, chapters, etc. They fit beside a desk nicely (11'' wide, 13" deep) and somehow feel more accessible than a file cabinet for stuff that's still in progress. They're pretty pricey (around $200 @ Sam Flax, container store, etc.) but will look good forever. Think I saw a cheaper knockoff at Hold Everything too.

consider a highspeed scanner?
see NYTimes article--STATE OF THE ART; Scanning A Paperless Horizon By DAVID POGUE 7/15/04

If you don't want to take up floor space, why not think vertical and use the wall. I use one of these literature racks to store my frequently accessed files. These literature racks are actually made for letter sized file folders.

www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=product&id=product3107&site=

The racks are also available in other colors and other sizes. You can see pictures of them with letter size folders. These are the exact same organizers as sold by martha stewart, just different colors. The greys are different.

www.sun-rise.com/literatureracks/243377.003.html