Aways useful— but rarely attractive — filing cabinets are a necessary evil for organization. Think positively, though, and their boring exteriors are the perfect blank canvas for a DIY project.
Before filling my black, $10-on-Craigslist filing cabinet with old tax returns and bill stubs, I broke out the silver spray paint. I adapted the otomi-style reverse stencils from Lena Corwin's Printing By Hand to customize the boring black box. The tracing and cutting were tedious, but never before have I been able to say I love a filing cabinet.
Another way to make your filing cabinet stand out would be with decorative paper — be it wallpaper samples, maps, et cetera (Images 2 and 3). If you'd rather have the filing cabinet blend in, painting it a nicer solid color can have just as positive an impact as a pattern (Images 4 and 5).
Images: 1. Leah Moss for Apartment Therapy 2. Notebook 3. Design*Sponge 4. Size Too Small 5. Charm Home
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Comments (18)
Beautiful! Too bad I can't spraypaint my work file cabinets.
the 3rd thumbnail doesn't open.
Very cute!
How would you apply the wallpaper/wrapping paper? With glue? Any advice on how to seal it so it doesn't rip or get scuffed up?
I was just looking at mine on the weekend and thinking about how big of an eyesore it is... time for a makeover.
love the soft teal colored one. all great ideas! i plaster mine with surfing, environmental and other "cause" stickers--can't say it's a clean look, but better than that drab beige!!
I just posted a filing cabinet before and after on my blog today! http://metalandmud.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/before-and-after-filing-cabinets/
Is is possible/practical to decoupage a file cabinet?
You can totally decoupage a filing cabinet. Check out the blog mod podge rocks - IRS a great website and I know she's shown a decoupaged filing cabinet before.
I've always resisted getting a filing cabinet because they are so ugly. These are actually really pretty though! I love the paper covered ones especially.
It's a cute idea. But meh, I guess I kind of like the industrial look of a metal filing cabinet. I've been looking for one that's NOT painted. Now that's hard.
i covered the front of my filing cabinet with cork drawer-liner, so it doubles as filing cabinet/bulletin board. the drawer-liner was self-adhesive, so the project took about 5 min, max.
I've been eyeing that tutorial on Design Sponge for a while now and this project is actually on my list of things to do this year!
I actually kinda prefer the 'before' picture of the fourth thumbnail!
missjulia's suggestion is awesome: turning the cabinet into a pinboard.
I think I have the exact same blue mini suitcase as you!
File cabinets have a great surface for decoupaging. I photocopied a fabric I liked in black and white then used a mix of Elmer's glue and water to apply. It still looks great after six years.
Before:
http://scarletsongbird.blogspot.com/2006/02/turning-to-do-into-ta-da_13.html
After:
http://scarletsongbird.blogspot.com/2007/04/corners.html
My $4 (each) matching 2-drawer black cabinets may undergo such a transformation if my husband is willing (his-and-hers).
ScarletTanager's demonstration is pretty great. Thanks for posting it, Scarlet!
I picked up some old filing cabinets from a yard sale - they are so practical but SO ugly. I'm going to attempt Scarlet's suggestion this weekend. Thanks for the great ideas!