We spotted this neat cabinet at HD Buttercup a few weeks ago and think it would make a great coffee table, if you have room. Like Grace's post about using a card catalogue for a coffee table, we love the clean lines along with the textures of glass and metal.
Look! A Map Display Cabinet As A Coffee Table
We love how the multiple drawers can be used for storage and even more table space if you pull out the additional trays. Like Abby’s post about mixing it up, be creative when you design your space. If you like it and it works for you then go for it!
Check Out Other Coffee Table Ideas Here:
Comments (14)
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My local Gap has the same setup, but they're displaying jeans instead of a map.
view ami's profile
Love this
view Daniel Poitiers's profile
This on the other hand, I can fully stand behind (reference). Kudos!
(helpful tip -- casters and a flush plywood base on the bottom, and -- these are usually cheap or free if you're patient enough on CL... unless you're in NYC of course.
view kvh's profile
I've wanted to do this for ages, not in the least because I majored in geography, so I spent many hours in the map library with flat files.
view happify's profile
i want a flat file so bad just to store my work, but i don't really have room for one...
view jmorey's profile
jmorey -- get 2 and lay your bed on top of them.
view kvh's profile
Flat files are great, and sometimes can be found for much less than Buttercup.
view Palmetto's profile
i really love these things... if i had the space i'd definitely use it as a coffee table. already got the casters and flush plywood base going for my filing/food pantry cabinets!
view pinstripeprincess's profile
Who makes this? It would be PERFECT for displaying my tribal textile collection along the big wall in my living room.
view Taureg's profile
my boyfriend and i have two flat files we purchased way cheap ($250 each! which is cheap!) from a friend. They were heavy as anything (steel!) to transport cross country and then up 4 flights of stairs - but we are grateful for them as we are both printmakers with years of art to store and i have a compulsion for buying prints and paper!
view sizetoosmall's profile
This is actually a trend from a year or two ago... I noticed this a lot in home magazines and even here on AT.
http://sanfrancisco.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/050807/tables-dining-occasional/archiflect-architectural-coffee-table-022505
Some actual vintage flat files converted into coffee tables are available here:
http://twentygauge.com/
and here:
http://www.bondandbowery.com/item/5559
and here:
http://www.sonrisafurniture.com/details.php?prodId=52&category=10
and here
http://www.retrooffice.com/flats.htm
view Steve C's profile
Why does there appear to be no such thing as lightweight flat flies?
view charlenemcbride's profile
Should my situation change, using my flat file as a coffee table is about the only way I'd be able to have room for it.
I keep mine in my office, but it's a hulk. I put it on big swivel casters with bearings so I can at least move it around easily as I need to.
view Bruised's profile
Oddly enough, we just finished the same project with a five drawer, 44 x 54 flat file we picked up on craigslist.com for only a $100.
Gotta say, sanding the powder coat paint was a pain! So was spraying a clear coat.
TIP: I'd suggest pricing out the glass prior to starting a project like this. For a piece of tempered glass the size we needed, we would've had to to spend $350 minimum.
So, we kept the steel top and will instead "sandwich" a poster between a thinner piece of glass that should cost about $100.
It's going to make a lovely home for my Cuban movie poster collection.
view modtramp's profile