One of the things that makes filing cabinets so great is that 90% of the ones we've seen used in homes have been vintage repurposed pieces. The worn in look, clean lines and boxy figures are the qualities that we love about filing cabinets. Those are also the qualities that make them look so great in combination with modern design.
We enjoy the look of filing cabinets as-is because they offer a rustic element to clean modern spaces. They not only look amazing but they provide ample storage in smaller homes. Repurpose a filing cabinet in the living room as a coffee table, in the dining room as a credenza or find two smaller matching filing cabinets and use them as bedside tables in the bedroom.
If you have a filing cabinet and aren't too keen on its current state — they're so easy to paint, wallpaper or transform into double duty pieces. Take the drawers out into the backyard and transform them into fun planters or attach a countertop to the backside of a cabinet and it becomes a functional island in the kitchen.
• Jordan Carlson Cabinet, Design*Sponge
• Make Over Your Filing Cabinet
• Filing Cabinet Garden, Tree Hugger
• DIY File Cabinet Island
• Working File Cabinets Into Your Decor
How would you repurpose a filing cabinet?
Images: as linked above
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Ugh. Our new house doesn't have a designated office (yet), so currently our files live in a cardboard file box inside an armoire.
Maybe I'll try a temporary decorating project until we build that office in the basement...
A filing cabinet is so necessary for me. I wanted a great vintage one but when I couldn't find one I bought a light wood one and replaced the 90s silver handles with something a bit less obviously office-y. Then I ditched my bulletin board for a DIY magnetic board in a vintage frame. The whole look is a work in progress but much less office-y. But it took quite a bit of work!
http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/silhouette-wall.html
We re-purposed a small two drawer index card filing cabinet to hold our spice jars:
http://www.mintlovesocialclub.com/2011/03/flea-market-finds.html
I've used filing cabinets as terrarium stands, living room end tables, bedroom night stands, tool storage, and closet clothing storage. The metal ones are more durable than the wood ones. I like the gloss black metal ones. Filing cabinets come in many dimensions and many are lockable, castered, and/or non-tipping.
Hey - isn't # 1 from the Small Cool contest? I like this perspective more than the one in the Small Cool tour - amazing ceiling.
Right now at Community Forklift, we've got a bunch of vintage filing cabinets and contraptions, card catalog sections, vintage drawers, etc.
I am trying to restrain myself from using my employee discount to just buy them all up and hoard them :-) My boyfriend would not be happy about it, however - he is not able to envision the endless possibilities!
@slangevar It *is* from the Small Cool Contest. And voting ends tomorrow!