Choosing the right filing cabinets for your office is essential for maintaining a clean, professional, and efficient workspace. At GD Liquidators, we’ve been helping Edmonton business owners outfit their offices since 1987. Whether you’re setting up a home office or managing a large corporate floor, finding the perfect balance between budget and functionality is key.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of filing cabinets available—including both new and used—to help you find the best fit for your storage requirements and your bottom line.
Vertical Cabinets: The Space Saver
A vertical filing cabinet is the classic office staple. Tall and narrow, these units are designed to hold documents in a front-to-back arrangement.
Why Choose Vertical?
This setup is ideal for smaller offices or cubicles where floor space is at a premium. Because they take up less horizontal space, you can easily tuck them into corners or beside a desk. We carry a range of vertical filing cabinets, including two-, three-, and four-drawer models. If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution, our inventory of used vertical cabinets features high-quality steel models that perform as well as new ones at a fraction of the cost.
Lateral Filing Cabinets: High-Capacity Storage
Lateral filing cabinets are wider than they are deep, with drawers that allow you to store files side-by-side.
Why Choose Lateral?
If you have a large volume of paperwork, a lateral cabinet is usually the better choice. These units offer more storage per drawer, and their low profile can also serve as extra counter space or a printer stand. These are commonly available in two- to five-drawer heights. In a larger Edmonton office, grouping a few lateral file cabinets together can create a “file island” that serves as a room divider.
Materials: Steel vs. Laminate
When browsing office furniture in Edmonton, you’ll generally see two main material options:
- Steel: These are the workhorses of the office. Steel cabinets offer superior durability and security. They are fire-resistant and built to handle heavy daily use.
- Laminate: If you want your storage to match your executive desk or boardroom table, laminate is the way to go. These come in various woodgrain finishes and provide a more “high-end” look, though they’re generally less rugged than their steel counterparts.
Understanding Filing Cabinet Sizes
The right size depends entirely on your document volume.
- Small Needs: A two-drawer mobile pedestal or vertical cabinet is perfect for personal files or home offices.
- Large Needs: Four- or five-drawer lateral cabinets are typically used in accounting departments or legal firms with extensive records.
- Width Matters: Lateral cabinets typically come in 30″, 36″, and 42″ widths. Measure your wall space carefully before visiting our warehouse to ensure a perfect fit!
Aesthetics: Colors and Finishes
Your Edmonton office furniture should reflect your brand’s professional appearance.
- Neutral & Professional: Most metal cabinets come in black, grey, or putty/beige. These are great for blending into any environment.
- Modern Style: For a contemporary look, silver or white finishes are popular.
- Custom Look: Laminate finishes (such as cherry, maple, or espresso) help maintain a consistent aesthetic across your entire office suite.
How to Choose the Right Furniture for Your Edmonton Office
When you’re walking through our 100,000-square-foot warehouse, it can get a little overwhelming. To help, keep these three factors in mind:
- Document Type: Do you use Letter or legal-size paper? Most lateral cabinets can handle both, but vertical cabinets are often specific to one size.
- Floor Space: Always measure your footprint. Remember to account for the space needed to fully extend the drawers!
- New vs. Used: At GD Liquidators, we take pride in our massive selection of used furniture. Our high-quality used filing cabinets look great and perform reliably, allowing you to stay within your budget while still getting premium brands. If we don’t have the specific style you need in our used inventory, we always have a large selection of brand-new units ready to go.
Find The Right Office Furniture for Your Edmonton Office
Whether you need one cabinet or fifty, our knowledgeable staff is here to help you navigate our inventory. Because our stock changes daily, we recommend visiting our Edmonton warehouse to see what’s currently available.
Ready to organize your space? Come see why we are the trusted source for office furniture in Edmonton. We’ll help you find the right filing cabinets for your office at a price that makes sense.
Contact GD Liquidators today to get started.
