When designing a home office, everything should revolve around function and ergonomic comfort. The right storage solution significantly contributes to a productive and smooth-working home office. It can be a challenge to select your storage, especially when faced with many choices.
Aย pedestal cabinet is a versatile and highly accessible storage solution for compact home offices. It is a box-like storage solution, presenting a combination of pull-out drawers and an open door compartment. This flexible storage unit can work as a freestanding piece or can be partnered with an office desk as mobile storage that you can tuck in and out of your table whenever needed. A mobile pedestal is an investment that will stay in your home office for a long time. Choosing the right one will make your storage more accessible, but buying the wrong one might just contribute to the distraction in your space.
We rounded up the considerations and listed some tips for buying your pedestal cabinet.
What is the Best Size for Your Pedestal Cabinet?
Do you intend to put your pedestal cabinet under yourย office desk? If tucking the pedestal under your workstation, make sure that your table is high enough to contain the pedestal. Whether shopping at a furniture outlet or buying online, always check the office table and pedestal dimensions. If looking for a guaranteed solution, opt for an office table and mobile pedestal set. When purchasing a filing cabinet, consider the amount of space you require so that you can easily find what you need.ย
What is the Best Material for Your Pedestal Cabinet?
A storage unit shall be specifically sturdy, especially when handling important or heavy items. The most common materials for mobile pedestals are wood and metal. Wooden filing units work seamlessly with the style of the office table. The patterns and visual textures of mobile pedestals create a warm look that makes your home office more cosy and personal. You may choose from oak, cherry, walnut, and maple finishes.
Pedestal cabinets made with laminate are affordable solutions that mimic the natural look of wooden units. If you want the beauty of a wooden pedestal but are short on budget, opt for a laminated pedestal cabinet.
Metal pedestals are welded, strong, and heavier, but usually, come with casters to be easily maneuvered. Although not considered highly attractive, they are preferred by many looking for a long-term storage solution as they can stay in shape for years without the fear of warping or wearing down. Steel cabinets are coated and painted to be scratch-resistant to withstand busy environments.
You may choose your pedestal's material and colour based on your home office's theme, but make sure the material is sturdy enough for your storage needs.
How Much Storage Capacity Do You Need?
Lateral filing units are shallow, making them easy to access even when seated. They are perfect for vertically storing and organising smaller items. These are efficient if you don't have many paper files and just need storage for your office essentials. Other mobile pedestals have fewer but more spacious compartments, which is ideal if you need more storage areas for bigger items. To organise your files better, many pedestal cabinets come with railings to separate and organise items.
Document Size
Letter-size documents can fit almost every pedestal cabinet. However, if you're working on a legal-size paper, you will need to check the size of your pedestal carefully.
Filing System
Files and folders can be arranged from front to back or side to side. The most common way to place files is in a side-by-side filing system. Front to back filing system, based on its name, is the process of arranging items from front to back, which means the widest part is facing you once you open the drawer. This is effective when sorting the files by size.
How Many Drawers Do You Need?
Pedestal cabinets generally have two to three drawers. The number of drawers you choose depends on your storage needs. Will you need shallow storage for your small home office essentials or a deep and boxy configuration for tall items?
What Safety Features Should You Look For?
A cabinet with a secure locking mechanism is important for storing sensitive files. Some have single vital locks that are applicable only to one drawer, while others have central locking systems. Make sure to look for your preferred locking mechanism when shopping. Feel free to test or ask questions when buying in-store or online.
Aside from the locking mechanism, it's also essential to look for a pedestal cabinet's anti-tip or anti-tilt mechanism that prevents multiple drawers full of files from toppling over. Fireproofing is also a vital feature when taking crucial files into your home office. The fireproofing feature will also work as a protection from spills and water damage.
What Style Should You Go For?
While it's important to have function and safety at the top of the list, the style of your pedestal cabinet is also important. Is it broad, regular-sized, or slim? Complement the look of your home office with materials or a colour palette. Don't forget about the finishing to make the design combination more seamless. For ease of access, choose a mobile pedestal with castors.
How Much is Your Budget?
After listing all the features you're looking for, it's time to set your budget. Although it's vital to look for a filing unit with the best features, it's also important to set a budget to prevent spending more than you have to. If you have a budget, shortlisting your choices will be easier. The key is to get the best materials and features available within your price range. If you want to know how pedestal cabinet pricing works, you can look for pieces online to compare prices and their quality. There are numerous units available online that can withstand repeated use without charging exorbitant fees. Online office furniture shops offer lower prices and reliable return policies.
Being and staying organised indicates a high level of professionalism, and it increases the comfort and productivity of a space. Aside from your spacious office desk and ergonomic office chair, investing in a good pedestal cabinet can help you make the most of your office space.