Storage > Materials - Metal

This is the broadest parent category in office furniture — "Storage" covers everything from file cabinets and bookcases to lockers, credenzas, storage cabinets, and pedestals. If you landed here looking for a specific solution, you will get better results browsing a specific sub-category. Browse [office storage](https://www.findofficefurniture.com/storage) and then drill into the sub-category that matches what you actually need to stash.

The key types are: vertical file cabinets (tall, narrow, 2 to 5 drawers for hanging files), lateral file cabinets (wider, lower, side-by-side drawer access), bookcases (open or door-fronted shelving), credenzas (low horizontal storage behind a desk), storage cabinets (enclosed shelving, often taller), mobile pedestals (rolling under-desk drawers), and lockers (personal compartment storage per employee). Match the type to what you need to store and how often you need to access it.

Vertical file cabinets stack drawers tall and narrow — good for tight floor spaces. Lateral file cabinets are wider and shorter — great for high-volume filing and quicker side access. Lateral files also have a lower center of gravity and are more stable. For a private office with limited floor space, vertical is usually the practical pick. For a shared file room or a big filing program, lateral is typically more efficient per square foot of floor space.

For a shared team, centralized filing in a common area works better than everyone having individual pedestals. For personal items, employee lockers give each person a secured space. For supplies and reference materials, open bookcases or low storage cabinets in a shared zone keep things accessible. The right mix depends on what the team needs to store — think about active files vs archived files vs personal items vs supplies when planning.

Steel storage cabinets typically ship mostly or fully assembled — minimal setup. Laminate bookcases and credenzas are usually ready-to-assemble (RTA) and require more involved assembly. Check the product listing for assembly requirements and estimated time before you order. If you need something usable same day or do not have tools handy, look for units labeled "fully assembled" or "minimal assembly required."

A typical private office does well with a 4 or 5-drawer file cabinet for active files, a standard bookcase (2 to 3 shelves) for reference materials and books, a desk credenza or low cabinet for supplies and printer placement, and a mobile pedestal under the desk for frequently accessed items. That covers the core needs. Add a locking cabinet if you need to secure sensitive documents. Do not over-buy — extra storage units often just become clutter magnets.

Low storage cabinets and bookcases in the 36 to 42-inch height range work well as room dividers because they define zones without blocking natural light or sightlines across the floor. Taller units (60 to 72 inches) create more visual separation if privacy is the goal. Make sure any unit used as a divider is anchored to a wall or weighted base — freestanding tall units are a tip-over risk when not secured, especially in active open-plan environments.

For a home office, a compact 2-drawer lateral or vertical file cabinet handles active files without taking over the room. A 5-shelf bookcase gives good vertical storage in a small footprint. A desk with a built-in pedestal or credenza beside it reduces the need for separate storage pieces. If floor space is really tight, wall-mount shelving above the desk adds vertical storage without using any floor area at all.

We back every storage piece with our Free Lifetime Warranty unless specifically noted — the case, shelves, doors, drawer slides, and lock hardware are all covered. That goes well beyond the 1 to 3-year warranties typical on consumer furniture. Commercial-grade storage is built for daily multi-user use, and the coverage reflects that build quality.

ADA guidelines for storage call for frequently accessed materials within the forward-reach range of 15 to 48 inches off the floor for wheelchair users. That means your most-used files and supplies should land on shelves and in drawers within that zone — not on top shelves or in the highest file drawers. Leave 36 inches of clear aisle in front of any storage unit for wheelchair approach and maneuvering. If you need a fully accessible filing system, a lateral file cabinet with pull-out drawers at 15 to 36 inches off the floor is the most accessible option.