The Best Home Office Filing Systems
Most offices generate massive levels of paperwork, documents, and files each day – without a proper system to store and organize this, employees can easily lose track of important files or simply run out of space to keep them handy.
If you have been working remotely for the last year, you may agree that over time, you’ve built up a substantial amount of paperwork in the form of printouts, mailed documents, and even registration forms. Most of us have inadvertently decided to temporarily store these in boxes, drawers, envelopes, and folders at home.
While this gets the job done, it is not the most practical and effective solution. You end up having to look through all of these storage spaces just for a single set of documents. Rummaging through papers whose prints and appearances are almost identical can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
Just imagine searching for a single record that ended up at the bottom of the paper pile? You could have reviewed three documents already instead of having to play scavenger hunt!
This is where setting up your own home office filing system becomes handy. While a WFH environment may be temporary, it is still best to organize your work files while setting up a home office.
And no, you don’t have to purchase those massive filing cabinets – unless you find it necessary. There are several home office filing systems that are compact that still get the job done quite well – let’s look at a few great examples.
The Best Home Office Filing Systems
AmazonBasics Filing System for Home
If you’re looking for a no-frills, cost-effective, speedy solution to file management – you’re in the right place.
The AmazonBasics Expanding Organizer File Folder provides you plenty of space to keep your files organized. You can sort them out based on purpose, sender, and date, allowing you to find whatever you need quite easily.
As long as you remember to maintain this filing system inside the expanding folder, you can rest easy knowing that your paperwork is safe and not lying somewhere in the house.
Documents are delicate things – the slightest exposure to the natural elements can damage them or smudge the print on the document. AmazonBasics understands this problem, and offers an organizer made from water-resistant, tear-resistant and highly durable poly material.
Aside from storing your documents, the AmazonBasics Expanding Organizer File Folder is also the safest way to carry your documents with you. Should you need to suddenly report to the office or meet with a client, every document you can need will be in this single filing organizer.
It can hold up to 900 paper sheets, and it has 13 different pockets so you can sort the documents accordingly. Don’t worry. It will not just suddenly burst when full because it can expand to up to 8-inches.
If you’re looking for a no-frills, cost-effective, speedy solution to file management – you’re in the right place.
SimpleHouseware Mesh Hanging File Organizer
The SimpleHouseware Mesh Hanging File Organizer is designed to efficiently use space while making certain that all your files are kept safe and organized.
Filing systems and organizers can sometimes take up a lot of space – often creating a cramped home office that leaves us feeling suffocated and annoyed while we’re busy.
The SimpleHouseware Mesh Hanging File Organizer is designed to efficiently use space while making certain that all your files are kept safe and organized.
Accessing all your stored files in this system is a breeze, and you can keep it almost anywhere and everywhere. With this mesh organizer, you can have a more conducive work area that is clutter-free and more professional.
It can expertly hold hanging files in a variety of standard sizes, each separated from one another. You can easily reach out and with a quick glance through its mesh frame, pick out from up to 40 folders. Sliding them in and out of the file tray can be done in seconds.
With this home office filing system, you can efficiently and safely store away all your hard copies. It also comes with a classic utilitarian design – featuring steel frames and mesh construction that create a durable, long-lasting filing solution.
As long as you settle it on a flat surface, you’re ready to get started. It even comes with rubber feet, to make sure that your files stay firmly in place and that you won’t accidentally topple the unit over.
The entire filing system is straightforward to assemble. Even if you are not into DIY projects, you can set this up in no time and start sorting your papers.
CNK Accordion Personal Filing Systems
Combined with its excellent build quality, this is a superb choice for anyone who occasionally needs to take documents on the go, away from their home office.
The CNK Accordion Personal Filing System can be well described as tough on the outside but 100% smart on the inside.
The filing system comes with 24 full pockets, so you can conveniently manage your hard copies as you please. You can label it accordingly for added convenience – at a single glance, you will know where to look for your documents.
You can put about 1,000 letter and A4 size documents in this organizer.
It is comforting to know that once inside, all your documents are safe. The bag’s outer layer is made with PP foam which is tear-resistant, waterproof, and odorless.
A carrying handle is on the top of the bag, so you can use the same filing system to carry your documents around. And with its oval closure clasps, you can be confident with its locking mechanism. There would be zero accidental openings with all your documents going all over the place.
Combined with its excellent build quality, this is a superb choice for anyone who occasionally needs to take documents on the go, away from their home office.
AmazonBasics Hanging Paper Filing System
This is the best option if you are tired and frustrated with having to rummage through your unorganized documents.
Another great and smart home office filing system purchase will be another AmazonBasics product. The approach of this filing system is a little bit different from the AmazonBasics Filing System for Home, but it works quite well – provided that you have a cabinet on hand.
This is the best option if you are tired and frustrated with having to rummage through your unorganized documents. You don’t know which documents are done, pending review, and new ones that need to be checked. These essentially convert your plain old cabinets into a robust filing system, complete with easily visible labels.
Each file comes with coated rod tips which let you move the documents backward and forward effortlessly between 25 compartments. If you need to access a particular file, all you need is to reach out and find the right label. Decide on the most appropriate title, and you can have every paper sorted and within easy reach.
Thanks to its rod tips, you can neatly place all the folders inside your desk drawer, cabinet, or file boxes. This maximizes your space while keeping everything organized and neat.
AmazonBasics also gets extra points for making a sustainable product – both the legal folder stock and letter size stock are made of recycled materials.
YITAHOME 3-Drawer Rolling File Cabinet
With its rounded corners and handles, this is a softer and more eye-catching design than the office’s traditional grey filing systems.
This is a big-time home office filing system that you can adapt to if documents are a daily part of your work. This file system pedestal can hold all your documents and more, so you have everything you need – papers and office supplies in just one neat, mobile storage solution.
With its rounded corners and handles, this is a softer and more eye-catching design than the office’s traditional grey filing systems. Although this is also available in black and gray, white can offer a dash of contrast from the common hues found on office furniture and accessories – making your home office seem a touch more sophisticated.
It comes with swiveling and locking casters so you can conveniently move it from one place to another without much physical exertion.
The top drawer is best for your supplies, while the bottom ones come with a removable hanging file bar. This is where you can keep your files upright, so they are easier to find.
This 3-drawer rolling file cabinet can safely store your letter, A4, and legal documents. You can be sure that your files are secured not just from the natural elements of moisture and humidity but also from prying eyes – the unit comes with its own lock and key to keep more sensitive information such as private documents, important papers, and government IDs safe.
And with its seamless sliding rail, you can open and close the filing cabinet to put in or take out your documents without making too much effort and without unwanted noises.
Conclusion
You may go for the simple expandable folders to keep your documents or go all the way with your filing pedestal – whatever works for you.
Just remember – working from home can actually break down the efficient, simple systems that keep us on track while at actual office spaces.
Getting ourselves a robust filing system at home can help preserve that focus, even while working in homebound, makeshift conditions.