Old metal filing cabinets are common in many homes and offices as they were once a popular way to store important documents and records. However, as technology has advanced, paper storage needs have decreased. This leaves many wondering what they can do with their old metal filing cabinets beyond simply throwing them out. Thankfully, there are many great ways to repurpose these vintage storage pieces to give them new life.
Reasons to Repurpose Old Metal Filing Cabinets
Before getting into specific ideas, let’s first go over some of the benefits of repurposing old metal filing cabinets rather than getting rid of them:
- Cost Savings: Purchasing a new piece of furniture or storage can get expensive. Repurposing what you already have is an affordable and eco-friendly solution.
- Character: Old metal filing cabinets have a retro charm and appeal that can add personality to your space. The vintage look is very on trend.
- Quality: Metal filing cabinets from past eras are typically made from thick, sturdy steel. This makes them far more durable than flimsy modern furniture.
- Size: Old metal filing cabinets tend to be more compact than today’s bulkier cabinets. This allows them to fit into small spaces.
- Environmental: Repurposing old furniture keeps it out of landfills and gives it new life. This benefits the environment tremendously.
So if you have an old metal filing cabinet, don’t be quick to toss it! With a little creativity, it can become something amazing. Let’s look at some excellent ways to repurpose it.
Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Metal Filing Cabinets
There are endless possibilities when repurposing old metal filing cabinets. Here are some of the best and most unique ways to reuse these vintage pieces:
1. Kitchen Pantry Storage
Old metal filing cabinets are perfect for converting into kitchen pantries. To make one:
- Clean out the cabinet thoroughly and give it a fresh coat of non-toxic paint if desired. Stick with muted colors that won’t clash with your kitchen decor.
- Install adjustable shelves inside the cabinet. This provides storage space for food items of various sizes.
- Consider replacing or covering the original drawer handles with cute cupboard hardware.
- Use drawer organizers inside the drawers to neatly corral smaller items like spices.
Repurposed into a kitchen pantry, an old filing cabinet blends right into the room’s aesthetic. Its compact size fits well in tight spaces, too.
2. Bathroom Storage
The waterproof metal construction of old filing cabinets makes them ideal for repurposing as bathroom storage:
- Give the filing cabinet a good clean, remove the inner rails, and paint with moisture-resistant paint if needed.
- Use the drawers to organize towels, toiletries, first aid supplies, and other bathroom essentials.
- Stack baskets or bins inside the drawers to separate items.
- Consider adding a counter-top to the filing cabinet to use as a sink or extra storage space in the bathroom.
Positioned in the bathroom, a repurposed metal filing cabinet creates handy extra storage while giving the room a vintage farmhouse feel.
3. Coffee Bar
Coffee bars are very popular right now. An old filing cabinet makes a superb starting point:
- Give the filing cabinet a fresh coat of paint in a fun, eye-catching color.
- Replace the handles with new hardware. Cafe-style handles are a perfect fit.
- Use the drawers and cabinet space to store coffee, tea, mugs, sugars, creamers, syrups, and any coffee bar supplies.
- Place a small sink atop the flattened filing cabinet along with the coffee maker.
- Add a bar countertop to the front for an authentic cafe look.
Stylish and functional, a filing cabinet converted into a coffee bar provides everything needed to brew and enjoy an amazing cup of coffee at home.
4. Craft Storage
The many small drawers of old filing cabinets are perfect for organizing craft supplies:
- Paint or repaint the filing cabinet a cheery color suited for crafts.
- Label each drawer for different types of supplies (paints, papers, sewing notions, beads, etc.).
- Use drawer dividers or small organizers to neatly separate items within each drawer.
- Store larger tools and materials inside the main cabinet space.
- Display favorite craft items on top of the cabinet as decoration.
A repurposed metal filing cabinet creates the ultimate craft supply station. Everything is neatly organized and within easy reach.
5. Home Office Storage
It’s smart to repurpose old filing cabinets back into office storage:
- Paint or repaint the cabinet to match your home office decor.
- Use the drawers for office supplies, chargers, tech accessories, and other equipment.
- Store files, paperwork, and documents inside the main cabinet space.
- Place office items like trays, staplers, tape, and writing tools on top of the cabinet.
- If needed, remove the top drawer and install a desk surface for an extra work space.
Handy and space-saving, a creatively reused filing cabinet lends lots of function to a home office.
6. Media Center
Old metal filing cabinets easily convert into media storage centers:
- Paint or repaint the cabinet a dark color to help hide electronics.
- Remove inner drawer rails to fit electronics into each drawer.
- Use drawers for gaming consoles, streaming devices, movies, video games, remotes, and more.
- Cut custom holes in the back of the cabinet for cords, wires, and ventilation.
- Add wheels for easy mobility.
A filing cabinet media center conceals all those unsightly cords and electronics into a retro, industrial-chic piece.
7. Bar Cabinet
Make a big style statement by repurposing a filing cabinet into a bar:
- Give the filing cabinet a fresh coat of bold, dramatic paint.
- Replace original handles with cool bar hardware.
- Use the drawers and cabinet interior to store liquor, bar tools, glassware, and garnishes.
- Consider adding a fold-down front to the cabinet top to use as a serving area.
- Display prized bottles and barware on the top.
- Add fun details like cabinet lighting.
Equal parts storage and display, a filing cabinet transformed into a bar creates a focal point in any room.
8. Children’s Toy Storage
Filing cabinets make great toy boxes for kids:
- Paint the filing cabinet a bright, playful solid color or fun pattern.
- Remove rails from drawers to create open storage space.
- Use cabinet and drawers to store toys of all sizes, games, books, art supplies, etc.
- Add cute drawer knobs and labels to organize different toys.
- Secure cabinet to the wall for safety.
Repurposed as a toy box, a metal filing cabinet corrals all of a child’s belongings into one handy place.
9. Clothing Storage
The wide, flat drawers are perfect for folding clothes neatly. To make a filing cabinet clothing storage unit:
- Spray paint or repaint the cabinet a neutral tone suited for a closet or bedroom.
- Use each drawer to store specific clothing types like shirts, pants, undergarments, socks, etc.
- Install a hanging rod inside the cabinet to hang items on hangers.
- Decorate the top with knickknacks or add a cushion to create extra seating space.
A repurposed filing cabinet maximizes clothing storage capacity in closets and bedrooms.
10. Garden Tool Storage
Filing cabinets are ideal for storing gardening supplies:
- Place the cabinet in a shed, garage, basement, or backyard.
- Use interior cabinet space for large tools like shovels.
- Use drawers for gloves, smaller tools, packets of seeds/fertilizer.
- Consider adding hooks on the outside for rakes, hoses, and more.
- Install casters on the bottom for outdoor mobility if needed.
Placed outdoors, a repurposed metal filing cabinet keeps all gardening equipment neatly stashed but easily accessible.
Tips for Repurposing Metal Filing Cabinets
Now that we’ve covered many great ways to reuse metal filing cabinets creatively, here are some helpful tips to ensure your repurposing projects go smoothly:
- Completely empty the filing cabinet and clean it thoroughly before starting.
- Remove any inner drawer slides or rails so you have open drawer space.
- Tighten or replace any loose, broken, or squeaky drawer glides.
- Give the cabinet a fresh coat of paint suited for how you’ll reuse it.
- Replace original hardware with new handles and knobs to modernize it.
- Add finishings like trim, molding, or cabinet legs for decorative flair.
- Install locking casters or wheels if the cabinet needs to be mobile.
- Secure the filing cabinet properly to walls or floors if used for children’s storage.
- Organize the inner space with dividers, bins, baskets or trays.
With the right prep work and creative vision, repurposing an old metal filing cabinet gives it a stylish second life.
Where to Find Old Metal Filing Cabinets to Repurpose
Wondering where to find used metal filing cabinets to repurpose? Here are some excellent sources to check both locally and online:
- Classified ads (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace)
- Garage and estate sales
- Thrift stores (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army)
- Office furniture liquidators
- College campus surplus stores
- Community swap groups
- Online auction sites (eBay, GovDeals)
- Junk removal or recycling companies
- “Curb alert” giveaways
- Ask friends, family members, neighbors
- Check alleyways and debris collection days in neighborhoods
It’s usually pretty easy to obtain a discarded old metal filing cabinet for free or very cheap. Keep an eye out and be ready to jump when a good one pops up!
Brining New Life to Old Metal Filing Cabinets
As we’ve seen, old metal filing cabinets can be successfully repurposed in many different ways with just a little creativity. Kitchen pantries, bathroom storage, coffee bars, craft stations, toy boxes, clothing storage, and much more—the possibilities are truly endless.
Breathing new life into a well-built vintage filing cabinet is extremely rewarding. Not only are you saving pieces of history from the landfill, but also creating a unique focal point full of character and charm. Your repurposed filing cabinet is sure to become a cherished and functional part of your home.
So next time you come across an old discarded metal filing cabinet, take a moment to envision the potential ways you could reuse or repurpose it. Let your imagination run wild! With a little bit of effort, that outdated office relic can become the charming centerpiece of any room in your home or garden. It’s incredibly eco-friendly and cost effective way to stylize your space with vintage appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Repurposing Old Metal Filing Cabinets
Many common questions come up when considering repurposing an old metal filing cabinet. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
How do I remove the rails from the drawers?
Most filing cabinets have thin metal rails that the drawers slide in and out on. To remove them, unscrew the rail brackets from the inside of the cabinet. The rails and brackets should lift right out.
What type of paint should I use?
For metal surfaces, use a direct to metal enamel spray paint or a tubed metal paint. Scuff sand the cabinet first for better paint adhesion.
Can the drawers be removed entirely?
In most cases, yes. The drawers slide out of the metal rails easily once unscrewed. This allows the drawers to be used creatively for open storage.
How do I quiet a squeaky drawer?
Apply a lubricant like WD-40 to the drawer glides. If needed, replace old worn out glides with new drawer slides.
What about any locks on the cabinet doors?
The original keys are often lost. In this case, you can simply remove the lock mechanism altogether or replace it with a new lock and set of keys.
How can I adjust or tighten loose drawers?
Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws on the drawer glide brackets attached inside the cabinet body.
What about fireproof waterproof original cabinets?
For traditional reuse, the waterproof and fireproof qualities are excellent bonus features! Clean thoroughly since old paper dust remains.
Hopefully these answers help solve any issues that come up with prepping old metal filing cabinets for repurposing projects!
Conclusion
Old metal filing cabinets truly prove the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” While they may seem outdated and useless, with a little creativity they can be transformed into stunning storage solutions and decorative furniture pieces. Whether designing them as kitchen pantries, bathroom storage, hobby stations, bars, toy boxes, or something totally unique, repurposing a metal filing cabinet is a wonderful way to save money, reduce waste, and add stylish retro charm to any space. Hopefully the ideas and tips in this article will inspire you to see the potential in old metal filing cabinets and creatively reuse them in your own home. Happy repurposing!