Is space an issue in your home office or at work? Do you need to use space under your desk for file storage? Then a 2 drawer filing cabinet may be the answer to your needs. Plus it’s great to have access to your files right beside you at your desk, so that you can reach down and retrieve what you need without even having to leave your chair.

Construction Materials

There’s a wide range of 2 drawer file cabinets available that will suit almost every style and taste — some in metal, others in a wood finish such as oak, cherry, rustic pine or mahogany, and also models mounted on casters for the convenience of mobility.

Mobility / Portability

While the most commonly found type of cabinet has four drawers, the 2 drawer alternative is also an advantage for some people with mobility issues, disabilities or the old. Fortunately, choosing this smaller style of cabinet doesn’t mean a sacrifice in features. You can find the same great functions and accessories that are available in larger models.

Vertical or Lateral Files?

How do you like your files to be arranged? The most common method is the so-called vertical filing cabinet, where the hanging files are ranged from front to back. While this makes for a slim unit — perhaps only 15 1/4 inches wide — it may call for a depth of about 26 inches. If width is not an issue, a lateral filing cabinet may prove a better option and may require less depth. In either case, you can find styles that can accommodate letter, legal, or A4 sized files, according to the dimensions of the documents you need to keep.

Durability

When choosing any kind of filing cabinet, give some thought to the degree of wear and tear it will need to withstand when making your selection. The strongest types are likely to be made of steel. Solid wood can also be very durable. But while cabinets in plastic or laminated particleboard may be cheaper and lighter, they will probably not stand up to heavy use so well. Remember also that while an empty cabinet may be relatively light, when it’s full of papers it will weigh a lot more. So drawers that are opened and closed frequently during the day needs to have robust slides with ball bearings and full extension features. It may also be a good idea to check for features that reduce the likelihood of tipping, such as interlocking drawers.

Security features

What sort of documentation are you likely to be storing in a two drawer cabinet? If you expect it to contain confidential papers, a secure locking mechanism will be needed. You may also wish to choose an item with fireproofing capabilities, where important records are to be stored.