A couple of months ago I gave these white cabinets a makeover. I built them several years ago and had never really liked them. I had reached the end of my “decorate the office” budget (and my patience if I am being honest) and just kind of threw them together using pieces of plywood and laminated pine I had already on hand. I think I did have to buy a little more to make the tops. I tried to use the router to make the edge of the doors look nicer since they were bowed and a little cracked and I ended up not loving it. The cabinets were not square and I was not proud of the build. I also didn’t take pictures along the way so I never posted a tutorial. I also had never shown you how they worked as storage and as a filing cabinet.
When I was revamping my office, I knew I had to do something to these sad little cabinets.
Here is what they look like now!
I shared all the details of how I dressed them up over on the HomeRight blog. But basically I cut the doors down to fit inside and added trim. I also chose fun vintage inspired hardware.
The cabinets are on casters so they can roll out from under the floating shelves. The trim hangs down a bit to cover them.
The top is a filing cabinet so I just roll it out a bit and lift the lid if I need to access the files.
I have a regular metal filing cabinet in the basement for all the things older than a year but the current things I keep close at hand in the office.
The bottom is for storage. It used to be really full but the addition of the wall of shelves has really helped and I only have a few things in here. The cabinet on the other side of the office is full of my kids’ art supplies and paper.
These cabinets are also helpful when I need more work surface area. I usually pull the one on the left out and bring it a bit closer to the desk. Sometimes my kids pull up a chair and use it as a desk too.
While I love the look of built-ins, I was worried with as small as the room is, that something big and solid would make it feel smaller. These shelves and the cabinets below them are a fun alternative to floor to ceiling built-ins and help me maximize the space in my tiny office.
What do you do for all your papers you need to organize? Do you have filing cabinets or do you have another system?
Stacy this looks awesome! Great job! laura
Hey girl Love the file cabinet! What I do is put the papers in a plastic container, I know I know crazy! But I do want ( or need) a file cabinet!
My mom puts all her papers in plastic totes until she has time to file them. As long as you know where they are it totally works :)
Love the cabinets, and as always, a job well done. You such perfect work.
I totally love the desigb! They are so functional and so pretty! I need to make this soon! Pinning it!
I have two $5 auction filing cabinets that I spray painted years ago (think: a combo of drips and chipping now). They make your Before picture look like Chippendale. Really, I would be happy with your before, but the After is terrific. Amazing what a little bit of craftiness can do. I’m wondering if I can manage this on my exceedingly ugly filing cabinets. Well, maybe do some false drawer fronts–they’re metal. I love the way you think of multitasking your furniture.
Hi Stacy, first this is a really lovely office space. So organized and well-placed. Love what you did with the cabinets but I must say the suspended wood shelving kinda steals the show (smile).
Beautiful space and a pleasure to browse.
Happy day.
I am so in love with your gorgeous filing cabinet. It’s so pretty and functional. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party on Organized 31.
This looks sooo much better than the ugly grey filing cabinet we have in our home office! Love all the details you added to the piece! Pinning.
Thanks so much for sharing your creativity at the The DIY Collective this week! Hope to see you again next Thursday. The party begins at 6:00am EST.
Hope you had an awesome weekend!
~ Ashley
You would never know they are a filing cabinet – love this idea, especially with a flip top lid! I have a small office too and pulling out filing cabinet drawers equals cramped working conditions. Love that yours are also portable with the use of casters. They are oh so pretty now after the makeover and look great beside the dark brown desk and rustic open shelving above.
So cute! I love how the final look of your office turned out :) I recently made-over some metal Craiglist filing cabinets into a desk, and love how functional they are. Thanks for sharing!!
genius! who wants to look at those old jacked up metal ones? would love for you to visit my blog (hellolovelystudio.com) to see progress on our fixer upper. peace to you right where you are. ~michele
They look great now! I really love them! Thank you for linking up! I’m pinning!
Cat
These are amazing!! The whole space is fabulous – I love the wooden shelve as well. Thanks for sharing it with us at Work it Wednesday- we are featuring you tomorrow!!
I love this – organization at it’s best! What a cool idea! Pinning!
Hi Stacy,
Do you have plans on how to build your filing cabinet?