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Organize a Filing Cabinet

Find out how to easily organize a filing cabinet!

Organizing a Filing Cabinet

Are you looking for ways to organize a filing cabinet in your home or office?  Well, look no further, because we have got some pretty great tips for filing cabinet organization! 

From rounding up all of your papers to finding the best ways to store them, filing cabinet organization can be a bit tedious.  And while that may seem like the case, it can actually be quite simple to get your files in order. 

These wonderful organization tips that we’re about to share with you can work for any filing cabinet.  Whether it’s in your home, office, school, or another place, organizing your filing cabinet can be done with ease.  

Check out a few of our favorite filing cabinet organization tips.

Organizing a Filing Cabinet

Filing Cabinet Organization

Establish a Filing System

Get started by establishing some sort of filing system.  In other words, you’ll want to find a method of filing and storing papers that works best for you. 

It can be a simple system or one that’s very detailed.  It really depends on you and your needs.  In any case, establishing the best filing system means that you are able to store and access the files you need with ease.

There are definitely a few things to consider before choosing a filing method.  What types of files need to be organized?  How can all of the files be sorted and stored?  Where will the filing cabinet be located?  And who else will need access to the filing cabinet and files?  

One of the simplest filing systems to use is to put files in alphabetical order.  Whether you’re organizing household papers or client files, going from A to Z is pretty straightforward, and it’s a system that works for just about everyone. 

Documents can also be stored chronologically, by type, by job, or invoice number.  You could also choose to do a combination of several filing methods for a more detailed form of organization.  

Organizing a Filing Cabinet

Create a List of Files

Once you’ve figured out how you want your files organized, the next step is to create a list of all files to be stored.  A few examples for a household file list include bills to be paid, such as water, gas, phone, cable, etc. 

It can be by bill type (as we just listed) or by company name.  If you’re trying to organize a work filing cabinet, maybe list files by client name (last name first) or invoice number.

When the list of files is complete, create tabs or hanging file folders with the appropriate labels.  Then, all of your papers and documents can be placed into the correct file or folder.  

Store Files in Cabinet

Now it’s time to store the files in the filing cabinet.  Place the labeled tabs and file folders in the cabinet according to the filing system you have chosen.  When this step is complete, there should be empty pocket tabs and file folders ready to be filed with the correct papers and documents. 

Begin filling the folders with the contents that correlate with the label on the tab, one by one.  This may take some time, but it will be worth it.  Any papers or documents that are outdated or duplicated can be shredded and recycled.  

Organizing a Filing Cabinet

Organize Files, Papers, and Documents

That’s it!  You did it!  Now that you have an organized filing cabinet, all you have to do is maintain it.  Try not to let papers pile up and get in the habit of filing documents on a regular basis.  Whether you decide to sort and store paperwork on a daily basis or you choose to do it once a week or once a month, keeping your files in order can be simple.

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