Storage is the part of an office layout that gets decided last and regretted first. Too little and paper creeps onto every surface. Too much and you lose floor area to cabinets full of things nobody has opened in years. The good news is that storage is also one of the best categories to buy pre-owned. Steel files and cabinets are built to last, and quality pieces come out of offices that are downsizing or going paperless. This page compares the main office storage options so you can match the piece to the job.
Before you choose: audit what you store
Spend 20 minutes answering these questions. They narrow the options quickly.
- What is it? Letter or legal files, binders, supplies, personal items, samples or equipment.
- How often is it used? Daily items belong at the desk. Monthly items can live in a shared area. Yearly items may belong offsite or in digital form.
- Does it need a lock? HR, legal, finance and patient records usually do.
- Who uses it? One person, one team, or the whole floor.
- Where can it go? Against a wall, under a worksurface, at the end of a workstation run, or as a room divider.
Office storage options at a glance
| Storage type | Best for | Footprint | Watch for when buying pre-owned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical file (2 to 5 drawer) | High file volume in a small wall length | Narrow but deep; needs room for full drawer extension | Smooth slides at full extension, working lock, anti-tip interlock |
| Lateral file (2 to 5 drawer) | Shared team files, surfaces, dividers | Wide and shallow | Hanging file rails, counterweight or wall anchoring, drawer alignment |
| Storage tower or wardrobe | Personal items, coats, binders in open plans | Small footprint, tall | Door hinges, shelf clips, coat rod, lock and keys |
| Mobile or fixed pedestal | Personal files and supplies at the desk | Fits under or beside a worksurface | Caster condition, drawer glides, fit under your worksurface height |
| Bookcase or open shelving | Binders and reference materials in daily use | Shallow, wall-mounted look | Shelf sag, adjustable shelf pins, stability |
| Storage cabinet | Supplies and bulk items behind doors | Tall and deep | Shelf count, door alignment, lock operation |
| Credenza | Private offices and conference rooms | Low and long | Top surface finish, door and drawer hardware |
Vertical files versus lateral files
This is the most common storage decision, and the answer depends on the shape of your space.
Choose vertical files when
- Wall length is limited but you can spare depth in front of the cabinet.
- You store a large volume of paper in one place, such as a records area.
- Budget is tight, since vertical files are typically simpler pieces.
Choose lateral files when
- Aisles are narrow and a deep drawer would block traffic when open.
- You want the top to work as a surface for a printer, plants or a layout table.
- You need to define a zone in an open plan. A row of 2 or 3 drawer laterals makes a low divider.
Storage in open plans and cubicles
Open offices removed a lot of built-in storage, and hybrid work added the need for lockable personal space. Towers and pedestals solve both.
- Storage towers give each person a coat and bag spot in a small footprint. At the end of a benching run, they also add a bit of visual privacy.
- Mobile pedestals roll where needed and can double as a guest perch if they have a cushion top.
- Overhead bins and shelves on workstation panels use vertical space. Check that they do not conflict with height-adjustable surfaces.
If you are pricing workstations, storage can be built into the configuration. The used cubicles page walks through options, and its quote builder lets you price a layout.
Price workstations with storage
Condition grades and lead times
Office Station sells pre-owned office furniture, including storage from makers such as Steelcase, Herman Miller, Knoll, Haworth, Teknion, Allsteel and Kimball. It is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer, and manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned pieces.
| Grade or tier | What it means for storage | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A, like new | Minimal visible wear | Reception, client-facing offices, executive suites |
| Grade B, very good | Light scuffs or minor marks, fully functional | Team areas and general open plan |
| Grade C, good | Visible cosmetic wear, functional | Records rooms, supply closets, warehouse offices |
Lead times depend on the tier. Liquidation-grade stock can be ready in as little as 72 hours when in inventory. Remanufactured pieces usually take 7 to 14 days. New furniture typically runs 4 to 6 weeks. Storage inventory changes with what comes in, so ask about counts if you need a matched set.
Pre-owned storage buying checklist
- Open every drawer to full extension and close it. It should glide without catching.
- Confirm the lock engages and ask whether keys are included for each unit.
- Test the anti-tip interlock on multi-drawer files.
- Check for hanging file rails or bars in each drawer you plan to use for files.
- Inspect doors and shelves on towers and cabinets for alignment and shelf clips.
- Measure depth with drawers open against your aisle width.
- Confirm color and finish match across the full quantity you need.
Delivery, planning and the storage you no longer need
Free space planning helps you place storage so drawers open without blocking walkways. In Greater Phoenix, delivery is $195 for central zones and $295 metro. Elsewhere nationwide, freight is quoted per project.
Moving to less paper? Surplus filing from your current space may carry resale value. Office Station provides office furniture liquidation with a written net offer, resale value minus removal cost, and handles e-waste with certificates of data destruction during office decommissioning.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a vertical and a lateral file?
A vertical file is narrow and deep, with drawers that pull out toward you and files that face front to back. A lateral file is wide and shallow, with files that run side to side. Laterals take more wall length but less depth, and they often double as a surface or a divider.
Is pre-owned steel filing a good buy?
Steel filing is one of the most durable categories of office furniture, which makes it a sensible pre-owned purchase. Check drawer slides, locks, keys and the anti-tip interlock. Office Station sells pre-owned furniture as an independent reseller, and manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer.
What do condition grades mean for storage?
Office Station uses A for like new, B for very good and C for good. On storage, the difference is mostly cosmetic, such as scuffs or small dents, as long as drawers and locks work. C grade can be a smart value for back-of-house records rooms.
Do used file cabinets come with keys?
Not always. Ask whether keys are included for each unit, and if not, whether the lock core can be replaced. Replacement cores are common on commercial filing, but confirm before you buy if security matters.
How fast can I get pre-owned storage?
Liquidation-grade items can be ready in as little as 72 hours when in stock. Remanufactured pieces usually take 7 to 14 days, and new furniture typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
