When setting up a well-organised, functional office, one of the most important aspects to consider is storage. Whether you’re working in a small home office or corporate environment, the right storage can boost efficiency, create a more organised workspace, and improve productivity. Among the various options available, four stand out: Under-desk pedestals, desk-high pedestals, double door (D/D) cupboards, and filing cabinets. Each has its unique features, advantages, and disadvantages. In this blog, we’ll dive into these storage types to help you choose the best options for your workspace.
Under-Desk Pedestals
What are they?
Under-desk pedestals (often called ‘peds’) are small drawer units designed to fit underneath a desk. These compact storage units typically come with two or three drawers, with varying sizes for personal items, documents, and office supplies.
Advantages:
- Space-Saving: since they fit under the desk, they don’t take up additional floor space, making them ideal for smaller office workstations.
- Convenient Access: With the pedestal right under your desk, frequently used items, like stationary, paperwork, or personal belongings, are within arm’s reach.
- Customisation: Some under-desk peds come with lockable drawers, providing security for sensitive documents or personal items.
- Mobility: Many under-desk peds have wheels, allowing you to move them around or adjust your workspace layout easily.
Disadvantages:
- Limited storage: These units offer relatively small storage capacity, meaning they may not be suitable for those with larger storage needs, such as bulk paperwork or equipment.
- Clutter Risk: Being so accessible, they can sometimes become cluttered with less essential items if not managed properly.
Desk-High Pedestals
What are they?
Desk-high pedestals are like under-desk pedestals, but the name suggests, they are designed to be the same height as a standard office desk. This means they can be positioned beside a desk to extend the workspace.
Advantages:
- Extended Workspace: Desk-high peds can double as additional surface space, making them perfect for placing printers, phones or any other equipment.
- More storage capacity: Because they are taller than under-desk pedestals, they offer greater storage space, which can accommodate more files, books and equipment.
- Blended aesthetics: These pedestals create a clean, unified look in an office, especially when placed alongside a desk of similar material and colour.
Disadvantages:
- Takes up floor space: Unlike the under-desk pedestal, desk-high units take up a bit more floor space, which could be an issue in smaller offices.
- Less mobile: Since they are typically larger and heavier, these units are not as easy to move around, which reduces flexibility in rearranging your workspace.
Double Door (D/D) Cupboards
What are they?
D/D cupboards are medium to large sized storage units with two doors that open outward. Inside, they typically feature shelves or compartments for storing a wide range of office supplies, from books to binders to equipment.
Advantages:
- Ample storage: D/D cupboards offer significant storage capacity, making them ideal for offices that need to store larger items like binders, files or electronic equipment.
- Versatility: With adjustable shelves, these cupboards can be customised to fit different storage needs, whether you need to store small stationary items or larger office equipment.
- Tidy appearance: Unlike open shelving, the doors hide away clutter, giving the office a more streamlined professional look.
Disadvantages:
- Bulky: D/D cupboards can be large and bulky, making them less suitable for smaller office spaces.
- Access: Items stored at the back of the shelves can be harder to access, especially if the cupboard is deep. Additionally, opening the doors requires space, which can be inconvenient in tight areas.
Filing Cabinets
What are they?
Filing cabinets are tall or wide storage units specifically designed to organise and store paper files. They come in various sizes, including vertical and lateral models, and often feature two to four drawers for hanging file folders.
Advantages:
- Efficient document storage: Filing cabinets are an essential piece of office furniture for businesses that deal with large volumes of paperwork. They keep files organised, secure, and easily accessible.
- Variety: They come in different sizes, styles, and materials, allowing you to choose one that fits your office aesthetics and practical needs.
- Security: Many filing cabinets come with lockable drawers, which are essential for storing confidential or sensitive documents.
Disadvantages:
- Paper-centric: Filing cabinets are designed primarily for paper storage, making them less useful for digital or equipment-heavy workplaces that have shifted away from paper-based systems.
- Heavy: These cabinets are often heavy and bulky, particularly when fully loaded with files. They can be difficult to move and take up substantial floor space.
When deciding on office storage solutions, it’s important to consider your specific needs in terms of space, access, and the type of materials or items you’re storing.
Under-desk pedestals are perfect for smaller spaces and daily-use items but offer limited storage. Desk-high pedestals can expand your workspace while providing more storage but require more room. D/D cupboards offer flexible, large-scale storage solutions, but can be bulky. Filing cabinets remain an essential option for paper-heavy environments, though they may be less relevant in modern, digital-first offices.
By balancing the advantages and disadvantages of each type of storage, you can design an efficient and organised workspace tailored to your needs. If you are looking for used office storage to create a more organised office space, browse our website today!
