How can I make my filing cabinets look better?

Here are 14 brilliant file cabinet decorating ideas recommended by teachers.

Spruce it up with chalkboard paint.
Cover it with wallpaper.
Brighten it up with contact paper.
Apply stickers.
Slap on duct tape.
Transform it with spray paint.
Stick some magnets on it.
Who knew ceiling tiles could be this cool?

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In respect to this, how do you disguise a filing cabinet?

Fortunately, there are ways to disguise a metal filing cabinet so it blends with its surroundings and actually adds to the room's look.

Paint. Applying a coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to disguise an ugly metal filing cabinet.
Wallpaper.
Fabric Skirt.
Decoupage.

Similarly, how do you paint a metal cabinet to look like wood? How to Paint a Metal Filing Cabinet to Look Like Wood

Remove all items within the filing cabinet, if any.
Wipe the cabinet down with a damp sponge to remove dust and cobwebs, including the drawer fronts and edges.
Open the drawers slightly, or remove them completely if they come out easily.
Shake the primer/paint can vigorously as recommended on the can instructions.

Also to know is, can you paint a filing cabinet?

Prep the Filing Cabinet Run a piece of 220 or 320-grit sandpaper over the filing cabinet to make sure the surface is ready to accept the new paint. New paint actually sticks to lightly sanded existing paint better than it does to a spray-on primer or to bare metal.

What can I use instead of a filing cabinet?

Get creative and spice things up in your home office without sacrificing your clutter-free space by replacing your drab bulky filing cabinet with any of these alternatives.

Dresser.
Storage Trunks.
Shelving.
Desk Drawers.
Plastic Storage Containers.

26 Related Question Answers Found

Can you add legs to a dresser?

To Add Legs to Furniture, You'll Need:

Legs or Feet. Furniture Leg Plates. Drill with a Small Drill Bit (smaller than the screws that come with the leg plates) Paint if you decide to paint your furniture too!

Where do you put a file cabinet?

Put a file cabinet parallel to the desk and a bookcase at the base.

How do you put contact paper on a filing cabinet?

File Cabinet Makeover: How to Cover a File Cabinet With Contact Paper

Step 1: Measure the Width and Length of the Drawers.
Step 2: Remove the Hardware From the Front of the Drawers.
Step 3: Apply the Contact Paper, But Do So Slowly.
Step 4: Cut a Hole Around the Latch on the Front of the Drawer.

How do you make a nightstand into a filing cabinet?

How to Convert a Dresser Into a Filing Cabinet

Remove the drawers from a dresser.
Add new plastic grip handles to the front of the drawers.
Insert metal file folder suspension frames into each drawer.
Add file folder sleeves onto the metal framework.
Add a locking mechanism.

What kind of paint do you use on a filing cabinet?

PAINT. Open your can of Rust-Oleum Satin Finish Furniture Paint in Carbon and give it a good stir. Then, pour a small amount into a paint tray, load up the foam roller and begin to paint the outside frame of the filing cabinet. Once the first coat is dry, apply an additional second coat to achieve an even finish.

How long does chalk paint last?

All paints have a shelf life and Annie Sloan paints are no exception. While we know that Chalk Paint® and Wall Paint can potentially last for several years when stored carefully, once the paint leaves the shop we have no idea how or where it will be stored. We recommend using paint within one year of purchase.

How do you paint a file cabinet?

It's very simple to repaint the old one.

Select a well-ventilated area to paint in.
Put the cabinet on the drop cloth.
Clean and dry the cabinets.
Prime the cabinets with the metal primer.
Allow the primer to dry according to the package directions.
Spray paint the cabinet with your color choice.

Can you paint metal filing cabinet?

In a pinch, you can paint a metal cabinet with a paintbrush and a can of metal enamel. You'll be able to see brush marks, but you'll also have a wider range of colors from which to choose. If the paint drips when spraying the cabinet, wait for the drips to dry before sanding them down and respraying.

How do filing cabinets work?

A filing cabinet (or sometimes file cabinet in American English) is a piece of office furniture usually used to store paper documents in file folders. In the most simple context, it is an enclosure for drawers in which items are stored. The two most common forms of filing cabinets are vertical files and lateral files.

Can I chalk paint metal?

Your first coat of Chalk Paint® is basically a priming coat. When the paint sits over a slick surface, like metal or glass, it will need to sit on extra long before you add a second coat, so that it has time to really adhere to the surface. If possible, sanding your slick surface will also increase adherence.

How do you paint old metal cabinets?

Answer: You can paint your metal cabinets, but you would first want to clean them with an industrial cleaner to remove any kitchen grease and particulates. Then sand with 220- or 400-grit sandpaper followed by the application of a metal primer. Then you can finish with a coat of acrylic latex paint.

How do you paint steel cabinets?

How to Paint Metal Cabinets

Clean the metal cabinets with soap and water to get rid of dirt, dust, and grime.
?Sand your metal cabinets with a 220 or higher grit.
?Apply your metal primer and allow it to dry completely.
?Paint the first coat.
?Let it dry completely and then follow up with the second coat of paint.

Can you use chalk paint on metal filing cabinet?

Wipe down the file cabinet with a wet cloth and that is it! If you choose to paint your cabinet using a roller or paint brush, you can get started from this point. Just spray your first coat of paint on and let it dry, then go over with a second coat. The chalk paint dries quickly with great coverage.

How do you paint rusted metal cabinets?

Start with a wire brush (Photo 1). Scrub partially rusted metal areas with a wire brush to remove flakes and powdery surface rust, then prime with a rust-inhibitive primer. Once done, you can paint over rust.

How do you cover wood with metal?

How to Cover Wood Frames With Metal

Set a metal sheet face-down on a flat work surface.
Cut the sheet with metal shears along the marks.
Run a bead of polyurethane-based adhesive on the front of the window frame.
Cut the metal with shears from one corner of the metal sheet towards the edge of the frame.
Hold one edge of the metal with pliers.

How do you move a filing cabinet by yourself?

Moving Upright File Cabinets

File cabinets that stand upright are the easier to move; all you, or the professional commercial movers you've hired need is a dolly and a few straps. Use the dolly to inch the file cabinet away from the wall until you can reach around it.