Reuse An Old Filing Cabinet As A Stylish Way To Store And Organize Garden Tools

While they once had their heyday in home offices, metal stacked filing cabinets are often a forgotten relic of the paper-laden past, with most people now keeping large amounts of files stored in an electrical device. This means many cabinets wind up in landfills and in thrift stores, where they often sit untouched and unloved. Luckily, there is a DIY that details how to use these old cabinets for garage storage, presenting an ingenious idea that gives you plenty of space for large and ungainly garden tools. By making a few modifications and flipping it on its side, you can turn this old office standard, whatever its condition, into a useful rolling bin perfect for stowing shovels, rakes, and brooms compactly and conveniently.

All you need is a filing cabinet of any size to maximize the storage in your garage. They typically come with two to four drawers. While many older cabinets may sport a lot of dents and rust, even these will work for this project, which allows you to cover up imperfections with a brand-new paint job.

To transform your filing cabinet into a garage storage bin, start by removing the drawers to the cabinet, turning the whole casing on its side so the open part faces upward. Give the exterior a good sanding to help the paint adhere, then add a couple coats of Rust-Oleum paint designed for metal surfaces. You can go for a solid finish or create racing stripes in a contrasting or complementary color this DIYer chooses a rich bronze with white stripes (via Facebook) You can also customize the look of your storage bin by adding other details like stenciled lettering or magnetic signage to the exterior.

Once the paint has dried, flip the cabinet to the back side and add four casters to create the rolling bottom of the bin. Place it on the floor and fill it with gardening equipment, including large bulky appliances like leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and weed whackers, all of which will rest inside the bin comfortably. The wide bottom is also a great place to store large bags of mulch, sand, or soil. You can also add some magnetic hooks or pegboard glued to the sides of the casing to store smaller tools all in the same place.

Since it is on wheels, it's very easy to move this convenient storage bin around the garage or out on the driveway to where you need it. This handy bin is not only a great garage storage idea for tools, but also works for things like sporting equipment, including baseball bats, hockey or lacrosse sticks, and golf clubs. You can even create compartments to help keep things organized by slipping some slender plywood into the grooves that once held the drawers.

The uses do not stop in the garage. You can also use this bin idea anywhere in your home that you need portable storage, like for holding rolls of wallpaper or wrapping paper in a craft room. The upcycled cabinet also makes a great low laundry bin with an industrial flair to help organize your laundry room that can be easily slid under a table or counter. Just paint the bin and add some lettering.