How To DIY A Filing System For Any Deep Drawer

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There are plenty of reasons why people choose not to have a freestanding filing cabinet in their home. Filing cabinets take up space and often have a cold, office-like appearance. Without a filing cabinet, though, it can be a struggle to find a good place to store important papers. This can lead to papers piling up in random spots, such as inside nightstand drawers, on countertops, or on desks. Even if you have a system for remembering where everything is, not having a dedicated space for important documents is a big mistake that people make when organizing papers. It can make it difficult to find things when you need them and possibly lead to damage. There is a way, though, to DIY a filing system right in any deep drawer. For this hack to keep paper clutter organized in your home office, all you need are some desktop filing containers.

These are slightly different from the metal frames that are often placed into drawers to allow file folders to hang. The desktop file units allow file folders to hang as well, but they also provide a more visually defined separation for folders of different categories. This added level of delineation can make it easier to find important papers when you are looking for them. 

To implement this hack, you need to find some desktop filing units that fit in your desk drawer. Along with the width of the desktop filing units, you also need to measure the depth of your drawer. This measurement will tell you how many filing units you can fit inside. Also pay attention to the height to ensure the drawer will still be able to close. When you've got your measurements, purchase the desktop units that fit and suit your style. Then, when you've got your file organizers, just place them in your drawer and add your hanging folders.

There are different types of desktop file boxes to choose from. For example, this MaxGear Metal Mesh Organizer is a good option if you are focused on practicality. If you want something more stylish and customizable, the Marie Kondo Shoji Bamboo Desktop File from The Container Store might be more what you are looking for. 

Though there is not much to this simple DIY filing hack, there are some fun and practical ways you can customize it to make it your own. Color coding the organizers with paint or labels is one way to add color to your filing drawer while also making it easier to find documents. You could also simply cover the organizers with a fun and decorative peel-and-stick wallpaper (as long as the surface is flat and smooth, of course). Adding personalization can make it easier to manage and organize all of your important documents in style.