| Although the most frequent type of filing cabinet | | | | Depending on the model, this office furniture can |
| found in the office or at home is the vertical filing | | | | have two or more drawers, which can be placed |
| cabinet, a lateral file cabinet has numerous | | | | side-by-side if preferred. |
| appealing perks. Built with strength, volume and | | | | Several models of this type include drawers that |
| style in mind, a lateral file cabinet can hold huge | | | | are adjustable or counterbalanced. This helps the |
| amounts of paperwork with less floor space. It is | | | | cabinet from becoming unstable or top heavy |
| also more effective compared to stacking several | | | | when all drawers are opened. More units that are |
| units' vertical file cabinets. | | | | taller are normally made with a mechanism that |
| A lateral cabinet mimics a regular utility cabinet, | | | | allows only one drawer to open at any given time. |
| with horizontal drawers resembling that of a | | | | A double-walled or reinforced lateral file cabinet will |
| standard dresser. Files are stored side-to-side | | | | guarantee that the furniture will retain its shape |
| instead of front-to-back, as as that of a vertical | | | | for years on end. With steel ball bearings for |
| cabinet. Several models of lateral file cabinets | | | | rollers, suspension and other design features |
| come with flexible functioning inserts that can be | | | | makes a huge change with the ease of operation |
| operated either way. | | | | of the furniture. |
| By storing files side-to-side, the spacious drawers | | | | The common components of lateral filing cabinets |
| of a lateral filing cabinet makes it easy for its | | | | are wood and steal. Most designs employ a |
| users to go through large numbers of files with | | | | storage cabinet or office supply pantry above, |
| ease. This feature becomes more useful in limited | | | | and a few additional filing drawers at the bottom. |
| spaces where users are presented with limited | | | | For aesthetic purposes, a wood made, |
| work space. Because of its flexibility of holding | | | | two-drawer lateral file cabinet can act as a |
| more files, this office furniture is most of the | | | | functional printer, fax, or telephone stand. There |
| time found schools, law enforcement offices, | | | | are also several lateral file cabinets that can be |
| hospitals, doctors' offices, and other spaces that | | | | mounted on walls. |
| needs continuous retrieval of files or paperwork. | | | | |