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Far from disappearing, as you might expect in this digital age, office storage is still very much with us. But what has changed is the size of offices – they’re much smaller than they used to be. That means far less storage space.
The growth of shared working hubs, means that people want storage that looks good, is flexible and makes the best use of the available space. Even in larger offices, precious space is divided down into workstations and cubicles. That means stored information either needs to be in a communal area that everyone can access, or neatly stowed away in each individual’s work area.
Reduce Visual Clutter
A calm, clutter-free office environment can reduce stress for staff, even when the business is going through a hectic period. At such times, overflowing in-trays and desks piled with paper give the impression that everything’s out of control – even if it isn’t.
However, traditional static filing cabinets don’t use space well, and look old-fashioned. A good alternative is compact storage which will complement the general office environment. A specialist in office storage will be able to design or suggest a scheme in which desks, drawers and cabinets work together, and look part of a whole, blending in with the office decor, to give a streamlined, sleek look.
Consider Rotary Storage
Filing cabinets are often boring beige slabs. The drawers need clearance, and if the storage is the cupboard type of cabinet, you may even have to sacrifice a desk, increasing the storage footprint.
The solution is rotary storage. The shelves are set round a central axis, and the storage rotates, so that staff can access the file they need. This is an ideal solution for high-density storage needs. The units are designed so that they can be rotated back into place, and locked there, preventing unauthorised access.
Whereas filing cabinets tend to be 2, 3 or 4 drawer, rotary storage comes in a much wider range of sizes and configurations. This means you’re more likely to find something that’s an ideal fit both for your business and for your office space. You may even have seen rotary storage in use at larger pharmacies, where the objects being stored are drugs rather than papers.
Archive Storage
Static shelving is the conventional solution here. However, it’s not the most economical option when it comes to saving space. The aisles between the shelves greatly increase the amount of space needed.
Modern mobile shelving designs get rid of the aisles – except when one is needed for access. This can nearly double the amount of storage space available. The shelving units are on rails that can be operated by a manual or electric control. The units move, allowing access to the required information. This solution is ideal for confidential data, because the units can be locked back together once the information has been retrieved.
Finally – If An Office Move Seems Necessary
If you’re completely out of space, try using sliding shelving. One set of files is positioned against a wall, and a movable set is positioned in front. The front set can slide aside to allow access to material at the back. This type of storage is sometimes used in wide corridors, where space is otherwise wasted.
Rather than giving up on your current office space, and committing to the expense and disruption of a move, talk to some office storage specialists who understand mobile shelving systems, have lots of experience of every kind of office storage need, and can offer sound advice, especially on the new products and systems that are available.
