Unlocking the dimensions of cabinets and criteria for choosing a cabinet suitable for the office.
Updated: Oct 27
In today's modern office environment, having a suitable cabinet helps you save space and store documents efficiently. Let's explore with Okamura the common dimensions of cabinets and criteria for choosing the most suitable one for your needs.
Key Summary: Standard dimensions of cabinets and office filing storage are typically categorized into 3 size groups: small, medium, and large, with reference measurements in Height × Width × Depth as follows:
Selection Criteria: Key factors to consider include document volume, available floor space, material durability, weight capacity, and office interior design style. Recommended Okamura Models: DN Mobile, KD Storage System, VL Locker, and Personal Locker—each offering versatile storage configurations. |
1. Dimensions of small cabinets
Small cabinets are compact in size, typically used to store a small quantity of files and documents. They are an ideal choice for offices ranging from 5 to 15 square meters or for personal use. The number of cabinet compartments usually ranges from 1 to 6, depending on the type, and can meet the needs of 1 to 3 people. Small cabinets include two main types: low-profile small cabinets and tall small cabinets.
1.1. Dimensions of low cabinets
Low-profile small cabinets are usually suitable for independent positions or tasks requiring storage of multiple files. This type of cabinet is a popular choice in modern offices with many individual areas due to its flexibility and ability to organize neatly. You can place the cabinet in a corner of the office or under a desk to maximize space utilization.
You can refer to the dimensions of low cabinets in the table below:
Dimension table for low cabinets
Height | About 65.86 cm |
Horizontal | About 39 cm |
Depth | About 57.7 cm |
1.2. Dimensions of tall cabinets
Tall cabinets are designed for offices with limited floor space but sufficient height to utilize vertical space efficiently. For this type of cabinet, you can place it along the wall or in a corner to maximize space. Below are the dimensions of office cabinets for your reference:
Dimension table for small tall cabinets
Height | About 179 cm |
|---|---|
Horizontal | About 32.8 - 90 cm |
Depth | About 51.5 cm |
2. Medium cabinet dimensions
Medium-sized cabinets are the best-selling type due to their convenient design and ease of use, providing efficient storage for multiple employees (over 3 people) simultaneously. The dimensions of a medium-sized cabinet are suitable for offices with an area above 10m². Typically, these cabinets have 5 to 10 drawers for effective document organization. You can place them in meeting rooms, communal work areas for employees, or hallways for convenient access to shared documents.
The average dimensions of medium-sized cabinets are often found in the following table:
Dimension table for medium cabinet
Height | About 70 - 105 cm |
Horizontal | About 90 cm |
Depth | About 45 cm |
3. Large cabinet dimensions
Large-sized cabinets are suitable for storing large volumes of documents, such as in accounting departments, human resources, etc., or offices with an area of 25m² or more. These cabinets have diverse storage dimensions, typically divided into 6 to 18 drawers, optimizing storage space to meet the varied needs of departments and divisions. They are often installed along office walls or in dedicated rooms for document storage.
Below is a size chart of large cabinets for your reference:
Dimension table for large-sized cabinet
Height | About 179 cm |
Horizontal | About 84 - 140 cm |
Depth | About 40 - 51.5 cm |
4. Other criteria for choosing a suitable cabinet for the office
In addition to considering the available space, you can choose a cabinet based on the following three criteria:
4.1. Based on document volume
Choosing a cabinet based on document volume helps you avoid overload when managing large amounts of documents. If you select a sufficiently large cabinet for storage, you can organize papers and files more neatly, while easily accessing information when needed. Conversely, if you have fewer documents to store, a large cabinet would waste office space.
4.2. Based on material
Choosing a cabinet based on material ensures the durability and longevity of the product. A cabinet made from durable material can withstand heavy loads and is less prone to damage over time. This not only saves repair and replacement costs and ensures safety for important documents inside.
You should choose materials such as steel or wood for high durability and good load-bearing capacity. Additionally, wood surfaces can be coated with laminate or melamine to increase scratch resistance and water resistance.
4.3. Based on design style
Owning a cabinet that matches the interior design style helps make the office space more unified and aesthetically pleasing:
If the office has a modern style, you should choose a cabinet with a simple design and elegant colors.
If offices are designed in a classic style, wooden cabinets with exquisite details would be the perfect choice.
5. Explore 4 modern office cabinet models bearing the Japanese brand
Okamura is a premium office furniture brand utilizing Japanese technology. Okamura's cabinet models not only endure over time but also boast modern and sophisticated designs, bringing a luxurious and professional appearance to the office space. To optimize storage space, you can consider the following 4 modern office cabinet models:
DN Mobile Cabinet: This product features a compact design, facilitating easy storage space expansion for businesses. You can flexibly place the cabinet under desks or anywhere else thanks to its versatile wheel mechanism. Additionally, the DN Mobile cabinet offers several advantages:
Compact design with dimensions of 390 x 577 x 658.5 cm (length x width x height), yet capable of storing a large quantity of files.
Equipped with drawer lock mechanisms to ensure safety during use. Each drawer comes with a key, providing peace of mind for securely storing important documents.
Diverse designs include cabinets with 2 side-handle drawers, 2 front-handle drawers, and color options such as white, black, and gray for your selection.
KD Storage System Cabinet: This is a versatile storage solution that helps save space by offering various storage configurations tailored to document sizes. Below are some advantages of the KD Storage cabinet:
Equipped with multiple secure locking mechanisms such as a safety lock and a full-lock mechanism.
Comes with various accessories including shelves, panels, hanging hooks, drawer dividers, and small and large document blockers.
Adjustable shelves allow for easy storage of documents of different sizes with a maximum load capacity of 40kg.
VL Locker Cabinet: This model is designed for storing personal belongings and important office items, offering flexibility with multiple configurations to suit your needs. Some advantages of the VL Locker cabinet include:
Available in various configurations such as single-door, double-door, triple-door, etc., or divided into multiple tiers/sections.
Integrated accessories like hanging rails, name plates, mirrors, hooks, storage boxes, etc., for organized storage of belongings.
Personal Locker Cabinet: Featuring multiple small compartments, allowing personalization of space. The design optimizes space utilization while ensuring privacy and convenience for individuals. Below are some advantages of this locker series that you should consider:
Available in various colors (red, blue, brown, etc.), styles, sizes, and materials (steel, wood) to match office interiors.
High security with specialized locks including key locks, combination locks, and keypad locks.
To explore detailed models of Okamura cabinets, please visit HERE |
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
6.1. What are the most common dimensions of cabinets for office use?
Low pedestals typically stand 65–70 cm high, medium cabinets range between 70–105 cm, and tall units reach 179 cm or higher. Width and depth dimensions vary based on drawer count and internal layout specifications.
6.2. Can low filing pedestals fit underneath standard office desks?
Yes, provided the cabinet height, depth, and width match the open clearance beneath the desk frame. Be sure to check leg placement and knee clearance before installation.
6.3. Is wall anchoring necessary for tall office cabinets?
Wall attachment is strongly recommended for tall, narrow, or heavy-capacity file cabinets to ensure seismic stability and anti-tip safety in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
6.4. What are standard standard dimensions of cabinets for document filing?
Typical dimensions of cabinets range from 65–179 cm in height, 39–140 cm in width, and 40–60 cm in depth. Low pedestals suit personal tasks, medium units serve small teams, and tall systems handle department archives. Specific measurements depend on product series rather than a single fixed standard.
6.5. How do dimensions of cabinets differ between small, medium, and large types?
The 3 primary office cabinet size categories carry these reference measurements (H × W × D):
Small Low Cabinets: 65–70 × 39–45 × 50–60 cm, built for individual document storage.
Medium Cabinets: 70–105 × 90 × 45 cm, tailored for shared team files.
Large Systems: 179 × 84–140 × 40–51.5 cm, designed for high-density archiving.
6.6. What cabinet depth is required for standard A4 document files?
For standard A4 paper (21 × 29.7 cm), cabinet depth measuring 35–40 cm comfortably accommodates basic folders. For lever arch binders or box files, choose units with 40–45 cm depth. Always verify internal usable depth before purchasing.
6.7. What cabinet size is recommended for a team of 10 to 20 people?
Offices with 10–20 staff members can utilize medium cabinet dimensions of 70–105 × 90 × 45 cm placed across team clusters.
For centralized storage, select large systems with a height of 179+ cm, width of 84–140 cm, and depth of 40–51.5 cm according to document volume and room layout.
6.8. Do steel and wooden filing cabinets differ in standard size?
Steel and wooden filing cabinets do not have fixed dimensional differences, as both are manufactured around standard filing requirements. Differences lie mainly in wall thickness, weight capacity, and frame design. Always check both overall external dimensions and internal usable space when making a choice.
Choosing the right filing cabinet will help make your workspace more organized, professional, and efficient. We hope the useful information on common filing cabinet sizes helps you find the filing cabinet that best suits your needs, contributing to increased productivity.