Mismatched Metal File Cabinets get a Makeover
- By Joan
- January 18, 2016
- 29 Comments
A couple of months before Christmas, my youngest son tells me that he really needs a bigger desk. The old, “This end up” desk he’s been using since he was about 5, is no longer cutting it. If you have any “This end up” furniture, you know that it lasts forever. So if you’re waiting for it to wear out, that is just not going to happen.
I put the new desk idea on the back burner thinking that I wouldn’t tackle his room until after the holidays. Junior got the monitor for his computer, above, as a birthday present (also in December) replacing a much smaller monitor, but that only made his desk look that much smaller. It was probably at that point that I had the great idea that a new desk would make a great Christmas present.
Of course, I had to make one. I couldn’t repeat my sawhorse desk
He needed at least as much drawer space as his old desk provided, if not more. For some reason, he has stacks of school papers in his closet and on the floor of his bedroom, the new desk would have to fit them all.
The sawhorse desk also has a pallet wood top, he wanted a smoother finish for his schoolwork.
It would also have to have more file drawers that the desk I made from legs salvaged from a dump.
Eventually I decided on metal file cabinets. They not only give great support, but they are full of usable storage.
I was on the hunt. After my first thrift store, I came up with the file cabinet on the left for $15. This wasn’t going to be as hard as I expected.
Four more thrift stores later, I finally stumbled across the one on the right. Using my crude measuring stick, the length of my arm, I figured out that they were pretty darn close to the same size. Unfortunately, the second one was $10 more,$25…SOLD. I was not in the mood to go to 5 more thrift stores.
It was only after I got them home and set them side by side that their differences really became apparent. Obviously, the one on the right is a bit taller and the handles are not quite the same.
My hubby was not convinced I could pull it off. “You did notice that one has a bar between the drawers?” “Of course I noticed, I got this.” (No, I hadn’t noticed that little detail, thanks for pointing that out.)
The easiest part to begin to tackle these mismatched file cabinets was the sides. After a bit of measuring, I figured out I would need at least 36 feet of molding just for the sides.
After a quick trip to Home Depot I found 2×4 sheets of 1/4″ mdf. I bought 2….I would cut my own trim.
Clamped the two sheets together to get the cutting done in half the time.
Two and a half inch and three and a half inch strips were cut from the mdf. I have found that even though mdf cuts very nicely with no splintering, it leaves a fine coat of sawdust on everything! I’m just warning you, if you can cut your wood outside, it might not be such a bad idea.
With molding cut, started to lay out my sides. The 3 1/2 inch pieces were used for the top and bottom and the 2 1/2 inch strips were the longer strips.
Note: Even though the file cabinets were 2 different heights, the side molding was cut as if they were exactly the same. The lighter file cabinet on the right will have molding that extends past the top of the cabinet.
Sand the sides of the trim completely before adhering with builders adhesive. Let the first side dry before repeating the same process on the other side.
Cut, sand, glue, cut, sand, glue…
Now on to the fronts. Anything that stuck out, was removed from the file drawers.
The trim for the drawers was cut from about 16 feet of 1×3 lumber. I originally cut the trim to cover only the drawers (like the right cabinet) but I liked it better going all the way to the side edges (cabinet on the left) so that the trim covered the rough edges of the side pieces.
Note: Leave a slight gap between the drawer moldings so that the drawers slide smoothly. Mine fit snug so I had to do a bit of sanding.
On the file cabinet that has a middle piece, (the brown cabinet) the trim extends over top of that piece.
Smaller pieces of mdf, part of the same wood that the side trim was cut from, were used to fill in the fronts, hiding all of the previous holes.
More sanding and more gluing. When using the builders adhesive for the drawers, put the glue on just the drawer or you’ll end up gluing your drawer shut.
I don’t have a good picture, but I used one more piece of 1×3 for the space above the drawers. One was a bit wider than the other, but it should be cut to the same height as the side trim pieces.
Use a paintable caulk to fill in any cracks and crevices.
The last step to matching up these two mismatched cabinets. was to add a piece of wood to the top of the shorter cabinet. This was a piece of old particle board shelving.
After more sanding the cabinets were painted with a semi gloss black paint.
Made a template for the drawer pulls.
Drilled the wood with a regular drill bit then finished off the hole with a nail hammered through the metal
Sanded the edges of the drawers for that lightly scuffed look followed by a little dark stain.
Stay tuned, later in the week, I’ll show you the top of the desk, which came together really quickly, and the space transformation.
Update…Finally finished the desktop, that can be found here and the shelves above the desk. Check out the complete transformation here.
9/12/16- after 9 months of my son continually hitting his chair against the right cabinet, top drawer, vertical piece on the left ( did I describe it OK) it finally popped off. No worries, I got industrial strength builders adhesive and used 3 screws to secure the piece from the inside.
Still can’t decide? I have two more file cabinet transformations that just might inspire you.
Painted File Cabinet
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You are just too clever! These look so sharp. Can’t wait for the finished design.
Wow! It is so crazy how well that turned out! You certainly have a talent for making things match up. It would have taken me forever to figure it out! Can’t wait to see the whole thing put together!
Great. I have a large 5 drawer file cabinet waiting for me. Love your inspiration.
I’ve seen file cabinet makeovers before – usually I think Oh cool, that’s an improvement! BUT these are so much more than an improvement – way to take it up to the next level. Love them!
You are amazing Joan! Those old metal file cabinets look like a million bucks now – so clever. Looking forward to seeing the desktop too. Pinning to share!
great job Joan. I like the added wood pieces. Your file cabinets look awesome.
gail
I love how your file cabinets turned out. I have a large, 4 drawer legal size in our guest room that I would love to do something with, but in addition to the handles that stick out, each drawer has a thumb lever you need to slide to open the drawer. My mind just keeps trying to come up with a way to make this fit into the room.
These are brilliant!! I love the black too. Nice job.
Nice! I would of never figured it out. You are so good.
Wow Joan, what a fabulous transformation! You are so talented and creative. Featured at Be Inspired this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!
Wow I just love this idea! You gave those old metal filing cabinets and entirely new vibe. I love your use of mdf board in creating the look of board and batten. If I didn’t see your before pics I would swear there were part of a high end office furniture collection. Fabulous transformation!!!
Followed you from E & Co.
Have a great week!
XO Barbara
OMG, you’re so clever! I would have never thought paneling the file cabinets to match them! Pinning just in case I need the how to some day
[…] These mismatched metal file cabinets from Scavenger Chic look amazing after their […]
What an amazing transformation! I have to try this out on my filing cabinets soon!
I love this! I think I first saw this on Hometalk!
via Home Decor & More Monthly Link Party
[…] Mismatched Metal File Cabinet Makeover @ Scavenger Chic […]
Wow, what a clever idea! I would never have thought to do that but it really does look effective.
Very innovative! There’s not much to do with those metal filing cabinets so kudos on having a great vision to turn them into “furniture”. Visiting from Share It One More Time party.
[…] Metal File Cabinets Makeover { from Scavenger Chic } […]
[…] Mismatched Metal File Cabinet Makeover by Scavenger Chic […]
[…] Mismatched Metal File Cabinet Makeover by Scavenger Chic […]
WOW! These turned out fantastic and I agree these are great for support AND storage! Thanks for linking up with us at Your Home Decor and More Link Party!
Do you have the exact measurements for the brown file cabinet? I have one and looking to do something close to this. And how did you get the handles off/removed? Thank you! Awesome by the way!
The file cabinet measures 18x15x29. The handles were removed by unscrewing the screws. The card holder was just pried off. Hope that helps.
You are a cross between a DIY GANGSTA ROCKSTAR and MY NEW HERO!! ? I just LOVE your site and the step by steps are so comprehensive for a novice DIYer gal like me!! Thanks again!!
Love them and I’m going to attempt to do the same–although I’m starting out with two identical cabinets.
Just wondering why you didn’t use the same materials that you used for the side, for the front as well.
And do you HAVE to cut all the wood individually, or can you cut them all at once?
I’m guessing if you cut them individually then you can make any alterations as you go?? (extremely beginner woodworker, here, so i thought I’d ask!)
Any help you could provide would be appreciated! Looking forward to your comments. Thanks!!
You could use the thicker wood on the sides but then the front pieces would have to cover more of those side pieces and the mdf is less expensive. Having said that, the choice is yours. If your file cabinets are the same you could cut your pieces all at once or cut one piece, see if that fit on both of your cabinets then use that as a template. Lastly, make sure you use the sticky sticky builders adhesive, I’ve found the builders adhesive that is water clean up doesn’t adhere nearly as well..if you can’t get it off your hands, that’s the good stuff. Good luck
It’s really amazing what people are doing with the exterior of old filing cabinets. But what do the inside look like? Are they still ruff and beaten with chips, bars and racks?
Three of the drawers are the same. I did take out the metal racks for the hanging files. The fourth drawer has dividers to hold smaller objects like pens and paper clips. Can’t show you a picture, my son took his desk to college.