Architectural flat files are used by architects to store building plans and drawings, but they’re also surprisingly useful around the home as well. Flat files are easy to move and store when not in use, they don’t take up much space, and can be kept anywhere from an attic to the garage. In this article, we’ll tell you about ten ways to use flat files around your home for convenience, organization, and style.
1) Decorate with flat files
Flat files are the secret weapon of design. Here are ten ways you can use them to decorate your home 1) Stack two flat files on top of each other and place a candle in between for a beautiful and unexpected centerpiece for your dinner table.
2) Place four flat files together, fill with soil, and plant an herb garden inside.
3) Create a coffee station using three flat files as storage for everything from grounds to sugar packets, coffee filters, spoons, and more.
4) Put away all those toys or books by stacking one large flat file on top of several smaller ones, layering small boxes on top if necessary to hold items in place. Fill any gaps with crumpled up newspaper or bubble wrap to help keep things in place while they’re stored away.
2) Stack and unstack over time
There’s something about flat files that just looks so design-y. Maybe it’s the clean lines or the uniformity of the pieces. Whatever the reason, these handy storage units are a secret weapon for any design lover. Here are 10 ways to use them at home
-Use a few as shelving in an entryway or hallway
-Line them up across one wall in your office
-Attach one to your dining room table as an extra surface
-Stack some in your bedroom as a nightstand and dresser combo
-Hide some under your bedside table for books and magazines
-Mount one on the wall near the door to store bags and coats when guests come over
-Place one next to your front door for keys, mail, hats and scarves
-Turn one into a desk with a laptop shelf inside
-Place one behind your sofa to store blankets and pillows during colder months
-Combine two or three together in the middle of a large room to create a coffee station .
3) Step away from perfection
Perfectionism is the enemy of creativity. It stifles your imagination and prevents you from taking risks. So, instead of striving for perfection, strive for progress. Here are 2 ways you can use architectural flat files to help you get started on creative projects. She sets up her laptop so she can look out the window or have an inspirational piece of art in view
– this will make her work space feel more like home. She takes time each day to work on a new project, even if it’s just a few minutes each day; that way she has something she’s working on but not stressing about. She uses pen and paper when coming up with ideas
– digital screens make it too easy to forget what we’ve come up with. She picks three quotes or words that inspire her and pins them near her desk so they’re always in sight; sometimes those little reminders push us forward when we’re feeling stuck.
She draws inspiration from people who are successful and doing what she wants to do (she might follow their Instagram account). When she feels down or unmotivated, she puts on music and gets moving- dancing, running outside, going for a walk. And finally, she treats herself after a big achievement! Maybe there’s nothing more rewarding than opening up her favorite takeout place and ordering one of everything.
4) Mount flat files in the living room or entryway
One way to use architectural flat files is to mount them in the living room or entryway. This creates a dramatic and unique look that is sure to impress guests. Plus, it provides a great way to organize and store important documents. Here are seven tips for using flat files in your home – Flat files make a fantastic place to store off-season clothing items, storing seasonal clothes under heavy pieces of furniture such as dressers.
– Use it as extra shelving space in your garage or pantry.
– Stack them against a wall as an instant bookcase.
– Hang one on the wall to serve as an artistic focal point with photos from around the world you’ve collected over time
– it makes for some very interesting conversation starters!
– In small spaces, find creative ways to maximize available storage by mounting flat files behind couches and armchairs for added function and decorative flair!
– Mounting them horizontally across a wall in any room will give you additional surface area to display things like framed artwork, plants or pottery.
– Have kids? Flip the file horizontally and mount it on a shelf so they can use it as their own personal desk.
5) Choose coordinating colors for family members’ files
Flat files make a great way to organize paperwork and other materials for each family member. By color coordinating each person’s file, you can easily keep track of who needs what. Plus, it looks great and helps keep the peace in your home! Here are five ways to use architectural flat files at home -Use them as bookends for your coffee table books or magazines
-Flat files can be used as organizers for jewelry
-Store extra extension cords and chargers inside one when not in use
-Gift wrapping supplies? Create an envelope folder system with your favorite gift wrap inside (see photo below)
-Put something else creative inside that you enjoy doing on the weekends like painting or sewing patterns-customize your folders so they reflect your hobbies
-Storing recipes? Folders with tabs labelled ‘Appetizers’, ‘Main Course’, etc. will help everyone know where to find the recipe they’re looking for without having to dig through boxes of papers.
6) Label everything, but not all at once
Labeling everything in your home might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be done all at once. You can start small by labeling the items in one room, or you can break it down even further and label a specific type of item (e.g., all your books). However you do it, be sure to use a system that works for you. Here are seven ways to get started using architectural flat files around your home:
1) Label your kitchen drawers – Flat files come in handy when organizing your kitchen drawers because they help keep things from rolling around inside them. In addition, flat files are great for storing dry goods such as pasta, rice, and cereal because they allow air to circulate between the packets so nothing gets stale.
2) Sort photos – Organizing pictures is an essential part of documenting life’s milestones, and flat files are perfect for holding all those memories without taking up too much space on a shelf or table.
3) Store spices – Spices should always be stored in dark places with low humidity, which makes flat files perfect for keeping these fragile ingredients fresh.
4) Sewing projects – All those little pieces of fabric and threads you need for sewing projects are best stored neatly away in a flat file until you’re ready to put them together.
5) Organization hack- Flat files not only provide storage space, but also act as makeshift work surfaces if you don’t have enough counter space.
6) Hide the clutter – If there’s one thing every family has plenty of, it’s clutter! Get organized with organizational tools like flat files that offer both storage and easy access to what matters most in your household. No matter how large or small the project, everyone needs a place to store their belongings and organize their daily lives.
7) Binders for schoolwork – Schoolwork never ends and creating a place to store binders is one way to make homework easier each night.
7) Invest in quality flat files
If you’re serious about design, then you know that flat files are a must-have. Not only do they keep your drawings and sketches safe, but they also help you stay organized. But what you may not know is that flat files can also be a great design tool. Here are 10 ways to use them in your home
1) Display photos from your latest vacation or party in the photo album sleeves
2) Replace old family albums with acrylic sheets for display
3) Keep important documents such as birth certificates and passports secure
4) Store notes on design inspiration
5) File away children’s artwork and other memorabilia so you don’t lose anything .
6) Protect fragile pieces like cards, jewelry, invitations and decorations.
7) Create unique storage solutions for things like books or games.
8) Have your kids store their toys in the boxes when they outgrow them
9) Turn it into a homework station to avoid clutter and eliminate distractions
10) Sort paint colors by hue or manufacturer.