15 Awesome Ways to Transform Old File Cabinets and Earn Money

Have you ever looked at an old, boring filing cabinet and thought it was destined for the junkyard? Well, think again! Believe it or not, there are countless ways to upcycle these forgotten treasures and turn them into something fabulous. Plus, you can even make some extra cash by selling your creations. Let’s dive into the world of upcycling file cabinets and discover 15 incredible projects that will amaze you!

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People have always been interested in filing cabinets because they help us organize our offices and homes, and keep important papers safe. But lately, there’s been a huge demand for unique filing cabinets. That’s because more and more people are working from home and need a stylish way to organize their space.

There are so many old, rusty filing cabinets out there. They’re everywhere because they’re built to last a long time, even when they’re no longer useful. But here’s the cool thing: some creative folks have found a way to turn these old filing cabinets into something new and amazing. It’s called upcycling, and it’s become really popular in the do-it-yourself (DIY) community. In fact, some people have even turned their love for repurposing things into a successful small business!

When it comes to finding practical storage solutions that match your home decor, repurposed filing cabinets are the way to go. These cabinets not only add style to your space, but they can also be transformed into different shapes and functions.

What can you do with an old filing cabinet?

Are you interested in starting a small business selling repurposed filing cabinets? You can easily find vintage filing cabinets for a very low cost at flea markets and garage sales. If you prefer something new, many major retailers sell affordable office storage furniture options.

So, once you’ve gathered all your craft supplies, like paint and glue, it’s time to get creative with those filing cabinets! You can repurpose and upcycle them into something amazing. And guess what? You can even sell your completed projects at craft malls in your area or on online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon Handmade. How cool is that?

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your upcycled filing cabinet projects, I’ve got you covered. You can give that old metal filing cabinet a whole new look with a unique design. Or, you can transform it into something completely different, like a table, desk, or even a clever storage solution for your office. The possibilities are endless!

Get Inspired with Upcycled Metal Filing Cabinet Ideas

Are you ready to sell used office furniture that has been given a new purpose? There are so many possibilities for repurposing metal filing cabinets. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

1. Turn a Filing Cabinet into a Storage End Table

A metal filing cabinet doesn’t just have to be used for organizing papers. House Beautiful shows us how to transform one into a stylish end table with storage. Even if you’re new to crafting, this is a simple project that you can complete. And, if you know where to sell handmade items locally, you can make a good profit from repurposed office furniture.

2. Give an Old File Cabinet a Second Life as a Coffee Table

Did you know that you can give old metal filing cabinets a whole new purpose just by turning them sideways? It’s true! Let me show you how.

Take a look at this awesome idea from Oh Louise Designs. They took an old metal filing cabinet and turned it into a cool coffee table. How cool is that?

If you have an old metal cabinet that needs a makeover before becoming furniture, just give it a fresh coat of paint. Trust me, it can work wonders!

3. Turn Filing Cabinets into Playhouses for Kids!

You wanna make a cool play area for the kiddos while Mom or Dad is working from home? Well, guess what? With just a couple of metal filing cabinets and a curtain, you can create a super-safe and special playhouse for the little ones. And guess what else? It also gives you extra storage space for all their toys! And don’t worry about it not looking good with your fancy decorations – just give those filing cabinets a fresh coat of paint and they’ll fit right in!

4. Turn a Filing Cabinet into a Laundry Basket

If you’re looking for a fun DIY project, you can transform old metal filing cabinets into something amazing. All you need to do is remove the drawers, and the possibilities are endless. Take a tip from the folks at Prodigal Pieces – they turned a metal filing cabinet into a stylish bathroom storage container!

First, they replaced the drawers with laundry baskets. This clever idea provides a convenient way to store towels, toiletries, and more. Plus, it adds a unique touch to your bathroom decor.

To make the storage container even more eye-catching, they decided to add a stencil design and a fresh coat of paint. This simple step takes the cabinet from ordinary to extraordinary. You can choose any design or color that matches your style and preferences.

Once the paint is dry and the design is complete, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind storage container that can be both functional and decorative. It’s a great way to repurpose old furniture and create something special.

This upcycled metal filing cabinet makes an excellent housewarming gift. It’s practical, stylish, and shows that you’ve put thought and effort into finding a unique present for your loved ones.

5. Give Your Old Metal Filing Cabinet a Makeover

Did you know that you can do something really cool with an old metal filing cabinet? You don’t have to get rid of it or use it just for filing papers. It turns out that there’s a whole market for fancy filing cabinets that match the style of your home or office!

So here’s what you can do: grab that dusty old cabinet, give it a fresh coat of paint, and transform it into a stylish piece of furniture. You can sell it to people who are looking for unique storage options for their offices.

6. Use a Metal Filing Cabinet in Your Kitchen

Can you believe what you can create from broken filing cabinets? Take a look at this amazing project from A Few Pennies where the artist turns metal filing cabinet parts into trendy kitchen storage. They transformed a tiny pantry into a work of art by adding stencils and a splash of paint to match any kitchen style.

7. Turn a File Cabinet into a Stylish Bar Storage

Did you know that filing cabinets can be used for more than just storing paperwork? If you’re feeling imaginative, you can repurpose a metal file cabinet and turn it into a clever storage solution for other things around your home. Take a look at this cool idea from Home Talk: turning a metal file cabinet into a stylish and practical bar storage!

8. Transform a Metal File Cabinet into a Storage Bench

Ever wondered how you can make the most out of old file cabinets? Well, I’ve got a great idea for you! Let’s turn them into a fantastic storage bench that you can use both indoors and outdoors. Pretty cool, right?

Here’s what you need to do: remove the drawers from multiple metal filing cabinets and connect them together. Then, place a single lid on top of the cabinets to create a sturdy and convenient storage bench. It’s like giving new life to those rusty old cabinets!

And guess what? This awesome creation is not only practical, but it’s also something that people would love to have. You can sell it on platforms like Etsy or even at a local craft outlet. It’s a win-win situation!

9. Transforming a Filing Cabinet into a Planter

Did you know that you can turn an old filing cabinet into a fancy planter? It’s true! All you need to do is take out the drawers, fill it with soil, and voila! You have a unique home for your plants and flowers. And the best part? You can give your filing cabinet a makeover with some colorful paint, so it can blend in with any indoor or outdoor style you have.

10. Transform a Filing Cabinet with Beautiful Wrapping Paper

image: Thistledown Domestic Creations

Did you know that you can give a whole new life to an old filing cabinet? It’s not just about a fresh coat of paint anymore. I’ve got a super cool idea for you – why not cover the drawers with some vibrant and colorful wrapping paper? It’s an easy and fun way to transform the boring old filing cabinet into something extraordinary!

Get Crafty with Wood Filing Cabinet Makeovers

I want to share with you a cool way to give an old filing cabinet a whole new life. One popular method is to add wooden parts and accents to create a unique and stylish look. By using boards and frames, you can transform a dull metal utility into a beautiful wooden piece of furniture. You can also get creative by placing a wooden plank across multiple filing cabinets, turning them into a one-of-a-kind table. It’s amazing how repurposing furniture is still a hot trend in the furniture market! And the best part is, you can sell your awesome designs at local shops or online marketplaces. How cool is that?

11. Transforming a Metal File Cabinet into Faux Wood Storage

Did you know that you can completely transform a boring metal filing cabinet into a stylish piece of wooden furniture with some simple steps? By attaching wooden picture frames to the front of the cabinet doors, you can not only give it a makeover but also create a crafty storage space. It’s like magic! No one will ever believe that this gorgeous piece started off as just a bunch of metal.

12. Get Crafty and Repurpose Filing Cabinets

I can’t believe what you can do with a filing cabinet! Take a look at this awesome example from Little Gray Table. They took a bunch of filing cabinets, spruced them up with a new coat of paint, and then added a big wooden plank on top. Now they have a super cool craft table that is both useful and eye-catching.

13. Give a Metal Filing Cabinet a Second Life with Stencils and Wood

Did you know that an old, rusty filing cabinet can become a cool piece of office furniture? It’s true! All you need to do is add some wooden touches and give it a stylish design. Let me show you an example from H2O Bungalow.

Step 1: Gather your Supplies

To transform your filing cabinet, you’ll need a few basic supplies. Grab a metal file cabinet, some wooden accents like trim or molding, and don’t forget your favorite stencil designs. You’re ready to go!

Step 2: Prep the Cabinet

First things first, you’ll want to give your filing cabinet a good cleaning. Get rid of any dust or grime so that your new design can shine. You can use soap and water or a gentle cleaner for this step.

Step 3: Add the Wooden Accents

Now it’s time to get creative! Take your wooden accents and decide where you want to place them on the filing cabinet. You can add trim along the edges, create patterns, or even make a wooden top for extra style. Use strong adhesive or screws to secure the wood in place.

Step 4: Stencil Your Design

This is where the fun really begins! Grab your favorite stencil designs and choose where you want them to go on the filing cabinet. You can stencil the sides, the front, or all over for a bold look. Use paint and a brush to carefully fill in the stencil, and don’t forget to let it dry before moving on.

Step 5: Enjoy your New Office Furniture!

Once everything is dry and secure, it’s time to step back and admire your handiwork. You’ve transformed a plain old filing cabinet into a stylish piece of office furniture. Awesome job, my friend!

So, now that you know how to turn a boring metal file cabinet into something fabulous, why not give it a try? Get those creative juices flowing and have fun giving new life to old things. I know you can do it!

Can you believe it? The beautiful wooden cabinet you see above used to be an old metal filing cabinet! I was amazed when I found out. The talented folks at Brepurposed did an incredible job of giving it a whole new life by covering it with strips of wood. It’s truly a remarkable transformation.

15. Get an Antique Look for Your Filing Cabinet

If you’re looking to sell repurposed furniture that has that classic antique vibe, don’t overlook the potential of an old filing cabinet. With the right wooden accents, it can become a true masterpiece, just like the one you see in the example from Scavenger Chic. This upcycled file cabinet is now a stylish piece of furniture that would perfectly fit in any home.

How to Get Started with a Filing Cabinet Makeover for Profit

So, have you ever heard of upcycled and repurposed furniture? It’s totally trending right now, and a lot of people are making money from selling it. One of the coolest things you can do is give old filing cabinets a makeover. The possibilities are endless, and you can really let your imagination run wild with this!

Now, to get started, you’ll need some inventory. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Just hop on over to your local flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales. You’ll be amazed at the treasures you can find there. And make sure to grab some basic tools, craft glue, and paints too, because you’ll need those for your awesome makeovers.

Once you start selling your filing cabinet makeovers and making some profit, you’ll be able to support your business with that money. How cool is that? You can use your early sales to buy even more inventory and grow your business. It’s like a never-ending cycle of creativity and profit!

Now, where can you sell these fantastic upcycled filing cabinets?

• You can try selling them on Etsy, which is a really popular place for people to buy and sell crafts and handmade items. It’s an online marketplace and super easy to use.

I want to tell you about a cool place called Amazon Handmade. It’s like a little community on the big Amazon website where artists and craftspeople sell their really unique creations. You can find all kinds of amazing things there that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s pretty special!

But if online shopping isn’t really your thing, don’t worry! You can also find cool stuff locally. Check out flea markets, used furniture stores, and consignment shops. They often have some hidden gems waiting for you. And don’t forget about crafts fairs and festivals! They’re a fun way to find handmade crafts and support local artists.

If you’re looking for even more options, there are other online marketplaces you can try. eBay and Facebook Marketplace are great places to find all sorts of things, including unique handmade items.

Oh, and here’s a cool tip for you. If you sign up for a Business Prime account on Amazon, you can qualify for discounts and special offers. It’s a great way to save money while shopping for unique and one-of-a-kind items. Plus, creating an account is free and easy. So why not give it a try? You might discover something amazing!