File organizers such as paper drawers, trays, binders, and accordion envelopes will help you create a system where vital records are easily accessible and neatly stored inside your cabinets or home office. Even in this age of paperless billings and digitized documents, more often than not, we still prefer keeping a physical copy of important paperwork.
To help you choose a file organizer that will best suit your needs, we prepared a buying guide fact-checked by Singapore-based interior designer Jennifer Salamat. We also listed down our top picks for the best file organizers available online. Let's begin!
Quick List - Top File Organizers
Jennifer Salamat is a Singapore-based Interior Designer currently working as a Lead Designer in an international company that manufactures furniture hardware. She shares the same passion for transforming ideas into beautiful, functional home design solutions. She is a dedicated individual who has been involved in planning and designing interior settings for residential and commercial spaces.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
Pick a catch-all container like a basket, tray, or hanging file organizer to create a station in your home for “active” documents. These refer to items that you receive on a weekly or daily basis and require immediate reading, response, or filing. These include monthly bills, snail mail or letters, receipts, and more.
For “non-active” documents, which are typically kept either for future reference or for their sentimental value – you can choose between a file drawer, a clear book, and a binder. These kinds of organizers are also handy when it comes to working and studying at home so your desk area would remain clutter-free.
A file drawer is perfect for a home office where you can designate a space for stand-alone storage for your documents. You can utilize a file drawer’s compartments for sorting your paperwork into categories. For example, you can use one layer for dad’s work files, one for mom’s planners, and another for the household utilities.
A clear book, meanwhile, is an effective file organizer for more personal documents. You can put together a compilation of your birth certificate, baptismal or dedication certificate, diploma and school records, and government-issued forms and clearances. Having all these vital files in one clear book provides easy access when applying for further studies or a new job.
Clear books are also great for organizing school "printables" and modules, especially when it comes to reading materials for smaller kids. Because of the plastic protectors, the pages won't easily tear and can be wiped clean in case of a water or food spill.
For kids who are learning from home, you can opt for properly labeled folders to organize your e-learning materials. You can assign one folder per subject to keep your desk neat and orderly.
You can then assemble the folder side by side inside a magazine rack, forming your very own homeschool library. You can also use the magazine rack for storing thicker file organizers such as clear books and ring binders.
A ring binder is best for safekeeping sentimental items such as letters, greeting cards, and artwork. Here, you can insert as many plastic protectors as you can, and then fill them up with memorabilia that you can’t let go of.
For example, you can use it to gather trip souvenirs like plane tickets, train stubs, and scrapbooking wedding mementos, including your invitation, gift cards, and photos.
Accordion envelopes have pleated and expandable sides, which offer a more flexible way of organizing your files. They are more compact than other file organizers and save a lot of storage space. Plus, their sections allow you to sort your documents into several categories, and they also have tabs for easy labeling.
The best feature of an accordion organizer is that you can easily close its flip cover to keep your documents safe. You have the option to carry it around during errands or grab it easily when there’s an emergency situation. It comes in 3 sizesーA4 for letter-size documents, legal-size, and A6 for smaller documents such as receipts and appliance warranty cards.
A popular organizing method among moms these days is creating a memory box for their kids. A memory box would contain a kid’s report card, class photos, certificates, awards, writing or learning milestones, as well as favorite artworksーfrom pre-school years all the way to high school.
Plastic bins are the most suitable choice for creating memory boxes since they are waterproof and made of durable plastic. These are also spacious enough to fit odd-shaped craft projects and special notebooks or diaries.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Evo Expanding File | ![]() | Keep All Your Personal Documents in One Envelope | |
2 | D & D 4-Tier Document Tray | ![]() | Space-Saving Paper Tray for Your Home Office | |
3 | Evo Clear Book (Long)|2 Pieces per Pack | ![]() | For a Portfolio-Style Organization of Personal Documents | |
4 | Deli Ring Binder | ![]() | Best for Safekeeping Your Special Memorabilia | |
5 | Home Gallery Tough Box Storage | ![]() | For Your Little One’s Memory Box | |
6 | Mandaue Foam Dirk Plasti 5-Drawer Chest|89507 | ![]() | Stand-Alone Storage for Vital Documents and Paper Supplies | |
7 | 5 Tier Hanging Document Holder | ![]() | Hanging Organizer Ideal for Small Spaces | |
8 | Deli Magazine File | ![]() | Sturdy Organizer to Easily Access Bulk Files | |
9 | A4 Expanding File Folder | ![]() | Multi-Color Accordion Organizer to Efficiently Sort Files | |
10 | Zooey Rattan Eco Tray | ![]() | Stackable Rattan-Like Baskets That Blends Well With Your Home |
This file organizer expanding envelope contains 12 compartments, so you can safely keep and segregate all your essential documents. It also comes with labels to help you easily identify the content of each section. Plus, it is made of durable polypropylene plastic and has an elastic band to close the expandable envelope securely.
With its spacious compartment, this file organizer is perfect for personal documents of the whole family since it can fit both legal and letter-size papers. It is also suitable for compiling learning modules and printouts for students who are e-learning from home.
This file organizer tray has three layers, making it perfect for storing incoming documents such as utility bills and receipts. You can place these “active” files on top so you can finish the response or task that they entail right away. You can also use the other compartments for monthly planners, extra notebooks, and scratch papers.
Another great thing about this organizer is that it is easy to assemble and is made of sturdy metal. Having this type of organizer on your desk also maximizes vertical space and leaves more room for other office supplies. With this file organizer metal tray, filing and storing files for everyone in the household is easier!
Clear books are best for organizing important documents per person, whereas accordion envelopes are suitable for consolidating files as a family. With this clear book, you can store your paperwork portfolio-style so you can easily flip through the pages when you need to search for a particular paper.
This file organizer folder contains 20 good-quality clear sheets, which you can simply refill. It comes in foolscap size to fit both legal and letter-size papers. This product is ideal for a student’s reading materials, such as modules and worksheets. This way, the pages will be easier to handle and tuck away.
This ring binder is ideal for organizing special documents such as invitations, greeting cards, and artworks that you want to keep for their sentimental value. Simply add plastic protectors to the metal rings and fill them with your favorite memorabilia – just like a scrapbook.
It can fit up to 215 sheets of paper or clear plastic refills with its 1.5-inch spine. You can also customize the front cover and spine sleeve should you want to put a personalized label on your file. It has high-quality metal rings that do not easily rust, too!
If a ring binder is not big enough for your special keepsakes, a file organizer box is perfect for you. With its large capacity, you can collect your little one’s school pictures, report cards, awards, special artworks, and worksheetsーfrom their pre-school years, even up to high school!
This plastic storage bin can fit legal-size brown envelopes, which you can use as packets for documents, photos, and drawings per school yearーfor instance, one for nursery, one for kindergarten, and so on. These plastic bins also have wheels for portability. And lastly, they are stackable for easy storage.
This chest of drawers can be used as a stand-alone storage space for your documents. It will give you more spacious compartments for organizing paperwork as well as provide some extra drawers for your copy paper, art paper, folders, and envelopes.
Mandaue Foam's file organizer cabinet also has 5 drawers and can fit both legal and letter-size papers. It comes in white and classy color, perfect for a minimal look, too. Moreover, it does not appear too bulky, making it ideal for either a home office or a small work nook in your room.
This file organizer hanging holder is perfect for sorting utility bills, letters, leaflets, and other “active” documents in your household. You can either mount it on a wall near your desk or the entryway to utilize vertical space, so it is also an excellent choice for those with limited space.
It consists of 5 five layers of cascading slots with metal plates on the side for labels: you can use one layer for new bills and another layer for unopened mail. Other than that, it also has a flat shelf at the bottom for lightweight office tools such as pens, scissors, and tape.
This magazine holder provides a sturdy base for organizing folders and envelopes. It is made of a durable and high-quality HIPS or high-impact polystyrene sheet, a tough and rigid plastic material. It allows quick access and storage, allowing you to reach for the files you need easily.
It also includes an index tab for better classification of your documents. This is perfect for students learning remotely, especially if two or more kids are sharing the study table. You can use this built-in label to indicate names and categories where you can easily read them.
This expandable file organizer has 24 pockets and multi-color tabs for sorting documents according to your preferred categories. This is perfect for organizing personal files such as your birth certificate and government forms as well as tax records and business files.
For moms planning to create a memory box for their kids, this accordion organizer is suitable for keeping your kids’ artwork and school worksheets. You’ll have enough compartments to organize their preschool, grade school, and high school memorabilia. Simply insert this organizer inside a plastic storage bin.
These stackable baskets are made of a durable plastic material but are designed to look like rattan for a homier finish. It is available in 3 sizesーsmall with no lid, medium, and large, which are all ideal for sorting different kinds of documents and small envelopes.
You can use the small variant as a catch-all basket for incoming mail and bills. Meanwhile, the medium and large bins are perfect for organizing your magazine collection, paper supply, and memorabilia. Another plus of these baskets is that they have grip handles and are easy to clean, making them less likely to get infested with pests.
Just a general tip: Whatever type of file organizers you choose, make sure not to keep unnecessary files, as it will just take up space, causing clutter and increase junk in your desk/drawer.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
You can organize your files by arranging them based on document type, importance, or convenience. Most importantly, sort them based on the categorization that will work best for you. Also, don't forget to clear up your filing space and remember to declutter now and then to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary documents.
Organizing your things promotes well-being. It's shown to reduce stress and help you sleep better. Additionally, it increases productivity and efficiency. You'll save time looking for documents. Plus, it enhances your workspace!
There is no single best location where to store your file organizer. Ultimately, this depends on how you intend to use your organizer. But generally, choose a spot that you can easily access. Don't forget to consider environmental factors like mold and flood which can damage your files.
Decluttering idle items in your home can be a therapeutic activity. It will allow you to let go of items that no longer “spark joy” so that you can create a more proper home for things that you love and enjoy. Check out our recommended products for organizing the kitchen, the bathroom, the vanity area as well as your home office or study desk.
Author: Ayeza E. Mangulabnan
Re-editor: J Ausa
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Evo|Expanding File
No. 2: D & D|4-Tier Document Tray
No. 3: Evo|Clear Book (Long)|2 Pieces per Pack
No. 4: Deli|Ring Binder
No. 5: Home Gallery|Tough Box Storage
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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