How to Cover Metal File Cabinet with Fabric

Covering a metal file cabinet with fabric can give your office furniture a quick makeover. Whether you want to soften the look of cold metal or match your cabinet to your office decor, wrapping it in fabric transforms its style. With some basic materials and tools, you can DIY this project in an afternoon.

Introduction

Metal file cabinets are sturdy and practical options for storing documents and supplies. However, plain metal can look clinical or dated over time. The good news is, covering a metal cabinet with fabric allows you to customize it to suit your needs.

Fabric-covered file cabinets have a warm, finished look that blends into home offices and other settings. The fabric also helps dampen noise from opening and closing drawers. This muffling effect makes your workspace feel calmer.

Recovering your file cabinet isn’t difficult. All you need are common household tools and fabric of your choice. Carefully wrapped, stapled, and trimmed fabric results in a file cabinet with a cohesive polished look. Read on to learn the complete process from start to finish.

Benefits of Covering Metal File Cabinets with Fabric

Here are some of the benefits of taking the time to cover a metal file cabinet with fabric:

• Customization – Choose fabric that matches your office decor, whether that’s patterns, colors or textures. Covering the cabinet allows it to coordinate.
• Visual softening – Metal on its own has a cold, stark look. Fabric gives it a warmer, cozier feel and makes the cabinet a focal point.
• Noise reduction – File cabinets can make loud scraping sounds when opening or closing drawers. Fabric dampens the noise for a calmer environment.
• Protects surfaces – Secured fabric prevents the metal cabinet from causing nicks and scratches on nearby walls and furniture.
• Affordable – Buying all new cabinets is expensive. Covering them in fabric is an affordable way to update the look.
• Creativity – Recovering file cabinets gives you an opportunity to add your personal flair.

Selecting Fabric for File Cabinets

Choosing the right fabric is an important first step for this project. Consider the following criteria when making your selection:

Fabric Type

Look for medium to heavy-weight fabrics. Lightweight fabrics like quilting cotton lack the structure to fit smoothly over the cabinet. Go for canvas, twill, or even upholstery-weight fabrics.

Fabric Pattern and Color

Select solid colors or subtle patterns over loud, busy prints. Large geometric shapes or florals may look mismatched and choppy once wrapped onto cabinet sides. solid colors and tone-on-tone textures give a more seamless, polished look.

Durability

Since office cabinets get lots of wear, select durable, easy-care fabric. Canvas and twill hold up well to regular use. Avoid delicate silks or fabrics prone to snagging. For extra protection against rips and stains, look for outdoor or performance upholstery fabric.

Fabric Yardage

Buy enough yardage to cover all visible surfaces, factoring in drawers and cabinet sides, back, top and base. Leave an extra 12+ inches on all sides for stapling and finishing. For standard two- or four-drawer vertical filing cabinets, 2-3 yards of wide upholstery fabric is usually sufficient.

Fabric Cost

Cost often correlates directly with quality in fabric. While bargain fabric seems appealing, inexpensive material won’t have the structure needed for a professional finish. Invest in the best quality material you can comfortably afford for the longest-lasting results.

Tools and Materials Needed

Gather the following tools and materials before beginning your project:

• Fabric (2-3 yards to start)
• Staple gun and staples
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Level
• Adhesive velcro dots or glue (optional)

Prepping the File Cabinet

Proper prep work ensures your fabric adheres smoothly to the cabinet. Follow these steps:

1. Empty the Cabinet Contents

Remove everything from the drawers and cabinet. Have a clean blank slate for covering.

2. Clean the Cabinet

Use mild soap and water to wash cabinet exterior. This removes grease and dirt so the fabric won’t slide around. Let dry fully.

3. Remove Hardware

Unscrew any handles or hardware attached to the cabinet. Set screws and parts aside in a bag to reattach later.

4. Repair Flaws

Examine the cabinet for dents, chipped paint or rust spots. Use filler and touch up paint to patch flaws for a smooth finish.

5. Add Velcro (Optional)

Apply adhesive-back velcro dots to help fabric stay in place between drawers, on sides or other tricky spots.

Measuring and Cutting Fabric

Next, precisely measure and cut your fabric to size:

1. Measure Widths and Heights

Use a tape measure to measure the height, width, and depth of all cabinet surfaces. Include sides, doors, back, top and bottom. Write down all measurements.

2. Determine Cut Lines

Mark directly on your fabric where you’ll need to make cuts for each cabinet side. Use chalk or vanishing fabric pens so lines wash out later.

3. Add Seam Allowances

When measuring and marking for each cut, add at least 1″ extra on all sides for a seam allowance. This provides a margin of error.

4. Cut Fabric Pieces

Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out all your fabric pieces according to your cut lines and measurements.

5. Label Pieces

As you cut, label each fabric piece with chalk indicating where it will be applied, like “Door 1” or “Bottom left side panel”.

Attaching Fabric Pieces to Cabinet

Here is the method for attaching the prepped fabric pieces smoothly onto the cabinet:

1. Start with Sides

Begin with the side pieces. Align the top edge with the top of the cabinet, letting excess hang down the sides for now.

2. Pull Snug

Gently pull the fabric taut across the flat surface without overstretching. Have a helper hold it in place if needed.

3. Staple Interior Edges

Use a staple gun to attach the interior vertical edges first. This prevents diagonal pulling and wrinkles.

4. Staple Perimeter

With the interior edges secured, work your way around the perimeter, applying staples every 1-2 inches.

5. Staple Corners

For corners, gently fold fabric at a 45 degree angle and staple both layers down for a crisp edge.

6. Repeat for Other Sides

Follow the same process for the cabinet back, doors, top and base. Take your time to keep fabric aligned and taut.

7. Trim Excess Fabric

Once attached, use sharp scissors to trim any excess hanging fabric, leaving the stapled seam allowances.

Applying Finishing Touches

A few final touches give your fabric-covered file cabinet a professional completed appearance:

1. Check Alignment

Visually inspect the cabinet from all sides to ensure fabric is well aligned and smooth. Re-pull and re-staple any problem spots.

2. Install Velcro Dots

Apply matching velcro adhesive dots between drawers and on door edges to help fabric stay sealed.

3. Reattach Hardware

Screw cabinet hardware like handles back into place through the fabric. Use longer screws if needed.

4. Neaten Inside Drawers

For a finished interior, staple rectangular fabric pieces inside each drawer using the same method as the cabinet exterior.

5. Admire Your Work

Once complete, load the drawers and enjoy your custom fabric file cabinet makeover!

Tips and Tricks

Follow these tips and tricks for the best possible results on your fabric file cabinet project:

• When in doubt, use more staples – Don’t skimp or your fabric will loosen later. Closely spaced staples keep it most secure.
• Use a staple remover tool – Mistakes happen. Keep one nearby just in case you need to pull and re-staple spots.
• Leave drawer fronts detached – Cover sides first, then attach drawer fronts last for easy working access.
• Start with the bottom – Working from bottom to top helps keep edges neatly aligned.
• Apply steam – A garment steamer helps smooth small wrinkles and imperfections. Let fabric cool fully before re-stapling.
• Watch for loose threads – Trim any errant threads as you work to prevent snags or hazards.
• Enlist a helper – Having an extra pair of hands makes this project much easier!

Common Questions

What type of staple gun should I use?

An electric or manual heavy-duty staple gun with 1/2 inch staples works best. Smaller home improvement staplers may not secure the thick fabric.

Should I remove the drawers to cover them?

You can, but it’s not necessary if you’re careful. Just staple the sides first with the drawers shut, then open each one individually to finish.

What about the cabinet interior?

For a fully finished look, use the same fabric to line the inside of cabinet and drawer surfaces visible when opened.

Is it hard to wrap corners neatly?

Inside corners are easy; just staple the seam allowances together. For outside corners, miter or fold the fabric at 45 degree angles and take it slow.

Do I need any adhesive or glue?

Staples alone should hold fabric securely. Optional hot glue inside corners or fabric tape on edges can provide extra reinforcement.

Conclusion

Transforming a tired metal filing cabinet by covering it in fabric is an easy weekend project with dramatic results. Follow the steps for measuring, cutting, and attaching your selected fabric. Work methodically, pulling the material taut and applying staples every 1-2 inches. Add finishing touches like velcro dots and hardware to complete your customized office storage piece. With a careful approach and keen attention to detail, you can enjoy a fabric-covered file cabinet that looks professionally upholstered.