Vertical or lateral file cabinet — which should I buy?

Vertical cabinets are deeper and narrower, fitting tight against a wall or in a closet, and are typically the more space-efficient choice for letter-size storage. Lateral cabinets are wider and shallower, hold legal and letter files side-by-side, and often double as a surface or credenza. Buyers in this roundup favor mobile under-desk pedestals for home offices and wider lateral or wood units when the cabinet doubles as furniture.