UPLIFT Desk Storage Solutions REVIEW 3-Drawer File Cabinet and Desk Drawer Tested

A hands-on look at UPLIFT Desk’s file cabinet and desk drawer accessories for standing desk setups

In the past year, I’ve explored a lot of different desk solutions for my workspace and one area I find to be particularly overlooked is the storage solution category. There is a huge focus on the main attraction (aka, the desk), but no one looks at the supporting players. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work with UPLIFT Desk over the past few months and I was very excited to be able to test out two of their storage solutions; the 3-Drawer File Cabinet with Drawer Fronts and the Desk Drawer. I used both pieces with my UPLIFT Desk standing desk setup and thought they were great additions.

3-Drawer File Cabinet by UPLIFT Desk

Designed to help keep your workspace tidy and efficient, the UPLIFT Desk 3-Drawer File Cabinet is built with sturdy steel construction and a clean modern look. It’s two upper drawers are perfect for storage of supplies and small tools, while the roomy bottom drawer accommodates hanging letter or legal files. Full-extension slides make accessing your documents effortless, and lockable casters let you move it easily and secure it in place when needed.

Now, I’m not the type of person that keeps a lot of paperwork lying around, but I do have a lot of gaming accessories. So, my drawers are holding a variety of things including mobile gaming controllers, tablets, and even a smartphone. The drawer also comes with some organization tray options that lock right into the ridges on the sides of the drawers. I actually plan on 3D printing some additional drawer caddies to keep small parts together so that the drawer doesn’t become too unruly.

One of the things I really love about this particular piece of UPLIFT Desk furniture is that it comes pre-assembled. The cabinet is ready to go out of the box and all the user has to do is install the wheels. There are five wheels; four for movement and then one that stabilizes the large file drawer. They all screw into the base and within a few minutes of unboxing, you can begin organizing your items.

I was also surprised to find that the drawers are equipped with soft-close slides, which means they will not slam shut. That’s a big problem I had with a previous metal cabinet.

File Cabinet Drawer Fronts

One of the more unique features of the 3-Drawer File Cabinet by UPLIFT Desk is that you can order a set of laminate or bamboo Drawer Front to replace the metal ones so that the cabinet matches your desktop better. I have the hardwood Walnut desktop so the closest Drawer Front that UPLIFT Desk offers is the Walnut Laminate. I have to admit that when I first heard of these, I thought they were a thin piece of laminate that adhered to the face of the cabinet drawers using magnetic strips. That is not the case at all. They are full drawer face replacements.

In order to use them, you have to first remove the existing metal drawer front and then attach the laminate one. It’s not a difficult process, but there were a couple of surprises that I found. First, when you replace the top drawer front, you will lose the lock that is installed there. There is no cutout for the lock mechanism to work with the laminate replacement front. Second, you will lose use of the stabilizing wheel for the large bottom drawer. The screw hole that is part of the drawer is actually built into the metal drawer front for that drawer. While the cabinet is still useable without either of those features, I was a little disappointed to lose them.

The drawer fronts do dress up the appearance of the cabinet quite a bit. I was very happy with how they turned out after installing the next drawer fronts and think they really elevate the look of the unit overall. Users can actually order the Drawer Front kit separately or with the cabinet when it is ordered.

Desk Drawer by UPLIFT Desk

A few months ago, I added the Compact Desk Drawer to my V3 Standing Desk and it’s just the right size for the smaller desktop. For my 80” desktop though, I decided to utilize the Desk Drawer by UPLIFT Desk, which is a full size metal drawer. It’s a sleek under-desk storage solution that keeps my essentials close without taking up surface space.

The drawer is designed to mount easily beneath a desktop and it provides a secure place to stow small items like phones, notebooks, cables, and office tools. Its low profile preserves legroom while helping you maintain a clean, organized desk.

One of the things I really like about this drawer is that it comes with a mounting template. This is invaluable because the drawer itself is HEAVY. I have mounted one very similar to this one before without a template and it was near impossible without hurting oneself. The other nice thing about this drawer’s design is that you can mount it with or without its brackets. If you use the brackets, you get a little bonus shelf, but for me, I opted to mount it without so that it was flush against the bottom of the desktop.

In order to mount the drawer without the bracket, you have to install the screws part way and then slide the drawer onto the four screws. You will need a long screwdriver to tighten the drawer to the desk, but it’s not a difficult process.

Some people may not need both the Desk Drawer and the 3-Drawer File Cabinet for storage, but I’ve found it useful to have both in my workspace. The nice thing about the Desk Drawer is that it locks so I don’t have to worry so much about losing the lock on the cabinet.

Pricing and Availability

The 3-Drawer File Cabinet and Desk Drawer may be ordered through upliftdesk.com or Amazon. The pricing for each can be found below.

3-Drawer File Cabinet by UPLIFT Desk

• Price: $319
• Color Options: Black, White, Gray, Industrial Style

File Cabinet Drawer Fronts by UPLIFT Desk

• Price: $64 (when purchased with cabinet, $54)
• Color Options: Walnut Laminate, Ash Gray Laminate, Bamboo

Desk Drawer by UPLIFT Desk

• Price: $129
• Color Options: Black, White, Gray, Industrial Style

Conclusion

UPLIFT Desk’s storage accessories prove that a well-thought-out workspace goes beyond just the desk itself. The 3-Drawer File Cabinet delivers solid construction, smooth drawer action, and flexibility for more than just paperwork, while the Desk Drawer adds convenient, secure storage right where you need it. Taken together, these storage solutions complement a standing desk setup nicely and help create a more organized, functional workspace without unnecessary complexity.

For more information, visit upliftdesk.com