Working from home has changed how Australians think about their home office — and a tired, ugly filing cabinet or office desk is no longer something you can just ignore. The good news: office furniture is some of the most satisfying furniture to paint. Metal filing cabinets in particular transform dramatically with paint, and the result can turn a functional eyesore into something you're genuinely happy to have in your home.
Painting Metal Filing Cabinets
Metal filing cabinets are a slightly different proposition from timber furniture — the prep and paint choice need to account for the metal surface.
Paint Choice for Metal
Artisan Mineral Paint is our recommendation for metal filing cabinets. It adheres well to metal with the right prep, is durable and washable, and the eggshell finish looks polished and intentional in a home office setting. It's also available in a wide range of colours that suit home office aesthetics.
Prep for Metal
- Clean thoroughly. Wipe the entire cabinet with a degreaser or sugar soap solution. Metal surfaces accumulate oils and grime that prevent paint from adhering. Allow to dry completely.
- Sand with 180–220 grit. Scuff sand the entire surface to give the paint something to grip. On metal, this step is more important than on timber — don't skip it.
- Apply a metal primer. For best adhesion on metal, apply a coat of metal primer before painting. This is especially important on bare metal or metal that has any rust. Allow to dry completely.
- Remove any rust first. Sand back any rust spots with 80–120 grit sandpaper until you reach clean metal, then apply a rust-inhibiting primer before painting.
Painting the Cabinet
Apply two thin coats of Artisan Mineral Paint, allowing each coat to dry completely. A small foam roller gives a very smooth finish on the large flat panels of a filing cabinet. Use a brush for edges and corners.
Allow to cure for at least 48 hours before using the drawers normally — the paint needs time to harden fully on metal.
Painting Timber Office Furniture
Timber desks, bookshelves and office storage units are painted the same way as any other timber furniture. The main consideration for office furniture is durability — a desk surface gets daily use and needs a durable finish.
For desk surfaces, use Artisan Mineral Paint and apply a polyurethane topcoat for maximum durability. The desk surface will be used constantly — it needs the same level of protection as a dining table top.
For bookshelves and storage units, chalk finish paint with a water-based sealer is perfectly adequate.
Best Colours for Home Office Furniture
Home office furniture benefits from colours that are calm and focused — not distracting. But that doesn't mean boring. A beautifully painted filing cabinet or desk can make a home office feel like a space you actually want to spend time in.
Our favourite Artisan colours for home office furniture:
- Charcoal (chalk) or Iron Gate (mineral) — sophisticated and focused. A charcoal filing cabinet looks genuinely designer.
- Navy (chalk) or Regatta (mineral) — rich and classic. Beautiful in a home library or study.
- Sage (chalk) or Gumleaf (mineral) — calm and nature-connected. Suits a home office that needs to feel restful.
- Natural Linen (mineral) — warm neutral that suits almost any home office aesthetic.
- Noir (chalk) or Jet (mineral) — bold black for a graphic, contemporary home office.
- Arctic White (chalk) or Cotton (mineral) — clean and fresh. Suits a bright, minimal home office.
Hardware for Office Furniture
New handles on a filing cabinet or desk drawers make a significant difference to the finished look. For a home office, we tend to favour simple, functional hardware — matte black bar handles for a contemporary look, brushed brass for warmth, or timber handles for an organic Japandi aesthetic.
Browse cabinet hardware at Sweet Pea Interiors →
For the full guide to painting technique: How to Paint Furniture: The Complete Beginner's Guide
