For years, my home office was governed by a system I generously called “organized chaos.” In reality, it was just chaos. Stacks of paper—invoices, tax documents, project notes, and stray receipts—formed precarious towers on my desk, spilling onto the floor. Finding a single important document felt like an archaeological dig, a frustrating and time-consuming process that consistently killed my productivity. This “paper tiger” wasn’t just messy; it was a source of constant, low-grade stress. I knew I needed a real solution, not another flimsy cardboard box or a desktop tray that would overflow in a week. I needed a piece of furniture that was as serious about organization as I wanted to be, something that could anchor the room both functionally and aesthetically. The search for a filing cabinet that blended style, substance, and serious storage capacity is what ultimately led me to the Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet.
- TRANSITIONAL APPEAL: The Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet boasts transitional styling with tapered legs, contemporary metal...
- EASY STORAGE: The large file cabinet's drawers open on smooth full-extension ball bearing slides for an effortless reach to letter,...
What to Demand from Your Next Home Office Cabinet
A home office cabinet is more than just a box with drawers; it’s a key solution for transforming a cluttered space into a streamlined, professional environment. It’s the command center for your most important physical documents, providing security, accessibility, and a sense of order. The primary benefit is obvious: conquering clutter. By giving every document a designated home, you reclaim your mental and physical workspace. This leads to enhanced focus, reduced stress, and the confidence that comes from knowing exactly where to find what you need, when you need it. A well-chosen cabinet also complements your office decor, contributing to a cohesive and inspiring work atmosphere.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of managing a significant volume of paperwork. This includes remote professionals, small business owners, freelancers, and anyone running a household who values a traditional, furniture-like aesthetic over a purely utilitarian metal box. They are likely building a complete home office and want pieces that match and create a unified look. Conversely, this type of cabinet might not be suitable for those with extremely limited space who need a vertical, small-footprint solution, or for individuals who require a mobile, under-desk unit with wheels. For them, a compact, pre-assembled metal cabinet might be a better fit.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The first rule of furniture is to measure your space. Note the cabinet’s height, width, and depth (29.15″ H x 29.72″ W x 16.69″ D for this model) and ensure it fits comfortably without overwhelming the room. A key feature of the Somerset collection is that this cabinet’s height is designed to align perfectly with their desks, creating a seamless and expanded work surface when placed side-by-side.
- Capacity and Functionality: Look beyond the number of drawers and consider their capability. This cabinet features two deep drawers designed for letter, legal, or A4-sized files, offering excellent versatility. Crucially, they operate on full-extension ball bearing slides, which means you can pull the drawer all the way out for effortless access to files at the very back—a non-negotiable feature for serious filing.
- Materials & Durability: The material dictates the look, feel, and lifespan of your cabinet. While solid wood is premium, high-quality engineered wood, like that used in the Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet, offers excellent stability and a consistent finish at a more accessible price point. It’s far more substantial than the particleboard found in cheap, big-box store furniture, a fact confirmed by its hefty 80-pound weight. The inclusion of a 6-year manufacturer’s warranty is a strong indicator of the company’s confidence in its durability.
- Assembly and Safety: Most furniture of this type requires assembly. Be realistic about the time and effort involved. Additionally, for a lateral file cabinet, an anti-tip mechanism is an essential safety feature. This prevents both drawers from being opened simultaneously, which could cause a fully loaded cabinet to become top-heavy and fall forward.
After carefully considering these factors, we were ready to see if the Somerset cabinet could live up to its promises.
While the Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- 【Integrated Frame】: White storage cabinet with doors is made of 0.88mm thick cold-rolled steel and can hold 180 pounds per layer,...
- High-Quality Metal: Letaya metal storage cabinet with whole-in-one reinforced heavy gauge steel deluxe welded frame, 2 locking doors...
- 『HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL』:Whole-in-one reinforced heavy duty metal frame, load capacity up to 180lbs per shelf solid and...
Unboxing the Somerset: First Impressions and Initial Setup
The first thing we noticed upon delivery was the sheer weight of the box. At over 80 pounds, it’s a two-person job to move, and many users wisely choose to unpack it right in the driveway and carry the pieces in individually. This heft, however, was our first clue about the cabinet’s quality. Each panel felt dense and substantial, a far cry from the featherlight components of budget flat-pack furniture. The Maple Cross finish was smooth and consistent, with a warm, professional tone that looked even better in person than it did online. The contemporary metal hardware was neatly packaged and had a solid, satisfying feel.
Laying out all the pieces, we could see this was going to be a significant assembly project, a sentiment echoed in numerous user reviews. The parts were all clearly labeled with stickers that were easy to remove without leaving residue—a small but appreciated detail. The hardware was separated into labeled bags, preventing the usual frustrating hunt for the right screw. Our initial impression was that this was a well-thought-out kit for a very solid piece of furniture. It has the presence and style to not just store files, but to genuinely enhance an office space, and we were eager to see if its performance matched its promising appearance. You can see the elegant design and finish for yourself online.
What We Like
- Spacious drawers accommodate letter, legal, and A4 files
- Elegant transitional design with a beautiful Maple Cross finish
- Substantial, heavy build quality feels durable and stable
- Excellent anti-tip safety mechanism prevents both drawers from opening at once
- Smooth full-extension ball-bearing drawer slides provide easy access
What We Didn’t Like
- Assembly is a complex and time-consuming process
- Picture-only instructions can be ambiguous and lead to errors
Putting the Somerset Cabinet to the Test: An In-Depth Analysis
A filing cabinet’s true worth is revealed not just in how it looks, but in how it performs day-to-day. We put the Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet through its paces, focusing on the entire user experience from construction to final file organization. Our deep dive focused on the assembly process, its structural integrity and design, the all-important drawer functionality, and its built-in safety features.
The Assembly Gauntlet: A Test of Patience and Precision
Let’s be perfectly clear: assembling the Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet is not a casual, 30-minute task. It is a project. Based on our experience and corroborated by a chorus of user feedback, you should set aside a solid two to three hours and approach it with patience. As one user aptly put it, having a ball game on in the background helps. The instructions are entirely pictorial, which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it avoids language barriers, but on the other, a lack of written clarification on a complex step can lead to guesswork. We found ourselves, like another user, having to disassemble and reassemble one step after a moment of misinterpretation. A cordless power screwdriver, used on a low-torque setting, proved to be an invaluable time-saver, though the manual advises against power tools.
A recurring challenge we encountered, also highlighted by other builders, was the state of the pilot holes. Many were not drilled deeply enough, requiring significant physical effort to drive the screws home. This is where you risk stripping a screw head if you’re not careful and applying consistent, firm pressure. The most delicate and crucial part of the entire process is installing the drawer slides and then mounting the drawers themselves. Achieving perfect alignment is paramount; if the cabinet frame isn’t perfectly square or the slides are off by even a millimeter, the drawers will stick or refuse to close properly. This was the source of immense frustration for some users, with one needing a partner’s help to finally adjust a slightly bowed locking mechanism to get the bottom drawer to shut. Our advice: work on a flat surface, check for squareness at every step, and don’t fully tighten all frame screws until you’re certain it’s aligned. It’s a demanding build, but the resulting sturdiness is the reward for your diligence.
Design, Durability, and a Premium Feel
Once assembled, any frustration with the process begins to fade. This cabinet is genuinely beautiful. The transitional styling, marked by the tapered legs and clean lines, allows it to blend into both modern and more traditional office setups. The Maple Cross finish is warm and inviting, and it perfectly matches the other desks and hutches in the Somerset collection, which is a major draw for those creating a cohesive workspace. The ability to place it next to a Somerset desk to extend the work surface is a brilliant, practical design choice that we love.
The durability is immediately apparent. This is not a wobbly, lightweight piece of furniture. The thick, heavy engineered wood panels give it a sense of permanence and quality. One user, who was choosing between Bush and another well-known Swedish furniture brand, was emphatic about the difference, noting the Bush panels were “very thick and heavy” and the overall quality was “so superior.” This is the kind of furniture that feels like an investment. It’s ANSI/SOHO certified for safety and performance, and the confidence Bush has in its product is backed by a robust 6-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty. This long-term support provides significant peace of mind and underscores the cabinet’s excellent build quality.
The Heart of the Matter: Drawer Capacity and Functionality
A filing cabinet lives and dies by its drawers, and the Somerset’s are outstanding. The two lateral drawers are cavernous, offering ample space for a significant amount of files. The internal rails can be configured to hold letter-sized, legal-sized, or even A4-sized hanging folders, providing fantastic flexibility for any organizational system. The single most important feature here is the full-extension ball-bearing slides. When you pull a drawer open, it glides out smoothly and completely, allowing you to see and access every single file, even those tucked away at the very back. This eliminates the frustrating experience of blindly fumbling for a folder you can’t quite reach.
When assembled correctly, the drawer action is smooth and satisfying. However, as noted, improper assembly can lead to sticking or rubbing. The wide top surface is another unsung hero. Measuring nearly 30 inches wide and 17 inches deep, it’s the perfect landing pad for office equipment. We easily fit a large all-in-one printer and a scanner on top with room to spare, transforming it from a simple storage unit into a multi-functional office hub, a use-case another happy owner pointed out. The sheer volume of storage these drawers provide can genuinely transform an office, turning paper mountains into neatly organized rows.
Safety First: The Anti-Tip Interlock System
With deep drawers capable of holding dozens of pounds of paper, safety is not a trivial concern. A fully extended, loaded lateral file drawer can easily cause a poorly designed cabinet to tip over, posing a serious risk, especially in a home with children or pets. The Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet addresses this head-on with an excellent anti-tip interlock mechanism. This system makes it physically impossible to open both drawers at the same time. When one drawer is pulled out, a lock engages that keeps the other one firmly shut.
In our testing, the system worked flawlessly and provided immediate peace of mind. We loaded the top drawer heavily and pulled it all the way out; the cabinet remained rock-solid. This feature was a major selling point for many users who appreciated the added security. One user did note that the mechanism produces a “loud click sound each time closing the drawer.” We can confirm this; there is an audible click as the lock re-engages. While noticeable, we consider it a very minor auditory trade-off for such a critical safety feature. It’s the sound of security, and it’s a feature that demonstrates a commitment to user safety that we highly commend.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the user feedback paints a very consistent picture of the Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet. The positive sentiment overwhelmingly centers on the final product. Users frequently describe it as “beautiful,” “sturdy,” and “heavy,” noting that it looks and feels like a much more expensive piece of furniture. One professional who overhauled their home office said the quality is “so superior to the blue-and-yellow [brand]” and was thrilled that he could order a full matching set without any manufacturing defects. Another user who bought three of these cabinets and two matching desks called them “excellent file drawers” with “ample space.” The customer service from Bush Furniture also receives praise, with one owner noting that when a part was missing, a quick phone call resulted in a replacement being sent immediately via FedEx.
However, the assembly process is the most common point of criticism. While some found it “easy to put together,” many more found it challenging. One user described the picture-only instructions as “painful to work through” and complained that driving the screws required “herculean effort.” Another shared a story of deep frustration trying to get the bottom drawer to shut, eventually needing a partner to help diagnose and bend a slightly misaligned part. These experiences underscore our own finding: this is a fantastic cabinet, but you must be prepared for, and patient with, the build process. If you can overcome that hurdle, the satisfaction with the final result is extremely high, and you can see hundreds of similar experiences from other owners.
How Does the Somerset Stack Up? A Competitive Analysis
The Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet exists in a competitive market. While it excels in build quality and design for its price point, different needs may lead you to other excellent options. Here’s how it compares to three notable alternatives.
1. Laura Davidson Furniture 2 Drawer Mobile File Cabinet
- Cold-Rolled, Powder-Coated Steel. Cold-rolled steel allows for more precise shaping and increased “hardness” that’s up to 20%...
- Modern Style with Rounded Corners. While most file cabinets feel like artifacts of a bygone era, our smooth surfaces, inset handles,...
The Laura Davidson Stockpile cabinet is a completely different approach to office storage. Made of steel and arriving fully assembled (you just have to attach the wheels), it prioritizes convenience and modern industrial design. Its key advantages are mobility, thanks to its caster wheels, and a built-in lock for securing sensitive documents. It’s designed to slide neatly under a desk. Someone who values security, mobility, and wants to avoid assembly entirely would prefer this cabinet. However, it lacks the warm, traditional furniture aesthetic of the Somerset and doesn’t offer the ability to create a large, seamless work surface with a matching desk.
2. Bush Business Furniture Cabot 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet
- STORAGE MADE STYLISH: Elevate your office decor with Bush Furniture's Cabot Lateral Filing Cabinet. This cabinet has two spacious...
- SMART FEATURES: Engineered with smooth ball-bearing slides that allow drawers to glide all the way out for easy access to the back....
Coming from the same manufacturer, the Cabot collection offers a direct comparison. The core functionality is very similar to the Somerset: engineered wood construction, two lateral drawers with full-extension slides, and an anti-tip mechanism. The primary difference is aesthetic. The Cabot collection often features a more traditional design, with different hardware and finish options like Harvest Cherry. The choice between the Somerset and the Cabot will almost entirely come down to which style better matches your personal taste and existing office furniture. If you own or prefer the look of the Cabot desk series, this is the obvious choice for a perfect match.
3. Hirsh Industries 3 Drawer 18in Deep File Cabinet
- Two file drawers accommodate letter-size hanging file folders
- File drawers have high-sides allowing storage for other office essentials
The Hirsh Industries cabinet is a classic, utilitarian choice. As a vertical, three-drawer metal cabinet, its main strength is maximizing storage on a small floor footprint. It comes fully assembled and is built for pure function over form. This is the ideal solution for someone who needs to store a lot of letter-sized files in a tight space, like a closet or a small office corner, and for whom aesthetics are a low priority. It doesn’t accommodate legal-sized files and lacks the wide top surface and furniture-like presence of the lateral Bush Somerset cabinet.
The Final Word: Is the Bush Somerset File Cabinet the Right Choice for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is clear. The Bush Business Furniture Somerset 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet is an exceptional piece of home office furniture for the right person. Its blend of elegant transitional style, substantial build quality, and highly functional storage is hard to beat in its price category. The full-extension drawers are a joy to use, the safety features are robust, and the final assembled product feels durable and looks fantastic. It successfully bridges the gap between purely functional office equipment and stylish home decor.
The one major condition for our recommendation lies in the assembly. This is not a project for the impatient. You must be willing to invest a few hours of careful, methodical work to construct it properly. If you do, you will be rewarded with a filing cabinet that will serve you well for years to come, taming your paper tiger and elevating the look and feel of your entire workspace. For anyone building a serious, coordinated home office and willing to tackle the assembly, this cabinet is an outstanding choice that we wholeheartedly recommend. If you’re ready to transform your office with a blend of style and substance, we encourage you to check the latest price and availability for the Somerset cabinet.
Last update on 2025-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API