My sewing room is in my basement, so when I needed a second pincushion, I went over to the the kids toy area and grabbed a Furby. Makes a great pin cushion,stands on the table and is small.(the kids are older, they don't mind)
I discovered that my sewing machine with the expanded base fits perfectly on the keyboard shelf of an old corner computer desk I dont use anymore. Its like having a custom sewing table.
I use a glass next to my machine to hold cut threads, and squares of batting to hold threads by the longarm. When they are covered, I chuck them. (can you tell I have a thread problem!!)