I prefer my sewing area to look as tidy and neat as any other room in my house. In other words, I don't want shelves full of fabric, thread, notions etc. lining the walls. I have all of my fabric folded and sorted by colors. I use the main color of the fabric to decide which tub it goes in so if I have a dainty floral with a white background it goes in my white container etc. My fabric is kept in see through tubs (the size next larger to a shoebox) and I store them under my LA since I don't have a closet in my sewing room. I have skirted my LA so they don't show and I keep my LA covered when not in use. It is in an alcove adjacent to my living room so I want that area to look as neat as possible when I'm not actually using it. But that's just me, others are more comfortable when they are surrounded by their fabrics, equipment and other quilting goods. You have to decide just what will make YOU happy in the end. Good Luck