I would never put my machine away either. Just put a cover on it. I always put my scissors, pins, etc to the right of the machine so would want a few inches there. Drawers under the right would be where I kept embroidery thread, drawers under the left, notions, along with some cotton thread. I saw one with the drawers to the left on rollers so you could pull that out and have a small cutting mat on top. I loved that feature! A narrow tall slot for large rulers would make me happy. Somehow, everywhere I put them in my sewing room, they just don't "fit", and get lost! The smaller ones are no problem.