for my long arm cones, which I have a lot, I use a plastic "tote within a tote", sorted by color family. the bottom tote is about 18" deep and the one that fits inside it is about 6" deep. They are the same size on the width and length and I do end up with one extra lid per tote combo, but just put them away for who knows what.(Walmart purchases) I keep them under my long arm frame, sorted by color families, and the totes are the perfect height for me to put my feet on while sitting on my drafting stool working. So it's a 2fer! I like them in totes this way so I can see all the cones pretty easy and they are kept from dust and drying out. I live on a gravel (dirt) road so there is ALWAYS dust no matter how often I clean--having thread or fabric on open shelves just don't work.