I keep mine in a rolling trolley when not in use... without the cover, because it would not fit otherwise. I can't leave it out as I sew on my dining room table. Plans are - when I get settled again - to use my bigger Pfaff at home and just use this one out of the house. Probably will toss the hood - I'm not planning on travelling too far afield with the smaller machine so the trolley should be fine.