I was lucky as I had custom bookcases built for my Florida home and brought them with me to Iowa. They are doors on the bottom half and removable open shelves on the top. My cutting table is sitting on top of the two bases cabinets with their doors facing outward on each end. My cutting table is 4' x 8'. THen I added brackets on the backside of the cabinets for another shelf underneath to keep all my shoebox totes full of scraps, orphan blocks and fat quarters. Also have room for a trash can and my larger rulers that don't fit my pegboard. The top half of my bookcases are now in my upstairs library housing my large collection of hardback books I hope to read someday.....if time ever permits it. Too much fun down here in the sewing room keeps me from reading those books.

We still use my Grandmother's formica kitchen table in the kitchen. It has the leaf that folds down under the table. They are vintage 50's. If in good shape worth a pretty penny too. Mine only has one small chip. I also have the chairs.

My Grandmother would take the pads off the dining room table & lay them on the kitchen table to cut fabrics. I open the table to full length to pin quilts on.

I would do as SuziSew.

I never knew this! I am fairly tall at 5'6" (or at least the tall side of average in my area)...but never knew this general rule!

I would not use a pedestal. They can be unsteady when you get out towards the edges of the table.

I would definitely use a base that doubles as storage. How exciting for your sewing space!

Ok. This is going to make my hubby sound like a real cheapo but........ He made 2 saw horses that he used heavy duty plywood on. I covered it in a picnic table vinyl cloth. He was able to make it just the right height for me and made it about 7 foot long so there is tons on storage beneath. A few years later we were at Ikea and there was a 5 foot long 1.5 inch white board (cost under $10.00) and I set it on top of my vinyl. I have plenty of room for cutting and clutter all in the same spot. He did a fantastic, very inexpensive job!

Space under the cutting/ironing table is great for storage. IMHO customize it for the storage you need. I don't like clutter so I had my DH make the table in this previous posted thread to accommodate rulers, my machines, ironing items, and several projects, as well as bolts of fabric or longer items. He used 3/4" plywood. Good luck in your search for just the right thing for you.http://www.quiltingboard.com/mission...n-t276255.html

I bought a square IKEA pub table. The height is great, and I can roll plastic storage bins under it.

So are you 5'6" with or without those red stilettos ;) ?