My home is my 37' motorhome where I live with my husband. We are retired and enjoying the good life. We currently are based in Aransas Pass TX. I never quilted when I had a house, started just 2 years ago. My sewing machine in it's bag sits behind the drivers seat where I can get to it easily. I do my cutting and sewing on dining table. My pressing on stove cover. My current project is kept in a basket under my chair. Tools are in a smaller basket in this basket. My stash is in plastic containers under the bed and in a cupboard. It's compact, it works. Just have to quit buying material as areas are full. I would prefer not to move machine when working on a project every time we eat or I use laptop, but I do it. If you really want to quilt you can find a way. I do agree you are more challenged with kids and animals along.