Before we moved to an apartment, I had a large banquet table for my sewing machine with space on the left for my cutting mat, and some plastic shelves to hold some of my supplies. On my right was my ironing board, which was extremely handy, I just had to swivel to my left and I could press my pieces. Now I have a craft table for my sewing machine, with a small 4 ft. table to the left. It's cramped, but when I machine quilt my quilts, I have room to spread out the quilt and since there is a wall in behind my sewing machine the quilt is supported and won't fall off the end. Instead of an ironing board, I have an ironing pad which I made out of a strong cardboard box, covered with batting and muslin, it works. Oh, no you are not the only one who needs extra space close by.