I have a large three tiered set up on wheels, and a smaller one that sits on a table. They cost more than makes sense if you are growing plants to save money, but I've been using them for more than ten years and love the convenience. The trays hold water, the light fixtures have outlets i use for heat pads and timers. Each tier has its own outlet. The only down side, besides the cost, is that each of the shelves are made up of two four foot trays, and plants grow at different rates, but it's hard to adjust the lights for plants of different heights. I put the seedling trays on things to raise them. I consider it a good value for someone with more money than time. It is reliable, and wattage has not been an issue. I only use it for about two months a year, in my garage in N California. I probably missed a question or too. Sorry. My son is studying engineering too! He helped me with a solar powered water fixture.

"Just throwing out a totally contrarian idea - is this closet on an inside wall? If so, could you go in from the other side to create a second closet or built in shelves?" Not contrary at all, IMO. That was the first idea I considered - just go ahead and make the closet into a small reach-in closet. But... the other side would open into the hallway instead of the bedroom, so I'd completely lose the space as "master closet." It could make for a deep broom/cleaning closet, which would be an asset. But I'd also have to move the doorbell and thermostat, which would make it into a much bigger and more expensive project than I feel like undertaking 5 days before I move in. There is a spacious coat closet in the hall nearby and some built-in 14" deep cabinetry for linens which isn't big enough for comforters but is more than I need for sheets and towels. Plus it's just me in a 3 bedroom house (plus finished basement) and I don't keep much stuff around. I'm not shy for storage space anywhere else, but I do want a functional closet in the master bedroom. Stumbling all over the house trying to get dressed at 4:30am is not my idea of efficient. I am NOT a morning person and I have to make it easy on myself. :) Okay, here's a radical idea. What if instead of shelves behind, I had another clothing rod? I do primarily need hanging space, and I can rotate winter/summer that can't be hung up into one of the other closets. Then the back rod would be for the funeral suit, long dresses, off-season, etc. that I planned to put in the hall closet or on the shelves. Also a pain to get to, but still very infrequently used. I'm not sure it's progress. Maybe what I really need is 4 closet rods on a thing that rotates vertically... so you push the rod(s) in front down and they rotate to the back and up, and the rod(s) at the top and back move to the front. I could build it if I could just find heavy duty 4' lazy susans I could mount vertically and bolt swiveling closet poles to...

I've been lurking on this forum for the last couple of days. This post and the picture have forced me out of lurkdom! I don't quilt but I LOVE fabric. So many great ideas already. I especially agree with the lighting. Yesterday at Home Depot I saw some halogen full spectrum lightbulbs meant to fit into regular sockets/lamps. Think track lighting with halogens (that bright white light) coupled with some light fixtures near your work space with the full spectrum/daylight bulbs. Track halogen kits are available at the hardware box sotres for under $50.00. Number 2 on my list is a CHAIR! I use a cheapo computer chair. I like the adjustable height and the casters. You can wheel from machine to machine or machine to iron!!!! Cheapo chairs can be had at the box office supply stores on sale for under $40.00. If you sew alot perhaps an even more expensive(more comfortable/supportive)chair would be worth the investment. Number 3 is storage. I collect/store large quantities of yardage for drapes, slipcovers and duvets, etc. I like shelves. My impression is that quilters tend to need lots of smaller pcs of fabric. I couldn't use paper boxes because I have to SEE the fabric. I think if the plastic bins can work for you these are a great solution. Ditto the ADJUSTABLE shelving to store them on. I really like the industrial shelving shown in the picture above. You can space the shelves close together and configure it to be tall and narrow or short and wide. If money were no object I'd probably consider buying one of those metal tool chests. I covet these!!! There are plenty of shallow FULL EXTENSION drawers for scissors, needles, bobbins, thread, etc, etc. Can you tell I want one of these?? If you can't spring for one of these (me either:()the plastic stacked drawers on casters can fit under a work surface. And speaking of work surface, have you thought about a hollow core door mounted on brackets instead of a table? The doors are light, cheap and come in a variety of widths. When you buy them you can get them without the hole for the knob. If you have a salvage building supply store, they are even cheaper!! They can be painted, stained or covered in fabric. I can see several doors mounted on brackets extending from the wall with the window. You could have all your machines set up and wheel from one to the other!! Too cool. Of course, paint, a few decorative items will make it truly yours. Good luck and sorry for the length:)

Well, let's see... My machine quilting threads are on a wall-mount thread rack. It's overfilled and I need to get another one. Those bobbins are stored in rubber rings, usually hanging on one of the pegs. My serger threads are scattered on a few small decorative shelves over one of my tables. There's not enough room, really, but it's all I have. I piece with these threads, so they're close. These bobbins reside in a tableside basket with my most used tools. My embroidery threads are stored in 12" thread boxes with clear lids. The 3 boxes sit on top of each other behind my embroidery machine. I have a plastic hinged-lid box with some misc. Coats & Clark that I did out of the closet for garment sewing. These bobbins are on a different colored rubber ring that stays with them. I also have a huge collection of older, larger industrial spools of cotton threads. I don't use these much anymore and have considered just tossing them. It seems a bit wasteful, even though I don't use them, so they stay in a shelf/drawer that hangs on the closet system. I think that's about what I have. And today I've realized that I need a few more! LOL