Due to the downright incandescent heat of Sacramento summers, and the location of my layout and workbench in an un-air-conditioned, un-insulated garage, I normally don't model much in summer months except late at night. However, I have received permission from the management (my lovely wife) to bring a limited amount of model-railroad stuff into the house, on the condition that I keep the space clean between sessions.
In order to keep this new living-room-table modeling space in order, I made use of a pleasant-looking wooden case, formerly used to hold a portable filmstrip projector/record player (the 1950's equivalent of a laptop-based training presentation) that I originally intended to hold a tiny portable layout.
It is big enough to hold a couple large, flat boxes containing my most frequently-used modeling tools, an assortment of stripwood and styrene bits, and a few jars of paint, with enough room on one side to hold a few HO-sized car kit boxes. This is compact enough to hide away easily, but complete enough that I don't have to run out to the garage very often. To protect the table surface I have a 24"x36" plastic cutting board that I keep stashed behind a window curtain.
Particularly messy or stinky operations (power tools, spray painting, etc.) are still confined to the garage, but things like kit assembly, brush-painting and scratchbuilding can now be done within my air-conditioned living room in the company of my lovely bride.
Domestic tranquility is thus maintained, heatstroke is avoided, and I have enjoyed getting lots of layout work done. My wife likes trains but dislikes clutter, and feels more involved in the hobby because she can see the work that I'm doing. All around, it's a good deal!