When I got my first copy of the Vogue Sewing Book in 1968 the thing that I kept looking at was the sewing room in the back. And the thing that I remember most was the see-through drawers that each held thread and notions all of one color.
I live in an apartment so I, too, must put everything away when I am finished using it and even rolling carts take too much space.
I was in the 99 cent store recently when they had the "back-to-school" items for sale and I saw clear plastic stackable pencil cases. They were about 9" by 5" and 3" deep so I bought one for each color (thread, bobbins, zippers, seam binding and ribbon) that I use and an extra couple for the odd notions. Even better, they were 2 for 99 cents so for about $5.00 I got my perfect storage. And when I'm ready to sew, I just take out one case and it has everything that I need.