I have one that is made out of cardboard - sits on top of a table. It has 4 slide out shallow drawers - 2 on each long side for holding sorted but not placed pieces. The main surface has wings that cover the playing field. Theoretically, you can fold up the wings and close the drawers and store a puzzle in progress to work on it later. This works if you're very careful how you move it around.
You might be able to incorporate some of those features in a more permanent manor if you're interested in making it multi-functional at all.
Should be an interesting project - let us know how it comes out.