Fastastic to see your layout in progress. I am learning by watching others who are building layouts.
I hope to embark on my first-ever layout soon. My train room is 17 by 12, but it has FOUR doors in it (three swing into the room, one swings out). I also have one large window in the room.
I can place a long run along one wall about 12 feet wide, then come out from the wall about 9 feet. So my total area for the layout will only be 12 by 9. If I didn't have to contend with the doors I would have been about to dedicate more square footage to the layout.
I will need some expert assistance when the time comes for me to develop a double mainline track plan with a yard (and space for a small town).
Thanks for sharing your project - excellent work! As you continue I will follow your progress.