GP, I see a tendency to design symmetrically. I like things symmetrical as well. My artist daughter would steer me away from that. Right brain/left brain thing I guess. I forget which is which. 
I like the yard out where you have it now much better. In my 11 x 11 train room, I totally gave up on the idea to have reversing loops. I did cram a tight wye into a corner to turn engines, which I hardly ever do. Yes the returning loops do take up a lot of space!
