I would have some scenic backdrops to hide the window and perhaps the corners.
I like the window. I'm a sunlight kind of guy, and I open it for fresh air on winter days and spring and fall evenings. The room also has two skylights. I set the height of the benchwork to be just below the window sill to preserve access for cleaning, etc. I may add backdrops later on, probably on the back wall and maybe the left side as well, below the display shelves. I like the idea of a backdrop, but it's a longer-term item as opposed to something I want to do right away.
Access panel joints on either side do not appear level.
They're level, within 1/32 of an inch or less. The panel may not have been fully seated when I took the picture, or it may just be an optical illusion.
I'm a little surprised at all the focus on access. The layout was carefully designed to minimize access problems while making maximum use of the available space. There are four points where access is restricted - the two rear corners and a couple of square feet on each side wall between the front (as seen from the camera) and the control area. The corners can be handled with a step stool. Scenery will be designed so as not to place anything in the other two spots that will require any maintenance, and to avoid major obstructions in case of a derailment. If I do a tunnel (I'd like to have one), the upper part will be removable. I plan to build a small platform that I can lay on the top to kneel or stand on if I have to. This will have short legs and a place to put the legs (parking lots, roads, flat spots) will be incorporated into the scenery. I do need to maintain upward access, to clean the fans, change bulbs, etc. I will probably replace the fans with more modern-looking units with aimable spotlight fixtures instead of the diffused room lights of the current ones. I painted the ceiling before I started the benchwork, so that shouldn't be a problem for a long time.
Access to the shelves is actually easier than it looks. I can just roll the cars to and from access points by coupling them up, or with a yardstick. Locomotives have to be where I can reach them, since they don't roll, but that's a minor issue. I doubt I'll be changing the displays more than every couple of months, anyway. That Cab Forward has been sitting where it is for a couple of years.
The track plan is subject to adjustment, but one thing certain is that there will be an outer loop of STD-87 track running around the outer edge. The 0 gauge layout will be contained inside the Standard Gauge loop. This minimizes the amount of scenery or buildings that could be put in the spots that are hard to reach, as the track will be about four inches from the wall (yes, I've checked for overhang clearance on some of the biggest Standard Gauge engines in captivity, including the Lionel 4-6-4 Hiawatha and the Super 381.)
Here's another photo, showing the left wall. The area of difficult access is below the flat car and cattle car of the display train.
