It does not matter how you start off, because as your farm evolves you will change the layout again and again. As previously said, looking at other farms will give you some ideas, whereas some will definitely not.!!!
What you will find is that your allocated space becomes premium once you hit the higher levels, so learn to make the most of it. Progress can seem very slow sometimes, but HD is a long, long, game, and patience is required in all areas. Enjoy the fun of playing of what is a really good game. A very long time ago, before the introduction of vouchers (yes, some of us have been playing for over a year now) you could buy the swings with coins. But I agree with the guys below, you will change the layout several times and then, just when you think you have it now, SC will bring out something new, forcing you to re- design. With regards to copying farms, there is a thread somewhere with quite a few upset players, who did not like the fact that their farms had been copied.really?