My sewing table is in the middle of the room because of wall space...it's filled up with storage. I do have one machine that sits in front of a window looking out to my backyard. With my main sewing table in the middle of the room I am facing the doorway and DH can't sneek up on me
and some lighting is from the overhead light. Also when quilting it is easier to add a small table to the back to help support the weight of a quilt.