Welcome to the best of the best quilt sites. You will learn so much, just by dropping in everyday. I quilt on a Viking Designer II. Only a 6 1/2 " throat plate so I really struggle with quilting on larger size quilts. My machine is on a desk, against a wall. The usable desktop is about 36". I am used to it. Don't even have room for a card table in my sewing room. A big board ironing board is in there plus tons of fabric (I am a fabric hoarder), an Ott Light is a necessity. You can make do with anything as long as you have a good machine, cutting mat, rulers scissors and thread. I am dreaming of a mid-arm but am getting up in years and do not think, for the price, that I would use it that much. "I don't buy green bananas, either." You are probably too young to know that saying.
Anyway, I wish you lots of luck, good quilting friends, (is there a quilt guild near you to join?) and years of enjoyment.