Every layout is different, having its own needs - own image for "what looks right".
I believe you will know what's right for you when you see it.
And may I add, sometimes less is more.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I get my ''fix'' from building, therefore I have way more then I need. I gotten tothe point of replaceing early builds with better recent builds. Right now I'm building an lumber/coal dealer. No clue where I'll put it,but will build it anway
But more to your question; I believe it depends on location, small town midwest, would be more open then a bigger,eastern city.I have been in hilly mountain type towns that looks as if .any flat pieace of land was packed. The steeper hills left open ,and then when level was packed again.
Are there enough scale people to support a large city, or would a few stores be good enuff. Then you kinda need a reason for the RR to be there, factory, warehouse ect.
''I'' have never seen a layout too crowded,but found many too empty.
Bottom line; its your layout
That all depends upon the landscape that you are modeling.
My layout is urban based layout with a large downtown passenger station. So, in keeping with the theme, I have squeezed 11 large freight houses in a 6' x 30' area.
On the other hand, if a layout is designed to run trains through farm country, you need a few barns, silos, farm houses and not much else.
So, tell us more about your layout and your landscaping theme.
Rich
Alton Junction
I am now working on the scenery part of my new layout. Since I downsized I find I cannot use many buildings I had on the old layout. I am shooting for realistic scenery within reason. I dont want to over crowd the scenery with buildings so I would like to hear from modelers as to what they consider too crowded on a layout. Thanks