1: Storage boxes(large)-The best way i have found to putlarge storage boxes is perpendicular against the wall. this will make it so the side is facing outwards, and while they do take up slightly more space(or seem to) this will allow you to fit more in a smaller space. to start this get your large storage ready to place, and then go to the point where it can not be placed because it is intersecting the walls in a corner. slowly inch your way backwards and to the side until it is just in placement, so you can get the tightest possible alignment. do your best to make sure you are straight and not crooked, and then place it. immediately select the next box without moving and inch your way backwards to place it as tightly as possible to the first one you placed. it may seem like alot of trouble to go to just to get a tight fit, but if you do the placements loosely it wastes space the more you place.
2: Smithy- the smithy is one of the most annoying things to place that i have found(at least that is generally placed often). because of something in the code the smithy requires a ridiculous amount of space when placed, away from each wall. however, you can place it closer if you place the smithy before the walls that it will be adjacent to. i would suggest in a corner, remove the 2 walls from the corner(unless you have not yet placed them) and then scoot the smithy into the corner. remember to make sure it still has some space between it and the edge of the foundation/ceilings or it may interfere with the placement of the walls afterwards.. this will allow you to save a few feet of otherwise unusable space.
3:Beds- as you probably noticed, beds can be placed inside each other. this allows for less space to be taken, and still have easy spawns for a multitude of people
4:All structures-now this is more of a personal quirk, but always try to place your structures as tightly togethor and tight to the walls as possible. line them up and keep them straight.

1:Boat- one of the best ways of early game alpha hunting that i have found is to get a boat. once you have mde your boat place it in the ocean and make sure everyone has a bow or two, materials to repair, plenty of ammunition, and food. now sail around the island and shoot any alphas you see on the beach. these should agro and come into the water, by continually shooting it you should be able to keep agro and thus kill it. i personally haved used this on max level alpha rexes, and it can be a quick, efficient, and fairly cheap way to gain levels fast.
2: Rocks- mostly works for alpha Carnos or Raptors, but finding a ledge or rock to stand on that the dinosaur can not climb, and shooting it from there, can allow you to get the kill and so the experience. be careful as alpha raptors especially can glitch around and jump surprising heights when attacking. make sure you have both food and enough ammunition.

On the basis of wanting to survive, you should assume any dinosaurs you see are hostile and avoid contact. However, once you are geared up a bit and less likely to instantly die from any dino that decides you look like easy lunch there are a few that pose no harm:(these are based off of memory, sorry if i miss some)
Dimorphodon(hostile when attacked)
Ichthy(the dolphin, not the bird)
Penguin
Parasaur(flee when attacked)
Phiomia(flee when attacked)
Bronto(hostile when attacked)
Diplodicus(well they attack you, but ive never actually heard of one killing someone any way other than pushing off a cliff)
MesoPithecus(small monkey, flees when you get close)
Pachyrhinosaurus(giant elephant looking things, aggressive when attacked)
Pachy(domehead)
Ankylosaurus
Doedicurus
Mammoth
Pteranodon(flee when attacked)
Dodo

Lately they added a game mechanic where at first all dinosaurs run away from you, if it is a one you know to be hostile i would advise running the other direction as soon as it bolts. this may allow you to lose agro, and if it was something you could not beat at the time might well save your life and your gear.