After 17 years with a kitchen/den (my nest with Tv) plus a separate living rm (hubby's big screen TV room) and dining rm., we've moved to a smaller open concept house. I perfer the separation for our live style. In the new house I have set my sewing room up as my den and that works out OK. I'm adjusting and can see pros and cons to both. The noise of the open concept gets on my nerves. I need some quiet. Also when my husband and I have separate company the other one has to either go to another room, to the back porch, or something. He doesn't want to hang with my HS friends and I don't want to intrude when he and his guy friends get together. We are 67 and 69 so you still need your own space when you get old :>)