This is a very interesting thread!
I could have an unused bedroom for sewing, but it's downstairs, with no natural light and feels isolated, so I have made myself a sewing space in about 1/3 of our family room. It has great natural light and is near to the kitchen. This is also our TV room, and my husband's 'office' is in one corner. I had to gradually add pieces of furniture to it, as he is very tidy and is concerned about my 'mess' (I admit I'm a messy quilter!). I do tidy and vacuum after a project is finished, but he has accepted that my cutting table will be a disaster when I'm in the middle of something. We are both retired now, and enjoy just being in the same space, especially in the evening.
Sometimes, I think we're like two toddlers who don't play together, but like to play side by side!