about us: family with two teens. one parent works from home office. entertain about once every couple months, average 20 guests including children. after school/work, husband and teens like to use tv, wife in kitchen. wife prefers not to hear the tv sound, but knows that is difficult to achieve in an open floor plan. any ideas for noise reduction besides pocket doors, and which layout do you think is best?

options, upon entry:

living room, dining room, and family room on one side, stairs, office and kitchen on the other

OR stairs, dining room, and family room on one side, and office, living room and kitchen on the other

besides noise, i'm concerned about living areas being in an l-shape and front room being ignored, vs. all spaces being in a square shape that allows for more frequent use.

would love any feedback.