Do i stick with the new layout or keep the old layout?

I'd say to keep the old layout.

I'm partial to open floor plans, and they work well when playing half-walls. With the real-life layout, there are a lot of inner walls, so you'd be missing that separation anyway. Or, if you play with walls up, the view will be more difficult because of the smaller spaces. I imagine in real life, it feels homey, but in a game (or on a soap opera) you need a wider view.