How to Improve Acoustics in Your Home
Absorb sound
Often the acoustics are not the first thing to pay attention to when buying a house. It is only after the house has been moved in to that the reflection of the sound begins to stand out. The extra loud sounds of children running around, reverberating music and an echo behind your own voice will eventually become apparent. In particular, flat surfaces and smooth materials, which are often used in modern interiors, absorb the sound poorly. The reflection of the sound is stimulated and an echo or reverberation are the logical consequence. The solution? You will find that in the insulation!
Four tips for improving acoustics
Fortunately, there is enough that you can do to improve the acoustics in a room. Isolation is the magic word here. Think of your floor, window coverings, furniture and furnishings.
Damping floors
Choosing the right floor or floor covering can make a world of difference. A deep pile carpet, a cork floor or a vinyl floor springs somewhat, so your footsteps sound less loud. Moreover, the sound reflects less. Do you still opt for a tight floor, such as parquet, tiles, natural stone or laminate? By choosing a sound-insulating underlay you still work on good acoustics. If that is not enough, or if the floor is already there, a rug or carpet can help.
Full window coverings
You can also give the acoustics a hand by providing windows with upholstery. Think of curtains (the heavier, the better), and whether or not you want to use in combination with blinds or roller blinds. Double layers work well anyway.
Furniture of rich fabrics
The choice of furniture plays a major role in the regulation of acoustics. A concrete chair in your living room will not help you. An upholstered one, however, is. A sofa with rich cloth upholstery, a number of sturdy plants and large paintings reduce the reflection and therefore the reverberation.
Think in corners
Splitting a large space into different smaller spaces will immediately reduce the reverberation. For this you do not have to take drastic measures, for example by placing room dividers or placing a bookcase at right angles to the wall. You can separate rooms by working with panel curtains.
Other possibility: Insulating ceiling plates: Do you prefer to keep your interior tight and are you not waiting for dusty carpets and breaking free spaces? Nowadays you can cover ceilings with sound-absorbing ceiling panels]. This reduces the noise by as much as 80%. The sound-absorbing ceiling panels, which have recently been on the market, are placed completely seamlessly against the ceiling, making them ultimately invisible. The plates are made of a fire-resistant and biodegradable mineral.
