In the era of designing for remote functions, the home office and gym have become some of the most trending areas in modern houses. However, for the musician, these items likely take a back seat to a home studio. While having a place to jam out on your keyboard by Yamaha and record tracks at home is a bucket-list item for any musician, the means of designing this type of space is likely to be a bit difficult to grasp. To help in this regard, keep reading for 7 awesome design ideas for the home musician.
1. Modernize Acoustic Treatments
One of the great challenges for home musicians over the years has been finding a way to jam out at home without getting a noise complaint from the neighbors. Egg cartons, bubble wrap, and duct tape are some of the means musicians have used to prevent noise transfer.
Fortunately, modern home studio acoustic panels are “notably” (pun intended!) more stylish than these makeshift materials. Typically composed of a fiberglass or poly-fiber core wrapped in fabric, modern acoustic panels provide a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of .95 per inch, just short of the industry standard for complete noise absorption. This allows musicians to stylishly mitigate noise in all types of home studio layouts without detracting from the ambience of the space.
2. Durable Flooring Upgrades
There are many stylish carpet and vinyl flooring products on the market. However, these materials are considerably less stylish after the band has swayed and stomped on them for hours on end and shuffled instruments into and out of the studio.
As a result, it is important to design home studios with durable flooring to accommodate this heavy traffic. Hardwood floors are a great option because not only are they durable, but they play well in a music studio while also providing an attractive, “homey” appearance. In addition, polished concrete is an increasingly popular home flooring material that makes a great choice for studios thanks to the wide range of finishing options available.
3. Use Lighting Creatively
Although large windows and increased natural light flow are a major trend in the broader spectrum of home design, windows definitely have their pros and cons for home studios. On one hand, natural light can be a welcome presence for musicians who want a folkier sound, as it can reflect well off of a wide range of furniture wood stain colors and trickle through plants to create an earthy atmosphere that sets the mood for the sound.
On the other hand, grungier musicians may not want the sun constantly shining on their session, while EDM artists will likely prefer using their own lighting to create the colors they prefer. At the very least, it is important to include a light-canceling window screen to help block sunlight as necessary and use LED lamps and light strips to help create the desired lighting effect.
4. Choose Versatile Furniture
If you are able to devote an entire room of your home exclusively to music, that is awesome. However, for many musicians, their music setup will likely have to share a space in another room in the house, such as a guest bedroom or home office. When this is the case, it is paramount to choose versatile furniture. Desks with hideaway keyboards, portable partitions to segment space, and high-quality futons to accommodate other musicians during the day but pull out into a bed at night are a few ways to add versatility to your music space.
5. Add Some Texture
A music studio sometimes can get pegged as a closet-like area with four white walls and a microphone in the center. However, to be your best as a musician, you have to create an environment that makes you look forward to coming to the studio each day. One simple way to accomplish this is by adding a textured accent wall. Whether it is simple white shiplap, manufactured brick veneer, or even a pin-up board of musical posters, adding some texture and variety to break up the monotony is a great way to inject life into a home studio.
6. Utilize Every Square Foot
Even if you are lucky enough to have your own home recording studio, the dimensions are likely to be quite snug. As such, it is crucial to use every precious square foot to the absolute fullest. Choose a studio desk that includes storage racks for housing accessories. Include ample hooks and shelves for storage. Upgrade to a sliding pocket door so that hinged doors don’t open into the studio and reduce usable floor space.
7. Get Egocentric
Although musicians inherently dream big, the chances of becoming the next mega-star are miniscule. For many, their music is an intensely personal form of expression and will be shared mainly with those closest to you. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with decorating your home studio with items that tell the tale of your personal journey in music. Sure, hanging posters of your idols and inspiration is never a bad idea, but don’t be afraid to include items such as framed lyrics of a song you have written, the very first guitar you ever learned to play on, or simply a photograph of you jamming out with your peers. These personal touches can be extremely empowering as you head to the studio to lay down tracks.
Stay on the Trend With These Home Studio Ideas
Building a home studio is a top priority for modern musicians, but designing the space may prove to be a bit overwhelming. To help in this regard, choose from any of the 7 design ideas listed above to create the perfect space for the home musician!
