Music rooms can make a home come alive because they are enjoyed by all, old and young. So, whether you are musician, or simply have one in the household, creating a space for playing musical instruments can be a really groovy project to embark on. In terms of design, a lot will depend on the sorts of instruments you are catering for.Perhaps you want to make a sound proofed rock pad for teenagers to thrash about in.

Or maybe you want to fill the entire home with the sound of a classical piano.Whatever style of music you favor, there are some decorating tips to think about before making a dedicated space for sound. Put together well, a music room will harmonize with the rest of your home’s ambience and be an inviting place to jam with friends and family.

Strong Color Schemes.

Give your home’s music room a strong identity as a different sort of space by choosing a strong color scheme. If you want a bright color, use it repeatedly throughout the room, on the walls, floor and even the ceiling. Choose fittings and furnishings that match. When musicians use the space to play they will pick up on the atmosphere you have created. If you want a more tranquil space, use the same method with off-whites or even grays to get the same effect. Break up the monotone look by using the instruments themselves. A collection of wall mounted musical instruments can look like a gallery of usable art work.

Studios.

With the rise of home recording software, lots of amateur musician now record their pieces, without the expense of a professional studio. If you want to make a home studio, as well as a music room to play in, try to make two distinct zones. One will be for a control room, housing your recording and playback equipment, and the other will be a live room to play in. If you don’t have a large enough space for two rooms, use a sound baffler or even a heavy drape to make the two areas. If you do have room for a partition, install an internal window. Use carpet to deaden the sound in your live recording room, but make sure it complements your strong color scheme.

Reflective Surfaces.

Not everyone wants a music room that has dead acoustics that will help them to record well. If you fall into that category, for instance if you like to play piano alone and to be able to hear some of the sound reflected, then use hard surfaces on the floors and walls. Hard wood and ceramics are ideal materials to utilise as these will create a music room which has sound that reverberates. Laminate floors are a good choice for this purpose.

Soften It Up.

If you like to play with other musicians, then a music room that reverberates too much can be a problem, particularly if you like to play loudly. A good way of softening the sound of a music room, so that it is a bit easier on the ear, is to use soft furnishings. Sofas, chairs, scatter cushions and drapes will all act as great acoustic deadeners. What is great about all of them, is that they can fit in with the rest of the décor and be easily moved around to change the acoustics of the room at will.

Multi-Purpose Music Rooms.

If you don’t have a lot of space, consider using a guest bedroom as a music room. A foldaway bed or a sofa bed that can be tucked away when you want to play is ideal. This means you are not cramped up when trying to play and, that when guests come over, you have not lost the primary use of the room.

Performance Stages.

Home music rooms that double as a performance area are becoming increasingly trendy. If you like to perform, why not consider constructing a stage area and add a lighting rig? This not only looks great, but can really help a band rehearse well. And why not make your home a friendly live music venue for your family and neighbors?

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.