We are getting so lost in the midst of urban noise these days that silent noise is so scarce, precious and desired it now gets referred to as a luxury!
Let’s face it, unless we are living in a secluded cabin densely surrounded by trees it is almost impossible to escape noise generated from our modern environments. Even natural sounds like birds chirping are now being drowned out by cars zooming past.
interior sound psychology
Researchers from NCBI state that sound has a psychological affect on us and in many cases impacts our quality of life. Loud sound, especially, produces a fight or flight response internally. Stress, anxiety, increased heart rate, loss of sleep, fatigue, and social conflict have all been linked to the environment of sound.
silent noise at home
Silence has become a valuable commodity in our noisy world, if there is one place where we can control noises and achieve moments of silence it’s in our homes. Creating a refuge within our homes, is not just about building walls to keep outside noises at bay, but also reducing sound reverberating internally. This is an even greater necessity in apartment living. As sound waves bounce off hard surfaces, creating a peaceful home is all about applying the right soft / sound absorbing materials in clever ways.
silent noise is visual too
This might sound bizarre, however simplifying and decluttering a space is a great way of eliminating some unwanted noise. A minimalist space allows us to concentrate on what is essential both in our spaces and in our minds. Less clutter in our space = less chatter in our minds.
interior sound absorbing elements
place acoustic panels, tapestries or artwork on your walls
Acoustic pieces on your walls are not only decorative but they also add depth and texture to a space. A clever trick is to hide some extra acoustic panels or material behind artwork to help absorb some of that unwanted noise.
soft upholstery like chairs and sofas
Soft seating is always popular and a simple solution to improve acoustics and create a sense of wellbeing to open spaces that would have otherwise have sound waves bouncing off hard surfaces. They’re also great for creating a relaxing corner somewhere, a sumptuous way to enjoy the silence.
rugs and / or carpets
Laying a thick carpet or rug will help reduce sound reverberation within a room. Sound absorption will be compromised if the carpet is impermeable, so make sure you get a good underlay.
hang drapery curtains
We love curtains, they create a visual softness within a room and improve sound quality by reducing the vibration levels. Look for material that is highly porous and incredibly thick to help dampen the noise and provide good sound insulation. Combining sheers and black out curtains creates an elegant backdrop within a space whilst maximising the amount of sound absorbing material.
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