Working from home sounds ideal, but once you try it, you’ll find that it’s not as easy as it seems. Why? Well, too many distractions. It’s not just about the mess; this is something you can clean in 20 minutes (the home office is usually not a big room, which means that it can’t be a big mess). The real problem comes from the noise. So, how do you make this room more silent? Well, here are a few tips and tricks that could definitely help out.
1. Invest in a white noise machine.
The first investment you could make is that of a positive noise source that blocks out other noise. A white noise machine is cheap and simple. It’s almost as inexpensive as it is effective.
This is not just for sleep but for work as well. There are a lot of people who just can’t work while distracted by noise, and this can help them create a more stimulating work environment. Sure, it’s quite disruptive for conventional offices, but there’s nothing better for a home office.
An interesting thing for you to know is that this is literally the only way to put some babies to sleep. How does this benefit your home office? Well, sometimes the loudest noise is coming from just outside of the door, and by taking the white noise machine out, you can eliminate it in the simplest manner possible.
This machine is highly programmable and customizable. It’s a vessel for any noise that would potentially calm you.
2. Use Acoustic Panels
With the use of acoustic panels, you can create walls that are actually capable of absorbing sound waves. These panels are easy to install, and they come in so many different varieties of styles and colors. This means that you don’t actually have to compromise on aesthetics in order to get a fully functional room.
More importantly, these panels can be placed on walls or ceilings, which means that they can be effective even if your home office is downstairs. At the same time, an investment in a rug for the room upstairs would make the biggest difference in the world.
The main reason why this is such a good idea in a home office is because this room is seldom as big as a living room or even a basement. Therefore, you won’t need as much money to install them strategically.
2. Seal Windows and Doors
It doesn’t matter how thick your walls are or how high-quality your doors are if they’re not sealed properly. So, make sure to check around them and use weatherstripping for doors and windows.
Adding an extra barrier in front of the window is already a huge advantage for your soundproofing, and the only logical choice is to install thick curtains or blinds. Aside from being an aesthetic addition, these features also have a function, which only makes matters better in your favor.
You also want to apply acoustic sealant to gaps and consider switching to double-glazed windows. The last idea is the best one; however, it’s costly, and not many people will just do it in their home office without making replacements all over their home.
3. Install Carpeting or Rugs
A good carpet reduces echo in the room. Why? Well, because it puts a carpet or a rug on top of the flattest, smoothest surface in the room (apart from windows).
While it also softens the sound of footsteps, this is not as big of a factor. Why? Well, mostly because your home office is an area that’s mostly inhabited by you and rarely has any external guests. If you’re not walking around, there’s no footsteps and if you are, you’re not currently working, so it’s not distracting by a default.
However, you still need a carpet to see how sound waves reflect on any flat surface, and by handling this, you’re significantly improving the acoustics of the room, as we’ve already said. You want a carpet in a room above (if there is such a room and if it’s inhabited).
Sometimes, when working in a home office, an external (outside of the room) purchase can be more impactful than any home office improvement. For instance, buying a good set of headphones for a roommate who listens to heavy metal can be more impactful than any acoustic panel.
4. Add Bookshelves and Soft Furniture
Books absorb sound naturally. Due to their soft covers and layered texture, they really have no trouble absorbing sound waves. In fact, they do more than just absorb; they break them, making the room substantially quieter.
Other than this, books add functional decor to the room. They’re still useful; sometimes, while you still have the technical literature in digital format, you also want to have it in a conventional form. Sure, digital format is superior because it’s more easily searchable, but it’s not a catch-all.
Also, you can use a bookshelf as a sort of divider. More and more couples work from home, which means that even a home office can be a shared working space.
5. Create a Dedicated Workspace
In reality, you should start with this a lot sooner. When making a home office, try to imagine your average work day. If your roommate/spouse/sibling comes from home amidst your meeting period, the last thing you want is to have an office that’s right next to the entrance. Just choose a quiet room. Sure, this won’t always be possible (usually, you get the room that’s left, not the one you want).
You also can’t make it just about the noise. You also want to keep it clutter-free. Keep it neat and tidy, and give every distraction the same amount of respect you give to noise. This is the best way to boost your productivity.
Wrap up
Soundproofing the home office is a challenging task, but it’s a mandatory thing if you want to work from home. Buy thicker curtains, install a rug in the room above, add a few acoustic panels to the wall, and invest in a white noise machine. Anything extra will help but these few things will already make a huge difference.
Rockies Ripple is the founder and lead writer behind the independent blog tvplutos.com