Humans are highly attuned to the concept of comfort. If they find themselves annoyed or uncomfortable within a space — even subconsciously — they will begin to form negative impressions of that space.
This concept is essential for businesses to maximize customer loyalty and engagement. For residential homes, a smart approach to comfort can mean the difference between a relaxing place to unwind and a room that causes you stress.
Acoustic wall art is an often overlooked method of creating a relaxing environment without dramatically changing the structure or layout of a space.
The Science of Acoustic Wall Art
Most people have seen acoustic wall art, even if they did not realize at the time that they were looking at a piece of functional décor. In fact, that is where acoustic art shines: its ability to blend seamlessly into the decoration and aesthetic of a space for visual appeal while simultaneously accomplishing an important job.
Acoustic wall art works by leveraging multiple sound-absorbing materials to capture sound waves as they hit a surface. When a noise occurs, sound waves are projected from the source of the noise.
If they reach a smooth surface, such as a wall, they will bounce back into the room to keep the sound going. Audio waves that build up over time in this way lead to echoes and a sense of loudness or high volume, even if very little is going on in the space.
The surface of acoustic wall art is often made of fabric, which is attached to a backing that may be multiple inches thick. When sound waves hit the art, they proceed into the fabric and soft backing, preventing the waves from returning into the room.
Thus, the wall art absorbs the sound, producing a quiet environment with controlled noise that is more comfortable and less overwhelming.
How to Create a Relaxing Environment with Acoustic Art
Acoustic art is customizable to suit any space, both in terms of size and thickness as well as visuals. From high-fidelity photo recreations to abstract art and more, acoustic art can blend seamlessly into the visuals of any room. However, to get the most out of its functionality, it is important to install it properly.
1. Install the Art at the Right Height
Acoustic wall art absorbs sound waves to produce a more relaxing environment. With this in mind, it must be installed at the appropriate height in order to interact with these sound waves. Identify the sources of sound in the room and place the panels opposite these noises.
Most panels should be at around eye level to capture the noise of human speech, but some rooms with loud elements, such as machines, may benefit from placement at a different height for maximum absorption.
2. Don’t Forget the Ceilings
When people think of art, they most often envision it hanging on the walls. Break out of this boxed-in thinking and remember that the ceiling is a large portion of the room that usually goes completely ignored.
Acoustic art can be installed on a ceiling just as easily as on a wall, with hanging décor that offers a rich textural experience and interesting visual depth.
Sound waves frequently become trapped in the wide-open expanse of a ceiling, contributing to echoes and noise even if the rest of the room is absorbent. Add visual intrigue by incorporating the ceilings into the space’s sound design.
3. Decide Thickness and Size
Acoustic art panels work best when fully customized for the space in which they will function, and thicker is not necessarily always better for sound absorption.
The right size, orientation, and thickness for acoustic art is a careful calculation that experts can help you determine. In general, most spaces should aim for around 20% wall coverage; this provides a noticeable effect on noise without cluttering the space.
Thicker panels can make a room seem crowded, so work with professionals to understand the best arrangement for your specific space.
4. Map the Room and Find the Culprits
Finally, carefully map the room to find hidden culprits for noise. Are there areas such as nooks or corners where sound waves can become trapped and contribute to echoes?
Even small offshoots of a room can play a big role in noise pollution, so install acoustic art with the whole room’s footprint in mind.
Leverage Acoustic Wall Art for Maximum Comfort
Whether you are reimagining the interior of a business or your personal relaxation space inside your home, acoustic wall art can create a peaceful environment free from excessive noise and echoes.
The experts at Tree Towns can help you select the right size and thickness for your art, as well as where to install it for the best results. Contact Tree Towns to share your vision and get started on a custom order of acoustic wall art for your space.