Echo in Bedroom
 

So I moved into a new place and convinced the landlord to let me knock down a wall that separated the pantry from one of the bedrooms. This worked great in expanding the smallest bedroom into a very nice space. Unfortunately, St. Cecelia was not impressed and now there is a ridiculous echo that originates from right near where the wall used to be. I'm looking into noise reducing panels etc, but I thought I'd ask on here to see if anyone had any good ideas.

The room measures ~9.5 x 14 and the ceilings are ~10-11'. The wall I removed ran 9.5' about 2/3 of the way between the front and rear wall of the expanded room. I'm not sure that it would matter at all (though my suspicion is that it might) but the ceiling in the old pantry part of the room is ~1" or so higher than the ceiling in the old bedroom part of the room, such that there is a noticeable lip running across the ceiling there.

If anyone with bright ideas thinks it would help I can attach pictures/drawings.

Thanks in advance.

I think any kind of wall hanging will help, as will any furniture you add to it. Have you furnished the room yet?

Pictures/drawings might help.

Well I've got a queen size bed, dresser and desk in it. Only other 'furnishings' I can think to add would maybe be a rug on the wall, but I don't have one of those, so I'd have to buy that just the same as any 'echo proofing' materials.

Too obvious?

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5222/mp047.jpg

Any kind of soft fabrics will help. Put up some drapes on the windows. Instead of painting, try stapling sheet to the wall. Go find a nice flat sheet(s), maybe flannel and attach to the wall. Not only will it add color to your room but should help quiet it down as well. Be sure to cover the entire wall(s) so it looks like you intended to do this.....

Also throw rugs will help knock down the sound...

Look for an expensive looking rug at a flea market or garage sale, clean it, and hang it. People don't hang rugs like they used to and it's a shame because they can make a home seem more regal and distinguished.

Edit:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/...668258.jpg?v=0
Doesn't this look kinda cool?

Furniture breaks up the echoes.

Odd shapes break up the echoes. The IKEA paper lamps work well for this.

Bookshelves work well. Particularly books of various sizes, and put there at various heights.

Sound diffusing panels are easy to make. A good way to hide ugly panels is a) stagger them together to make a 3d photo collage type deal, or b) have a piece of art/photos/etc printed on fabric and use that as the visual for your panel.


I'm very much in the same boat you are right now. The place I just moved into is all bare wall, and no carpet in the entire place. 15x12 living room, and 15x9 bedroom. I'm going to be making quite a few diffusers for that room, as it's current state will not suffice for my A/V needs.

willravels got the right idea.

im pretty certain that you understand the science behind echos', so ill spare you the explanation.

if you have no furnishings yet, furnish the rooma s you normally would. dont go out of your way to reduce echo just yet, until you've done that. there no use in spending on unnecessary things for no reason. i think noise absorbtion panels are a waste.the idea is to look for soft furnishings, furniture that will absorb the sound instead of having it bounce off it.

carpet is a great way, as are couches or a bed, curtains, picture frames or anything with an irregular space.

Close your eyes, and it's like you're at a swinger's club :thumbsup:

If you have windows, curtains that are heavy enough to baffle sound and light-colored enough to admit light are great damping panels. Floor rugs help too.