How To Create A Music Room In Your Apartment

There was a time when every home had a music room, but as apartments started getting smaller and more and more people found themselves living with roommates, they quickly fell out of fashion.

However, if you’re sharing an apartment, stuck in close quarters at all times with other people, a dedicated room to decompress and either play or listen to music couldn’t be more important. You need somewhere to “get away from it all” that isn’t just your bedroom.

If you have the space, here’s a couple of tips to get your music room just right.

 

Sound Proofing

The first thing you need for a music room is sound proofing. If you’re playing music, you don’t want it blaring out and annoying the neighbors. If you’re listening to music, you don’t want every car driving past outside to interrupt the quiet parts of whatever music you’re enjoying.

The key here is to invest a good set of soundproof curtains to cover up the windows in the room – probably the biggest point of entry/exit for sound.

You may also want to look at panels for the walls if your roommates are especially noisy, but beware of putting egg cartons on the walls – that’s only good for reducing reverberation within the room. It does nothing to keep sound either in or out.

If your issue is noisy downstairs neighbors, consider picking up a thick rug to cover the floor, perhaps even with a layer of cork board underneath. This will both dampen the sound coming from you and protect you from the sound of their TV or even their kids.

 

Comfortable Seating

You want your music room to be comfortable, right? A music room where you’re just sitting on a plastic folding chair isn’t really going to be particularly enjoyable.

Invest in a decent thick armchair or a sofa large enough to lay out on and get as relaxed as possible while listening to music.

If the room is for creating music, you’ll want to put a little more care into selecting the correct furniture. If it’s electronic music, get a decent quality desk chair. If you’re looking to play guitar, you’ll want a chair either with no arms or with arms that can be put up or down. If the room will feature a piano, get a decent quality piano bench that can also double as storage for your sheet music, as well as a seat for visitors.

Remember as well that you’re probably not the only person that will be in there, and if you’re setting up a home studio in your music room, you will undoubtably be looking to have friends around to hear the music you’re creating. Consider adding a decent sized and comfortable couch opposite your workstation so that your guests will have a balanced sound of both of your studio monitors.

 

Ambiance

A music room that’s got bare walls and a bare bulb isn’t going to be very vibey now is it?

This is where you add all of the finishing touches to make your music room a super comfortable and fun place to hang out. Consider adding some green plants to the room (though if you do go the soundproof curtain route, make sure they can live with little sun). A couple of posters can go a long way. If you’re feeling extra flash, consider an aquarium with some colorful fish and changing lighting to really make it a place that you can chill out in.

 

Conclusion

It’s important to have a room in your house that isn’t pure function. A kitchen is for cooking, bedroom is for sleeping, and the living room in an apartment is often a place that you end up being around others.

Get your music room set up and soon you’ll have a space to get away from everyone and get lost in music.

What could be better than that?

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6 Fun She-Shed Ideas That Are Easy to Put Together

 

There isn’t always enough space in your home for you, your family and your hobbies. The good news is, if you have a garage or similar area, you already have the space you need. You’ll just have to convert it into a “she-shed,” a place just for you.

 

Need some inspiration? Here are a few simple ideas to get you started.

 

Remote Workspace 

Have you been sharing a small home office with a spouse or partner? Are you ready to have your own space again? You’re not the only one. Last April, Google queries for office sheds began to increase and, now, thousands of people are converting their backyard spaces into remote offices. Why not do the same?

 

Save time and money by building a shed — or using a pre-existing structure — rather than adding on to your home. Remember to add plenty of windows to make the space feel light and airy. Then, fill your office with plants, office furniture and a filing cabinet or two.

 

Backyard Bar 

If you already have enough space for an office, convert your shed into a backyard bar instead. Invite your friends over to unwind after work and shake up the best cocktails in town. All you need is a few hundred dollars and a few free weekends to make this dream a reality.

 

Use brick effect wallpaper to create a British pub vibe or use old shiplap for a farmhouse chic style. Authentic bar signs, mirrors, shelves and a quality counter are must-haves for this space. Put stools outside or inside and add a few finishing touches before raising a toast to all your hard work.

 

Craft Shack 

Would you rather spend your evenings knitting and painting? Regardless of which hobbies you enjoy, a small, secluded space is necessary to finding your flow and cultivating creativity. Thus, the best idea might be to turn your shed or garage into a craft shack.

 

If you’re into gardening, make your little shack into a potting shed, complete with a potting table, stool, planters and stands. On the other hand, if you’re into painting, you could set up an easel, hang a few blank canvases on the walls and create a small space for potential models to sit and pose.

 

Shala Shed 

Mindfulness and mediation have become more popular in recent months. So, if you’ve discovered a passion for yoga, breathing exercises or other mindfulness activities, you may want to create a safe, quiet space in which to relax and find your center.

 

Convert your shed into a shala — or studio — by clearing out the space until you’re left with four bare walls and an empty floor. Then, add a mat, some blocks, a bolster and a strap if you’ll be practicing yoga. Otherwise, you might only need a meditation pillow, a few candles and maybe a journal or two to begin your mindfulness practice.

 

Garage Guesthouse

Maybe your mother-in-law likes to drop by unannounced or your friends frequently stay the night. If the couch is the only place for them to rest their heads, it might be time to turn the garage into a guesthouse.

 

Remember to insulate all the walls, including the door, to protect against inclement weather and fluctuating temperatures. Then, install some softer flooring on top of the concrete or lay down a few rugs. Add a fresh coat of paint to the walls and maybe even the overhead beams and decorate to your liking. Regardless of who comes to visit, they’re sure to be impressed with this little space.

 

Breakfast Nook 

What’s better than soaking up those first rays of sunshine? Watching the sunrise from your private breakfast nook, of course! Ditch your formal dining room and create a serene sanctuary right in your backyard.

 

Install windows or even skylights to create a greenhouse effect and warm the space while you sip your coffee. Then, add some plants, a little breakfast table and one or two cozy chairs. Make sure everything faces east so you can watch the sun pop up over the horizon each morning.

 

Build, Buy and DIY

If you already have a garage or shed with good bones, work with what you’ve got. Otherwise, you might want to build one from scratch or buy a prefabricated structure.

 

Remember to get a permit first and hire an inspector to approve electricity and water use. As long as you get the a-ok from them, you can turn your shed into practically anything as long as it makes you happy.

 

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

How to Decorate Your She Shed: 8 Fun Ideas

Everyone needs a space of their own. With a she shed, you have a place where you can relaxget comfortable and have some much-needed privacy. 

All that aside, how do you plan to decorateThe room can be as warm, welcoming and whimsical as you like — attuned to your personality and preferences. If youre unsure where to start, these fun ideas will help you set up your she shed with style. Or if you are planning to build a new one, be sure to check these DIY she shed plans by Shedplans.org.

1. Get Window-Boxy

What’s cozier than curling up and reading a book in a beam of sunlight? Hopefully, your she shed has ample windows, and you can make your space feel homier by adding a planter box to each one.

If you enjoy sipping a cup of herbal tea when you work on your hobbies, why not plant a calming variety of species like lavender, chamomile and vervain? 

If you like to change colors with the season, you can grow tulips in the spring and let marigolds carry you into fall.

2. Consider All Your Options

If you don’t have a separate structure, why not make your garage into a she shed? You’ll have to do a few customizations to make the space less like a mechanic’s shop. You’ll need to winterize your door to keep Old Man Winter out when the snow starts to fly. 

If you don’t have a garage, you can also look to your basement or attic. Even a walk-in closet can become a personal refuge.

3. Control Your Climate

You won’t want to spend much time in your she shed if you shiver or sweat. If your building is a separate structure, you’ll need to run electricity. Space heaters make an economical alternative for wintertime warmth. Make sure you follow all safety rules and never leave it plugged in unattended.

You can also find window and portable air conditioning units for the summer months. If you live in an arid climate, a swamp cooler can drop your temperature by several degrees.

4. Spruce Up Your Lighting

Unless you only want to use your she shed on sunny days, you need ample lighting. You can go with a glitzy chandelier or overhead track model that lets you direct beams to your craft area. You can also find table lamps for curling up next to with a book.

What if you don’t want to run electricity to your she shed? You can find battery-operated LED lights that install underneath counters or anywhere else you need illumination.

5. Add a Few Provisions

When you’re hard at work on the Great American Novel, you don’t want to have to walk back to the house to refill your mug. Install a tiny kitchenette space in your she shed so you always have ample snacks and provisions.

Are you an oenophile? Why not make your she shed into a backyard wine bar by adding a bistro table and a few bottles of your favorite vintage? What a perfect place to spend the afternoon gossiping with your best friends!

6. Make Space for Your Hobbies

Do you live to scrapbook? Perhaps you’re into woodworking or love to do yoga. Whatever your hobby, make room for it in your sacred she shed space.

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot. You can make a craft table out of wood pallets that you can often get at your local hardware store for free. For a yoga studio, all you need is floor space and a couple of wooden crates to store your straps and blocks.

7. Get Cozy With Your Seating

If you want to spend a Sunday afternoon nap in your female space, you need a comfy couch. You can have as many throw pillows as you want in your she shed, so fill your space with inviting bliss. Add some throws — perhaps that you knit yourself— to keep you warm on winter days.

8. Create a Scent-sational Atmosphere

You want your she shed to engage all your senses, including smell. Create a signature scent by investing in an aromatherapy diffuser and blend your favorite essential oils. Aromas like jasmine and orange invigorate you, while valerian and passionflower help you relax.

Decorate Your She shed With These 8 Fun Ideas

Your she shed is a sacred space! Help it better reflect your personality and ambitions by decorating it with these tips.

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