We focus much of our attention on how a design looks, but what about how it sounds?
As the effects of remote work and wellness-driven design reverberate through the industry, clients are caring more about their homes’ acoustics. Our homes and how we design them have always been an outlet for control over our lives, creating our own little worlds in our image, and noise can really throw a wrench in that illusion of control. Intrusive white noise creeps in and is notoriously uncontrollable. The rise in working from home, however, paired with the growth of the wellness movement have turned up the volume on interior acoustics.
They are no longer an afterthought, but rather an integral element of a room’s composition. Whether crafting a serene retreat, an entertainer’s-ready environment or a sensory-friendly space for neurodivergent inhabitants, designers are embracing sound as a powerful tool to shape mood, function and enhance well-being and the brands who are listening, are keeping up.
“Acoustics aren’t the same as they were ten years ago,” says Michael DiTullo, head of product innovation for Carnegie Acoustic Solutions. “We have significantly advanced our products in terms of acoustic performance, sustainability and iconic aesthetics. Make sure to look all around the room for acoustic opportunities,” he says because homeowners are asking for it.
Sound as an intentional design element
For designers like Kim Colwell, the approach to sound varies based on the space’s function. “In my design for a musician’s home studio, my intention is to stabilize the sound with materials that absorb unwanted frequencies,” she explains. In contrast, when designing a yoga and performance space, Colwell used wood on the ceiling to create a natural reverb, enhancing the sonic experience.
Debra Salyer, the head of design for Wrensilva highlights how acoustics can be built into furniture itself. “Our record consoles are engineered to optimize sound dispersion, ensuring a rich, immersive listening experience. From the placement of speakers to the precise door design, every detail is crafted to enhance acoustics.” They are also beautiful set pieces that command a lot of attention in the room they’re in.
The aesthetics of sound
Sound-conscious design no longer means bulky foam panels or sacrificing aesthetics for function. Instead, pieces like WrenSilva’s consoles – designed to stand out as beautiful objects or subtle, integrated solutions are leading the way. Designers are getting creative with their materials and methods for sound absorption.
A therapist client of Colwell’s, who is also a musician, has an acoustic pendant lamp above his workstation. Made of thin-cut larch plywood, it functions as both an aesthetic centerpiece and a sound absorber and the room is also filled with large-scale, geometric shapes covered in a thick vinyl sound panel which reduces the sound transmission as well.
Michael DiTullo, Head of Product Innovation for Carnegie Acoustic Solutions, emphasizes the importance of layered materials and the ways in which designers asks for acoustic assistance are helping them innovate, “A room with large glass walls and concrete floors can be improved with our ceiling products and a lot of upholstered furniture absorbing and diffracting sound waves from above and below. Rows of acoustic tiles between 3 and 6 feet paired with carpeting will help a conference room with a large table that is going to bounce sound waves. Think of how everything goes together sonically, just like you would visually. If there are a few large reflective surfaces, like a glass wall or a large table, look to balance that back out with acoustic drapery, baffle, tiles, and upholstered furniture.”
I think a truly well-designed space has to sound as good as it looks. If we create a beautiful space that no one wants to be in, it might as well not exist at all.” — Michael DiTullo, Head of Product Innovation for Carnegie Acoustic Solutions
Peace and quiet
Sound is an invisible, powerful force in shaping emotional experiences. “Just like when watching a film, where volume builds anticipation, underlying sounds in a home impact emotions, often without us realizing it,” says Colwell. “Unwanted sounds—electrical hums, distant beeps—can make us feel stressed, distracted, or emotionally overwhelmed.”
Colwell went on to share about designing a room for her client who is autistic, “Creating a sensory-considerate environment is crucial for anyone trying to sleep, focus, or relax. Unwanted sounds can become a serious issue when I am working with a client who is autistic, easily stressed or agitated. Even when the sound is normalized to the point of becoming subliminal, it can feel like someone continually tapping on your shoulder while you are trying to concentrate.”
Colwell takes a holistic approach, layering sound absorbers into every surface. “I lined the walls of a Moroccan-inspired bedroom in stone, added heavy curtains, and created a large-scale textile art piece using two carpets sewn together. The result was a soft, silent retreat where the only sounds were those of nature.”
Dana Pucillo, vice president of Carnegie Acoustic Solutions, echoes her sentiment: “Our ears work even when we’re asleep. The brain continues to process the sounds it detects. Well-appointed acoustics are about mental health. The mind needs to be quiet, sometimes just to think.”
Advanced materials are redefining the way sound is managed in residential spaces. “Creating a serene space starts with thoughtful material choices,” says Salyer “Products like QuietRock, a high-tech acoustic drywall, absorb sound energy, minimizing noise transfer. Double-pane windows, heavy drapes, and plush textiles soften unwanted sound.”
Fixing echo of open-floor plans with plants
Modern interiors often feature large expanses of glass and open layouts—elements that present challenges for sound control. “Minimalist spaces often struggle with harsh acoustics, but small design choices make a big difference,” Salyer notes. “Adding textured elements like rugs, upholstered furniture, and statement art absorbs sound while preserving a clean aesthetic. Greenery is another great tool—plants naturally diffuse sound and add warmth to a space.”
For Colwell, biophilic design is key to sound control. She says, “A fountain can be a wonderful form of sound masking, while a plant wall insulates a room, reducing unwanted noises by up to 40 decibels.”
As awareness of sensory design grows, so does the demand for integrated acoustic solutions. “The driving trend is the awareness of how each aspect of design affects our sensory system,” says Colwell. “Design today surpasses physical beauty to consider the invisible factors that influence not just how we see a space, but how we feel in it.”
Whether through sculptural textiles, high-performance acoustic doors and panels or thoughtful spatial planning and sound-masking, the future of sound design is about making an environment feel as peaceful as the photo of it.
