The New Way to Find Emotional Escape Part One: Music Rooms
So here it is, everyone, the newest thing in home trends, and it doesn’t involve purchasing more plants. They’re called ’emotional escape’ rooms. And Pinterest predicts that we’ll see an uptick in these theme rooms throughout 2022. An emotional escape room is not just the space all of us need to feel all the things, it’s the space we need to relax, get our zen on, release stress, meditate, enjoy our hobbies, make beautiful music, and more.
What Is an Emotional Escape Room?
Good question. The answer? Nothing short of one of the top wellness trends of 2022! Emotional escape rooms combine the soothing elements of lush and beautiful interior design with the desire for greater mental and physical wellness, all in the comfort of our homes. Think beauty, function, and EQ. We’re recognizing our emotions, accepting them, and literally making room for them. Go us!
Emotional escape rooms provide an outlet for our emotions by offering a place to destress, shift our focus, and enjoy the things we love. In this two-part series, we’ll dive into this trend with a focus on two common and well-loved types of emotional escape rooms: music rooms (Part 1) and book nooks and libraries (Part 2). Read on to learn how to create your own music room as your sanctuary and designated room to relax and reset.
Music Rooms and Your Emotional Escape
Whether we play it or simply listen to it, music serves a significant function in our brain’s health and our emotional states. Music releases pleasure chemicals in the brain like dopamine, which in turn helps us to relax and feel happier. In addition to helping boost our mood, listening to music can also help our brains perform better, improve our memory, and manage pain.
The same goes for playing music. Studies show playing an instrument also helps elevate our moods and also increases our confidence and boosts our immune systems. In sum, music is good for us, and creating a space in our homes dedicated to music and music décor is a smart way to improve our overall wellness.
How to Build Your Own Music Room
Building a music room in your home may sound daunting, but it’s easier than you think. Follow these tips to your own music-inspired emotional escape room.
Music Room Tip 1: It’s all about that space, ‘bout that space
Maybe you have an extra room in your home laying empty waiting to be dedicated to music. If so, that’s great! Proceed to tip number two. Most of us, however, will have to think about repurposing a room or carving out some extra space in our home.
If you are desperate for a music room but can’t begin to think where to put one, get creative about your home spaces. Garages, sheds, unfinished basements, or attics are often overlooked spaces ripe for more living. Or, take a tip from my college days and repurpose a larger closet as an extra room. Maybe not the best idea if your music room needs to accommodate your cello, but if your music room is a listening room, a walk-in closet may be a perfect fit.
A final option is taking a critical look at the other rooms in your home. Has that guest bedroom been used a grand total of 2 times in 10 years? Have you ever had a meal in the formal dining room? You get where I’m going with this. Don’t be afraid to do away with traditional notions of what rooms belong in a home in favor of the rooms you’ll truly use and enjoy.
Music Room Tip 2: Sound PROOF, there it is!
No matter the space you select for your music room, I would like to go on the record that I, at this moment, strongly encouraged you to soundproof it. I know some of you out there may be thinking soundproof, schmoundproof; it’ll be fine. To you I say, oh please listen to my wise words. Because they come from so much experience. For as long as I could remember, my dad played in a blues band and that band practiced in the basement of our house. They still do, decades later. And it’s still loud. Like, no one can sleep, watch TV, or have a real conversation loud.
Sound carries through the air and through structures via vibrations. Even if you don’t plan on blasting “Boogie Woogie Woman” at Spinal Tap volume 11 in your music room, the sound and vibration will carry throughout your home. The best way to reduce both is by installing materials in your walls. That often involves tearing down drywall, adding cotton batt, fiberglass, or specific soundproof insulation, and re-drywalling. If your music room is in a shed or unfinished basement, this may be a perfect time to not only soundproof but ensure your space is comfortable in all seasons.
If tearing down drywall is definitely not in your plans, there are a few other approaches you can take to soundproofing. For an instant and effective solution, you can always cover walls with thick blankets or quilts. Moving pads make excellent music room sound dampeners. The next option up in cost and time is installing soundproof materials. There is a range of materials you can use to block sound including foam, fiberglass and an array of fabrics. Your local big box hardware store should have some of these materials available or you can order them online. Prices range depending on quantity and material but with a variety to choose from, you’ll be able to find something that works for you. Be sure not to forget the ceiling!
Music Room Tip 3: Ya gotta keep it decorated
To be honest, many soundproofing materials aren’t exactly cute or even aesthetically pleasing. So, if you want your music room to not only serve a purpose but look good, you’ll need to put some effort into getting creative with some music décor. I mean, there’s got to be a way to balance out those moving blankets, right?
The good news is the evolution of music conveyance – from records to tapes to CDs – offers plenty of fodder. If you are over the age of 35, you have a book of CDs stuffed away in storage. It’s time to upcycle the entire catalog of Dave Matthews Band. String CDs with fishing line and hang them over whatever soundproof mechanism you’ve used to cover your walls.
Display record sleeves and band posters. Level up both with matching frames. If your music room is for making music, consider hanging your instruments for easy access and décor. Music offers so much inspiration; allow yourself to get creative in making your music room feel welcoming.
Music Room Tip 4: Relax. . . your room has come along
Ah, you have a music room! At last, as Etta James would say. Now it’s time to enjoy your space. But before you do, keep a few things in mind to make sure your music room lives up to its purpose of providing an emotional escape and a place to enjoy your hobby. First, keep it tidy and uncluttered. Nothing can ruin a vibe like a plate of pizza crusts or a corner accumulating stacks of books or records. If the latter is becoming an issue, incorporate storage solutions into your space. Repurpose shelves, old suitcases, or buffets to house your music collection. Or invest in storage specifically for records or musical instruments.
Ah, you have a music room! At last, as Etta James would say. Now it’s time to enjoy your space. But before you do, keep a few things in mind to make sure your music room lives up to its purpose of providing an emotional escape and a place to enjoy your hobby. First, keep it tidy and uncluttered. Nothing can ruin a vibe like a plate of pizza crusts or a corner accumulating stacks of books or records. If the latter is becoming an issue, incorporate storage solutions into your space. Repurpose shelves, old suitcases, or buffets to house your music collection. Or invest in storage specifically for records or musical instruments.
Music is a powerful force in our lives so why not harness it to help improve your overall wellness? A music room can do just that for you and these tips are the fundamental steps to help you get there. Enjoy!
