To achieve maximum effect, mebeltops.com experts recommend combining these two types of furniture. In areas where you relax or listen to music, it’s important to have both absorbing and scattering surfaces. It’s important to remember: the greater the volume of soft elements in a room, the lower the reverberation level will be. However, overdoing it can lead to an “over-dampened” room, which is also uncomfortable. The golden mean is when 25-30% of the surfaces in the room are sound-absorbing.<\/p>\n
Types of Upholstered Furniture for Ideal Soundproofing<\/h3>\n![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/mebeltops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/akusticheskiy-komfort-doma-kak-myagkaya-mebeltops.com-22.02.26-12-48-2.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\nNot every sofa is equally beneficial for acoustics. For furniture to work for soundproofing, it must have certain structural features. Let’s consider the main types of items that are most effective at dealing with noise:<\/p>\n
\n- Massive modular sofas with deep seats.<\/strong> The greater the volume of filler, the better the absorption of low-frequency vibrations. Choose models with a seat depth of 90 to 110 cm. Modular systems are good because they allow you to cover a large area of the floor and walls, minimizing reflections.<\/li>\n
- Armchairs with high backs and “ears” (wingback chairs).<\/strong> These models create a kind of acoustic cocoon around the sitter. The side elements of the back block lateral sound waves, which is ideal for reading in silence or working in a study.<\/li>\n
- Soft wall panels and headboards.<\/strong> If the bed is adjacent to a wall shared with noisy neighbors, a soft headboard up to 150 cm high and 20-40 cm wider than the mattress will be an excellent barrier. Wall panels made of velour or matting with a polyurethane foam (PUF) backing act as professional acoustic traps.<\/li>\n
- Ottomans and poufs with soft filling.<\/strong> Placed in the corners of the room, they help combat the concentration of low-frequency hum that typically accumulates in corners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When choosing furniture, pay attention to the sound absorption coefficient (NRC)<\/em>. Although it is rarely indicated for household furniture, you can focus on density. The heavier and denser the sofa, the less sound it will transmit. Furniture on low legs or without them at all (on a plinth) better insulates impact noise transmitted through the floor, as it has a larger contact area with the surface through damping elements.<\/p>\nUpholstery Materials and Fillers: Your Choice for Quietness<\/h3>\n![\"Modern](\"https:\/\/mebeltops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/akusticheskiy-komfort-doma-kak-myagkaya-mebeltops.com-22.02.26-12-48-3.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\nThe texture of the fabric plays a key role in sound absorption. Smooth and dense materials, such as natural leather, eco-leather, or vinyl, are reflectors<\/em>. They hardly let air through, which means the sound wave simply bounces off them. If your goal is quietness, it’s best to avoid leather sofas in “bare” interiors.<\/p>\nTo improve acoustics, choose fluffy, loose, or multi-layered fabrics:<\/p>\n
\n- Velour and velvet.<\/strong> Due to their dense vertical pile, these fabrics have a huge total surface area. The sound wave gets “stuck” in the pile, losing energy. The density of quality furniture velour should be at least 350-450 g\/m\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Chenille.<\/strong> It has a complex weave structure with fluffy threads woven in. This is an excellent diffuser for mid-frequencies.<\/li>\n
- Matting with a coarse weave.<\/strong> Its porous structure allows sound to penetrate the filler rather than reflect off the surface.<\/li>\n
- Boucl\u00e9.<\/strong> The fabric with characteristic knots creates an uneven surface that perfectly diffuses sound.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The internal “filling” of the furniture is no less important. The most effective acoustic filler is high-resilience polyurethane foam (HR-PUF)<\/strong> with an open-cell structure. Unlike cheap foam rubber, the cells in it are of different sizes and arranged randomly, which allows it to dampen a wide range of sound frequencies. A layer of holofiber<\/em> or periodtek<\/em> over the PUF adds airiness to the structure, which also benefits sound absorption. The use of natural latex in mattresses and sofas is also welcome due to its high density and ability to dampen vibrations.<\/p>\nShelving Units and Shelves: Not Just Storage, but an Acoustic Tool<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Open shelving units are perhaps the most underestimated tool in the fight for acoustic comfort. If sofas absorb sound, shelving units diffuse<\/em> it. In acoustics, there is the concept of a “Schroeder diffuser”\u2014a structure with recesses of different depths that evenly scatters sound. A regular bookshelf can work on the same principle.<\/p>\nHow to turn a shelving unit into an acoustic screen:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Fill the shelves unevenly.<\/strong> Books of different sizes (tall, short, thick, thin), arranged with small gaps and at different depths, create an ideal surface for scattering echo.<\/li>\n
- Use open designs.<\/strong> A shelving unit without a back, placed against a concrete wall and filled with items, creates an air gap that acts as an additional sound insulator.<\/li>\n
- Combine items.<\/strong> Mix rows of books with soft elements: boxes with textile upholstery, rattan or felt baskets. Felt inserts in the shelving unit’s compartments are a professional technique for combating boominess.<\/li>\n
- Choose solid wood or MDF.<\/strong> Thin particleboard can resonate at certain frequencies (rattle). A heavy MDF shelving unit 18-22 mm thick is inert in itself and does not introduce distortions into the soundscape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Placing a shelving unit along a “noisy” wall with neighbors can reduce the level of penetrating noise by 5-7 dB, which is subjectively perceived as a one-and-a-half-fold decrease in volume. It is important for the shelving unit to occupy at least 60-70% of the wall area to achieve a significant effect.<\/p>\n
How to Arrange Furniture for Maximum Noise and Echo Reduction<\/h3>\n![\"Modern](\"https:\/\/mebeltops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/akusticheskiy-komfort-doma-kak-myagkaya-mebeltops.com-22.02.26-12-48-5.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\nEven the most expensive upholstered furniture won’t help if it’s placed incorrectly. The main task is to interrupt the path of the sound wave from the source to the reflecting surface and back. Here are some practical arrangement tips from mebeltops.com experts:<\/p>\n
\n- The “first reflection” rule.<\/strong> Determine where the first reflection points of sound are (e.g., from the TV or speakers to the side walls). It is in these places that you should place soft armchairs or hang decorative soft panels.<\/li>\n
- Filling corners.<\/strong> Corners are “amplifiers” of low frequencies. Place a massive soft armchair, a corner sofa, or a tall shelving unit in the corner. This will help eliminate unpleasant hum in the room.<\/li>\n
- Zoning with furniture.<\/strong> In large studio rooms, use a sofa with a high back as a partition, turning it with its back to the dining area. This will create an acoustic shadow in the relaxation zone.<\/li>\n
- Minimizing parallel surfaces.<\/strong> Echo occurs when sound bounces between two parallel bare walls. By placing a wardrobe or shelving unit at a slight angle (if the design allows) or simply covering one of the walls with upholstered furniture, you will break this cycle.<\/li>\n
- Distance from walls.<\/strong> Do not push the sofa tightly against a “ringing” wall. Leave a gap of 5-10 cm. The air gap between the sofa back and the wall acts as an additional damper.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
For a bedroom, the ideal solution would be to place the bed with its headboard against the noisiest wall, and the headboard itself should be as massive and soft as possible. On the sides of the bed, it is advisable to place soft ottomans or high-pile rugs to minimize floor reflections.<\/p>\n
Tips for Choosing Furniture to Improve Room Acoustics<\/h3>\n![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/mebeltops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/akusticheskiy-komfort-doma-kak-myagkaya-mebeltops.com-22.02.26-12-48-6.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\nWhen buying furniture from an online store or showroom, pay attention to technical characteristics that directly or indirectly affect acoustics. We have prepared a checklist for conscious selection:<\/p>\n
\n\n\nCharacteristic<\/th>\n What to look for for better acoustics<\/th>\n Why it’s important<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \nFiller type<\/td>\n Multi-layer PUF with a density of 30 kg\/m\u00b3 or more, a layer of sintepon or holofiber.<\/td>\n High density absorbs low frequencies, loose layers absorb high ones.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFrame material<\/td>\n Solid wood, plywood from 15 mm. Avoid thin particleboard.<\/td>\n A heavy frame does not resonate or rattle with loud sounds.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nUpholstery<\/td>\n Velour, microvelvet, matting, chenille.<\/td>\n Fluffy fabrics have a high sound absorption coefficient.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nBackrest design<\/td>\n High, with soft filling, preferably with a curve (“ears”).<\/td>\n Creates a barrier for sound waves at the listener’s head level.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSupports (legs)<\/td>\n Low legs or felt floor protectors.<\/td>\n Reduces vibration transmission to the floor (impact noise).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nPractical life hack:<\/strong> Test the furniture with a “clap.” Sit on the sofa in an empty showroom and clap your hands loudly. If the sound of the clap becomes muffled and short\u2014the furniture is excellent at absorbing. If you hear a ringing “aftersound”\u2014the upholstery material is too dense or stretched too tightly, acting like a drum membrane.<\/p>\nAlso, pay attention to removable covers<\/em>. Furniture with loose covers made of dense cotton or linen often absorbs sound better than models with a tight, all-around pull, as the fabric folds create additional traps for sound waves.<\/p>\nFurniture Care to Maintain Acoustic Properties<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nNot every sofa is equally beneficial for acoustics. For furniture to work for soundproofing, it must have certain structural features. Let’s consider the main types of items that are most effective at dealing with noise:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Massive modular sofas with deep seats.<\/strong> The greater the volume of filler, the better the absorption of low-frequency vibrations. Choose models with a seat depth of 90 to 110 cm. Modular systems are good because they allow you to cover a large area of the floor and walls, minimizing reflections.<\/li>\n
- Armchairs with high backs and “ears” (wingback chairs).<\/strong> These models create a kind of acoustic cocoon around the sitter. The side elements of the back block lateral sound waves, which is ideal for reading in silence or working in a study.<\/li>\n
- Soft wall panels and headboards.<\/strong> If the bed is adjacent to a wall shared with noisy neighbors, a soft headboard up to 150 cm high and 20-40 cm wider than the mattress will be an excellent barrier. Wall panels made of velour or matting with a polyurethane foam (PUF) backing act as professional acoustic traps.<\/li>\n
- Ottomans and poufs with soft filling.<\/strong> Placed in the corners of the room, they help combat the concentration of low-frequency hum that typically accumulates in corners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When choosing furniture, pay attention to the sound absorption coefficient (NRC)<\/em>. Although it is rarely indicated for household furniture, you can focus on density. The heavier and denser the sofa, the less sound it will transmit. Furniture on low legs or without them at all (on a plinth) better insulates impact noise transmitted through the floor, as it has a larger contact area with the surface through damping elements.<\/p>\n
Upholstery Materials and Fillers: Your Choice for Quietness<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nThe texture of the fabric plays a key role in sound absorption. Smooth and dense materials, such as natural leather, eco-leather, or vinyl, are reflectors<\/em>. They hardly let air through, which means the sound wave simply bounces off them. If your goal is quietness, it’s best to avoid leather sofas in “bare” interiors.<\/p>\n
To improve acoustics, choose fluffy, loose, or multi-layered fabrics:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Velour and velvet.<\/strong> Due to their dense vertical pile, these fabrics have a huge total surface area. The sound wave gets “stuck” in the pile, losing energy. The density of quality furniture velour should be at least 350-450 g\/m\u00b2.<\/li>\n
- Chenille.<\/strong> It has a complex weave structure with fluffy threads woven in. This is an excellent diffuser for mid-frequencies.<\/li>\n
- Matting with a coarse weave.<\/strong> Its porous structure allows sound to penetrate the filler rather than reflect off the surface.<\/li>\n
- Boucl\u00e9.<\/strong> The fabric with characteristic knots creates an uneven surface that perfectly diffuses sound.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The internal “filling” of the furniture is no less important. The most effective acoustic filler is high-resilience polyurethane foam (HR-PUF)<\/strong> with an open-cell structure. Unlike cheap foam rubber, the cells in it are of different sizes and arranged randomly, which allows it to dampen a wide range of sound frequencies. A layer of holofiber<\/em> or periodtek<\/em> over the PUF adds airiness to the structure, which also benefits sound absorption. The use of natural latex in mattresses and sofas is also welcome due to its high density and ability to dampen vibrations.<\/p>\n
Shelving Units and Shelves: Not Just Storage, but an Acoustic Tool<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Open shelving units are perhaps the most underestimated tool in the fight for acoustic comfort. If sofas absorb sound, shelving units diffuse<\/em> it. In acoustics, there is the concept of a “Schroeder diffuser”\u2014a structure with recesses of different depths that evenly scatters sound. A regular bookshelf can work on the same principle.<\/p>\n
How to turn a shelving unit into an acoustic screen:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Fill the shelves unevenly.<\/strong> Books of different sizes (tall, short, thick, thin), arranged with small gaps and at different depths, create an ideal surface for scattering echo.<\/li>\n
- Use open designs.<\/strong> A shelving unit without a back, placed against a concrete wall and filled with items, creates an air gap that acts as an additional sound insulator.<\/li>\n
- Combine items.<\/strong> Mix rows of books with soft elements: boxes with textile upholstery, rattan or felt baskets. Felt inserts in the shelving unit’s compartments are a professional technique for combating boominess.<\/li>\n
- Choose solid wood or MDF.<\/strong> Thin particleboard can resonate at certain frequencies (rattle). A heavy MDF shelving unit 18-22 mm thick is inert in itself and does not introduce distortions into the soundscape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Placing a shelving unit along a “noisy” wall with neighbors can reduce the level of penetrating noise by 5-7 dB, which is subjectively perceived as a one-and-a-half-fold decrease in volume. It is important for the shelving unit to occupy at least 60-70% of the wall area to achieve a significant effect.<\/p>\n
How to Arrange Furniture for Maximum Noise and Echo Reduction<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nEven the most expensive upholstered furniture won’t help if it’s placed incorrectly. The main task is to interrupt the path of the sound wave from the source to the reflecting surface and back. Here are some practical arrangement tips from mebeltops.com experts:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The “first reflection” rule.<\/strong> Determine where the first reflection points of sound are (e.g., from the TV or speakers to the side walls). It is in these places that you should place soft armchairs or hang decorative soft panels.<\/li>\n
- Filling corners.<\/strong> Corners are “amplifiers” of low frequencies. Place a massive soft armchair, a corner sofa, or a tall shelving unit in the corner. This will help eliminate unpleasant hum in the room.<\/li>\n
- Zoning with furniture.<\/strong> In large studio rooms, use a sofa with a high back as a partition, turning it with its back to the dining area. This will create an acoustic shadow in the relaxation zone.<\/li>\n
- Minimizing parallel surfaces.<\/strong> Echo occurs when sound bounces between two parallel bare walls. By placing a wardrobe or shelving unit at a slight angle (if the design allows) or simply covering one of the walls with upholstered furniture, you will break this cycle.<\/li>\n
- Distance from walls.<\/strong> Do not push the sofa tightly against a “ringing” wall. Leave a gap of 5-10 cm. The air gap between the sofa back and the wall acts as an additional damper.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
For a bedroom, the ideal solution would be to place the bed with its headboard against the noisiest wall, and the headboard itself should be as massive and soft as possible. On the sides of the bed, it is advisable to place soft ottomans or high-pile rugs to minimize floor reflections.<\/p>\n
Tips for Choosing Furniture to Improve Room Acoustics<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nWhen buying furniture from an online store or showroom, pay attention to technical characteristics that directly or indirectly affect acoustics. We have prepared a checklist for conscious selection:<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n Characteristic<\/th>\n What to look for for better acoustics<\/th>\n Why it’s important<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n Filler type<\/td>\n Multi-layer PUF with a density of 30 kg\/m\u00b3 or more, a layer of sintepon or holofiber.<\/td>\n High density absorbs low frequencies, loose layers absorb high ones.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Frame material<\/td>\n Solid wood, plywood from 15 mm. Avoid thin particleboard.<\/td>\n A heavy frame does not resonate or rattle with loud sounds.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Upholstery<\/td>\n Velour, microvelvet, matting, chenille.<\/td>\n Fluffy fabrics have a high sound absorption coefficient.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Backrest design<\/td>\n High, with soft filling, preferably with a curve (“ears”).<\/td>\n Creates a barrier for sound waves at the listener’s head level.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Supports (legs)<\/td>\n Low legs or felt floor protectors.<\/td>\n Reduces vibration transmission to the floor (impact noise).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Practical life hack:<\/strong> Test the furniture with a “clap.” Sit on the sofa in an empty showroom and clap your hands loudly. If the sound of the clap becomes muffled and short\u2014the furniture is excellent at absorbing. If you hear a ringing “aftersound”\u2014the upholstery material is too dense or stretched too tightly, acting like a drum membrane.<\/p>\n
Also, pay attention to removable covers<\/em>. Furniture with loose covers made of dense cotton or linen often absorbs sound better than models with a tight, all-around pull, as the fabric folds create additional traps for sound waves.<\/p>\n
Furniture Care to Maintain Acoustic Properties<\/h3>\n
- Filling corners.<\/strong> Corners are “amplifiers” of low frequencies. Place a massive soft armchair, a corner sofa, or a tall shelving unit in the corner. This will help eliminate unpleasant hum in the room.<\/li>\n
- Use open designs.<\/strong> A shelving unit without a back, placed against a concrete wall and filled with items, creates an air gap that acts as an additional sound insulator.<\/li>\n
- Chenille.<\/strong> It has a complex weave structure with fluffy threads woven in. This is an excellent diffuser for mid-frequencies.<\/li>\n
- Armchairs with high backs and “ears” (wingback chairs).<\/strong> These models create a kind of acoustic cocoon around the sitter. The side elements of the back block lateral sound waves, which is ideal for reading in silence or working in a study.<\/li>\n
![\"Decorative](\"https:\/\/mebeltops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/akusticheskiy-komfort-doma-kak-myagkaya-mebeltops.com-22.02.26-12-48-7.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\n