I totally get what you’re saying about the tech picking up the wrong voice. We did a big reno a couple years back and went for that “airy” open concept everyone raves about. Looked gorgeous, but now my living room Sonos tries to answer when I’m just asking the kitchen speaker for a timer. It’s like living in a fancy echo chamber sometimes. I do love the look, but honestly, there are days I’d trade it for a cozy den with a door I can shut—especially when my partner’s on a Zoom call and I just want to watch TV in peace.
there are days I’d trade it for a cozy den with a door I can shut—especially when my partner’s on a Zoom call and I just want to watch TV in peace.
Isn’t it funny how the “open concept” trend gets pushed as the gold standard, but nobody talks about the noise headaches? I always wonder if we’re sacrificing too much function for aesthetics. Does anyone actually feel comfortable talking to their TV when half the house can hear? I get the appeal, but sometimes I think walls had a purpose beyond just holding up the roof...
I hear you on the noise issue. Open concept looks great in photos, but living with it day-to-day is a different story. Still, I think there’s a middle ground that often gets overlooked. For example, partial walls or sliding doors can give you some flexibility—open things up when you want space, close them off when you need quiet.
sometimes I think walls had a purpose beyond just holding up the roof...
That’s spot on, but I’d argue that sometimes we forget how much our lifestyles have changed too. People used to spend more time in separate rooms because their activities were so different. Now, with everyone working from home and streaming everything, maybe we need to rethink what “open” really means. I’ve seen some clever uses of bookshelves or even curtains to carve out little nooks without losing all that light and flow people love.
It’s not always about going back to four walls and a door, but maybe just finding ways to get a bit of privacy back without sacrificing the whole vibe.
- Totally get what you mean about open concept being noisy—acoustics are a real pain, especially with hard surfaces everywhere.
- Partial walls or sliding doors are solid options, but I’d add that using reclaimed materials or eco-friendly panels can help with both privacy and sustainability.
- One thing I’ve noticed: a lot of people forget about sound-absorbing materials. Rugs, wall hangings, even plants can make a difference.
- Curious if anyone’s tried acoustic panels or green walls to cut down on noise? I’ve seen some setups that look great and actually work.
TALKING TO THE TV FEELS WEIRD, BUT NOISE IS WORSE
Honestly, talking to the TV is awkward, but what really gets me is how every sound bounces around in open concept spaces. Acoustic panels are a game changer—skip the cheap foam and go for fabric-wrapped or even wood slat panels if you care about aesthetics. Green walls look cool, but unless you’re ready for the maintenance, they’re more style than substance for noise. Rugs and heavy curtains do more than people think... just don’t expect plants alone to fix an echo chamber.
