Curtains and cushions definitely help soften the echo, but you might wanna consider rugs too. When we moved into our new place, it was super open and spacious, which looked great but made conversations feel kinda hollow. We added a thick rug under the coffee table, and honestly, the difference was night and day. It absorbed a lot of that weird echoey vibe and made watching TV way more comfortable—voices sounded clearer, less tinny, and you didn't feel like you were talking in a cave anymore.
Textured wall panels could be a good next step if you're still having issues after curtains and rugs. They're pretty easy to install yourself—just measure carefully, mark out your layout first, and use adhesive strips or small nails depending on the material. We did this in our dining area, and it helped tone down that annoying "cafeteria" sound when friends came over for dinner. Definitely worth experimenting with if you're still noticing acoustic weirdness after your initial tweaks.
Rugs and wall panels can help for sure, but honestly, sometimes the layout itself might be the issue. I remember working on a place where we tried everything—rugs, curtains, even acoustic tiles—but the echo just wouldn't quit. Turned out the open floor plan and high ceilings were bouncing sound around no matter what we did. Eventually, we added a couple of tall bookshelves to break up the space, and that actually made a bigger difference than anything else we tried. Maybe something structural like furniture placement could be worth considering too?
Furniture placement can definitely help, but sometimes it's more about materials than layout. I've worked on spaces with similarly challenging acoustics—high ceilings, open spaces—and while bookshelves or partitions can help a bit, they don't always tackle the underlying issue. In one project, we found that the real culprit was the sheer amount of reflective surfaces—glass tables, sleek countertops, bare walls—that amplified every little sound. When we swapped out some furniture for upholstered pieces and added textured wall art, it actually made a noticeable difference. Not saying your bookshelf solution wasn't effective, but sometimes softer furnishings and strategic material choices can do more to dampen echoes than rearranging the layout itself.
"When we swapped out some furniture for upholstered pieces and added textured wall art, it actually made a noticeable difference."
Totally agree with this. Recently moved into my first custom-built home, and the echo was driving me nuts—especially in the living room with its high ceilings and open layout. Tried rearranging furniture at first, but honestly, it barely helped. What really made a difference was adding a large area rug and some heavy curtains. Also swapped out our glass coffee table for a wooden one, and suddenly conversations didn't feel like shouting matches anymore. I think people underestimate how much softer materials absorb sound compared to hard surfaces. Bookshelves might help a bit, sure, but textiles and upholstery seem way more effective from what I've experienced.
"I think people underestimate how much softer materials absorb sound compared to hard surfaces."
Definitely true—seen it a lot in builds with open floor plans. Often, clients overlook acoustics initially, but upholstery and rugs really do wonders. Glad you found solutions that work...makes a home feel more comfortable overall.
