Setting Up a Quiet Space for Video Calls and Remote Meetings

Working from home can be great, but anyone who's struggled through a noisy video call knows how distracting it can be. Whether it’s the hum of street traffic, a loud appliance, or voices from another room, background noise can make it tough to stay focused. Building a quiet space isn't about creating total silence — it's about reaching a place where your thoughts aren't constantly interrupted.

Summer is a busy time for many households, especially around July when kids might be home and the windows are often open. That makes it even more important to carve out a dedicated area where you can take meetings without background noise getting in the way. Having a quiet, well-designed space with the right materials, like soundproof panels for the home, can make your workday smoother and your meetings more productive.

Identifying Your Needs

Before making any changes, it’s important to figure out where the noise is coming from and which areas of your home actually need some audio control. Not every room requires the same setup. In some homes, a spare bedroom works great as a quiet space. For others, a corner of the living room or even a converted closet might be the only option.

Here are a few things to think through as you plan:

- Room use: Are you using the space only for calls, or do you also do heads-down work during the day? That may affect how much sound you want to cut out.

- Location in the house: Rooms closer to the street or a shared hallway usually deal with more outside noise.

- Walls and windows: Thin walls or old windows can let in sounds from nearby rooms or outside.

- Floor type: Hardwood or tile floors might make voices echo, while carpet helps absorb sound.

- People around you: If you live with others, think about times when they’re active. Morning meetings may overlap with breakfast prep or kids playing nearby.

Mapping out these points can help you figure out which space makes the most sense and what kind of upgrades will be helpful. A quiet space shouldn't feel like an afterthought. When it's planned with intention, it becomes a reliable spot where you can think clearly and communicate well.

Effective Soundproofing Techniques

Once you’ve picked your space, the next step is making it quieter and more private. The focus here isn’t about overhauling the entire room — it's about a few smart choices that lower the volume of everyday noise. That usually comes down to reducing both the movement and reflection of sound.

The most effective way to control intrusive sound is by softening hard surfaces and plugging up noise pathways. Soundproof panels for the home are a strong first step. Mounted on walls or ceilings, these panels trap noise before it bounces around the room. You don’t need to cover every square inch. Placing them strategically behind your desk or on walls that face shared areas can make a big difference.

Here are some other techniques that help:

1. Hang heavy curtains or blackout drapes

These can help block sound from windows and absorb echoes within the room.

2. Lay down thick rugs or padded mats

On hard floors, rugs stop sounds from bouncing up and back, reducing that hollow feeling during calls.

3. Install a door sweep

Gaps under doors let in a surprising amount of noise. A simple sweep seals that opening without much fuss.

4. Use upholstered furniture

Softer elements absorb sound better than surfaces like metal or glass.

5. Add fabric wall hangings or bookshelf barriers

Tapestries and full bookshelves are both effective at soaking up extra sound.

These solutions don’t take long to implement, and they won’t make your home look like a recording studio. The aim is a space that works better and feels more comfortable while you're in it. If you’re also doing video calls regularly, lining the wall behind your camera with panels helps cut echo and keeps you sounding clear on the other side.

Setting Up Your Quiet Space

Now that you’ve got the tools and tricks to reduce noise, it’s time to bring everything into place. A quiet space works best when it's both functional and comfortable. Think about how you move during your day and what layout helps you stay focused during calls. The good news is, you don’t need to invest in entirely new furniture. You just need to rearrange things with sound and comfort in mind.

Start by deciding where in the room your desk and camera setup should go. If possible, choose a wall that doesn’t face a noisy hallway or window. Once you've picked the right wall, install soundproof panels for the home in that area. Panels work best when positioned at the same level as your ears when seated, especially behind or beside your webcam. This helps absorb your voice and keeps echoes from traveling too far.

Next, rethink how your furniture plays a role in your sound environment. Dense items like sofas or bookshelves can double as barriers. A high-backed chair also helps reduce reverb while you're talking. Try to keep hard items like filing cabinets and metal desks away from areas where you're recording or speaking. Those can bounce sound and undo some of the quiet you're trying to create.

Add soft details that improve sound while making the space feel complete:

- A throw rug on hard floors to soften foot noise

- Curtains pulled across windows, even during the day, to block outside sound

- Canvas art or fabric wall hangings to help soak up echo

- Plants in fabric planters which subtly help break up sound bounce

- A floor lamp or table lamp for lighting that doesn’t bring fan noise like overheads or a loud desk light

All of this builds a zone that feels consistent and gives you confidence when you’re on video calls. You won’t be fidgeting with your mic every ten minutes or wondering if background noise will interrupt the conversation.

Why Going Pro Makes a Difference

Sometimes you can do all of the above and still have issues with noise. That’s usually because sound can travel in sneaky ways through thin walls, shared plumbing lines, or hollow flooring. When basic efforts don’t fully solve the problem, it's worth bringing in people who deal with soundproofing every day.

Professional soundproofing services offer much more than just materials. They start by analyzing how noise moves and settles in your space. Especially in multi-unit buildings like many in Brooklyn, there are often crossover points where sound enters from places you can’t control. That might include neighbors' footsteps through a ceiling or voices from adjacent walls. Pros can fix those pressure points with solutions like acoustic insulation, decoupling methods, or advanced barrier techniques.

Here’s how professional help stands out:

- Pinpoints the exact source of recurring noise, even if it's out of sight

- Designs a plan based on how you use the space, not just a generic layout

- Matches upgrades to your building type and age

- Finds long-term fixes so you’re not always patching over problems

Take for example a neighbor in an older brownstone apartment who noticed every evening his video calls were interrupted by music and kitchen noise through a shared wall. He tried switching rooms and adding rugs, but the sound kept coming through. After bringing in a professional soundproofing crew, they installed wall treatments and added low-profile insulation that didn't disrupt the look of the room but finally brought him peace while working.

If any of that sounds familiar, it might be time to trade short-term solutions for ones that truly hold up. Getting the space right allows you to show up clearly and confidently during your meetings without needing to apologize for background noise.

Your Quiet Space, The Way It Should Be

Setting up a quiet space shouldn’t be a source of stress. It should give you a dependable place to focus, feel grounded, and connect without distractions. From using soft furnishings and soundproof panels for the home to smart room layout ideas and expert upgrades, there’s a real way to make your work-from-home experience stronger.

Having a space that supports your voice and dials down the noise doesn’t just help others hear you better. It helps you think more clearly, speak more confidently, and feel less anxious before each meeting. Small effort upfront pays off in the way your day flows. In the long run, a quiet setup isn’t a luxury. It’s a smart choice that lets you do your best work, right from home.

Creating a productive and quiet workspace at home starts with a few thoughtful upgrades. If you're looking to reduce distractions and improve focus, consider incorporating soundproof panels for the home designed to block unwanted noise. Brooklyn Insulation & Soundproofing is ready to help you build a calm, efficient space that supports your daily routine. Reach out to get personalized support tailored to your home setup.