Not every musical group can afford to rent an expensive recording studio. Maybe you and your bandmates are just getting started, or you want to form a family musical group with your kids just for fun. Either way, you may be better off investing your money into creating a home music studio in your garage. It can save you money, and it’s always available and nearby for impromptu jam sessions. And after all, some very famous and successful bands, like The Ramones and Nirvana, got their starts as garage bands. Take a look at some of the steps you need to take to convert your home garage into a music studio.
Cleaning
You’re not going to necessarily get the best sound in a garage full of old tools. What’s more, you need room for not just you, your bandmates, and your instruments, but also for amps, speakers, and other equipment. So, before you start bringing in the musical gear, spend some time cleaning out the garage.
This is a great time to hold a garage sale. It gets rid of old items without the hassle and expense of having to dispose of them yourself, and it will help you make a little extra money that can offset the cost of renovating the garage or buying new instruments and equipment. When you have the space cleared out, make a blueprint of the garage showing where instruments and equipment will go and where everyone will stand. That will help you plan the rest of your garage design.
Soundproofing
You have your space, but you don’t want the neighbors complaining about the noise every time you practice, especially if you’re planning on late-night sessions. You also don’t want your practice sessions to disrupt everyone living in your own house. That means that it’s time to work on some soundproofing strategies.
Soundproofing can be easier than you think, but it will take some time and effort. Start by making sure that all of the windows and doors have strong seals. You may need to replace your weatherstripping or add caulk around drafty windows. Then you’ll need to add some insulation to the walls. There are a couple of ways you can do this. If you’re on a very tight budget, blankets, pillows, old mattresses, and even empty egg cartons can give you good results for minimal amounts of money. For a more professional setup, add spray insulation or put up insulating panels and install new drywall over them.
Decorating
You may not be too worried about what your surroundings look like – you just want a room where you can make music. However, you do need to have some furnishings in the room for sound absorption purposes. Your music won’t sound right when it’s hitting empty flooring and walls.
Bookcases and couches do a good job of absorbing sound and can help you create a music room that’s also a comfortable place to hang out. However, if you’re short on space, you might want to consider adding rugs, wall hangings, and draperies. These items can all provide sound absorption without taking up too much space.
You don’t have to spend a fortune decorating your garage music studio, but take your time and choose things you like. You want the space to feel welcoming and personalized as well as functional. You’ll be more creative in a space that’s decorated to feel like your own.
A music studio is just one great way to put your garage space to good use. For more great garage design ideas, schedule your free design consultation today! 
