When a friend of my daughter walked into her room, she clicked her tongue before announcing that it was well-organized. For her, and most likely her parents, a tidy room "resonates" more. But is this really the case? This sensation is based on well-known acoustic principles and how we perceive sound in a space.
Reverberation and Sound Absorption
In a cluttered room, sound is absorbed by objects, furniture, fabrics, and other materials present. A full bookshelf, a fabric sofa, or a thick carpet all help reduce the propagation of sound waves by diffusing or partially absorbing them. In contrast, a more open space with hard surfaces and fewer absorbent materials encourages reverberation: sound waves reflect more on the walls, floor, and ceiling, creating a sense of a more open and sometimes echoey space.
This phenomenon gives the impression that a tidy room "resonates" more. It’s not necessarily that it amplifies the sound, but rather that it allows more sound waves to bounce and persist longer before fading away.
A Perception Influenced by Habit
Our brain is accustomed to the sound characteristics of the places where we live. In a cluttered home, sounds tend to be softer, shorter, and less directional. When entering a more open or well-organized space, our ears immediately pick up on the difference. A simple tongue click becomes an effective way to test a room’s reverberation.
This reflex may stem from an unconscious observation by your daughter’s friend and her parents: in their everyday environment, a more furnished space is associated with a duller sound, whereas an open space produces a clearer, more reverberant sound.
Why Do We Like or Dislike a Resonant Room?
The perception of a room that "resonates" can be pleasant for some and disturbing for others. In large churches or auditoriums, reverberation adds a sense of grandeur and majesty. On the other hand, in an apartment with little furniture, it can quickly become tiring, making speech less intelligible and amplifying ambient noise.
This is why acousticians often seek a balance: a room that is too absorbent will sound muffled and dull, while a room that is too reverberant will be unpleasant in everyday life.
How to Adjust a Room’s Acoustics?
If your space sounds too hollow after tidying up or changing furniture, a few simple adjustments can help improve its acoustic balance:
- Add thick curtains or rugs to absorb some of the sound reflections.
- Arrange furniture with non-smooth surfaces to diffuse sound (a bookshelf filled with books is ideal).
- Place a few cushions or textiles to break excessive echoes.
This way, you can maintain a tidy interior without losing acoustic comfort!
Conclusion
The idea that a "tidy room resonates" is based on solid acoustic principles. The fewer absorbent elements present, the more sound waves reflect and persist in the space. However, perception also plays a role: we often associate a tidy interior with a clearer, more reverberant sound. It’s a great opportunity to rediscover our sonic environment in a new way!
Have you ever noticed a change in sound quality after cleaning or reorganizing a room? Share your experience in the comments!
