DIY Home Acoustics: 5 Life Hacks to Reduce Echo in Your Saudi Villa

We love our homes in Saudi Arabia for their spaciousness, high ceilings, and beautiful marble or ceramic floors. But there is a downside: The Echo.

Whether you are a gamer trying to stream without reverb, a student studying online, or just a family trying to watch a movie without blasting the volume, poor home acoustics can be exhausting.

You don’t always need a professional construction crew to fix it. Here are 5 practical DIY Acoustic Hacks you can apply this weekend to make your home quieter and cozier.

1. The “Soft Surface” Rule (Floors & Windows)

Sound bounces off hard surfaces like a ball. In most Riyadh homes, the floor is the biggest enemy.

• The Hack: Cover at least 40% of the floor in your noisy room with a high-pile (thick) rug.

• Why it works: The fibers trap sound waves that would otherwise bounce off the ceramic tiles.

• Bonus: Swap lightweight sheer curtains for heavy blackout curtains (velvet is best). The pleats in the fabric act as natural sound absorbers.

2. The Bookshelf “Diffuser”

If you have a large flat wall, sound hits it and slaps back directly (this is called “flutter echo”).

• The Hack: Move your bookshelves to that empty wall.

• The Trick: Don’t line the books up perfectly. Push some in, pull some out, and leave gaps.

• Why it works: This creates an uneven surface that “scatters” (diffuses) the sound in different directions, making the room feel larger and more natural, rather than dead or echoey.

3. The “Canvas Art” Secret

Do you have cheap printed canvas art on your walls? You can turn them into acoustic panels.

• The Hack: Flip the canvas over. You will see a hollow wooden frame. Stuff this empty space with acoustic foam, old towels, or denim scraps. Glue a backing on it and hang it back up.

• Why it works: You have essentially built a hidden acoustic absorber. It won’t be as good as a professional Acoustic.sa panel, but it’s a great free start.

4. Seal the “Sound Leaks” (Doors)

Does it sound like your family is standing right next to you even when your door is closed?

• The Hack: Check the gap under your door. If light can get through, sound can get through.

• The Fix: Buy a rubber door sweep or a heavy “draft stopper” (the fabric tubes filled with sand) from a local hardware store (like SACO).

• Why it works: Sound travels through air. Blocking the air gap blocks the noise.

5. Corner Bass Traps (For Gamers/Cinemas)

Bass frequencies (boomy sounds) get trapped in the corners of rooms.

• The Hack: Place a bean bag chair or a stack of dense cushions in the corner of your room.

• Why it works: The density of the bean bag absorbs the low-frequency energy that usually builds up in 90-degree corners.