How to Build a Home Studio for Songwriting

Make the Room Personal

• Develop a pleasant room design. When you find a space to remodel, sketch the overall design to include room for furniture, recording equipment and office space. Plan the studio with storage cabinets, artwork and accessories, and good lighting. You want a studio that becomes an ideal spot for turning out good work. For example, you might enjoy having a large window and exterior view. Figure out the best ceiling and wall materials for sound absorption, so you don't disturb the neighbors or have a hollow echo in the room.

Choose the Space Carefully

• Instruments and equipment need special care. If you have expensive guitars, computers and keyboards, for example, you might build the studio in upstairs living space instead of in the basement. Make sure the basement is waterproof and in good repair, if you build your space there. While guitars must have adequate moisture for their wood components, they will mold if the air is too moisture-laden.

Review Electrical Components

• Lighting and electrical needs are crucial. You need overhead light to do recording work and to read your lyrics as you sing, for example. Some writers prefer to work in extremely bright places, while others like to write with a soft light coming from a lamp. If you like the overall lighting in the studio, you'll enjoy spending more time there to write. Proper electrical outlets and circuit breakers are necessary to prevent electrical overloads, so ask an electrician to help you plan all of these issues.

Design User-Friendly Space

• Finish up walls and flooring. Wall color and artwork will help create the mood of the studio. For instance, white walls with large prints of animals give a different ambiance than dark walls with no art hanging on them. Look at home design books, magazines and online rooms to get ideas. Hardwood flooring or carpet makes the room more user-friendly than cold tile if you like to sit on the floor while you work. If you plant to do a lot of recording, install ceiling or wall tile recommended for professional recording studios -- to soften the sound and cut down on harsh tones bouncing around the room.

Select Correct Furnishings

• Furniture can facilitate creativity. An oversized leather couch offers a totally different ambience than formal wing chairs, for example. As you compose your songs, you'll likely move around the room to different places, if only to avoid boredom. A comfortable eating table with two chairs, a couch with two upholstered chairs, and a large writing table might be all you need. Create a layout for the furniture and cabinets, which can include a small refrigerator and microwave in the mix.

Invest in Equipment and Technology

• Make lots of inquiries about the computer and software you need to properly mix your music. It's possible to purchase used equipment from commercial studios that are upgrading their computers or mixing boards. Enroll in a computer technology class to learn mixing techniques and how to manage multiple tracks to produce the best recordings of your work. Use your home studio to compose songs, but also use it to create professional demos you can share with recording artists.