4 Effortless Steps to Craft the Ultimate Listening Room

Vinyl records are experiencing an extraordinary resurgence! Record sales have gone up 156% in the last 10 years! The debate between vinyl and digital formats continues among music lovers. Each format has its perks, with vinyl fans often saying the pure nostalgia and superior sound are the reasons they love it.

I’ve gathered a small collection from yard sales and flea markets over the years, but I regret not holding onto some of the classics from my father's collection that I grew up listening to. I'd have an epic vinyl library right now if I had!

No matter where you get your records or how large your collection is, you need a cool place to hang out and listen to them! Even with limited space, a vinyl listening room is possible.

Your listening room is a place to showcase your favorite genres and build a tribute to your musical heroes. Your listening room should be as personal as your music collection.

Read on to discover how to select the perfect space in your home, equip it with the right gear, and create the ideal vibe you're aiming for. 

1. Choosing the Right Spot

 2. Essential Equipment

Turntable

Find a quality turntable that is within your budget. IMHO, unless you’re a professional musician, a decent turntable that works for your space is sufficient. You don’t have to break the bank to get one that will work well.

A few features that I like to look for are a cover so it won’t get dusty, a  singles adapter so you can play those amazing 45s, and an automatic arm to prevent your unsteady hands from skipping the needle across the record after a few drinks! Don't forget about bluetooth - a wireless connection to speakers is a nice perk.

 

Speakers

Your speaker set up will most likely depend on the size of your listening room and how you’ll use it.

If it’s a really small space, then a nice pair of headphones or a simple portable speaker will work well.

 

 

If you have a little more room, then two bookshelf speakers would be awesome. And if your listening room is incorporated into your larger living space, you can connect to a whole house sound system. 

 

Vinyl Storage 

If you need a space-saving option, check out these minimalist crates that hold 75 LPs and can be stacked.  Remember to sprinkle in some personal touches like books, small signs and accessories

 

3. Setting Up Your Equipment

Turntable Placement

Ensure your turntable is stable so that vibrations are minimized and your records won’t skip. Ideally you’ll have a little room on the surface of your record cabinet to set down the jacket or a cleaning kit.

 

 

Sometimes you get lucky and find an affordable option like this one to store your LPs and to set up your turntable!

 

Your speakers, if you have two, should go on either side of the turntable; be sure to make some space for those.

 

Cable Management

It’s not fun or even remotely exciting, but organizing all the cables from the turntable, speakers and other components will definitely elevate the look of your listening room.

Bundle them together with a zip tie or some painter’s tape to keep them out of sight. It will be safer and will improve the overall look of your set-up.

4. Creating the Vibe

Lighting

 

If you’re creating a place to party, choose lights that are more upbeat like  LED strip lights that can change colors and suit any mood. 

 

Comfortable Seating

 

Choose a comfortable chair for yourself and add extra seating for guests if space allows.

 

There are tons of seating options to choose from! A huge bean bag on the floor for one, a loveseat for you and a friend, or some stools around a tall bar table where guests can set drinks while they dance. 
 

 

 

Decor and Personal Touches

The coolest part of creating your listening room is showing your personality through your decor. Add personal touches that reflect the music you like. A custom sign, featuring your favorite artists, tells people about the music you're into. 

 

Small distressed signs with quotes or images that you like will add some personality to the space.

 

 If you play an instrument, make that part of the decor by hanging guitars on the wall, for example. Hanging posters of your favorite bands or framed album covers on the wall, are great ways to tip people off to the type of music you like, and they help create a vibe in the room. 

 

Creating a space in your home that’s dedicated to listening to music, even if it’s in a small space, is easy. All you need are a few essential pieces of equipment and a clear vision of the atmosphere you want to create.

The most important thing to remember is to make it a highly personalized space. So be sure to highlight your favorite bands, instruments, and artists,  and you’ll have a place to enjoy your vinyl collection without distractions. 

 

Here’s my listening room! My drums are right in front of those cubbies - I love having some of my favorite albums and art to look at while I'm playing.

What are you waiting for? Get started now! Set up your own vinyl listening room no matter how small. 

Explore our listening room decor to showcase your cherished vinyl records and create the ultimate space for enjoying your music! Rock on!