DIY Acoustic Panels for Home Office with RGB Lighting

Working from home and bothered by echo during video calls? Or want to improve room acoustics for recording? Create designer acoustic panels that not only absorb unwanted sound but also look great thanks to RGB backlighting.

How Acoustic Panels Work

Acoustic panels work on the principle of absorbing sound waves. Porous material converts sound energy into heat through air friction in the pores. The denser and thicker the material, the better it absorbs lower frequencies.

Materials and Tools

Basic Materials:

• Wooden frames 24"x24"x2" (4-6 pieces)
• Mineral wool 24"x24"x2", density 40-60 kg/m³
• Acoustic fabric (6-9 sq ft)
• RGB LED strips (30-50 ft)
• WiFi LED controller
• 12V/5A power supply

Tools:

• Staple gun or nail gun
• Wood saw
• Drill
• Fabric scissors
• Soldering kit (optional)

Budget: $80-140 for 6 panels

Making Acoustic Panels

1. Frame Preparation

1. Assemble 24"x24" wooden frames from 2"x1" strips
2. Reinforce joints with brackets or dowels
3. Sand and paint frames or apply finish
4. Attach hanging system to back

💡 Tip: Use different frame sizes for a more interesting composition

2. Installing Absorption Material

1. Carefully insert mineral wool into frame
2. Ensure even distribution without gaps
3. Wool should slightly overhang frame edges
4. Use protective equipment when working!

⚠️ Safety: Mineral wool irritates skin and respiratory system

3. Covering with Acoustic Fabric

Choosing the right fabric is crucial:

1. Fabric must be breathable (test by blowing through it)
2. Cut fabric with 4" overhang on each side
3. Stretch fabric over panel and secure with staples
4. Start from center of each side and work toward corners

4. Integrating RGB LED Lighting

1. Attach RGB LED strips to back of frame
2. Run strips 2" from edge for even light distribution
3. Connect all panels into one circuit
4. Connect WiFi LED controller

Wiring Diagram:
Panel 1 ─┐
Panel 2 ─┼─ LED Controller ─ Power Supply
Panel 3 ─┘        │
                  └─ WiFi Router

Measuring Acoustics

Using Mobile Apps

Measure acoustics before and after installation using your phone:

1. Android Apps: Spectroid, Sound Meter
2. iOS Apps: Decibel X, Spectrum Analyzer

What to Measure:

• RT60 (reverberation time)
• Frequency spectrum
• Background noise level

🎯 Goal: Reduce RT60 to 0.3-0.5 seconds for optimal acoustics

Optimal Panel Placement

Basic Rules:

1. First reflection points: Side walls at ear level
2. Room corners: Where bass accumulates
3. Ceiling: At least 2 panels above workspace
4. Behind monitor: Reduces wall reflections

Example layout for 13'x10' room:

┌─────────────────┐
│  P3    P4   P5  │
│                 │
│ P1          P2  │
│     [desk]      │
│        ▽        │
└─────────────────┘
P = Panel

Programming RGB Effects

Basic Lighting Modes:

// Example for WLED firmware
{
  "effects": [
    {
      "name": "Work Mode",
      "color": "#4A90E2",
      "brightness": 40
    },
    {
      "name": "Video Call",
      "color": "#FFFFFF", 
      "brightness": 60
    },
    {
      "name": "Relaxation",
      "effect": "Sunset",
      "speed": 20
    }
  ]
}

Home Assistant Automation:

automation:
  - alias: "Acoustic Panels - Work Hours"
    trigger:
      platform: time
      at: "09:00:00"
    action:
      service: light.turn_on
      entity_id: light.acoustic_panels
      data:
        brightness: 100
        rgb_color: [74, 144, 226]

Alternative Materials

Eco-Friendly Options:

• Cork: Natural, decorative
• Recycled textiles: Cheap, ecological
• Coconut fiber: Good absorption properties
• PET felt: Made from recycled bottles

Design Possibilities:

• Different shapes (hexagons, triangles)
• Color and texture combinations
• 3D relief surfaces
• Integrated shelves or hooks

Maintenance and Care

• Vacuum dust with soft brush
• Fabric can be washed (remove from frame)
• LED strips last 50,000+ hours
• Check connections and cables annually

System Extensions

1. Bass traps: For room corners
2. Diffusers: For sound scattering
3. Mobile panels: On wheels for flexibility
4. Integrated speaker network

Cost Comparison

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Too thin panels: Minimum 2" for effectiveness
2. Non-permeable fabric: Test by blowing through
3. Too few panels: Cover at least 25% of walls
4. Poor placement: Measure and experiment

Conclusion

DIY acoustic panels are an investment that will improve not only the quality of your video calls but also the overall comfort of working from home. Thanks to RGB backlighting, you also get a unique design element that you can customize to match your mood or activity.

Have you made your own acoustic solution? Share photos and experiences! 🎙️