How to Fit Acoustic Wall Panels: The Complete Guide for Home Musicians

Hey there! James here, founder of AudioSilk, welcome back to the blog. 

A few years ago, I was setting up a home studio in a tiny rented room, battling with terrible acoustics, and wondering why my mixes still sounded muddy everywhere I played them, despite investing in great gear and equipment.

After countless hours of research and a ton of trial and error, I discovered that acoustic treatment was the missing piece. So, acoustic treatment is what I invested in, but then I quickly discovered a new problem.

The available options were either ridiculously expensive, designed for big commercial studios, or frankly, kind of ugly – not ideal when you're renting and need to keep your walls pristine.

That's why I started AudioSilk – to create acoustic panels specifically for people like us: home studio creators who want professional sound without the hassle or damage to walls.

Today, I'm sharing everything I've learned about fitting acoustic panels (AudioSilk or otherwise), with special focus on non-damaging methods that won't cost you your rental security deposit and actually look after your room.

If you've wanted to invest in acoustic treatment panels but always held back as you didn't know what to do with them, or you have the panels in hand and lost the instruction manual, this one's for you.

How to plan your panel installation

How many panels do you need?

This might be the most common question we get.  While every room is different, here's a good starting point:

For an average home studio (10'x12' room), start with 4-6 panels, focusing on the primary reflection points (more on those in a second). 

For smaller rooms (under 100 sq ft), you might need less – sometimes 2-4 panels can make a noticeable difference.

For larger rooms (over 200 sq ft), you'll want to start with 6-8 panels and potentially add more based on testing.

Finding your room's first reflection points

The most critical spots to treat are called "first reflection points" – where sound from your speakers first bounces off walls before reaching your ears. These reflections cause the most problems with clarity and imaging.

Here's a simple way to find them:

1. Sit in your listening position (where you mix or record)
2. Have a friend hold a mirror against the side wall
3. Move the mirror along the wall until you can see your speakers in it
4. Mark that spot – that's where your acoustic panel should go!

Repeat this process for both side walls, and the wall behind your listening position.  These are your priority treatment locations.  There are also first reflection points on the wall behind your speakers, and the ceiling, which you can also treat with panels.

Testing your room

Before hanging up any panels, it's smart to get a feel for your room’s acoustics. This helps you identify where treatment is needed most — and gives you a clear “before and after” reference.

The simplest way is a good old-fashioned clap test — but now, with the help of your phone and a couple of free apps, you can make it a lot more insightful.

Option 1: Quick test using your phone

1. Stand in your main listening or recording position
2. Open an impulse response app like ClapIR (iOS) or Room Acoustics Analyzer (Android)
3. Clap your hands once, sharply, and let the app capture the sound
4. The app will measure the RT60 — the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB — and give you a basic readout of your room’s reverb characteristics

This is an easy way to check if your space is overly reverberant or has flutter echoes. After installing your panels, repeat the test and compare results — you should see shorter RT60 times and a smoother decay.

Option 2: Advanced test using Room EQ Wizard (REW)

If you want to get more precise, Room EQ Wizard (REW) is a free software used by acousticians and studio pros alike.

What you’ll need:

• A computer
• A measurement microphone 
• A quiet room and a bit of patience

Steps:

1. Download and install REW
2. Plug in your measurement mic and calibrate it
3. Run a sweep test from your main listening position
4. REW will generate graphs showing reverb decay (RT60), frequency response, and problem areas like modal peaks or nulls

This method gives you detailed data to guide panel placement — especially useful in larger or irregular-shaped rooms.

Try before you stick

Before permanently mounting your panels, it's a good idea to test their placement by propping them up temporarily. You can lean them against walls, balance them on furniture, or use mic stands or cardboard boxes.

Then, run another clap test or REW sweep to hear and see the difference. Small changes in placement can make a big difference, and this approach helps you fine-tune your layout before committing to holes or adhesives.

Part 2: Installation methods & keeping your walls damage-free

Now for the fun part – actually hanging your panels. I'll share several methods, starting with the most rental-friendly options.

Method 1: Command strip installation (no damage!)

This is my go-to recommendation for renters. When done correctly, Command strips hold securely and remove cleanly.  Our AudioSilk panels are specially designed to be light enough to be held by 4x medium or large Command strips on average.

What you'll need:

• 3M Command strips (the medium or large picture-hanging size)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Clean cloth
• Level (optional but helpful)

Steps:

1. Clean both the wall surface and the back of the panel with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust or residue
2. Let both surfaces dry completely
3. Apply 4 Command strips to the back of the panel (one near each corner).  Double the amount if mounting on the ceiling or an angled wall.
4. Remove the backing from the Command strips
5. Position the panel at the right height (typically just above head height, so that ear-level is well covered whether standing or sitting)
6. Press very firmly against the wall for a full 60 seconds – this step is crucial!  It allows the Command strip to bond properly to the panel surface side.
7. Wait one hour before relying on the installation

Pro tip: The pressing time isn't a suggestion – it's essential for proper adhesion! I've had musicians tell me their panels fell down, only to discover they didn't press firmly enough for the full minute.  

Also beware of cheaper sticky strips on Amazon etc. The 3M Command brand strips work best by far.

Method 2: Spray contact adhesive (semi-permanent)

Spray adhesive gives a clean, flush finish and works well if you don’t need to remove the panels later.

You’ll need:

• Spray contact adhesive
• Masking tape or drop cloth (to protect nearby surfaces)

Steps:

1. Spray both the back of the panel and the wall
2. Wait 30–60 seconds for the adhesive to get tacky
3. Press the panel firmly in place

Be aware: removing later will likely peel paint off the wall — best for permanent setups where extra durability is needed.

Method 3: Panel tacks or nails

Use 4–6 small tacks or finishing nails to fix the panel directly to the wall. Tap them in near the corners or edges.

This creates only tiny holes (easy to fill later), but the tacks remain visible, so this method isn’t ideal if looks matter.

Method 4: Creating an air gap for better bass absorption

Want to level up your acoustic treatment? Creating an air gap behind your panels can slightly boost their low-frequency performance.

Simple method:

1. Cut small wood blocks (1-2" thick)
2. Attach them to the four corners of your panel
3. Mount the panel using any of the methods above
4. The space between your panel and wall will improve bass absorption

Whichever method above you choose, take your time and enjoy the process. The results are so worth it.

Different placement strategies for different needs

Of course, not all audio is equal. Depending on your recording, you may want to set up your acoustic treatment panels differently. Let me break it down:

For vocal recording

If you primarily record vocals, create a small "booth" effect by:

1. Placing a panel directly behind the microphone
2. Adding panels at the first reflection points on side walls
3. If possible, add a ceiling treatment above the recording position

This configuration minimizes room reflections getting into your vocal recordings.

For mixing

For mixing, you'll want to focus on:

1. First reflection points on side walls
2. The wall behind your speakers (especially if it's close)
3. The back wall behind your listening position
4. Corners (where bass tends to build up)

This arrangement creates what engineers call a "reflection-free zone" around your mixing position.

Rehearsal and recording spaces

If your room is used for full-band rehearsals or live instrument recording, you'll need broader treatment than a typical mix setup. Here's how to approach it:

1. Treat the entire perimeter - Rehearsal rooms often get loud, so reflections bounce off every surface. Spread panels across side walls, rear walls, and even doors to tame the chaos.
2. Tackle the corners – Bass builds up fast in rehearsal rooms. Use separate bass traps in corners to improve low-end absorption.
3. Don’t skip the ceiling – Mount a few panels above drum kits or vocal spots to cut down on overhead reflections.
   
4. Avoid over-deadening – You still want some liveliness. Aim for clarity, not total silence.

How to deal with awkward spaces

Not every room is a perfect rectangle, and that's okay. You can still make the most of what acoustic treatment panels can offer – here's how to handle common challenges:

L-shaped rooms

• Treat each section as a mini-room
• Focus on the area where you'll be working most

Rooms with windows

• Use thick curtains instead of panels on windows
• Treat the other reflection points more thoroughly to compensate
• Consider freestanding panels that can be repositioned around windows

Small nooks or alcoves

These can create troublesome reflections. Either:

• Cut some panels down to size, and place directly inside the alcove
• Use the alcove for storage with sound-absorbing items like books or fabric

Using existing furniture

Your furniture can actually help with acoustics:

• Bookshelves make excellent diffusers (scatter sound rather than absorb it)
• Sofas and beds absorb some low-mid frequencies
• Rugs on hard floors reduce reflections from below

After you're set up, do another round of testing to hear the difference. You should notice

• Less obvious echo
• A cleaner, more defined sound
• Speech that sounds more natural and less "roomy"

If you're still hearing problems in specific areas, try adding more panels or repositioning the ones you have. Acoustic treatment is often an iterative process – start with the basics and refine from there.

Why your room needs acoustic treatment

If you've ever recorded vocals that sound like they were captured in a bathroom, or created a mix that sounds great in your headphones but falls apart in your car, you're experiencing room acoustic problems.

Untreated rooms have sound waves bouncing all over the place, creating:

• Flutter echo (that ping-pong effect between parallel walls)
• Standing waves (where specific frequencies get boosted or cancelled)
• Comb filtering (which messes with your stereo image)
• Excessive reverb (making everything sound distant and muddy)

The good news? 

Even basic acoustic treatment can make a dramatic difference. Most musicians I've worked with are shocked by how much clearer and more professional their recordings sound after adding just a few strategically placed panels.

Why AudioSilk panels are perfect for musicians in rental spaces

I designed AudioSilk panels specifically to solve the problems I faced as a renter and musician:

• Non-damaging installation: Our lightweight design works perfectly with Command strips for truly rental-friendly mounting.
• Aesthetic appeal: Available in multiple colors to complement your space rather than dominate it.
• Superior performance: Our panels achieve up to 0.91 NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient), dramatically reducing reflections across the frequency spectrum.
• No chemical smell: Unlike many foam panels, ours are made from recycled PET material that doesn't off-gas or smell.

Ready to transform your sound?

Proper acoustic treatment is one of the best investments you can make in your home studio. Unlike plugins or gear that might be outdated in a few years, understanding room acoustics and having quality panels will improve everything you record or mix.

Starting with just a few strategically placed panels can dramatically transform your sound without breaking the bank or damaging your walls.

Here's to better sounding music in your future.

James, Founder & CEO, AudioSilk

P.S. For readers of this guide, use code BLOG10 for 10% off your first AudioSilk panel order. And we'd love to see your setup once your panels are installed – tag us on Instagram @audiosilkco to show off your transformed space!