Tag: Tips

Interior Design Expert Bobby Berk Shares Top Tips for Making Your Living Room an Audio Oasis

November 16, 2023

a graphic illustration showing two people listening to spotify on television.

As the weather outside becomes more frightful, it’s time to make your living room delightful. So cozy up your home’s vibes by allowing your favorite music or podcasts to filter through the living room. From countless brands of smart speakers to easier-than-ever TV listening, it’s seamless to connect and enjoy audio with congregating family and friends. 

Bobby Berk knows a thing or two about cultivating the perfect ambience for a living room. The interior design expert and author is well-known for his stylish and youthful designs and has been one of the “Fab Five” on Netflix’s popular makeover show Queer Eye. This makes Bobby the perfect person for Spotify to partner with to show fans how audio and home design go hand in hand. And while your home decor aesthetic is as unique as your music taste, a few extra tips can go a long way in creating the perfect space for yourself.

For the Record sat down with Bobby to understand more about designing a welcoming living room space, as well as what you’ll find on his perfect music playlist for home entertaining.

What’s the historical function and significance of the living room?

From its beginnings in the late 19th century, the living room was a more formal space in the home used primarily for entertaining guests. It consisted mainly of more-tailored seating and a layout built around conversation. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the living room became a more casual space for spending time with family, relaxing, listening to music, or watching TV. The design itself was also adapted to be more about comfort and a sense of coziness.

What are your top three tips for designing a welcoming, comfortable, and functional living room?

First, add seating that looks—and most importantly feels—good. Next, create a layout that encourages connection but is also open. Place your furniture in a natural, conversational grouping. You also want the layout to feel welcoming, so be sure to leave space to enter the room and move through it easily. Finally, bring in soft and cozy materials. Adding pillows, throws, and a soft rug underfoot will create a comfortable living room that you really want to spend time in.

What do you like to listen to when designing and working? How about for hosting?

If I really need to get focused and get things done, I prefer a chill instrumental mix like Focus Flow or Workday Lounge. When designing, I’ll listen to something more upbeat, a pop mix or one of my favorite artists, Rozzi.

My ideal hosting playlist would take you on a journey starting with smooth jazz and a cocktail lounge vibe. Then I would move into some pop classics and top 40 hits, get things a bit more energized, and then finish things off with more relaxed, ambient tunes.

How do acoustics, sound, and entertainment fit into your living room concepts?

I’m always thinking about how someone will use a space when designing, and that definitely includes entertainment and sound. You don’t want a living room to be an echo chamber, so I bring in materials like a rug, upholstery, and curtains to soften things and improve acoustics.

What’s your go-to smart speaker?

I have a number of Sonos speakers throughout my home, and I love that I can easily connect Spotify to just one speaker—like, if I want to sing in the shower, the portable speaker if I’m outdoors, or the whole house if I’m entertaining.

Spotify’s daylist provides you with a custom playlist multiple times per day depending on what you listen to around the clock. What are you loving about the feature so far?

My mood definitely changes throughout the day, so it’s nice to have a playlist that changes along with it! In the morning, I have a mix that gets me motivated and focused for the day, a high-energy workout mix for the afternoon, and something a bit more chill for unwinding at the end of the day.

Whether it’s a Feel Good Morning Niche Mix for those who love a fresh, light, and airy aesthetic or a warm pumpkin spice evening daylist for those channeling a cozy winter atmosphere on the couch, Spotify’s personalized playlists can help you feel right at home.

Soundtrack Your Summer Vacation With These Tips

July 25, 2022

people listening to music while flying

Summer is in full swing, which for many, means that it’s time to log off and take a well-deserved break. Between hopping flights and hitting the highways for a big road trip, vacationers are looking for ways to amp up their travel during an especially busy season—so busy, in fact, that “make my drive fun” is now a breakout Google search term.

But we already know what every good adventure (including a fun drive) needs: the perfect soundtrack.

If you’re among those who are gearing up for an epic vacation, you’ll definitely want to keep the audio streaming wherever you are. Whether you’re relaxing with friends and listening to the new Bill Simmons series dedicated to his notable interviews over the years, or you’re just looking to block out the airport noise, Spotify has all the playlists, podcasts, and tips you need to make your journey just as fun as the destination

  • Going off the grid? Stream offline: If you’re headed on a flight, a winding car ride, or an international trip, just switch on Spotify’s Offline Mode before you go so you can access your favorite audio wherever you are. While you’re still connected, download your favorite songs, playlists, or podcast episodes beforehand by clicking the “download” arrow next to the track list or in the “…” menu. 
  • Share your journey: With all the planning that went into your trip, it’s time to share the experience with those you love! Show the world your travel story through Spotify’s Instagram and Snapchat integrations, and DM the music you find directly to your friends and family. 
  • Collab with fellow travelers: Looking to expand your musical tastes while on your travels? Let your music mirror your destination through a playlist that’s catered to your trip. With Collaborative Playlists, you can create a one-of-a-kind travel playlist with your companions or those special people you meet along the way. And don’t forget to give it a special touch with your own personalized cover art. 
  • Headphones to help you zone out or tune in: Having the best earphones to soundtrack your trip—or entertain you in the security line—is a must for any traveler. Using Sony Linkbuds with Spotify Tap will do just that and help you access your Spotify playlists quickly and easily with a single tap.
  • Learn the local language: Whether you’re fluent or don’t know a single word, Spotify’s Lyrics feature can help you explore the music and language of your destination.

Now that you’re ready to make the most of your time off, the only thing left to do is get out there and start streaming. And if you’re looking for the right playlist to kick things off, Summer Hits is a great place to start.

 

How to Get the Most Out of Search on Spotify

May 27, 2021

There’s a lot of great music and podcasts on Spotify. Like a lot. We are talking about over 70 million tracks and more than 2.6 million podcast titles. Having that many songs and episodes at your fingertips is great. Knowing how to find it? Even better. 

Using the search functionality on Spotify can help you find exactly what you’re looking for quickly and efficiently. So to help you become the master of search, we’ve rounded up a few tips and tricks to employ.

Filters on mobile: Categorizing with ease

Just last week, Spotify began rolling out Filters while using search on mobile devices. These filters are designed to help you find information faster and more easily, and allow you to categorize your results by artists, songs, playlists, albums, and more. By clicking on the appropriate tab, you can discover the exact type of music or podcast you’re looking for. For example, if you type in “The Office,” you can filter your results by “Podcast & shows,” where you’ll find content like An Oral History of The Office.

Lyrics search: No need to name that tune

Ready to hear that song you can’t stop singing, but can’t remember the actual name of the song? With Lyrics search, we have you covered. Gone are the days where you need to type the words into a web search engine. Maybe “I’ve been hiding for so long” is stuck in your head. Just start typing the lyrics into the search bar and Spotify will populate the songs that contain the same phrase, which, in this case, is girl in red’s “girls.”  

Using “Hey Spotify” for voice search: Footloose and hands-free

For users in the U.S., take a try at going hands-free by using your voice to search. First, to enable a hands-free voice experience, just tap on the microphone or say “Hey Spotify” when you’re in the Spotify app. Using voice search will allow you to get to your content faster. Next time you’re in the car or busy in the kitchen, give the functionality a go by saying “Hey Spotify, play Discover Weekly” or “Hey Spotify, play ’90s R&B.” You can even play content specific to your account, like “Hey Spotify, play my Liked Songs.”

Now that you’re well versed on the search functionality, it’s time to put that knowledge to use and crank up the tunes or find your next podcast binge.

Explore the Power of Plants With Spotify’s First-Ever Collection of Curated Plants Playlists

May 19, 2021

Over the last year, many people found comfort in an unexpected source: plants. Leafy Monstera deliciosas (aka the “Swiss cheese plant”), prickly cacti, and more flew off the shelves as stressed-out humans turned to nature for relief and beauty. And as Spotify listeners around the world transformed their home bases into green spaces, they also streamed music to encourage their seedlings. Streams of Spotify’s playlist Music for Plants, which offers mellow vibrations for green leaves and green thumbs, flourished, increasing by nearly 1,400% as plant parents new and old sought out good vibrations.

To grow our own botanical offerings on the platform, we’re launching Spotify’s first-ever collection of curated plants playlists with the help of horticulture pros Kelly Wearstler, Darryl Cheng, Summer Rayne Oakes, and Black Men With Gardens. Plant Kween is also launching a new exclusive Music+Talk show, Green Gurls Galore, which offers plenty of horticulture help for those who need some tips.

To get to the root of the plant trend, Spotify dug into the platform data and conducted a global survey to see just how listeners connected with their flora through audio. 

Music for plants and people

You may have heard that talking to plants, and even certain vibrations, can help stimulate their growth. Many music lovers took the practice seriously in the last year, and in a survey conducted by Spotify, we found that 21% of people reported speaking to their houseplants more. A significant 12% of people went above and beyond, using audio content (like music or podcasts) to nurture their photosynthesizing friends. 

That’s one of the reasons many Spotify listeners turned to Music for Plants. The playlist features music and soundscapes carefully handpicked to help encourage growth. For the Record spoke with Uriel Waizel, who works at Spotify and is the creator and editor behind the playlist, to get his perspective.

“I’m convinced plants feel human music and human presence,” says Uriel. “Sound waves resonate with the green world. It was a no-brainer to make the playlist and fill the content gap.”

The playlist itself consists of a range of sounds and track lengths, including 43 seconds of birdsong and a 23-minute ambient song. Many of the songs are similar in instrumentation, which means listeners can shuffle without disrupting the experience. Ultimately, Uriel’s goal is to bestow rooms with a figurative “green wallpaper” so that whether or not you own plants, the music “will populate your house with greenness.”

Playlist propagation

Many listeners are also taking their audio choices into their own hands by creating playlists for their leafy friends. There are now more than 2.9 million user-generated Spotify playlists related to plants and gardening.

This is no surprise to architectural designer Kelly Wearstler, who curated a playlist called Parterre Paradise. Kelly listens to a range of music when gardening and was quick to point out the connection between the two to For the Record. “Curating and nurturing plants and making music are both art forms that take time and expertise,” says Kelly. “Music is an amazing accompaniment to creative and meditative activity.”

Looking more deeply at the Spotify listener data, we noticed some interesting trends of what people are doing on the platform. Many listeners are early birds, as most streams happen in the morning. The most popular plants to earn a playlist are ivy, cacti, and ferns. And Spotify listeners gravitate toward a few favorite tunes.

Top five genres of vegetation-friendly music:

  1. Fourth world
  2. Art pop
  3. Background music
  4. Ambient
  5. Lo-fi beats

Some of the most-added botanical beats:

At the core of many of today’s playlists is one perennial favorite: Mort Garson’s classic album Mother Earth’s Plantasia (featuring tracks like “Symphony for a Spider Plant” and “Concerto for Philodendron & Pothos”). Not only did Plantasia inspire Uriel’s original Music for Plants playlist, but streams of the 1976 album are up more than 40% this year. 

Keep vibing and thriving

Through our Spotify survey, we learned that one in four people globally said they believe they will carry on their passion for houseplants into the future. Plus, 28% of respondents felt that caring for houseplants offers people more of a purpose in life.

Those aren’t the only benefits of taking in a succulent or orchid of your own, according to Kelly. “Plants and natural elements have such a healing, meditative power and truly bring life to your space,” Kelly explains. “Adding more plants throughout your home—whether it’s through an indoor herb garden in your kitchen or a landscaped backyard—gives a sense of freshness and livelihood to your environment.”

For those on the hunt for another fresh find, Kelly recommends choosing vegetation that helps express your personality. “Be bold and use vibrant florals or go for a more understated (yet still chic) vibe with a beautiful olive or rubber tree,” Kelly adds.

Growing in a new direction

While many perfected their plant care (30% of those surveyed believe they’ve gotten better at caring for houseplants during the past 12 months), another 70% of respondents reported feeling uncertain about how to keep their plants thriving. One in four respondents didn’t know the best way to help their houseplants grow, and roughly the same did not know how to spot signs of overwatering.

Uriel has advice for those struggling to find their green thumb: Listen to music. “The playlist puts you in the mood and gives you a green finger coating,” he explains. “It makes you feel safe and feel like you’re doing the right thing for your plants. It’s music that nurtures the atmosphere.”

Ready for some good vibrations? Check out the new plant playlists, which can be found on your Soundtrack Your Home hub.

4 Tips to Make the Most of Your 2021 Wrapped

January 12, 2021

Every December, Spotify unveils your yearly Wrapped, a personalized in-app experience that celebrates the music and podcasts you’ve streamed the most that year. It’s something our listeners look forward to all year long. The results are always a surprise—and more so in some ways than others. Last month, when you opened your 2020 Wrapped, did you notice that your kids’ obsession with Elsa took over your Wrapped cards? Or maybe those many hours of listening to soothing audio while you slept skewed your Wrapped results. 

If that was the case, check out the four tips below to better ensure your 2021 Wrapped is a true representation of you. After all, it’s less than 11 months away.

1. Remove the audio you fall asleep to with private listening mode

If you’re streaming a lot of music or sounds to help you sleep, it may not be the most accurate representation of your listening habits. So go “incognito” with Spotify’s Private Listening mode. Private Sessions allow you to enjoy whatever it is you’re listening to discreetly—meaning it won’t show up in your Friend Activity. It also won’t influence your personalized music recommendations, like Discover Weekly or Release Radar, or be counted toward your Wrapped roundup. 

Simply turn on private listening mode on your mobile device by tapping “Home,” and then heading to “Settings.” From there, under “Social,” switch on “Private Session.” To end the Private Session, simply repeat the steps.

2. Give your children their own musical experience—and preserve your own—with Spotify Kids

If your top song slots in Wrapped went to the latest Disney ballads and nursery rhymes, know that you’re not alone. Parents give up a lot for their kids, and a Wrapped experience exclusive to their listening habits is no exception. Luckily, thanks to the Spotify Kids app, which is exclusive to Spotify Premium Family plan subscribers, children can now enjoy listening to their favorite tunes via a playground of sound that’s separate from their parents’ listening experience. The app is designed specifically for kids, and the content is handpicked by a team of editors. All you need to do is subscribe to the Premium Family plan and then Download the Spotify Kids app to give your kids a music experience of their very own (and reclaim your streaming stats). If your family is looking for songs to get groovin’ to, check out this roundup of the top songs played on Spotify Kids in 2020.

3. Discover more artists, podcasts, and genres with audio for everyone and everything

There’s a world of audio content on Spotify within your reach. So if you’re looking for something new, try the search bar on for size. You can browse playlists—whether Spotify created or user generated—for any activity or mood. These custom creations might speak to you in the moment, as well as help you expand your musical repertoire. In next year’s Wrapped, you might not only see a shift in your top artists, but also in your genres, like exchanging “indie rock” and “pop” for the uniquely specific genres like “permanent wave” and “escape room.” Or, if you’re looking to explore a different type of audio, tap “Podcasts” to browse shows by genre (like true crime or sports), by podcast playlists, or even by podcast charts. 

4. Access Wrapped year-round

Wrapped happens once a year—but it doesn’t disappear come January. Access your 2020 Wrapped year-round by heading to the “Search” section of the app and scrolling through “Browse all.” From there, you’ll be able to replay your 2020 Wrapped experience, as well as stream your personalized playlists, such as Your Top Songs 2020, Missed Hits, and On Record. Plus, keep scrolling to find the rest of the top tracks, artists, and podcasts of the year.

For more Wrapped behind the scenes, check out our Spotify: Discover This podcast.

3 Tips & Tricks to Enhance Your 2020 Wrapped Experience

December 9, 2020

Last week, we unveiled the artists, songs, and albums the world streamed the most in 2020, as well as personalized 2020 Wrapped results for our eligible Free and Premium users. By now, if you’ve indeed “unwrapped” your Wrapped, you probably learned which song you streamed the most, how many artists you discovered, and the number of hours you binged one particular podcast—but that’s not where the fun stops. 

Here are a few tips on three new features we’ve unveiled to help you get even more out of your 2020 Wrapped experience.

1. Check out the new Wrapped voice commands

Did you know you can play Spotify using your voice? Tap Search on your mobile app and you’ll find a small microphone button to the right of the bar. Hit the icon (you may have to grant the Spotify app permission to access your phone microphone if this is your first time using the feature) and simply ask Spotify to play any artist, song, or playlist.

Now, Free and Premium users in the U.S. will also be able to use that same microphone icon to ask Spotify about their Wrapped. Hear one of a dozen unique and personalized facts about your 2020 music and podcast listening habits by saying something like: 

  • “Tell me a Wrapped fact”
  • “Tell me about my listening habits”
  • “Tell me about my listening history”
  • “Tell me a 2020 listening fact”

Or you can ask it to play music featured in your Wrapped:

  • “Play my top songs from 2020”
  • “Play my top songs from this year”
  • “Play my 2020 top songs”
  • “Play my top songs playlist”
  • “Play my top songs”
  • “Play my Wrapped 2020”
  • “Play your top songs 2020”
  • “Play your top songs from this year”

2. Get fancy with our social media integrations

Users and artists love to share their Wrapped on social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat—and 2020 Wrapped sharing is already in full force. This year, users can even use two new interactive Instagram Story lenses, Kaleidoscope and Data Story Quiz, to share their reactions and test their 2020 listening knowledge. Here’s how:

  1. Navigate to Spotify’s official global Instagram profile (@Spotify).
  2. Tap the “Effects” icon (after “Grid” and “IG TV”) to reveal all of Spotify’s custom filters.
  3. Select the “Kaleidoscope” or “Data Story Quiz” lenses and tap “Try It” to check them out!

This year, we’re also adding one more social media channel to the mix: TikTok. This custom Wrapped integration for U.S. and UK TikTok users, available through Thursday, December 11, combines the best of 2020 Wrapped with custom TikTok videos. Here’s how:

  1. Open up the TikTok app and tap the Plus button to create a video.
  2. On the video recording screen, tap Effects to search for the branded 2020 Wrapped effect. 
  3. Tap the 2020 Wrapped effect icon and you’ll see a flash of color take over the screen. After the flash, the prompt “My #2020Wrapped Top _____ is” will appear.
  4. Share your completed stat with a TikTok video creation!

3. Customize your Share Cards

This year, for the first time, users can also customize their share cards before posting them to their social media feeds. On the final screen, you’ll be able to choose from one of four distinct color choices to personalize your Wrapped more than ever before.

Check out all of these features and more by heading to Spotify.com/Wrapped.