Imagine yourself waiting for a dentist appointment in a lobby, say early daybreak with your briefcase or late afternoon. The wall is basic image, plastic plants, maybe a fish tank, and—listener closer—quietly music is pouring through everything. Not many people, least not purposefully, pay great attention to what such speakers have to say. But let the playlist enter difficult terrain; everyone is suddenly glaring in the same direction and is wiggling. That’s the quiet power of background music – discover more.

While décor grabs your attention, music changes the nature of the room when you are between front door and next stop. Enter a lobby with soothing, peaceful instrumentals and feel as though someone has gently blanketed your nervous energy. Try that same spot around ten in the morning with heavy EDM and witness people hightail it back to the sidewalk. The worst soundtrack is silence; strange music choices could be considerably worse.

Choosing lobby music is not about plugging in and shutting off. It is equally about reading sheet music and about the area and audience. Think first of volume; too soft will be embarrassing. Too loud; chaos results from it. Next, lyrics: speech from the speakers can either totally alter the tone or contradict conversations. You want something that serves rather than fuels distraction. Walking the unwritten line separating elevator-musicians and leisurely snooze fest requires some effort.

The actual test is… Someone is passing by. From parents managing little children to teenagers hooked to their phones to conference-bound bosses, lobbies are crossroads in all kinds of life. The playlist has to appeal to everyone—or at least not annoy anyone. Remember the day the yoga class inadvertently started punk music in the lobby? Let’s just say the audience was stretching, but not for the intended purposes.

A little local taste has incredible power. Surf guitar sounds while people wave their umbrellas, or piano that flows directly into the hum of the HVAC, a silky bossa nova in the depths of winter. Anything too repeated; even the kindest receptionist can start to mouche, “Make it stop.” But a diverse mix tuned to the time of day makes the everyday waiting period somewhat less uncomfortable.

Good lobby music does not demand attention. If anything, it helps you focus elsewhere—that is, let your brain wander while the songs keep consistent emotions and calmed-down nerves. The best complement comes from people avoiding talking about the music. On the other hand, you know you have reached the sweet spot if someone taps their foot and nods discreetly.

Making those playlists asks for some honest trial and error, some intuition, and maybe a quick poll of whoever is still hanging around. Are others also grumbling while listening to this song? People seem more laid back these days. If you feel the space change—lighter, friendlier, less rigid—you are most likely understanding. In the end, the right music lets you forget about your waiting at all. And in lobby land, that is a muted minor victory.