There are several important considerations when designing any kind of office space, and one that sometimes isn’t given enough thought is the realm of acoustics. While the way the office looks and how much space is available are naturally important elements of any such design, how the space sounds and manages various forms of sound is also extremely important in many situations.
At Premier Office Design & Furniture, our SLC
office furniture services include a full range of space planning solutions, which cover all conceivable areas of your design needs. Why are acoustics an important consideration we’ll be sure to steer you toward, and which elements should you be thinking about here as you design any kind of office space? Here’s a rundown.
Why Acoustics Matter in an Office
Simply put, too many offices are designed without the proper attention to acoustics and sound. Everything from basic sounds like keyboard clicks to more significant noise pollution like raised voices can end up echoing and bouncing around a space, leading to a general feeling of chaos and stress. In some cases, it can even make it difficult to concentrate or hear clearly.Incorporating the right kinds of acoustic treatments into your office design can help mitigate these issues by reducing reverberation time, echo, and other unwanted sounds. This, in turn, can create a calmer, more productive work environment for your employees.Acoustic treatments can also help to improve speech intelligibility in open office environments, which is essential for effective collaboration. After all, if your team can’t understand each other, it’s going to be tough to get anything done!What are some ways of achieving quality acoustics in your office? Our next few sections will go over some quality themes and
furniture products that should be closely considered here.
Using Soft Furniture and Furnishings
The theme of “softness” is one that carries immense value in the world of acoustics, as adding more soft surfaces to a room can help to absorb and diffuse sound. This, in turn, reduces reverberation time and overall noise levels.One way to achieve this is by incorporating softer furniture and furnishings into your office design. Upholstered chairs and sofas, for example, are excellent choices here as they can help to muffle sound. Similarly, drapes and curtains can also be used to good effect, as they absorb sound waves and prevent them from bouncing around the room.
Incorporating Carpeting or Rugs
Another way to reduce noise levels and improve acoustics in your office is to incorporate carpeting or rugs into the design. Just as with soft furniture and furnishings, carpeting and rugs help to absorb sound waves and prevent them from bouncing around the room.This is an especially effective solution for offices with hard flooring, as hard surfaces tend to amplify sound rather than absorb it. If you do have hard flooring in your office, consider using area rugs in key areas to help reduce noise levels.
Acoustic Panels
For office spaces where significant sound reduction may be needed between rooms or workstations, acoustic panels can be a good solution. Acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound, and they can be hung on walls or ceilings to help reduce noise levels in a specific area.There are a variety of different types of acoustic panels available on the market, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Many are made with 100% PET felt, a fully recyclable material that’s also acoustically effective.
Acoustic Dividers
Down similar lines, acoustic dividers are used in large, open spaces to help reduce noise levels and create more private offices. Acoustic dividers are freestanding screens that can be placed in any office to help divide up space and reduce noise levels.Like acoustic panels, there are a variety of different types of acoustic dividers available on the market. Some will sit on the ground and rise up to the desired level, while others may hang from the ceiling.
Sound Masking
In office environments where complete silence isn’t possible or desirable, sound masking can be used to help reduce noise levels and improve speech intelligibility. Sound masking is the process of creating a low-level background noise that helps to cover up unwanted sounds.There are a variety of different ways to achieve sound masking, but one common method is to use white noise generators. White noise generators create a consistent, low-level noise that can help to cover up unwanted sounds and improve speech intelligibility.Another method of sound masking is to use diffusers. Diffusers are devices that scatter sound waves in multiple directions, which helps to reduce the overall sound level in a space.
Plants for Sound Absorption
Finally, did you realize that many plants are excellent at absorbing sound? Incorporating plants into your office design can help to reduce noise levels and improve acoustics.One plant that’s especially effective at absorbing sound is the peace lily. The peace lily is a tropical plant that’s known for its ability to absorb toxins from the air. However, it’s also quite effective at absorbing sound waves.Other plants that are good at absorbing sound include bamboo, ferns, and ivy. If you’re looking to improve the acoustics in your office, incorporating some plants into the design is a great way to do it.There are a variety of different ways to improve the acoustics of any office space. For more on this, or to learn about any of our office furniture pieces or installation services for Salt Lake City clients, speak to the team at
Premier Office Design & Furniture today.
