Furnishing a space used to primarily be for aesthetic purposes only. Sofas were picked based on size, color, and comfort level. Cabinets were chosen because they fit well in the space, or they were able to conceal messy wires from sound recording equipment in a recording studio. Chairs were bought because they looked good and were comfortable enough for guests to sit in during an entire musical performance.
While the main purpose of furniture is to make spaces functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing, new options are broadening the scope to make them aesthetically optimal, too. No longer is furniture treated as acoustically neutral or even reflective. There is a growing shift toward selecting furniture that actively participates in sound control — particularly in office settings.
It’s challenging to control noise in offices and workplaces. Open-floor plans only facilitate noise, leading to decreased productivity and higher stress levels. In closed conference rooms, video conferencing systems can quickly echo if the appropriate acoustic system, including panels and diffusers, aren’t put in place. Ceiling tiles need to be added, as well as partitions to block noise from other parts of the room or from other floors.
The addition of the right furniture can also help. Here is how furniture is quietly changing the way offices handle sound.
How Acoustic-Furniture is Transforming Open-Plan Offices
With the rise of acoustic furniture, offices have the option to furnish the space with productive, sound-managed pieces. Desks, storage solutions, and casework are all being redesigned with sound in mind. Here’s how.
Desks
One necessary piece of furniture for every office is desks. Whether employees have individual seats or shared workspaces, desks are essential for creating dedicated, ergonomic, and organized spaces for employees to focus.
Acoustic desk solutions are becoming increasingly popular as more companies require in-office days and employees are coming to the office more and more. These types of desks offer increased privacy with improved focus areas and sound-absorbing barriers to limit noise. Many of these desks are made from compressed, sound-dampening materials to reduce reverberations.
Storage
Bookshelves, cabinets, and specialized acoustic cabinets are designed to divide open-floor plan spaces into different sections. This allows office managers to create different zones: a quiet zone can be used for heads-down work, while open, collaborative spaces can be leveraged for team meetings.
Acoustic-specialized storage solutions are made with sound-dampening materials to help reduce noise. Many of these include either fabric-covered or foam-insulated screens or panels.
Casework
Casework furniture is manufactured, including box-shaped storage units like cabinets, cupboards, and bookshelves. These units are built with easy installation in mind, making it super easy for office managers to move them or add them whenever needed.
Acoustic casework helps mitigate open-plan workspaces by acting as barriers and room dividers. These units are thick, high, and PET-felt or polyester fiber panels to help reduce noise and help with noise control. These types of cabinets are built with sound in mind, reducing echoes and reverberations.
How to Place Acoustic-Furniture in Open-Plan Offices
Buying the right type of acoustic furniture is a good first step, but proper placement is necessary to maximize its ability to absorb, scatter, and reduce noise. Below are some placement tips to consider for your open-floor plan office.
Establish Zone-Specific Layouts
Employees work best in different areas. For a team meeting or collaborative session, employees want to sit together. Having noise-reducing bookshelves or cabinets to designate collaborative spaces from quieter spaces can be particularly beneficial. Moveable dividers or partitions can be used to break up long sound baths and reduce echoes from collaborative worktables.
Create Semi-Private Spaces
Using high-backed or winged chairs is not only great for ergonomic purposes, but they can also help create personal, semi-private spaces for employees. By making mini “cocoons” around the open-plan office, office managers are helping to reduce distractions and create more private workspaces. These types of chairs will help with sound absorption and reduce ambient distractions.
Avoid Overcrowding
A growing team is typically a good sign of business; however, it can lead to increased noise levels within an office. While you may have the physical space to squeeze in a few more desks, you’re better off keeping a reasonable distance between workstations. This will prevent noise from escalating, allowing you to control just how loud the office gets.
Instead, think about how to manage the soundscape through strategic design and physical adjustments. Creating designated zones, using functional dividers, and investing in sound-absorbing materials can be more beneficial.
Conclusion: Your Office Could Use an Acoustically Sound Reboot
Most offices are filled with the hustle and bustle of employees, vendors, contractors, and guests. These noises are often a good sign of collaboration; however, they can cause distractions and lead to disgruntled employees.
Working with a professional team for your office needs is a good start in building a workplace that employees will enjoy going to. These professional services can help with panel installation and placement, acoustic diffuser systems, and even recommend furniture selections for your office. They can help transform workplaces from open, blank spaces to enhanced acoustically sound environments that are aesthetically beautiful and productive for all employees.
