Create a Better Office Sound Environment in 3 Steps

1. Thoughtful flows and layout with zoning

The foundation of effective sound reduction starts at the planning stage. How areas are used and how people move through the space affects the soundscape more than you might think.

A common issue in open-plan offices is that different types of activity are mixed together – phone calls, meetings and focused work all take place in the same area. This creates unnecessary noise and disruption.

Create zones based on level of focus

To succeed with office sound reduction, it is important to clearly separate different types of tasks and levels of focus. When work that generates different noise levels is mixed in the same area, disruptions easily arise that affect concentration.

An effective way to reduce this is to divide the office into zones based on the type of activity carried out. For example, you can create:

• Quiet areas for focused, uninterrupted work
• Areas for calls, meetings and collaboration
• More open or social areas where a higher noise level is acceptable

By grouping similar activities in the same area, the soundscape becomes more predictable and easier to manage. It also helps employees intuitively adapt their behaviour to the zone they are in, contributing to a more harmonious and balanced working environment.

Think about movement patterns

Place meeting rooms, printers and coffee points strategically so that foot traffic does not pass through quiet work zones. This reduces both noise levels and distractions.

2. Screen off areas and create ‘room within a room’ spaces

Once the layout is in place, the next step is to break up sound propagation using screening. The aim is to create smaller “rooms” – more controlled sound environments within the larger office.

Effective ways to screen off areas

There are several simple and effective solutions for improving sound reduction and screening off areas to break up the way sound spreads. By combining different types of screening, you can create a more comfortable and controlled sound environment without having to rebuild the entire office.

Here are a few simple and effective solutions:

• Screen walls are one of the most effective solutions for reducing speech, which is often the biggest source of disruption in open-plan offices. Screens 40–50 mm thick absorb speech rather than simply blocking it, reducing how far conversations carry across the room.
• High-backed furniture, such as sofas and armchairs, acts as a natural sound barrier. It creates smaller, more defined areas where sound stays contained instead of travelling further. Ideal for informal meeting spots.
• Curtains, especially in heavier fabrics, are a smart way to both divide areas and absorb sound. They can easily be drawn when needed and also contribute to a softer, more welcoming environment.
• Plants provide more than visual screening – they also help to break up sound waves. Larger plants or green walls can create a more muted sound environment while improving the office’s overall atmosphere.

3. Choose upholstered furniture and use sound absorbers

The final step is about working with materials that actually absorb sound. In offices with many hard surfaces, sound bounces around and creates echo, which amplifies noise.

Use upholstered furniture

When it comes to effective sound reduction, upholstered furniture plays a bigger role than many people realise. Unlike hard surfaces such as glass, concrete and wood, textile materials do not reflect sound waves – they absorb them. This reduces both echo and the overall noise level in the room.

By furnishing with the right types of furniture, you can improve acoustics without major changes to the premises. Consider opting for:

• Upholstered sofas and chairs – perfect in both meeting areas and lounge areas, where they help to soften conversations.
• Upholstered furniture with high density – thicker padding provides better sound absorption.

In addition to their function, these solutions also help create a more comfortable and welcoming working environment. The combination of comfort and acoustic improvement makes upholstered furniture a smart investment in both peace and wellbeing at work.

Sound absorbers

To take sound reduction to the next level, furniture alone is not always enough – targeted acoustic solutions are needed. Sound absorbers are designed specifically to capture and reduce sound waves, making them highly effective in office environments. A good rule of thumb is to cover around 10–15% of the wall area with absorbers to achieve a noticeable improvement.

• Wall absorbers reduce reflections and echo from wall surfaces.
• Desk screens reduce noise directly at the workstation and limit spread between colleagues.

Placement is just as important as quantity. For best results, absorbers should be positioned:

• Near noise sources, such as workstations and meeting areas.
• On large, hard surfaces where sound would otherwise bounce.
• At ear height, where much of the sound transmission occurs.