How to improve privacy and reduce noise in the office

In open plan offices, noise travels quickly. This is exacerbated by the modern trends of industrialist design with high ceilings, exposed brick and concrete surfaces. With so many people working in one place, it can also be difficult to find a quiet private space to do something as simple as make a phone call.

Acoustic and visual privacy is important. In fact, lack of privacy and high noise levels are some of the most common complaints employees have about their workplace. Too much visual and audio stimuli is exhausting for workers and leads to a lack of concentration, reduced productivity and decreased job satisfaction. People are turning to meeting rooms to get the peace they need but this means that conference rooms are unavailable for their intended purpose. There are numerous simple options for improving the soundscape in your office.

What type of noise barriers can help improve your office acoustics?

Floor screens

Floor screens are a great way to create temporary and movable partitions between different areas of the workplace. If you have a breakout area that is part of the same floor space as the main work area, a screen wall provides a physical barrier between the two areas so that those still working are not distracted by seeing or hearing colleagues taking a break. The biggest advantage of these screens over floor-to-ceiling partitions is that they don’t form a full wall, so you get the benefits of an open-plan layout with none of the drawbacks. While wooden office screens are available, fabric-upholstered acoustic partitions will offer the most effective solution, acting as a visual screen and absorbing surrounding noise.

Desk screens

A fabric desk screen with sound-absorbing properties makes a big difference to noise levels. At the most basic level, a desk screen creates a barrier between each desk that blocks off some of the noise from colleagues working nearby and creates a more secluded and private work area so that each employee has their own space and is not constantly overlooked. This type of screen can be retrofitted easily to any type of desk and is a relatively inexpensive way to improve your office landscape.

Wall and ceiling hangers

Sound waves will bounce off walls, ceilings and hard floors, creating echoes and increasing the overall volume. Any soft furnishing and textiles will help to improve the soundscape. However, in a very noisy office, specially designed acoustic panels are the most effective way to stop the noise levels building up too high. Sound absorbing panels trap sound waves and reduce noise reverberations; instead of sound waves bouncing off the surface, they are absorbed by the panel and dissipate. Both wall-mounted and ceiling-hanging panels are available.

Sofas and booths

Acoustic seating is an effective way to create a secluded space in the office without installing partitions. High sided sofas and booths provide seclusion and dampen the sound coming from elsewhere in the office so that you can work quietly or hold a private conversation without being overheard or disturbing colleagues trying to concentrate at nearby workstations. Acoustic sofas are an adaptable solution that can fit in nearly any workplace and be configured as needed. Position two sofas across from each other to establish a space that is suitable for smaller meetings. On the other hand, pods take up more space but create a completely enclosed workspace. Both options are available to accommodate between one and six people. Providing plenty of quiet private spaces for workers to use as and when they want gives employees the flexibility to decide how they work best and to change where they are working depending on what they’re doing.