10 tips for good acoustics in the office

1. Find the right acoustic solution 

To find the right acoustic solution, it is important to consider the purpose of the office and the people who work there. Consider what activities office users undertake, how many phone calls they make, their communication and teamwork, and where they meet to integrate or relax. This analysis is the basis for designing solutions that work in a given space, while meeting the needs of the people who work there.

2. Well thought-out zone locations

Well thought-out location of zones in an office can help to improve the acoustic environment. By creating the areas designated for individual work, communication and teamwork and keeping them separate from each other, we can automatically create spaces for silence, as well as those for conversation. Zones should be arranged in a way that ensures that no zone impedes the efficiency of another. For example, a conversation area can be separated by installing a 4-person Treehouse in the office, the walls of which significantly reduce the sound transmitted between adjacent areas.

3. Don't forget the ceiling and walls

In the rooms, it is usually most effective to acoustically adapt the ceiling and two adjacent perpendicular walls (one of a pair of parallel walls). The solution we recommend is to install Silent Block Sky or Selva Sky panels on the ceiling and Silent Block Wall or Selva Wall on adjacent walls. By using a relatively small number of panels we'll be able to eliminate reverberation, increase speech intelligibility and improve room acoustics without reducing the floor space.

4. Use soft, porous materials

Sound waves are absorbed by soft, porous materials. Filling an office space with such elements helps to reduce reverberation time, so it is a good idea to install carpet on the floor and acoustic panels on the ceiling (e.g. Silent Block Sky). We suggest to include upholstered furniture in the rooms (e.g. Ox:co or Lumi chairs, Plint or Quadra modular sofas) and bookcases and binders, which also have sound-absorbing potential. We especially recommend Saar shelving units, which, in addition to their classic storage function, they can also be paired up with upholstered acoustic panels. Shelving with acoustic panels is a perfect solution for separating different areas in the office or separating circulation routes.

5. Block out excess sound

Make sure the suitable noise screening method is in place i.e. block out excess sound with vertical noise barriers, e.g. Selva Free mobile screens or Selva Hang hanging screens. Let's not forget that the bigger the screen, the more effective it is. Bejot's acoustic screens are available in a wide range of materials, colours and shapes to suit any space.

6.Drown out noise sources

The quickest way to improve acoustics in an office is to identify the biggest source of noise  (e.g. noisy office equipment) and soundproof it in an efficient way. The closer the noise source is to the acoustic solution, the more effective it will be, which is why we recommend that acoustic screens and panels are placed near the shredder or printer (e.g. Selva Walll or ceiling panels Selva Sky).

7. Go with acoustic booths

In order to provide a quiet place for telephone conversations, video conferences or small business meetings, it's a good idea to use the acoustic booths (Treehouse, Quadra), which bring an appropriate level of soundproofing, and ensure that these conversations remain confidential. Bejot acoustic booths are available in different sizes (for 1, 2 or 4 people) and can be configured according to your own individual needs.

8. Invest in desk screens

Thanks to their design, they limit the spread of sound in the office while also absorbing it, hence helping to reduce noise levels. We recommend Selva Desk screens, which, thanks to their double-sided layer of acoustic fleece, absorb sounds from neighbouring workstations. At the same time, they give you the feeling of having your own safe space.

9. Create a personal workplace

Our  recommendation is to introduce some comfortable areas for individual work in the open space. Stand-alone workstations such as the Leaf Pod is a perfect solution here, as they provide high sound-shielding performance. With these products, the acoustic wave does not spread across the rest of the office quite as easily. This allows employees to work efficiently, maintain a state of high concentration and at the same time feel a sense of privacy and autonomy.

10. See our acoustic furtniture

The space for relaxation, meetings and brainstorming should be equipped with acoustic furniture, which will ensure that all the conversations do not disturb other office users. For this particular purpose, it's best to go with modular sofa with high walls (e.g. Plint, Quadra, Voo voo 9xx) as well as the acoustic booths (Treehouse, Quadra). You simply cannot go wrong with Social Swing either - it is a construction with suspended armchairs, which is also a very eye-catching element of chillout zones

Summary

All these tips help to dampen noise, reduce reverberation and provide the right acoustic environment, which in turn has a positive impact on the wellbeing and productivity of employees. As a manufacturer of acoustic furniture, we guarantee that you will quickly notice the effects of reducing the influx of various sounds and soundproofing your office space. Check out the selection of Bejot products or contact our expert to find solutions that will solve your noise problems.