Reduce office noise and boost employee engagement by incorporating noise reducing office furniture at the workplace.
That’s not an easy task because we’re immersed in noise.
During commutes, listening to an audiobook or the radio in your car is pleasant but there’s still noise. Think of the noises that you hear in your backyard. Or how about parking near your office, whether it’s in a downtown Los Angeles high-rise or an office near John Wayne Airport?
When you get into the office and settle at your desk, you won’t endure car horns or neighbors blasting music during backyard barbeques but you’ll have other distractions.
Take a look at this:
Even moderate noise in an office can result in high levels of stress and lower task motivation, according to a 2021 study from Cornell University:
“Workers in the noisy office experienced significantly higher levels of stress, made 40 percent fewer attempts to solve an unsolvable puzzle, and made only half as many ergonomic adjustments to their workstations as did their colleagues in quiet offices.”
Does that mean you have to put up solid walls?
No. Get fashionable.
You can use noise reducing office furniture that help with office acoustics with stylish designs that blend with your existing decor using some of the latest new fabrics.
Channeling and reducing sound helps make the office a desirable place for your employees.
Here’s a fabric that keeps the office looking stylish and absorbs noise: PET Felt.
What is PET Felt?
When you take the materials used to make plastic bottles and reuse it as fabrics — that’s Polyethylene Terephthalate, better known as PET Felt.
PET is especially well-suited for use in design-led acoustics since it’s lightweight, dense, durable, and rigid: all properties that make it ideal for acoustic design. Add to that it achieves a Class O fire rating, as noted by Sound Zero, an acoustic sound design firm in the U.K.
Let’s see a specific use of this recycled material.
Lamps with PET Felt
Reducing or channeling office noise doesn’t mean putting up barriers. Help can come from unexpected places using noise reducing office furniture with the right materials.
Like PET felt on office lamps.
Now, would you have thought an office lamp could absorb sound? Dutch designers did and showcased their products on Dezeen.com.
The lamps hang nicely above tables with a relatively low profile and act almost like an upside-down umbrella. They don’t call attention to themselves but blend in nicely with the surroundings.
Noise Reducing Office Furniture Absorb and Deflect Those Noises
Now let’s look at other ways to reduce noise in the office with accompanying noise reducing office furniture.
Photo: OFS Intermix Conference Table
Set up a welcoming type of conference room. Click on the 2010 Office Inspiration page and browse a modern conference room space. It doesn’t have to be completely enclosed. Imagine a space with one wall as a whiteboard, another wall being a clear architectural wall, and a monitor attached to a wall with a doorless opening to walk in and out of freely.
Photo: Snowsound Clasp Fiber Room Divider
Many lounge seating arrangements are attractive, comfortable, and are designed to keep conversations focused around a table so the noise doesn’t drift away. In fact they make great noise reducing office furniture because of the padding and fabric that they’re usually made from.
Photo: Arcadia Contract TOOtheLOUNGE Seating
Look at the Arcadia TOOtheLOUNGE Seating with practical configurations and colorful appearances to brighten any office environment. It can be an individual “oasis” or set up to accommodate a few people. Make it as closed or as open as you want.
Photo: Nevins Bio Canvas Frame
Green office panels help you control the acoustics while adding a touch of nature to your surroundings. The Nevins Bio Canvas Frame has a lightweight frame and uses bark, moss, and stone panels. No maintenance is required.
Bookcases are another way to absorb and deflect sounds and make great noise reducing office furniture. What do you put on them? Decorative pieces. Plants. Books. Trophies from the office softball team. Get creative.
You’ve got plenty of options to choose from. Look for an eye-catching design like the OFS Hitch Shelf and Storage. It’s a modular system to showcase your personality.
Photo: OFS Rowens Shelf and Credenza
The OFS Rowen Shelf and Credenza has a library feel while the DARRAN Chameleon Storage has a more boxy style.
Photo: DARRAN Chameleon Storage
Don’t forget green plants. Wider leaves deflect sound waves and all types of plants purify the air. Plus, they’re visually refreshing. Good Housekeeping compiled a listing of 15 plants including the spider plant and birds nest fern.
These ideas are relatively easy to implement and we didn’t even include cubicles or architectural walls. But all these are good options for noice reducing office furniture.
Office Space Planning and Design for Noise Reducing Office Furniture
Absorbing sound waves are one part of overall office planning.
What do you feel your greatest needs are? Ask the team at 2010 Office Furniture and they’ll bring more than 50 years of experience into your space planning and furniture sourcing solutions.
2010 Office’s clients are Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.
Contact them with your potential project needs and when you’re ready to include noise reducing office furniture into your office space.
Read Also: Choosing the Best Office Dividers and Filing Systems
Main Photo: OFS Intermix Conference Table
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Arcadia Contract, DARRAN, Nevins, OFS and Snowsound
