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Aesthetics in Decorative Acoustic Panel Design: Function Meets Style
From concert halls to classrooms, exceptional acoustics are a top priority in rooms of all sizes and functions. Using the correct materials to amplify, capture, and nullify noise in these spaces can make the difference between crisp and clear audio and inaudible and unintelligible reverberations.
Humans have been using different techniques to manipulate and dampen sound in such spaces for thousands of years. Acoustic paneling, however, didn’t really take shape until the late 1970s when a wedge of sound-absorbing foam was unveiled at the Audio Engineering Society’s annual meetup in New York.1
This first acoustic panel was bland and basic—a far cry from the acoustic panels decorative and dynamic designers are currently producing. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the contemporary state of acoustic paneling aesthetics and outline some key strategies for developing beautiful, soundproof spaces of any size.
The Fusion of Function and Design
While absorbing, blocking, and closing-in sound is the primary concern of any worthwhile acoustic paneling, modern manufacturers care deeply about aesthetics as well. From keeping sound contained in offices to bottling in the bass in your band’s practice garage, there’s a large variety of applications for contemporary soundproofing materials. Thus, manufacturers have developed a wide range of acoustic wall panels to fit the design and decibel needs of different spaces. Think about:- The classic beige dividers of cubicles in large corporate offices
- The soft black or red foam lining the walls of your favorite live music venue
- The spongy corkboard spread around the perimeter of elementary classrooms
Colorful Acoustic Solutions
Color has a profound effect on the way we perceive a room and can alter our moods after only a short time. For instance, cool ocean tones can have a calming effect and help people decompress from stress and anxiety. From most to least effective, colors that have this calming quality are2:- Blue
- Violet
- Green
- Yellow
- Orange
- Red
Creative Panel Placement and Design
After deciding on a color scheme for your space, the next question to address is, where to place sound absorbing panels? The most effective answer is everywhere. Sound within a room is a lot like water inside a fish tank: if you want it to stay in, you have to make sure it’s fully enclosed on all sides. Thus, the more surface area you cover with your acoustic paneling, the more soundproof your room. Your acoustic goals can also help you determine where to place your paneling. Are you building a recording studio where sound quality is a top priority? You’ll want floor-to-ceiling coverage. If you’re working with an environment where minimal noise transfer is acceptable, such as a school or office, you can be more selective about where to place your acoustical paneling. Hexagon acoustic panels made from Envirocoustic Wood Wool allow you to cover as much or as little of your surfaces as you need. Their unique design features:- A peel-and-stick adhesive that’s a breeze to install on your own
- Even sides that quickly align for a beautiful interlocking aesthetic
- The freedom to install around fixtures, such as lights, without having to make custom cuts into larger boards
Acoustic Artistry: Beyond Traditional Panels
Just like a Da Vinci, Monet, or Picasso, some decorative acoustic panels are just so unique that they’re instantly recognizable. The Curve Low-Profile Diffusor is one such wall panel. Its one-of-a-kind bowed design melds charmingly with the refined decor of any high-end restaurant, office, or art gallery. With interchangeable wooden trim and a variety of fabric options available, it can be customized to suit any space. Additionally, the Curve Low-Profile Diffusor can be mounted either vertically or horizontally to fit any surface. Affix it to walls, across ceilings, or around booths to turn heads and dampen sound from 500Hz to a mere 20kHz.Strategic Sound Absorption: Where to Place Your Panels
If you can’t cover all your walls from floor to ceiling, you’ll need to identify your space’s primary reflection points and focus your acoustical paneling there. So, how to reduce echo in a large room or area? In concert venues, for instance, you may want to consider covering the walls closest to the stage. In classrooms, on the other hand, you may want to spread paneling evenly along the lower levels of your walls as sound is liable to come from any direction. If, for some reason, wall space is limited, there’s another, loftier way of diffusing and absorbing sound in a space: baffles. Baffles hang from overhead and mitigate reverberation off of a space’s ceiling. Ceilings are a common cause of unwanted echo as they’re:- Generally made of hard materials that reflect, rather than absorb sound
- Difficult to line with acoustic tiles as they’re hard to reach and can require special fasteners
- Often overlooked in favor of a space’s more noticeable areas, such as walls, floors, and doors
Hiding and Integrating Sound Equipment
For spaces that want to optimize their soundproofing potential while maintaining a seamless look, acoustic paneling offers many creative ways to hide speakers and other audio equipment. Consider boring cubby holes into your walls that are large enough to fit your subwoofer, soundbars, and other speakers. Then, line your walls with fabric acoustic panels that closely match the color and pattern of your speakers’ faces. Once the lights are low, no one will even know they’re there! Speaking of turning the lights down low, acoustic paneling can also amplify the aesthetics of your light fixtures. Simply box in any hanging bulbs with panels to both dampen their brightness and get the added bonus of extra baffles in your venue.Making a Statement with Bold Acoustic Designs
Bold acoustic panel design doesn’t just keep unwanted noise locked in—it also tells others about your business, organization, or space. A unique look differentiates your company from others, and there’s no better place to start that differentiation than in the building where you work. With their dull walls and cut-and-paste furniture, conference rooms have a particularly bland and boring reputation amongst interior design aficionados. Even the New York Times recently took aim at conventional conference rooms, calling them3:- Sterile
- The least loved room in the office
- Where countless workers have nodded off, shared eye rolls, or sneaked peeks at cellphones held in their laps
Ensuring Longevity: Maintenance and Care for Decorative Panels
In order to keep your panels as visually striking as the day you installed them, routine care and maintenance is a must. Most fabric or foam panels can be cleaned with a soft brush on the end of a vacuum, but check the particular panels you purchase for their specific cleaning and care instructions. Moisture is the enemy of many materials, acoustic foams and fabrics included, so avoid harsh chemicals and spillage whenever possible and quickly wipe up any panels that get wet. While you’re at it, make a habit of periodically inspecting your panels for damage. The sooner you catch small holes or tears, the easier it is to repair, rather than replace, panels.Create Beautiful, Bespoke Soundproofing Solutions with Panels from Acoustical Surfaces
Modern acoustic paneling comes in a range of colors and designs so you never have to sacrifice style for soundproofing capability. Whether you’re after decorative sound deadening panels for a concert hall, conference room, or kindergarten, there are designs available to set the mood and the sound level you’re looking for. With a wide variety of materials, panel shapes, and colors to choose from, Acoustical Surfaces is your one-stop shop for all things soundproofing. From essential black foam diffusers to intricately detailed and custom-colored wood fiber acoustic panels, our designs run the gamut. Get in contact today so we can help you pick the perfect panel for your aesthetic and acoustic needs. Sources:- Pro Sound News. Acoustics Then and Now. https://www.soundonsound.com/magazine/1999-11
- National Library of Medicine. Interior Color and Psychological Functioning in a University Residence Hall. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6120989/
- The New York Times. Say Goodbye to the Boring Conference Room. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/business/conference-room-decor-offices-rto.html