Did you know that many modern offices unintentionally create an environment where noise travels freely, leading to distractions, miscommunication, and lower productivity? Studies show that excessive workplace noise can reduce employee productivity by up to 66%.
At MergeWorks, we specialize in creating spaces that balance openness with focus, using innovative acoustic solutions to transform noisy offices into productive and comfortable environments. Here are five of the most common acoustic mistakes we see in offices, and how to fix them.
1. Open Offices with No Sound Control
The Problem:
Open-plan layouts encourage collaboration, but without proper sound management, they can quickly become noisy and overwhelming. Conversations, phone calls, and even keyboard clicks carry across the room, making it hard to focus.
The Fix:
Introduce sound-absorbing wall panels to break up sound travel. MergeWorks’ EchoDeco® Wall Panels are engineered to absorb excess noise while adding a stylish design element to your space. Choose between several different panel sizes, colors, and material thicknesses to create micro-environments that preserve openness while reducing noise levels.
2. Hard, Reflective Surfaces Everywhere
The Problem:
Glass walls, polished floors, and metal furnishings may look sleek, but they reflect sound waves instead of absorbing them. This creates an echo effect, known as reverberation, that makes voices sound louder and muddier.
The Fix:
Add soft, sound-absorbing materials to your office design. MergeWorks offers EchoDeco® Wall Tiles with an NRC rating of 0.85 that significantly reduces sound reflection and other unwanted noise. They are easy to install, and adding them on key surfaces helps “soften” the acoustics and improves speech clarity. For inspiration, check out our new gallery to see how others use our EchoDeco Wall Tiles!
3. Overlooking Noise in Shared Spaces
The Problem:
Break rooms, lounges, and huddle areas are often placed close to workstations, allowing background noise to spill over into focus zones. These spaces can become unexpected noise hotspots.
The Fix:
Use versatile room dividers to contain sound within shared spaces. MergeWorks’ Fold-N-Roll Villa Wall™ can be easily moved and repositioned, giving you the flexibility to create quiet zones when and where they’re needed most. With a variety of widths, heights and materials, you can seamlessly integrate these walls into your current space.
4. Conference Rooms Without Soundproofing
The Problem:
Conference rooms are often designed with sleek finishes and glass walls, but acoustics can oftentimes be forgotten about. This creates two major challenges: inside the room, sound bounces around and causes echo, making video calls and in-person discussions harder to follow. At the same time, conversations have the potential to spill out into surrounding areas, compromising privacy and distracting nearby employees.
The Fix:
Treat your meeting spaces to our quiet and airy ceiling baffles to absorb sound evenly. MergeWorks’ EchoDeco® Baffles not only effectively reduce echo but also add a modern design feature, without taking up any valuable space. With several designs, sizes and colors, you can create an acoustic-friendly ceiling space, designed with your business’ decor in mind.
5. Ignoring Acoustics in Flexible Workspaces
The Problem:
Flexible workspaces, like hybrid setups, are designed to change as teams grow and move around. But if the sound control in the office doesn’t adjust too, noise can quickly become a problem. Without the right acoustic solutions, conversations, phone calls, and background noise travel across the room, making it hard for people to focus no matter where they sit.
The Fix:
Invest in desk divider panels that adapt to changing needs. MergeWorks specializes in customizable and reconfigurable products like our Glide™ Wing Panel. This panel is designed for an easy, one-touch glide installation, which can be added or removed without tools. This flexibility ensures that no matter how your office evolves, your acoustic comfort remains intact.
Why Acoustics Matter
Today’s workforce expects more from their workspace: comfort, flexibility, and the ability to focus without constant interruptions. Poor acoustics can lead to noise fatigue, employee dissatisfaction, and even higher turnover rates. By addressing these five common mistakes, you’re not just improving sound quality, you’re investing in your team’s productivity and well-being.
MergeWorks takes a design-meets-function approach to acoustic solutions. Our products are:
- Customizable: to fit your layout, brand colors, and style
- Sustainable: made from high-quality recycled materials
- Effective: engineered to absorb sound and improve speech intelligibility
Ready to reduce noise in your office?
We can help you identify problem areas and create a customized acoustic plan using our range of desk dividers, wall panels, ceiling solutions, and more! Contact us today to start transforming your workspace into a place where focus and collaboration can thrive.
