Posted by Tarun Arora
on June 11, 2025
Open-plan offices have become the go-to layout for many businesses. While these spaces are great for collaboration and flexibility, they can also be noisy, with phone calls, video meetings, and everyday conversations creating a constant buzz of background noise. Over time, that noise can take its toll, leading to lower concentration, higher stress levels, and reduced productivity.
One smart way to tackle this challenge is with acoustic furniture. Designed to absorb and soften sound, it helps create a calmer, more focused environment without compromising on style or functionality.
In this guide, we’ll explore how acoustic furniture can support a quieter workspace — from desk dividers and freestanding screens to meeting booths and soft seating — and share practical tips for designing a noise-reduced office that works for your team.
What Is Acoustic Furniture? Benefits of Office Noise Reduction
First of all, what is acoustic office furniture? Acoustic office furniture is specifically designed to reduce ambient noise by absorbing and dampening sound waves within a workspace. This type of sound-absorbing furniture typically includes high-back seating, upholstered booths, padded desk dividers, and acoustic wall or floor panels, all created using materials that minimise noise reflection and echo.
Businesses can enjoy a range of benefits by integrating acoustic furniture into their office layout. Improved noise reduction leads to better concentration, allowing employees to focus on tasks without constant interruption. It also contributes to lower stress levels, creating a more comfortable and calming atmosphere. Additionally, acoustic features enhance privacy in open-plan settings, making phone calls and team discussions feel more contained and confidential.
Best Acoustic Furniture for Office Noise Reduction
Creating a noise-reduced office starts with choosing the right furniture. From screens to seating, furniture made from sound-absorbing materials helps to reduce noise and support focused, productive work. Here are some ideas for incorporating acoustic office furniture into your office:
Desk Dividers & Desktop Acoustic Screens for Workstations
Desk dividers and desktop acoustic screens are ideal for open plan offices where visual and acoustic distractions are common. These simple yet effective panels create personal acoustic zones at each workstation, helping to block out chatter, keyboard noise, and phone calls from neighbouring desks. By improving workstation privacy, they encourage deeper focus and fewer interruptions throughout the day.
Explore our range of Fabric Desk Screens, Superior Acoustic Fabric Desk Screens, and Glazed / Acrylic Desk Screens to find the perfect solution for your office.
Floor-Standing Acoustic Screens to Reduce Office Noise
Floor-standing screens offer greater flexibility when it comes to office layout and office noise control. These freestanding acoustic panels can be used to separate teams, define breakout areas, or buffer high-traffic zones like corridors and print stations. Their padded construction and fabric finishes help absorb sound, making them a smart addition to any busy work environment.
Browse our selection of Fabric Floor Standing Screens, Superior Acoustic Noise Reduction Screens, Glazed & Acrylic Floor Standing Screens, Concertina Mobile Room Divider Screens, Vinyl Floor Standing Screens, and Divide Mobile Floor Standing Fabric Screens to find the ideal option for your workspace.
Acoustic Meeting Booths & Office Phone Pods
Meeting booths, also known as acoustic pods or office phone booths, are an increasingly popular solution for businesses looking to offer private, sound-insulated spaces. Whether used for one-to-one conversations, video calls, or small group meetings, these enclosed structures provide a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the main office and are a great way to improve productivity.
Overall, they can be an excellent investment for businesses looking to create secluded, sound-managed spaces within their workplace.
Soft Seating & Upholstered Office Chairs for Sound Absorption
Often overlooked, upholstered office chairs and soft seating can also contribute to better acoustics. Padded materials help to muffle noise rather than reflect it, making these pieces a subtle but effective part of your acoustic seating solutions. Whether placed in breakout zones, waiting areas, or lounges, these furnishings support a quieter, more comfortable environment.
Discover our selection of Operator Chairs, Executive Chairs, and Reception Sofas to incorporate style and sound absorption in one.
Additional Strategies to Enhance Office Acoustics
While acoustic office furniture plays a major role in creating a noise-reduced office, combining it with other office acoustic solutions delivers the best results. A multi-layered approach to noise reduction strategies ensures a more balanced and comfortable environment, especially in large or open-plan spaces. Here are a few additional ideas to enhance the acoustics in your office:
Acoustic Wall Panels & Ceiling Tiles for Office Noise Control
Installing acoustic wall panels and sound-absorbing ceiling tiles helps to control reverberation across the room. These noise-absorbing materials trap and dissipate sound waves, reducing echo and preventing noise from bouncing around the space, which can help promote coworking while minimising disruption. Available in various shapes, colours, and textures, these additions can double as stylish design features that complement your brand identity.
Read Our Tips to Promote Coworking in Modern OfficesOffice Furniture, Bookshelves & Plants for Better Acoustics
Beyond furniture designed specifically for acoustics, everyday office elements like bookshelves, storage units, and even indoor plants can help dampen noise levels. Bookshelves act as barriers between zones, while densely planted greenery absorbs ambient noise and softens the overall soundscape.
These budget-friendly solutions are perfect for enhancing office acoustics without major renovations and can even help you create a more sustainable office design.
Combining Acoustic Furniture and Design Features for a Quiet Office
The most effective office acoustic solutions combine specialist furniture, like desk dividers, freestanding screens, and acoustic seating, with architectural features such as panels, tiles, and thoughtful space planning.
Together, these noise reduction strategies create a workspace where employees can focus, collaborate, and feel at ease.
Shop Acoustic Office Furniture at Southern Office Furniture
A well-designed, quiet office is essential for supporting productivity, focus, and employee well-being. By incorporating acoustic furniture such as desk dividers, floor-standing screens, meeting booths, and upholstered seating, businesses can reduce unwanted noise and create a more peaceful, functional environment.
Whether you're designing a collaborative open-plan office or upgrading a private workspace, these acoustic workplace solutions offer measurable benefits—from enhanced concentration and reduced stress to better office noise management overall. Evaluating your current setup and identifying opportunities for improvement is a great first step toward a more focused, comfortable, and effective work environment.
At Southern Office Furniture, we stock a wide range of products made from sound absorbing material and designed to support quiet office design. From sound-absorbing screens to soft seating and enclosed meeting pods, our collections combine practicality with professional style.