Your reception area sets the tone for visitors’ first impression of your business. A disorderly or bland reception space may convey to your guests that your company does not value its property, and thus does not value them or their comfort, either. Conversely, small yet meaningful details such as acoustic art panels can vastly enhance a reception area and promote a sense of confidence, inspiration, and comfort.
Acoustic art panels blend aesthetics with functionality, so business owners ought to use them strategically to maximize their impact.
Here is an overview of the role acoustic panels play for businesses and tips for leveraging their full potential.
Understanding Acoustic Art Panels
An acoustic art panel is a bi-functional installation that not only looks great but also effectively controls the auditory experience in a room. The panels can be customized in numerous ways that affect the panel’s visual identity and sound absorption properties.
To understand how acoustic panels work, it is essential to understand the NRC, or Noise Reduction Coefficient, of such panels. These items are ranked from 0.0 to 1.0, and in general, the higher the number, the more sound the panel absorbs.
So, for instance, concrete has an NRC of around 0.05; in other words, the majority of sound that hits a business’s concrete walls will bounce back into the room, making it noisy and potentially uncomfortable.
This information can be used to curate a reception area carefully. Does your business thrive on a sleek, modern look with tasteful wooden features? Consider a wood acoustic wall panel, which can have an NRC of up to 0.85.
Acoustic art panels can be created from numerous materials, but one of the most common is a fabric cover. This method enables professionals to print any art directly onto fabric, allowing businesses to choose exactly the type of art they want, from photos to text and more.
How to Upgrade Reception Areas With Acoustic Art
To make the most of acoustic art in their reception areas, businesses should consider a few foundational points.
Draw visual attention
Acoustic art should be aesthetically pleasing. Draw attention to the installation by using captivating images, patterns, or textures. Further leverage this visual interest to direct visitors’ gazes to where they need to go. This approach might involve placing a large panel behind the reception desk so guests immediately recognize their destination and can easily orient themselves in the space.
Place with care
While acoustic art panels should be placed with refinement and beauty in mind, their functional components are imperative. Panels should be placed opposite the biggest sources of sound and at about eye level. Are your guests creating most of the noise in your space, or is it coming from something else, such as an appliance? Install panels accordingly, making sure they are not directly touching each other for the best results.
Don’t forget the ceiling
Acoustic art panels are most commonly installed on walls, but that’s not their only use. The ceiling (and especially vaulted ceilings) can be a significant contributor to noise in a reception area. Using suspended acoustic art panels can add interest to your space, increase feelings of comfort, and reduce noise.
The Difference Acoustic Art Can Make
A quieter reception area is more comfortable, and that by itself is worth the investment. However, there are some additional advantages that may not be immediately apparent.
For example, employees who work in a quiet area are 16.9% more productive on average than those working in noisy environments. This atmosphere can keep a business’s employees on track, increasing efficiency and improving guests’ experiences. The same is true of visitors, who can focus more and relax during their time in the reception area.
Similarly, guests are more likely to be attentive, calm, and favorable in spaces where the noise level is less than 50 decibels. While this may be especially valuable in places such as medical facilities to keep visitors’ stress levels low, it is a worthwhile consideration in any business.
Try Acoustic Art Panels in Your Reception Area
Businesses considering how to improve the customer experience should start with their reception areas. As the first impression a guest has of the company, these spaces should exude emotional warmth and comfort.
Acoustic art panels can help businesses achieve this goal in a subtle yet visually stunning way. Contact Tree Towns to explore the options for acoustic art panels in your own business.