If you are starting your restaurant/café design from scratch there are many planning/layout considerations as well as treatment ideas for walls, furniture, ceilings, screens, and floors that can be incorporated to minimise unwanted noise in your restaurant and/or cafe.
If you are working with an existing space that isn’t working for you don’t worry there are still plenty of things you can do to help minimise existing noise disruption.
Treatments could be proprietary (things you can buy off the shelf and install) or custom (designed by an Interior Designer and created by a shopfitter especially for your space). Below is a mix of proprietary and custom ideas for your space!
Consider adding curtains to windows or even walls. Keep in mind though to use a fabric that is easy to clean and hides minor marks. Choose something that is both commercially rated, and has a slight to heavy pattern.
Consider incorporating wall treatments such as upholstered panels, or proprietary acoustic wall systems as well.
There are so many options when it comes to incorporating acoustic treatments to your ceiling. From perforated ceiling panels/ceiling tiles, hanging plants, acoustic pendant lights, acoustic ceiling systems both proprietary and custom there are many opportunities to reduce unwanted noise as well as make a great design statement in your space.
Consider incorporating upholstered seating options both loose seating and banquette, this will dampen some of the noise. Remember though to use fabrics that are both suitable for commercial use and waterproof (i.e. a crypton fabric, vinyl, or leather options)
You may choose to divide large dining areas with screening, how you screen between areas could present another opportunity to dampen noise in the space. Consider constructing screening out of sound-absorbing materials such as drapery, upholstered panels, planting, or even rope as is cleverly shown in the example above – the key is to choose something that isn’t a hard surface.
Carpet in the dining areas can be a great way to minimise noise. I know what you are thinking ‘Ew, carpet, really?! Won’t that absorb spills, and look like an office fitout?!” – Actually no, not if done correctly, as long as you keep these principles in mind it can actually look pretty great, and if used in select areas it can break up a large floor space and create a sense of different dining areas. Just keep to these general rules when selecting a carpet for your space:
Simply fill in this form to get started, or contact us by email: enquires@acousticaprojects.com.au
Source: emmarusso
