More than half of French employees report being regularly bothered by noise in their workplace. It's the number one nuisance in open-plan offices. It disrupts concentration, generates stress, and directly impacts team performance. The good news is that there are concrete, flexible, and accessible solutions to address this.
Without undertaking major works. Without tying up the premises.
This article reviews the most effective solutions for reducing noise in the office. From zoning spaces to acoustic furniture, each approach is explained, along with the Buronomic products that meet the specific needs. Made in France for over 45 years, these products combine acoustic performance, ergonomics, and design.
Why does noise in the office harm your employees and your company?
The main sources of noise pollution in open-plan offices
Conversations between colleagues, phone calls, footsteps, printers, air conditioning: the sources are numerous and cumulative. Identifying the origins of ambient noise is the first step to effectively reducing it. Without a diagnosis, the risk is investing in solutions that don't address the real problem.
The impact of noise on concentration, productivity and quality of working life
Stress, cognitive fatigue, repeated errors, decreased engagement, absenteeism: the impact of noise pollution is measurable. It affects employees, but also the overall performance of the company. Quality of life at work is directly impacted.
What noise level is acceptable in an open-plan office?
The NF EN ISO 3382 standard recommends a level between 40 and 55 dB depending on the activity carried out.
In reality, open-plan offices often exceed 60 dB. This difference translates into discomfort, fatigue, and loss of concentration.
Reducing noise in the office without construction work
Structural solutions exist: carpeting, suspended ceilings, wall treatments. They are effective, but they require construction work, time, and a budget. Their results are long-lasting, but static.
Acoustic furniture offers a different approach. Immediate results. Reversible solutions. Adaptability to the evolution of your spaces.
This is the approach favored by buronomic: influencing the sound environment through furniture, without taking the premises out of service, without committing to a construction budget, and with the possibility of reconfiguring the space as needed.
7 solutions to effectively reduce noise in the office
Some solutions affect the building's structure. Others affect the furniture. Still others affect behaviors. Here's how to combine them for a lasting result, organized into three levels of intervention.
- Level 1 (structural) : floor, walls, ceiling.
- Level 2 (furniture) : partitions, cabins, absorbent storage.
- Level 3 (behavioral) : rules of conduct, raising awareness among teams.
1. Rethink the zoning of the workspace to limit noise interference
The first thing to do before buying any furniture is to rethink the organization of the space.
Separate quiet areas from busy areas. Keep workstations away from high-traffic areas such as the entrance, kitchen, and copy room. This zoning approach already solves a significant part of the problem, without any investment in equipment.
This is the approach that buronomic champions in its collaborative environments. Shared workspaces, quiet and focused zones, informal meeting areas, relaxation and socializing zones: each use has its place. Acoustics are naturally controlled by the coherent design.
2. Install acoustic partitions to block sound transmission between workstations
Partition walls, office screens, sound-absorbing walls between islands: this family of solutions acts on the horizontal propagation of sound.
offer office partitions measurable sound absorption performance. They are modular and visually integrate seamlessly into existing open-plan spaces. No wall mounting or construction work is required. They can be repositioned as the office layout evolves.
3. Create quiet spaces for concentration with acoustic booths and pods
Individual telephone booths, alcoves for two people, privacy spaces : these solutions allow you to isolate yourself from the group, without leaving the open space.
The acoustic booth offers enhanced soundproofing. It features integrated seating and glazing that maintains natural light. It is suitable for long calls, video conferences, and work requiring high concentration.
offer privacy booths acoustic privacy in an open format. They are ideal for short calls, one-on-one conversations, and periods of focused concentration.
4. Designate informal meeting spaces to contain noise-based conversations
Spontaneous conversations and brainstorming sessions don't belong around workstations. Yet, that's where they take place when no space has been provided for them.
The solution lies in offering buffer zones that are both absorbent and welcoming. The Alto Confidential and Calm spaces create these types of zones. High, enveloping backrests in absorbent fabric and a semi-enclosed configuration ensure that conversations remain contained and neighbors are no longer disturbed.
The Alto sofas and armchairs complement this approach. They transform informal meeting areas into inviting spaces, while adding a warm dimension to the layout.
5. Choose furniture with sound-absorbing properties
The furniture itself can become a tool for acoustic correction. Fabric sofas, upholstered benches, storage units with sound-absorbing walls, padded dividers: each piece contributes to reducing overall reverberation.
The Quiétude storage units are designed with this principle in mind. They absorb sound waves while organizing the space. This dual benefit makes them particularly suitable for densely packed open-plan offices.
The entire Alto collection follows the same principle. Fabric coverings, dense padding, absorbent surfaces: the furniture works silently for overall acoustic comfort.
6. Take action on floor, wall, and ceiling coverings to improve sound insulation
Carpeting, suspended acoustic tiles, sound-absorbing false ceilings: structural solutions complement the furniture. They act on hard surfaces that reflect sound and amplify reverberation.
These solutions require some work, but their effectiveness is undeniable. Buronomic works in synergy with these modifications to optimize the acoustics of the entire space. The approach is complementary: the building structure addresses general reverberation, while the furniture addresses individual sound propagation.
7. Opt for ergonomic and height-adjustable workstations
The noise doesn't just come from conversations. Sudden movements, frequent travel, and postural fatigue generate a diffuse agitation that weighs on the sound environment.
An electrically height-adjustable desk reduces these sources of discomfort. Posture adapts to the activity, movements become less frequent, and the environment gains in serenity.
contribute electric desks to this balance. Silent motorized adjustment, position memory, range from 63 to 128 cm: each employee has a workstation adapted to their body type and pace.
Comparison of acoustic solutions for your office
| Solution | Acoustic efficiency | Reversible | Without work | |
| Acoustic booth | ★★★★★ | starting from 5,150 euros | ✓ | ✓ |
| Acoustic partition | ★★★★ | starting from 400 euros | ✓ | ✓ |
| Absorbent furniture | ★★★ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Acoustic wall panel | ★★★ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Carpet | ★★★ | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Acoustic suspended ceiling | ★★★★ | ✗ | ✗ |
Buronomic solutions cover the first four lines of the table. No construction work. Reversible. Immediately operational.
An approach that adapts to the evolution of your spaces without freezing the project.
Acoustics and open space: the buronomic approach for more serene workspaces
A comprehensive vision of acoustic well-being at work
The Buronomic philosophy is clear. Workplace living spaces are designed to foster interaction between different uses. Shared areas, quiet spaces, relaxation zones: each environment finds its place within a healthy, efficient, and acoustically balanced collective dynamic.
This vision is part of a long-term commitment. buronomic is a founding member of the Actineo Observatory, dedicated to quality of life at work. Workplace well-being is ingrained in the brand's DNA, not an added option.
Buronomic certified products guarantee quality
Our commitment to quality takes concrete form. Guarantees of up to 10 years, NF certification, ISO 9001:2015, EcoVadis Gold Medal, and OEC certification – all these are guarantees of the long-term reliability of Buronomic products.
For acoustic solutions, tests conducted by FCBA or external technical offices are not insignificant. They guarantee that the performance measured at the factory exit is maintained in use over time.
Good acoustic practices: what your teams can do on a daily basis
Raising employee awareness of noise regulations in open-plan offices
Furniture isn't everything. The behavioral dimension is inseparable from the physical layout.
Several concrete measures exist. Define noise zones with color-coded signage. Integrate an acoustic charter into the internal regulations. Train newcomers on the proper use of the spaces. These simple actions enhance the effectiveness of the installed furniture.
Individual solutions to complement acoustic design
Active noise-canceling headphones, custom filters, in-ear headphones: these personal tools complement well-designed acoustic furniture. They don't replace quality soundproofing, but they provide an individual solution for peak activity periods or for those particularly sensitive to noise.
Seven solutions, three levels of intervention. Space zoning, acoustic partitions, booths and pods, informal meeting spaces, absorbent furniture, structural coverings and ergonomic offices: so many levers to combine depending on the context.
The hierarchy is clear. The structural level sets the general framework. The furniture level deals with the teams' day-to-day operations. The behavioral level anchors the approach in the long term.
Office noise is no longer inevitable. With the right acoustic solutions, and in particular professional furniture designed to absorb and contain noise, it is possible to transform a noisy open-plan office into a calm, efficient and pleasant working environment.
