To solve acoustic issues in meeting rooms, start by diagnosing the precise problem—whether it’s echo, reverberation, standing waves, or sound leakage—and address it with targeted treatments such as slat‑panelled wall panels, moss walls, printed fabric frames, or fabric wall frames.

But here’s the catch: according to a 2024 report by Biamp, a global provider of commercial AV solutions, 63% of knowledge workers say noise negatively impacts their ability to concentrate at work. So even in modern-looking meeting rooms, poor sound control can quietly undermine productivity. Voices echo, outside noise leaks in, and video calls turn into guesswork. 

So what exactly is causing these disruptions—and what can you do to stop them? Let’s explore how to fix that.

Common Acoustic Issues in Meeting Rooms

Below are some of the most common acoustic issues:

Echo and Reverberation

Meeting rooms with hard surfaces like glass, concrete, or metal often suffer from echo and reverberation. Sound bounces around, making speech unclear—especially during calls or presentations. It’s worse in larger, sparsely furnished rooms, where there’s little to absorb the noise. Without acoustic treatment, even basic conversations can become mentally tiring.

Background Noise

External noise—from traffic, HVAC systems, or office chatter—can easily disrupt meetings. It reduces focus, affects audio clarity on calls, and makes private conversations harder to keep confidential, especially in rooms with poor insulation.

Poor Sound Isolation

When meeting rooms lack sound isolation, conversations leak out and external noise seeps in—leading to distractions and privacy issues. It’s often caused by thin walls, shared ceilings, or poorly sealed doors. Without fixing this, even a well-designed room can fail to support focus and confidentiality.

Uneven Sound Distribution

When sound isn’t evenly distributed in a meeting room, some voices come through clearly while others are muffled or lost. This often happens in larger spaces with hard surfaces or poor acoustic planning. It can lead to people struggling to hear each other—especially in hybrid meetings where audio is also picked up by microphones.

Steps to Solve Acoustic Issues in Meeting Rooms

Here are some steps you can take in solving acoustic issues in meeting rooms:

Step 1: Diagnose the Problem

Before you start fixing anything, you need to understand what's going wrong. Is it echo that makes the room feel empty? Is outside noise leaking in from adjacent offices or hallways? Is there a strange humming or buzzing that lingers when you speak? These are all signs of common acoustic issues.

Some rooms suffer from long reverberation times—this is when sound bounces around the room, making speech unclear. Others experience “standing waves” where certain sound frequencies resonate between parallel walls, causing a boomy or distorted effect. 

Thin walls can also let in distracting background noise from outside the room, and some AV setups even contribute to sound ghosting or feedback. Taking time to identify these problems—either through your own observations or with a professional acoustic audit—gives you a clearer direction for the next steps.

Step 2: Tackle the Basics – Absorb, Block, Cover, and Diffuse

Once you’ve identified the issues, your first layer of defence is addressing them with foundational acoustic treatments. Think of it as four strategies: absorb, block, cover, and diffuse.

Start by adding soft materials that absorb sound. Rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture help reduce echo and reverberation. To block outside noise, check for gaps in doors, windows, or ceilings that might be letting sound in—and use soundproofing materials like acoustic seals or upgraded drywall. 

You can also cover up distracting background noise using sound masking systems, which emit gentle white noise that drowns out low-level chatter. Lastly, diffusion breaks up the sound energy in a room by scattering it instead of allowing it to reflect directly. This can be achieved with textured wall finishes or slatted panels.

Step 3: Use Stylish Acoustic Treatments That Work

Here’s where your acoustic problem-solving gets a visual upgrade. Modern solutions don’t have to look dull or industrial—in fact, some of the most effective treatments can double as design features. Let’s explore a few standout options:

Slat Panelled Wall Panels

Slat panelled wall panels offer both visual and acoustic benefits. Made from timber slats fixed onto sound-absorbing felt or acoustic material, these panels reduce harsh reflections and help control resonance, especially on large, flat walls. They also give your meeting room a natural, sophisticated look that aligns with modern office interiors. 

For an added layer of branding and visual impact, pair them with a 20mm 3D Logo Wall Sign Office Graphic—a clean, bold feature that ensures your logo stands out while complementing the textured, warm feel of the timber backdrop.

Moss Walls

Moss walls are another increasingly popular choice. These are real, preserved moss panels that don’t require water or sunlight, but still bring the calming presence of nature into your space. Besides adding a soft biophilic design element, moss walls absorb sound in the mid-to-high frequency range and help soften the acoustics in hard-walled rooms. 

For businesses looking to combine natural textures with bold branding, the 20mm 3D Logo + Printed Acrylic Face Wall Sign pairs beautifully with moss wall installations, creating a visual focal point that’s both modern and professional.

Printed Fabric Frames

If you’re looking for a way to combine branding and acoustic treatment, Printed Fabric Frames are a great option. These are fabric-covered acoustic panels that can be customised with your company logo, photos, or artwork—so you reduce noise and reinforce your brand at the same time. 

Their internal acoustic core absorbs sound effectively, while the printed fabric adds a clean, personalised finish. For an added dimensional touch, you can pair them with 3D Logo Wall Signs to create a bold, layered visual that enhances both your acoustics and your branding presence.

Fabric Wall Frames

For broader wall coverage, Fabric Wall Frames are perfect. These large, fabric-wrapped panels help soak up sound across a wide frequency range. They work especially well in rooms with minimal furniture or hard flooring and can be tailored to suit your office aesthetics. Some systems even allow easy fabric changes over time, so your room stays fresh while remaining functional.

Step 4: Don’t Forget the Ceiling and Room Layout

Ceiling surfaces are often overlooked when improving room acoustics, but they play a crucial role. Hard, flat ceilings reflect sound just like walls do. Adding acoustic ceiling tiles, suspended baffles, or ceiling clouds can absorb overhead sound and reduce the hollow, echoey feel that’s common in tall or open rooms.

Your furniture layout also matters more than you might think. Avoid creating long, empty pathways that allow sound to travel without interruption. Even the way you angle your table, space your chairs, or position storage cabinets can impact how sound behaves. It’s all about breaking up the space to slow down and scatter sound waves.

Step 5: Align Your Technology with Your Acoustics

Once your physical space is sorted, check that your audio and video equipment is also working with your room—not against it. Poorly placed speakers or microphones can amplify the exact problems you’re trying to solve. Choose directional mics or beamforming arrays that focus on the speaker’s voice and reduce background pickup. 

Speakers should be positioned to distribute sound evenly, not echo off the nearest hard surface. You might also consider sound masking systems if your room is located near open offices or glass corridors. These systems help protect speech privacy by adding a consistent, ambient sound that lowers the contrast between speech and background noise.

Step 6: Test, Adjust, and Maintain

After applying acoustic solutions, it’s important to test how well they’re working. Simple claps, speech recordings, or acoustic measurement apps can help you compare before-and-after conditions. You might find that one section of the room still has a bit of echo or that background noise levels haven’t dropped enough—small tweaks like repositioning a panel or adding a rug can make a big difference.

Also, revisit your setup regularly. As your space evolves—new furniture, updated tech, different room use—your acoustic needs may shift too. Routine checks keep the space optimised over time.

Bring Sound and Style Together

Meeting room acoustics aren’t just a background issue—they directly affect focus, communication, and productivity. Solving them means combining function with style using solutions like slat panels, moss walls, and fabric frames. It’s about designing a space where sound works for you, not against you. Hyper Creative offers smart acoustic and branding options that make a visible and audible difference.

At Hyper Creative, we also offer a Custom Wall Stickers & Design Service to help you bring personality and branding into your space with ease. These wall stickers are fully tailored to your business—ideal for showcasing your logo, values, or bold visuals that tie your meeting room together. It’s a simple, creative way to elevate your walls while supporting the overall function and feel of the room.

FAQs

What causes poor acoustics in meeting rooms?

Poor acoustics are usually caused by hard surfaces like glass, concrete, and bare walls that reflect sound. Other factors include thin walls, open ceilings, and a lack of sound-absorbing materials.

How can I reduce echo and reverberation?

Use sound-absorbing materials like slat panelled wall panels, moss walls, rugs, curtains, and fabric acoustic panels to absorb reflections and reduce echo.

What’s the best way to block outside noise?

Seal gaps in doors and windows, upgrade insulation, and add acoustic barriers like thicker walls or wall-mounted panels to prevent sound from leaking in or out.

Do acoustic solutions have to look boring or industrial?

Not at all. Many modern acoustic treatments—like printed fabric frames, moss walls, and custom-designed panels—are made to look great and blend with your interior design.