How To Reduce Noise In Your Restaurant In 2023

Restaurant noise is one of the factors consumers use when judging an eatery. If the noise levels are too high, people won’t return. The issue of noise is so crucial that food critics are now reporting on noise levels when writing reviews.

Interestingly, the in-depth study on noise in a restaurant found that if levels were too high, it also affected:

• Flavor
• Food texture

If you want your restaurant to offer the best experience possible in 2023, you need to focus on soundproofing your space.

How to Reduce Noise in a Restaurant in 2023

1. Consider Hiring an Acoustics Consultant

Restaurant soundproofing is not your specialty — you are a business owner. Why not hire an acoustics consultant to help you reduce noise levels? These professionals have a pulse on the industry and will know:

• Best practices to reduce noise
• Products that can help with soundproofing

An expert in acoustics can help you figure out your noise problem faster and more effectively than anyone else.

You’ll need to set aside money in your budget to hire the consultant and implement any of the soundproofing recommendations that they make.

2. Add Carpet to High-Traffic Areas

Busy restaurant noise often includes feet hitting the ground. Tiled or wooden flooring is nice, but it’s loud. You’ll hear the click-clack of people’s feet hitting the ground, creating an unpleasant experience for patrons.

The carpeting in key areas will absorb these sounds and lower interior noise volumes in the process.

What areas should you carpet in your restaurant?

Areas close to:

• Waiting areas
• Bars
• Kitchens
• Restrooms

You can take this tip a step further by installing noise-reduction pads under the carpeting. One pro-tip is to focus on reducing the risk of trips and falls due to carpeting.

3. Be Strategic About the Placement of Equipment and Machinery

Restaurant noises often involve the machinery and equipment that you have installed. Icemakers and power blenders are two noisy pieces of equipment that can quickly make the interior of an eatery unpleasant.

You can reduce the noise from these items in a few ways:

• Place the noisiest items as far away from seating areas as possible
• Install roof-mounted condensers because they’re known for their lower noise production
• Consider installing sound absorbers around loud equipment to absorb the sound before it reaches your guests

You have a plethora of options when trying to reduce restaurant noise, including the option to install wall panels.

4. Use Wall Panels to Reduce Restaurants Noise

Wall panels are one of the best-kept secrets in noise reduction. If you want to muffle sound and stop it from traveling to other areas of your restaurant, a fast and simple option is to install wall panels.

Panels may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but manufacturers are now offering them in a wide range of color options and textures.

Foam or compressed mineral woodwork to:

• Enclose areas
• Limit sound reverberations
• Absorb sound

Wall panels are finding their way into new and modern restaurants. Newer options include panels that look like pieces of art and fit into an eatery’s décor.

5. Use Curtains and Tablecloths to Absorb Noise

Soft materials are excellent sound absorbers, so take advantage of them by installing curtains and valances on windows. Tablecloths can help reduce the sounds of plates and silverware clanking on the table.

If your restaurant has large windows, you’ll also need to consider ways to reduce noise reflection.

Here are a few solutions:

• Install curtains to prevent noise reflection
• Place carpeting under window seats to help dampen noise

You can also find acoustical curtains that can further help reduce noise and sound reflection.

6. Install a Soft Ceiling

Looking for an inconspicuous way to reduce noise? Try installing a soft ceiling. Customers are less likely to notice your ceiling and the right materials can absorb quite a bit of sound.

How do you create a soft ceiling? By installing:

• Soundproofing panels
• Acoustic tiles
• Foam
• Cloth drapes

Installing a new soft ceiling may have a high upfront cost, but it will have a significant impact on reducing noise in your restaurant.

7. Soundproof Your Seating

If your restaurant has hard flooring in the dining area, consider taking steps to soundproof your seating. The sound of chairs being moved across the floor can be distracting and have a negative impact on the dining experience.

Installing rubber caps onto chair legs can help reduce this noise and will even protect your flooring from damage. Rubber caps are inexpensive and easy to install, making this a simple and economical way to reduce restaurant noise.

8. Install a Quality Sound System

The right music can help drown out kitchen noises and chatter while enhancing the dining experience.

Installing a quality sound system can make all the difference in reducing noise, but don’t go overboard. Avoid playing music that’s overly loud or makes it difficult for customers to talk and relax.

Be strategic about the placement of your speakers and the volume level to provide patrons with a great experience. Choose music that complements your restaurant’s theme and vibe and make it part of the dining experience.

9. Focus on the Kitchen

Restaurant kitchens are busy, and they produce a lot of noise. Appliances are buzzing, chefs are shouting orders and plates are clanking together. These noises can be distracting to guests, but there are steps you can take to help minimize kitchen noises.

For example, you can install:

• Special doors that help dampen or block kitchen noise.
• Foam under tables to help absorb sound.
• Ceiling tiles also absorb noise.

The kitchen is one area of the restaurant where you can experiment with noise-reducing solutions without impacting the customer experience.

Many restaurants find that installing soundproof doors has the biggest impact on reducing noise and can truly enhance the dining experience.

Final Thoughts

Taking steps to reduce restaurant noise will improve the customer experience and help you create the ambiance you want in your establishment. Installing sound-absorbing materials in strategic areas will make your restaurant a little quieter and more enjoyable for all guests.

Source: https://mcdonaldpaper.com/blog/how-to-reduce-noise-in-your-restaurant