As a restaurant business owner, it’s always motivating to see your restaurant full of customers. However, it’s also quite difficult to keep a busy restaurant free of noise and chatter. On the other hand, you may feel that your guests would like a calmer, more tranquil environment. While some noise is natural in any eatery, constant noise can deflate the experience at your restaurant. 

A noisy environment makes it difficult to hold a proper conversation. Your guests will probably want to talk to the people they’re sitting with. If they have to keep raising their voices and repeating themselves, they’ll soon get tired and frustrated. 

Restaurant noise is especially problematic for people who are hearing challenged. Hearing aids won’t work well when there’s a lot of background noise. It’s also hard to read lips or use sign language while eating. 

Noise pollution in Restaurants = Reduced Enjoyment of Food 

High levels of noise can influence our taste perception, according to research published in the journals of American Psychological Association. As a result, the food won’t taste as delicious as it should. Your guests will not be able to experience the true sweetness or saltiness of the food you’re serving.  

When diners aren’t able to taste the food properly, your chef’s labor will go to waste. With a diminished food experience, your guests aren't likely to return. You also need to consider how a noisy atmosphere causes stress and irritation. 

Of course, there are several ways to mute or limit the sounds in a restaurant. Most of them require a lot of expense and time for renovations. Fortunately, you now have the option of getting sound curtains to manage acoustics in any space. 

The following guide will help you utilize these stylish tools for a quieter, more productive environment:

How Restaurant Owners Can Beat the Noise

It’s almost impossible to have a totally quiet restaurant and still earn a profit. Here are some methods to muffle restaurant sounds for a more pleasant, relaxing experience:

Make changes to the interior

A restaurant may need certain design features to manage its acoustics. These include having soft furnishings such as upholstered seating and rugs on the floor. Wall fabric panels, sound-absorbing tiles on the ceiling, and other elements will naturally absorb the noise. 

Revamp the seating layout

When planning your seating arrangement, think about the acoustics along with factors including easy movement, aesthetics, etc. Space your tables out and try to make a barrier with partitions or plants. These steps will limit the noise carrying from one table to another.  

Consider your high-traffic spaces as well, such as the entryway and the door to the kitchen. If possible, keep these areas apart from the main dining space with the tables. Overlapping these spaces will create more noise, with doors slamming, footsteps, and general commotion added to the regular restaurant sounds. 

Install sound curtains 

The methods above might not be possible for every restaurant. Even if you have these features, they may not work well if there’s a lot of noise. 

In such cases, sound curtains might be your best friend. They are effective, efficient, and won’t be an eyesore. Their main function is to soak up sound waves so you can count on a more peaceful environment for your customers. 

Installing Acoustic Ceiling Baffles

A more aesthetically appealing option, if a space has taller ceilings over 10 feet is acoustic ceiling baffles. These Baffles are usually 2'x 4' but can be made in custom sizes. They are a great option if wall space is not available and sound curtains have not met the desired sound absorption goal.s

How Sound Curtains Can Block Restaurant Noise

Sound curtains help a restaurant atmosphere become more comfortable for its diners. Besides absorbing excess noise, they also alleviate the look of the place.

Wondering how acoustic curtains in restaurants work?

Here are a few of the roles they play:

Noise Absorption

The materials of these sound curtains are meant to absorb any excessive sound waves. Whenever the noise threatens to go beyond comfort level, the sound curtains will trap the sound energy and dispel it. 

By doing this, the curtains prevent noise from reaching all areas of the restaurant. The sound also won’t bounce off various surfaces. Overall, absorbing the sound waves helps to muffle the noise and give the impression of a relatively quiet place. 

Sound Containment

Soundproofing curtains will also be a barrier between different areas of your restaurant. They can prevent noise from getting out of a certain space. 

With this in mind, you can place the curtains using a proper strategy. Put them around the noisiest sections such as the children’s play area, the kitchen, the buffet area, and so on. That way, the noise will stay somewhat contained. 

Acoustic Balance

The acoustics of a restaurant include many elements. You have the sound of people coming and going, including the staff as well as customers. There are the sounds of children, people talking, and the clinking of utensils. 

Any space will also have some echoes and other forms of reflected sound. A restaurant owner or manager should reduce these echoes to create a more balanced auditory experience. With a proper acoustic balance, your guests will be able to talk easily and relax while enjoying their meals. 

Installation Options

You can install sound curtains in several ways. They’re designed to be mounted on a wall, hung from the ceiling, or utilized as partition walls. The partitions will also give diners some privacy. You can choose the style that suits your restaurant’s theme or decor the most. 

How to Use Sound Curtains in Your Restaurant

Sound curtains can even help you achieve certain business goals in a restaurant. Here are some ways to incorporate these curtains in a restaurant space:

Check the material and thickness

Your sound curtains should have a suitable Noise Reduction Coefficient or NRC rating. The rating for restaurants should be around 0.7 or higher. 

If you want to block sound from a noisy space (such as the kitchen), thicker curtains might be necessary. Thinner ones give a more aesthetic vibe. So, you can reserve those for use inside the dining area.

Know the aesthetics

Sound curtains are available in several kinds of fabrics. You can choose velvet, polyester, cotton, suede, or any fabric that goes with your current ambiance. There are also all sorts of colors and textures available. 

If you’re not sure which sound curtains will suit your restaurant best, consult a professional interior designer. They should be knowledgeable about such curtains to help you choose according to function and appearance. 

Choose the right place

The goal is to target trouble areas. Hang or place the curtains in the noisiest places such as the kitchen entrance, restaurant entrance, play area, etc. 

If your restaurant has some relatively quiet areas, use the curtains to divide them into more private sections. That way, you can cater to couples, elderly people, or anyone who wants a quieter place to dine. 

Install the curtains

Maximize the effectiveness of your sound curtains by installing them properly. A professional can give you advice on the placement or do it for you at a reasonable rate. Make sure that there’s enough tension in the curtains; this is essential for trapping the sound waves.

It might cost a bit extra to get professional installation for your sound curtains. However, you’d also be assured of quality work. Professionals usually give warranties. So, there will be some backup for your curtains if things go wrong. 

Don’t ignore maintenance

Clean your sound curtains regularly to ensure optimal performance. You can vacuum them using a soft brush attachment. It’s also important not to let the dust accumulate. If there’s too much dust, the curtains won’t absorb sound well. 

The sound curtain manufacturer should include some care and cleaning instructions in the package. Some types may require washing by hand while others might withstand machine washing.  

The Takeaway

With the right choice and placement of sound curtains, restaurant owners can enhance their space. What was first a noisy restaurant can become the go-to place for those who want easy conversation, a delicious meal, and an overall relaxing experience. It’s worth investing in sound curtains if they translate to loyal and happy customers!