Salons

Salon Lounge Acoustic Design for Salons

Find the noise source and its route through the space. Treat sound leaking between rooms differently from echo inside one room.

Explore the ideas
Entry corridor opening toward a dining area with a glass-front cabinet
Arrival inspiration: keep the route into a shared dining space legible.

Plan in this order

  1. List sources of speech, equipment and impact noise at the busiest time.
  2. Put quiet work away from busy edges where possible. Check doors, gaps and service penetrations before adding finishes.
  3. Use absorption for excessive echo. Ask an acoustic specialist where speech privacy or isolation is essential.
Worked example

An open dining and living area becomes difficult to talk in when several people are eating and the television is on.

Treat the room’s echo with soft furnishings and ceiling absorption, then place the television away from reflective glazing. Listen from the dining seats during a realistic simultaneous-use trial.

How to test it

Recreate the noisier activity and listen from adjoining seats and rooms with doors both open and closed.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Place seats near the front with a direct view to reception and keep them outside station and wash circulation.
Detail
Use easy-clean upholstery, side tables for drinks, and warm light distinct from service task lighting.
Trade-off
A lounge-like wait zone improves comfort but can invite longer stays.
  • Walk from waiting seat to service chair
  • Check conversation noise against nearby consultations
Dining area with a six-seat table and pendant light
Dining inspiration: a central table beneath focused pendant lighting.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Open dining and living area separated by a wood partition
Shared-space inspiration: distinguish dining and lounge zones with a light divider.
Two lounge chairs and a sofa arranged around a shared coffee table
Gathering inspiration: varied seats oriented toward a shared center.

Related design guides

Talk to a Designer