Contents
- The noise problem in modern homes
- What are acoustic panels?
- Why a panel with your own design?
- Where to use them, room by room
- Wall panel, hexagon or room divider
- Design options
- How many panels do you need?
- Fitting and positioning
- Price guide
- How we compare
- Frequently asked questions
The noise problem in modern homes
Open kitchens, concrete floors, large windows and flat, bare walls. The modern way of living looks wonderful, but it has a downside: sound bounces around everywhere. A conversation at the dining table gets drowned out by the kitchen, an online meeting at home sounds hollow and echoing, and in restaurants it is almost impossible to understand the person across the table.
This problem is called reverberation. In rooms with a lot of hard surfaces, sound waves are reflected over and over again instead of being absorbed. The result is an uncomfortable, tiring acoustic that wears on you every day, without you always consciously noticing it.
The solution? Acoustic panels. And not the dull grey office boards you know from meeting rooms. At Designerwand we combine professional sound absorption with wall decoration that finishes off your interior. A made to measure acoustic panel carrying your favourite design, your own photograph or a piece of artwork.
What are acoustic panels and how do they work?
An acoustic panel is a wall panel that absorbs sound waves. Where an ordinary wall reflects sound, an acoustic panel takes it in. The result is less reverberation, less echo and a far more pleasant sound in the room.
Absorption versus insulation
This distinction matters, and the two are often confused:
Sound absorption
- Reduces reverberation and echo within a room
- Takes in sound waves through an absorbing material
- Improves speech intelligibility
- This is what acoustic panels do
Sound insulation
- Blocks sound between two rooms
- Requires mass: thick walls, double glazing
- Stops sound travelling through walls
- Not what acoustic panels are for
How does it work technically?
An acoustic panel has a core of sound absorbing material, usually polyester felt or acoustic foam. Sound waves enter the material and are converted into a minimal amount of heat. The panel is then covered with a printed fabric that carries your design. The combination of absorbing material and textile gives effective sound damping, particularly across the speech range of 250 Hz to 4000 Hz.
Acoustic panels are most effective at improving the sound quality inside a room. Do not expect miracles when it comes to insulating against the neighbours, but do expect a noticeable difference in comfort, concentration and intelligibility.
Why an acoustic panel with your own design?
Most acoustic panels on the market are functional, but not attractive. Think plain grey or black boards, standard fabric colours, neutral shades. Fine for a server room nobody sees, less suitable if you want to improve your living room or office.
At Designerwand we turn that around. Our acoustic panels are proper wall decoration with professional sound absorption. You pick a design from our collection of 500+ options, or you upload your own photograph, artwork or company logo.
A Designerwand acoustic panel solves two problems at once: poor acoustics and a bare wall. No compromise, but the best of both worlds.
- 500+ designs in the collection
- Upload your own photograph or image
- Made to measure in the Netherlands
- Free simulation service available
- Professional sound absorption
- Work out the price online straight away
Through the free simulation service you can see in advance what your chosen design looks like on the wall. That way you know the result is exactly what you expect, before you order.
Where to use acoustic panels
Acoustic panels are versatile. Anywhere hard surfaces cause reverberation and echo, they can make the difference. Below are the most common applications.
Living room
The most common application. Open plan kitchen diners with a concrete or tiled floor benefit enormously from acoustic panels. Hang them above the sofa or on the wall facing the television for a noticeable difference in sound quality. Choose a design that suits the style of your interior.
Home office
Video calls sound more professional when your room does not echo. One or two acoustic panels behind your desk improve the sound and also give you an attractive backdrop for the camera. Ideal if you meet online regularly.
Office and meeting room
In offices, good acoustics are directly linked to productivity. Acoustic panels carrying a company logo or a piece of artwork improve concentration and intelligibility. For meeting rooms the rule is simple: the better the acoustics, the shorter and more effective the meetings.
Restaurants and hospitality
One of the most common complaints in restaurants is the noise level. Guests cannot understand each other, which spoils the meal. Acoustic panels with a fitting design, think food photography or abstract work, are an elegant solution.
Music and podcast rooms
For recording, controlling the sound is essential. Acoustic panels damp unwanted reflections and improve recording quality. With your own design your studio immediately becomes a visually attractive space for filming as well.
Practices and healthcare
In waiting rooms, treatment rooms and consulting rooms, privacy and comfort matter. Acoustic panels create a calmer environment and bring the noise level down. Choose natural designs, which have a soothing effect.
Tip: combine with other wall solutions
Acoustic panels work well alongside other Designerwand products. Think of a kitchen backsplash or photo wallpaper in the bedroom. That way you create a coherent interior with the right acoustics throughout.
Wall panel, hexagon or room divider: which shape suits your room?
Made to measure acoustic wall panels are chosen most often, but the rectangular panel is not the only shape. Which one you need depends on the room, on how much wall surface you want to cover, and on whether the panel also has to screen something off.
The rectangular acoustic wall panel
The classic choice, and the most efficient one. A rectangular panel covers a lot of surface in one go, which counts directly towards the sound absorption. You choose the size yourself, so you can have it fit exactly on the wall above the sofa, behind the desk or beside a door. See the options for made to measure acoustic panels.
Acoustic hexagons
Hexagons work as a composition. You hang three, five or seven of them, and together they form a pattern that moves along the wall. That makes them suitable for walls where one large rectangle would look too heavy, next to a window or in a hallway for example. Individually they absorb less than a large panel, so allow for more of them to get the same effect. See the acoustic hexagons.
Acoustic room dividers
A room divider does not hang on the wall but stands or hangs freely in the space. That has two advantages: it absorbs from both sides, and it splits up a large open space without any building work. It works particularly well in open plan offices and long living rooms. See the acoustic room dividers.
Feel free to mix
One large wall panel behind the dining table plus a series of hexagons on the adjoining wall works better than either on its own. You spread the absorption across two surfaces, and that is exactly what calms a room down.
Design options
The design of your acoustic panel is entirely up to you. At Designerwand you have three options:
1. Choose from the collection (500+ designs)
Our collection holds hundreds of designs in widely varying styles. From marble looks and abstract art to botanical prints and photographic images. Every design is professionally drawn up and optimised for large format printing. You browse the collection and pick your favourite straight away in the online configurator.
2. Upload your own photograph or image
Do you have a photograph, a piece of artwork or a graphic design of your own? Upload it and we will print it on your acoustic panel. Think of a holiday photograph, an abstract painting, a company logo or a design file from your graphic designer. The only requirement is that the resolution is high enough for the size you want.
3. Free simulation service
Not sure whether a design suits your room? Send Designerwand a photograph of your wall and receive a free simulation. You see exactly how the panel looks in your interior, with the right proportions and the right light. That makes choosing a good deal easier. Request your simulation.
Please note: samples are not free
Would you like to see and feel the material and the print quality yourself first? You can order a sample through the webshop. Samples are not free, but they do give you a realistic impression of the end result. The simulation service, on the other hand, is entirely free.
How do you work out the right number of panels?
A frequent question: how many acoustic panels do you actually need? The answer depends on the size of the room, the amount of hard surface in it and how much sound absorption you want.
Rule of thumb: 15-25% of the wall surface
For most rooms the rule is: cover 15 to 25 per cent of the total wall surface with acoustic material. That may sound like very little, but the effect is surprisingly large. Every panel you add absorbs sound that would otherwise have been reflected several times over.
| Room | Floor area | Recommended panels (60x90cm) | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small home workspace | 8-12 m2 | 1-2 panels | Less echo on video calls |
| Living room | 25-40 m2 | 3-5 panels | Noticeably more comfortable sound |
| Meeting room | 15-25 m2 | 3-4 panels | Better speech intelligibility |
| Open plan office | 50-100 m2 | 8-15 panels | Considerably less background noise |
| Restaurant | 60-120 m2 | 10-20 panels | Guests can understand each other |
Factors that play a part
- Floor type: hard floors (concrete, tiles, wood) call for more panels than carpet
- Ceiling: high ceilings mean more volume, and therefore more absorption needed
- Furniture: a bare room needs more panels than one with soft sofas and curtains
- Windows: large expanses of glass reflect sound strongly
- Desired effect: for a recording room or music studio you want higher coverage (25-40%)
Not sure about the right number? Get in touch with Designerwand for personal advice based on your own room.
Fitting: how to hang an acoustic panel
Hanging an acoustic panel is straightforward and need not be a chore. You do not need a specialist. With basic tools and 10 minutes per panel you are done.
1. Decide on the position
Choose the spot on the wall where the panel should go. Hang panels at ear height where possible, and facing sources of sound (television, seating area, meeting table). Use a spirit level for a straight result.
2. Fix the hanging system
Drill two holes at the right spacing (given in the instructions supplied) and drive the screws into the wall. Use wall plugs suited to your type of wall: plasterboard, concrete or brick.
3. Hang the panel
Slide the panel over the screws and check that it hangs firmly and level. Done. The hanging system is concealed on the back of the panel.
Tip for the best placement
Spread panels across several walls rather than hanging them all on one. Sound reflects between facing surfaces, so panels on two opposite walls are more effective than the same number on a single wall.
Acoustic panel price guide
Transparent prices, worked out online straight away in the configurator
The price of a made to measure acoustic panel depends on three things: the dimensions, the type of frame and the design you choose. At Designerwand you work out the exact price online in the product configurator. Below is a guide.
| Size | Type | Guide price (from) | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 x 60 cm | Compact panel | From ~€100 | Home workspace, accent piece |
| 60 x 90 cm | Standard panel | From ~€150 | Living room, office |
| 80 x 120 cm | Large panel | From ~€220 | Meeting room, restaurant |
| 100 x 150 cm | Statement panel | From ~€300 | Large rooms, lobbies |
| Made to measure | Fully custom | On request | Any size possible |
Prices are indicative and may vary depending on the frame and design chosen. The online configurator always shows the current price. Uploading your own photograph carries no surcharge.
Ordering several panels: a sensible saving
Ordering more than one panel at a time? On larger orders you benefit from a lower price per panel. Get in touch for a tailored quote on business orders or larger projects.
Designerwand compared with other suppliers
There are several suppliers of acoustic panels. How does Designerwand compare? Below is an honest comparison on the points that matter.
| Feature | Designerwand | Other suppliers (on average) |
|---|---|---|
| Own design / photograph | Yes, fully custom plus a 500+ collection | Limited, or plain colours only |
| Made to measure | Yes, any dimension possible | Often fixed sizes |
| Online price calculation | Yes, straight away in the configurator | Often a quote on request |
| Simulation service | Free | Not available, or paid |
| Production | In the Netherlands | Varies, often imported |
| Print quality | High resolution, UV resistant | Varies |
| Frame options | Several frames available | Standard frame or frameless |
| Lead time | 5-10 working days | 1-4 weeks |
The biggest difference lies in the combination of function and design. Where most suppliers make you choose between good looking and acoustically good, Designerwand offers both. No compromise, but a product that does two jobs: sound absorption and wall decoration.
Designerwand does not do plain panels
Everything here revolves around design. We do not offer standard grey or black panels, but panels that make you happy when you see them on the wall. Every panel is a statement, not a necessary evil.
Frequently asked questions about made to measure acoustic panels
What does a made to measure acoustic panel cost?
The price of a made to measure acoustic panel at Designerwand starts at around 150 euros for a standard size (60x90cm). The exact price depends on the dimensions, the frame you choose and the design. The online calculator shows the price for your configuration straight away.
How much sound does an acoustic panel absorb?
A professional acoustic panel can reduce the reverberation time in a room by 40 to 60 per cent, depending on the thickness, the absorbing material and where it is placed. For the best result it is important to work out the right number of square metres for the size of your room.
Can I have my own photograph printed on an acoustic panel?
Yes. At Designerwand you can upload your own photograph or image and have it printed on an acoustic panel. You receive a free simulation so you can see in advance what the result looks like in your own room.
What is the difference between sound insulation and sound absorption?
Sound insulation blocks sound between rooms, a thick wall holding sound back for example. Sound absorption reduces reverberation and echo within a room by taking in sound waves. Acoustic panels are absorbers: they improve the sound quality in the room where they hang.
How do I fix an acoustic panel to the wall?
Designerwand acoustic panels come with a hanging system. You fit two screws into the wall at the right spacing and simply hang the panel on them. No special tools are needed and it takes about 10 minutes per panel.
How many acoustic panels do I need for my room?
As a rule of thumb, cover 15 to 25 per cent of the total wall surface with acoustic panels. For a living room of 30 square metres that means roughly 4 to 6 panels of 60 by 90 centimetres. See the detailed table above for specific recommendations per type of room.
Are acoustic panels suitable for damp rooms?
Standard acoustic panels are intended for dry indoor spaces such as living rooms, offices and meeting rooms. For rooms with high humidity we recommend you get in touch with Designerwand for advice on suitable materials.
What is the lead time on a made to measure acoustic panel?
The lead time on a made to measure acoustic panel at Designerwand is usually 5 to 10 working days. Because every panel is produced to measure in the Netherlands, the exact lead time depends on how busy we are and how complex your order is.
What sets Designerwand apart from other suppliers?
Designerwand stands out through the combination of professional sound absorption and a fully made to measure printed design. You choose from 500+ designs or upload your own photograph. On top of that, Designerwand offers a free simulation service, production in the Netherlands and instant online price calculation. Have a look at our full FAQ page for more answers.
Ready to transform your room?
Explore the collection, upload your own design or request a free simulation. Your made to measure acoustic panel is only a few clicks away.
View acoustic panels Request a free simulation
Further reading
Discover more about Designerwand wall solutions
- Kitchen backsplash: the complete guide. Materials, designs and fitting for your kitchen backsplash.
- Browse the backsplash collection. 500+ designs, from marble to concrete and from flowers to abstract.
- Made to measure photo wallpaper. From the collection or with your own design, made to measure for any wall.
