Learning center / Acoustics by building type / Open-plan office

Common acoustic mistakes in open offices

The errors we see most often in open offices, and how to avoid them.

2 minute read · Updated Nov 2026

Most disappointing results in open offices come from a few predictable mistakes.

  1. Only treating walls in a large room where the ceiling is the biggest surface
  2. Leaving exposed concrete ceilings bare
  3. Blocking sprinklers or lights with baffles
  4. Buying by the panel instead of by the absorption the room needs.
  5. Confusing absorption with soundproofing.

Avoid all of these by starting with the panel count and the placement guide.