Collection: Bars and Restaurants

No — acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound within the space, not block it from leaving or entering. They create a more comfortable dining environment but do not make a room fully soundproof. If your problem is noise travelling between rooms or to neighbouring properties, that's a soundproofing job and needs different materials.

A typical noisy restaurant has a reverberation time of 1.5–2 seconds, which is uncomfortably loud. Effective acoustic treatment brings that down to under 1 second — often closer to 0.7 seconds — and the perceived difference is dramatic. Customers stop raising their voices, background music can sit at a lower level, and staff communication improves. Most clients tell us the change is noticeable within hours of installation. Use our acoustic calculator to estimate what your space could achieve.

For a typical 80–100 cover restaurant, expect to spend £3,000–£8,000 on materials for effective treatment, depending on coverage area, panel choice and design ambition. Premium fabric or printed panels sit at the higher end; PET felt and fabric-wrapped options bring projects in lower. Installation, where needed, is quoted separately. The acoustic calculator gives you a tailored material list and price range for your specific room.

Panels are most effective when placed on ceilings and upper wall areas where sound tends to reflect. Ceiling rafts and baffles are especially useful in open dining areas or high-ceiling spaces. Wall panels work well behind bars, banquette seating and on any large flat wall surface. The exact layout depends on the room — happy to advise.

Yes, in most cases. Wall-mounted panels and ceiling rafts can typically be installed overnight or during a single closure day, and many of our products are light enough to fix without scaffolding. For larger projects involving high ceilings or extensive baffles, a phased install across multiple closures may be needed. Our sister company Resonics handles full installations for restaurant clients across the UK and can scope timing into your operational calendar.

Yes. Panels are available in a wide range of colours, fabrics and shapes, including custom-printed designs that reflect your brand or theme. Our range covers fabric-wrapped panels, sculpted 3D tiles, timber-finish slats, PET felt in 25+ colours, and bespoke print options. Most projects we see treat the panels as a design feature, not a compromise.

Not if installed correctly. Ceiling baffles and rafts can be positioned around lighting fixtures and air vents without interfering with airflow or brightness. Several products in our range (Abstracta Holly, Abstracta Trumpet) integrate lighting directly into the panel itself. We'll advise on layout to make sure your fire safety, lighting and ventilation aren't affected.

Yes. Quality panels meet UK fire safety standards and are made from non-toxic, low-VOC materials suitable for public spaces. Every product page lists the specific Euroclass rating so you can match it to your project specification.