How to Use Acoustic Panels in Large Rooms

Large rooms look impressive—but acoustically, they can be a nightmare.

Whether it’s an open-plan office, restaurant, school hall, hotel lobby, gym, or home with high ceilings, large spaces often suffer from echo, reverb, and overwhelming background noise. The good news is that with the right strategy, acoustic panels can dramatically improve sound quality in large rooms.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to use acoustic panels effectively in large rooms, where to place them, how many you may need, and why wood slat acoustic panels are a popular solution for modern architectural spaces.

Why Large Rooms Have Worse Echo and Noise Problems

In small rooms, sound reflections are easier to control. In large rooms, the problem becomes more serious because:

• there is more surface area for sound to bounce off

• ceilings are often higher

• sound travels farther before losing energy

• hard materials like glass, concrete, tile, and drywall reflect sound strongly

• noise from people accumulates and builds up

This results in long reverberation time, meaning sound stays in the air longer and overlaps with new sounds. The room starts to feel “loud” even when people are speaking normally.

What Acoustic Panels Actually Do in Large Rooms

Before planning a solution, it’s important to understand the goal.

Acoustic panels do not fully “soundproof” a large room. Instead, they:

• reduce echo and reverberation

• improve speech clarity

• reduce noise buildup

• create a more comfortable environment

• enhance music and audio quality

In large spaces, acoustic panels are essential for controlling reflections and improving the overall acoustic experience.

Step 1: Identify the Main Sound Problem in Your Room

Large rooms usually have one of these common issues:

1. Speech Noise (Restaurants & Offices)

When voices overlap, the room becomes chaotic and stressful. Acoustic panels reduce this by absorbing mid-frequency sound.

2. Harsh Echo (Halls & Gyms)

Sports halls and event rooms often have strong echo due to hard surfaces and high ceilings.

3. Audio Clarity (Theaters & Auditoriums)

Large rooms used for presentations need sound control for clear speech and better sound system performance.

Knowing your main problem helps determine the best panel placement strategy.

Step 2: Focus on the Ceiling First (Most Important in Large Rooms)

In large rooms, the ceiling is usually the biggest reflection surface.

If the ceiling is untreated, sound reflects down into the space repeatedly. This is why ceiling acoustic treatment often provides the fastest improvement.

Best ceiling solutions include:

• ceiling-mounted acoustic panels

• acoustic ceiling clouds

• suspended baffles

• wood slat acoustic ceiling panels

For commercial interior design projects, wood slat acoustic panels are especially popular because they combine acoustic absorption + decorative architectural style.

Step 3: Use Wall Panels to Reduce Side Reflections

After ceiling treatment, wall panels help reduce reflections from large flat surfaces.

Best wall locations include:

• long side walls

• areas opposite glass windows

• behind seating areas

• near speaker systems

• corners where sound builds up

In restaurants and open offices, wall panels help reduce sound bounce that contributes to background noise.

Step 4: Add Panels in “High-Noise Zones”

Large rooms often have zones with higher noise levels. Instead of treating every surface, focus on key areas:

Common high-noise zones:

• dining seating areas

• conference table zones

• gym training areas

• reception areas

• hall entrances

• stage areas

Targeting these zones is often more cost-effective than covering the entire room.

Step 5: How Many Acoustic Panels Do Large Rooms Need?

There is no universal number, but there are practical guidelines.

Recommended Coverage (General Rule)

For noticeable improvement in large rooms, cover approximately:

• 15%–25% of total wall + ceiling surface area (basic control)

• 25%–40% (strong improvement for restaurants/offices)

• 40%–60% (high-performance acoustic treatment for halls/studios)

If your room has concrete floors, glass walls, and high ceilings, you may need more coverage.

Step 6: Choose the Right Type of Acoustic Panel

Not all acoustic panels are suitable for large rooms. The best option depends on performance requirements and design goals.

Fabric Acoustic Panels

• high absorption performance

• good for studios and meeting rooms

• simple appearance

Polyester Fiber Panels

• lightweight

• cost-effective

• good for schools and offices

Wood Slat Acoustic Panels (Best for Large Modern Spaces)

Wood slat acoustic panels are widely used in commercial projects because they provide:

• modern architectural design

• strong sound absorption (when combined with acoustic felt backing)

• durability for long-term use

• premium decorative finish

They are ideal for:

• hotel lobbies

• restaurants

• offices

• shopping malls

• reception halls

• home theaters with large open layouts

Step 7: Use an Air Gap for Better Performance

One professional technique for large-room acoustic improvement is leaving an air gap behind the panel.

Why air gaps matter:

• increases sound absorption efficiency

• improves performance at lower frequencies

• enhances NRC results

A typical recommended air gap is 20mm–50mm, and in some cases even larger.

Wood slat panels installed on battens naturally create an air cavity, making them even more effective in large rooms.

Step 8: Combine Acoustic Panels with Soft Furnishings

In large rooms, acoustic panels work best when combined with other sound-absorbing elements, such as:

• carpets or rugs

• curtains

• upholstered furniture

• acoustic partitions

• bookshelves or decorative elements

This combination reduces the amount of sound reflection and helps balance the room acoustics.

Common Mistakes When Using Acoustic Panels in Large Rooms

Many large-room projects fail because of incorrect installation strategy.

Mistake 1: Only treating one wall

Treating one wall rarely solves echo in a big room. Ceiling treatment is usually required.

Mistake 2: Using thin foam panels

Foam panels often lack the absorption depth needed for large spaces.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the ceiling height

High ceilings require larger coverage or suspended solutions like clouds and baffles.

Mistake 4: Treating the room evenly instead of strategically

Large rooms should be treated by priority zones, not random placement.

Best Acoustic Panel Layouts for Large Rooms

Here are proven acoustic layouts used by designers:

Layout A: Ceiling Cloud + Side Wall Treatment

Best for offices and meeting rooms.

Layout B: Full Ceiling + Feature Wall Panels

Best for restaurants, showrooms, and modern interior spaces.

Layout C: Wood Slat Ceiling + Acoustic Wall Panels

Best for luxury commercial projects where aesthetics matter.

Wood slat acoustic panels are often chosen because they create a premium design identity while improving acoustic comfort.

Guangdong Leeyin Acoustics: Professional Solutions for Large Room Acoustic Treatment

At Guangdong Leeyin Acoustics, we specialize in producing high-quality wood slat wall panels and acoustic panels designed for both residential and large-scale commercial projects.

As a leading exporter of wood slat acoustic panels in China, we understand the requirements of international clients, including architects, contractors, and distributors.

Why Global Buyers Choose Leeyin

• 20,000㎡ modern manufacturing facility

• strong mass production capability for large orders

• stable product quality with strict management under international standards

• professional surface finishing options (veneer, melamine, laminate)

• consistent slat spacing and felt bonding for reliable acoustic performance

• export-ready packaging and OEM/ODM customization support

Whether your project is a hotel lobby, office hall, auditorium, or large residential space, Leeyin provides reliable acoustic solutions with architectural design value.