- Good acoustics play a role in creating a high-quality environment in hotels and homes.
- Fabrics, curtains, carpets, upholstery, wall panelling and textured surfaces affect a room's acoustics.
- International hospitality trends are increasingly considering sound as a design element.
- Open-plan kitchens, glass surfaces and floors require textile elements to balance things out.
- A look at the Hotel Fliana, Sandhof and Das Liebener projects illustrates how this is achieved.
Why materials can do more than you might see
A good interior is not necessarily obvious at first glance. It becomes apparent when you take a seat. When conversations remain enjoyable despite people sitting close by. When voices do not reverberate throughout the hotel lobby. When a restaurant is lively but not clattering. In short: when fabrics, panelling, curtains and upholstery do more than simply decorate; when they harmonise the space.
Acoustics has long been treated as a technical issue in interior design: something to be dealt with when necessary – in cases of excessive echo or noise levels. Today, this has been understood, and current hospitality trend reports talk about spaces focusing less on the instant visual impact and more on quality as perceived by the senses.
That's interesting because it puts a new spin on our existing knowledge. Spaces have never been just about looks. We experience them with our whole body, sensing whether a space feels soft and whether a conversation is possible. Acoustics plays a key role when it comes to whether guests feel at ease and can truly relax at home.
Key Facts
Spaces as
Resonating Bodies
Every room has a sound. Wood has a different sound to stone, and glass a to fabric. A high-ceilinged room sounds unlike a low-ceilinged room. Smooth surfaces reflect sound, whilst fabric surfaces absorb it. Upholstery, curtains, carpets, wall panelling and textured surfaces change how voices, footsteps and movements are perceived.
This is particularly important in the hospitality sector, since hotel rooms rarely serve a single purpose. A lobby is a reception area, a waiting area, a meeting point, sometimes a workspace, sometimes a bar. A restaurant should feel lively yet still allow for conversation. A lounge must not be dull, but should offer a sense of shelter and tranquillity. A bar needs a lively atmosphere, yet not too much.
This is precisely where design work begins. Acoustics should not look like an afterthought or a quick fix. It must be part of the decor: as a panel, a textile wall surface, a layer of curtains, an upholstered bench, or a voluminous armchair. As a surface with a purpose whilst looking good.
Moment of Truth #01: Hotel Fliana, Ischgl
At the Hotel Fliana, designers prove there's no need for sterile acoustics. The project features muted colours, striking wall surfaces and a strong feel for materials. This is complemented by textured surfaces, unusual motifs, and textile and acoustic panels.
A great starting point for Soft Sound. The rooms have depth, visual impact and surfaces that contribute both visually and acoustically.
A fascinating twist in the concept is a jungle motif – a gorilla – a subtle playful touch. Such details can give rooms a unique character without causing visual clutter. The key lies in the balance. When incorporated into a muted colour scheme, and with fabrics and panels providing a cohesive backdrop, character is created without being overwhelming.
Moment of Truth #02: Sandhof, Lech
In hotel interiors, fabrics determine our sense of intimacy, temperature, light, sound and perception. A heavy curtain can change not only the view through the window, but also the acoustics of the room. An upholstered bench creates a more comfortable seating area with softer acoustics. A textil wall can frame a sleeping area.
At the Sandhof in Lech am Arlberg, this quality becomes particularly apparent. The new designs focus on a subtle interplay of wood, textiles and light. Dark, softly upholstered wall panels frame sleeping areas. Light-coloured upholstery fabrics with a tweed-like appearance feature a delicate dotted texture created by bouclé yarn. Additional elements include wooden surfaces, layered curtains and other textured fabrics.
This is a symphony of materials. Textile wall panels improve acoustic conditions and enhance a room’s relaxing atmosphere.
Moment of Truth #03: Das Liebener, Obergurgl
Acoustics start with clarity: a visually overwhelming room can be physically exhausting. Too many surfaces, too many materials, too many stimuli create a sense of unease.
That is why it is worth taking a look at Das Liebener****S in Obergurgl. Graphic wallpapers demonstrate how wall surfaces in an alpine hotel setting can be more than just decoration. They define the sleeping area, provide visual orientation and act as a counterbalance to the rich surrounding materials. Wallpapers with depth – that is, with textured, matt or textile surfaces – can also have a slightly sound-absorbing effect.
People look at spaces before they use them. If a space exudes tranquillity, textile and sound-absorbing elements can work more effectively because they do not have to compete with visual clutter.
Private Homes & Acoustics
What is professionally designed in hotels is familiar in the private home too: the open-plan living space, the kitchen with smooth finishes, hard glass areas. And so, in everyday life, a room like this can feel uncomfortable.
Conversations grow louder, children’s voices dominate, and the TV volume is turned up. Often, these rooms lack textile elements to balance the acoustics.
Acoustics is not just a technical issue. It starts with the furnishings: curtains, carpets, upholstered furniture, wall surfaces, upholstered headboards and fabric panels. Anything that doesn’t just reflect sound changes the acoustics of a room.
When rooms
in your home sound too bright
A curtain can do more than just provide privacy.
It softens the hard glass surfaces. A rug under the dining table muffles footsteps, the scraping of chairs and room echoes. An upholstered bench adds soft volume to the room. Books, textured wall surfaces or textile artworks can also help, provided they complement the design.
Open-plan living areas are particularly challenging. When the kitchen, dining area and living area share a space, but do not share their acoustic tasks, designing all zones equally can lead to acoustic interference.
Therefore, good design works with layers: soft seating areas, textile window solutions, carpets, curtains, textured wall surfaces and carefully positioned furniture. The key is finding the right balance. A room does not need to be lined with fabric to sound better.
First steps for your home
First, review what you have: Are there surfaces like glass, stone, tiles or lacquered finishes? Are textile elements missing? Is the room open-plan or does it have a high ceiling? What is the primary use of the room?
What can be a real help: curtains made of generous amounts of fabric, carpets, upholstered furniture with fabric covers, headboards or wall panelling. Textured walls, open shelving, books or textile objects.
Expert advice can clarify whether textile solutions will suffice or whether specific acoustic elements are advisable. If well planned, they do not have to look high-tech. They can blend in with the décor.
Conclusion
Perhaps the best way to check if your interior design has worked is to close your eyes. Does the room sound right?
Not exactly silent, but rather appropriate. A lobby or a bar may vibrate with life. A restaurant may be lively, whilst a suite provides privacy. A private living room must be comfortable for everyday use, without amplifying every sound. The key is for the acoustics to suit the space.
At the Hotel Fliana, this quality is evident with striking wall designs, the depth provided by textiles and the use of acoustic panels. At the Sandhof, it includes softly upholstered wall panels, layered curtains and a precise coordination of materials. At Das Liebener, wall designs provide a sense of structure and orientation.
Good acoustics are not just an afterthought – they are an integral part of a space’s quality. Wherever rooms are expected to be more than just visually appealing.
Sounds exciting?
Get in touch with us!
Whether you’re planning to revamp your home, build a house, or give your hotel a fresh new look – in rooms, suites, the spa, restaurants or the lounge –
we’ve got the ideas, expertise and proven project management skills, and we’re always ready to listen to your ideas and concerns.
FAQ
Three questions about acoustics in interiors
Because the quality of a room isn’t just visible. A room can be beautifully designed yet still feel stressful if voices echo, sounds bounce back harshly or conversations are difficult to follow.
Good acoustics improve the quality of your time spent there, your concentration and your sense of well-being.
Textile elements often help: curtains, carpets, upholstered furniture, softly padded benches, wall panelling or textured textile surfaces.
Particularly large glass surfaces, hard floors and open-plan layouts need soft contrasts. The best solution depends on the room and how it is used.
When basic options don't cut it, conversations are constantly challenging, or open-plan living areas must serve multiple purposes.
Experts can assess which materials, surfaces and layouts are most helpful and how acoustic solutions fit in seamlessly with the design. home INTERIOR covers hotel projects as well as private interiors: from selecting materials right through to the finished result.
Case Studies
Inspiration from real-life experience
Real-life case studies are often most convincing.
Take a look at projects with customised solutions designed to create good acoustic conditions – and which are now seeing great results. Sometimes with simple adjustments or a clever choice of materials, sometimes with sophisticated designs created by architects or by our Interior design team for private living spaces.
PRIVATE LIVING RUM
Living in the village, not far from the city – the best of both worlds: straight lines and contemporary interior design. Take a look ! ★
DAS LIEBENER****S, Obergurgl
Fresh new design with contemporary elements that bring the interior of this mountain hotel up to date. Refined, elegant, classy.
MOUNTAIN RESORT FEUERBERG, Gerlitzen Alpe -NEW SPACES IN 2025
Location, location, location! Situated on top of the hotel, the design quality in this hotel is on par. Mountains characterise the ambience, with modern and fresh details. ►
Images: Nussbaumer Photography, home INTERIOR