Noise can be loud and unwanted at your restaurant, and this will adversely affect the planned ambience of the place. This noise could occur in different ways: cocktails being shaken, cooks clanging pans and servers requesting for orders, multiple parties in the restaurant sharing a table in the middle of the room, voices of guests assembling in your restaurant among others. Neglecting the idea of reducing the noise in your restaurant can chase away the customers gradually. Nonetheless, controlling sound in your restaurant simply requires reducing particular sources of sounds selectively. For this reason, follow these steps to reduce noise in your restaurant while not interfering with your restaurant's aesthetics:
Sound Panels
Sound proofing using panels of noise reduction will increase the level of sound absorption in your space. This, in turn, will collapse the background noise in the perimeter and restore your room to good quality interior acoustics. These panels will absorb much of the noise in your restaurant to deliver enhanced clarity to conversations or sounds within the room. This means that a customer won't have to worry about being disturbed by sounds of guests seated just a few metres ahead across a table while communicating in normal tones of conversations.
Windows
If you've a lot of glass windows around your restaurant, there are huge chances that the glass will reflect sound. For this reason, consider options such as using textured wall coverings that may reduce the level of noise in the room. Alternatively, you can use valances or just curtains for the same.
Positioning of Machines
Machines that constantly emit sound like ice machines whose compressors go on and off should be placed strategically to minimize or prevent the cumulative effects of the sounds being produced. For instance, if your dining room is just adjacent to the bar, consider buying ice machines whose condensers are mounted on the roof.
Hard Surfaces
What material is your dining floor made of? Materials such as wood, marble, tile, granite, stone or brick may be designed incredibly to enhance the elegance of your restaurant. Nonetheless, such materials can easily bounce or reflect sound. Therefore, to take care of this, you can install carpeting, especially in the "high-traffic" areas to minimize footstep noises in the waiting area or outside the restrooms. Alternatively, you can install a smooth ceiling. When doing this, go for ceilings with acoustical finishes or hang baffles or cloth above.