Help Soundproof Your Home Office

Some of us are used to working remotely, while others were recently forced to vacate our office cube thanks to COVID-19. Either way, it’s no secret that many of us are working from home these days - a trend that is likely to grow in popularity over time. But, before you can get to work (from home), you need to settle on a space for where your new “office” will be.

First off, do you even NEED a dedicated home office? For some people, if space is already at a premium, your home office is most likely the kitchen island or the dining room table (if that’s the case, keep reading, we’ve got a solution for you there too!). But, if you’re lucky to have a spare room or perhaps some extra space in your basement, establishing a dedicated spot can provide a space to focus on work and help you be more productive.

Once you find the right space, the fun starts - decorating! And let’s face it, if your office is actually functional and it looks amazing you won’t mind getting in there and getting to work, right?

So where should you start? How about at the top - with the ceiling?! It’s the single most expansive space in a room so be sure to give it the attention to detail it deserves.

Superior Noise Control

The ideal home office or work space requires a certain degree of noise control and light reflectance for optimal concentration and productivity. So selecting ceiling tiles with acoustical and reflective properties will help to create a space that's not only visually appealing but quiet enough to complete important work.

These simple, yet sophisticated, home office spaces below use SAHARA 24” x 24” ceiling panels to deliver a smooth, refined visual. At first glance, you may think these are the same tiles, but they’re actually slightly different. The home office on the left uses SAHARA 24” x 24” tiles with square edge detail. These ceiling tiles may be a good option if you’re a novice DIYer (hint - you may find these easier to cut).

If your DIY game is on the stronger side, or you're an experienced contractor, the SAHARA 24” x 24” tiles with a tegular edge detail featured in the home office on the right could be a good fit. This grid-minimizing edge detail means the tile hangs below the grid system to mask the industrial look of the grid.

You really can’t go wrong either way! As part of the SAHARA family, both options are made of mineral fiber (which gives them their acoustical properties) and install in our PRELUDE 15/16” Suspended Ceiling Installation System.

In addition to helping soundproof your home office, they’re sag, mold, and mildew resistant so they’re a great solution for basements and home theaters too.

If you’re looking to replace old rectangular tiles, don’t worry. We also have SAHARA Scored II panels, which are 24” x 48” tiles scored to simulate the look of 24” x 24” tiles.

Plus, the SAHARA for Narrow Grid 24" x 24" panels you see in this modern rustic basement office below, installs in our Suprafine 9/16” Ceiling Suspension System. Between the natural light coming in those windows and those bright white ceiling tiles (they really do reflect the light and make the space brighter!), that’s certainly an office where you’d want to roll up your sleeves and get down to business.

Acoustical panels are the perfect solution when noise control is a must. Whether you’re looking for something that provides a smooth look, or a ceiling tile with a textured flair, rest assured there is a range of products with superior acoustical properties from which to choose.

Standard Acoustics

If superior acoustics isn’t required, there are even more ceiling tile options to consider. Are you looking for something with more of a unique dimensional design? This CASCADE 24” x 24” panel will bring interest to your room with its tegular edge and stepped visual while still having standard acoustical properties for spaces where concentration is key. They also install on the PRELUDE 15/16” Suspended Ceiling Installation System so no need to worry about accessing your ducts and wires down the line.

Are you a big fan of the coffered ceiling look? If the answer is yes, then how about these 24” x 24” Single Raised Panels? These popular ceiling tiles are certain to bring a touch of traditional elegance to your home office. Not to mention impress your colleagues every time you’re on a Zoom meeting.

If you are looking for an option that doesn’t install in a grid system, consider our COUNTRY CLASSIC Planks. Available in white and 3 NEW prefinished colors, they provide some sound blocking benefits (CAC 30) for all of those video calls as well! They can be installed with our EASY UP track and clip system or with adhesive.

You’ll probably enjoy the wood look so much that you’ll end up adding them to the ceiling in an adjacent room since they’re great for covering damaged drywall, plaster or that outdated popcorn look too.

Wall Options

If a ceiling project is more than you want to tackle right now, how about some modern fiberglass panels for your office walls?  They’re part of a Workspace Sound Reducing Kit designed to help soundproof your home office by reducing unwanted background noise and echo.

The kit includes 2 ft. x 2 ft. or 1 ft. x 4 ft. white sound-absorbing fiberglass wall panels, hanging components, and a door sweep. Installation can be completed in less than an afternoon.

Who knew there were so many amazing options for an easy office update? Just remember, no matter how big or small, your home office can, and should, be a space you love. This dedicated work space will help you set aside household distractions and knock out that work to-do list in no time.