Reverberation in your open-plan kitchen? Here's how to restore peace

Open-plan kitchen acoustics are usually not a matter of a poorly chosen kitchen, but of the combination of concrete, tiles, glass, and high ceilings that are found in almost every open-plan kitchen. Sound reflects more quickly there than anywhere else in the house, and it's in an open-plan kitchen that you hear it most loudly: pots and pans, an extractor hood, a conversation at the kitchen island that echoes everywhere. An acoustic artwork solves this without you having to give up the open layout.

Open-plan kitchen acoustics: why does this space reverberate so much?

An open-plan kitchen often combines all hard surfaces at once: a tiled or natural stone floor, a stone or composite countertop, glass cabinet doors, and, due to the open connection with the living room, even more volume for sound to reverberate in. There is also often little textile present, no curtains or rugs, to break up some of that sound. This makes the open-plan kitchen the most reverberant space in many homes.

What often goes wrong with open-plan kitchen acoustics?

The most common mistake is thinking that a nice rug in the living room will also solve the problem in the kitchen. That doesn't work; sound created in the kitchen itself (pots and pans, an extractor hood, a conversation at the kitchen island) already reflects before it reaches the living room. So you need to tackle the reverberation where it originates, in the kitchen itself, not around it.

Where do you hang an acoustic artwork in an open-plan kitchen?

Choose the wall opposite the kitchen island or the hardest surface, often a window or a blind wall next to the cabinets. If the kitchen flows into the living room, don't just hang it in the kitchen itself, but also where the two spaces meet, as that's often where most reverberation occurs. Unsure about the size? First tape off the measurements with painter's tape on the wall, and you'll immediately see how it fits.

Which artwork suits an open-plan kitchen?

For an open-plan kitchen, we often recommend a higher damping level than in a regular living room, simply because more hard surfaces are present simultaneously. Extra (80% damping) or Ultimate (100% damping) usually works noticeably better here than Essential. In terms of style, customers often choose a calm, plain piece for an open-plan kitchen, which looks serene amidst the busy cabinets and appliances, instead of competing with the kitchen itself.

Does it also work if the kitchen flows into the living room?

Precisely then, it is extra important to carefully consider where you hang it. An open-plan kitchen that flows into the living room is exactly the kind of space where one artwork is often not enough: one piece in the kitchen and a second in the busiest spot in the living room will dampen sound on both fronts. We discuss this in more detail, with a concrete example, in Acoustic panels for the living room: stylish sound dampening.

How much do you need for an open-plan kitchen?

For a smaller, defined open-plan kitchen, one artwork often makes a noticeable difference. For a large, open-plan kitchen-living room combination, with many hard surfaces and volume, a combination of two artworks works better, distributed over the two busiest reverberation spots. If you're unsure, send us a photo of your space; we'll provide free advice. If no standard size fits your wall, for example due to a narrow section of wall next to the cabinets? Check out the possibilities for customization.

Curious which artwork suits your kitchen? Check out the bestsellers, or order a sample box to view the colors and material at home; the amount will be refunded with your order.

Frequently asked questions about open-plan kitchen acoustics

Why does an open-plan kitchen reverberate more than other rooms?
Due to the combination of hard surfaces (tiles, stone, glass), little textile, and often a larger volume due to the open connection with the living room. This combination causes sound to reflect faster and longer than in a regular, enclosed space.

Which damping level is best for an open-plan kitchen?
Extra (80%) or Ultimate (100%) usually works noticeably better than Essential, as an open-plan kitchen generally has more hard surfaces simultaneously than an average living room.

Is one artwork enough for an open-plan kitchen that flows into the living room?
Often not completely. For a large, flowing space, an artwork in the kitchen itself, plus a second in the busiest spot in the living room, works better than a single piece.

Where is the best place to hang the artwork in an open-plan kitchen?
Opposite the kitchen island or the hardest surface, such as a window or a blind wall. If the kitchen flows into the living room, also consider the spot where both spaces meet.