Room acoustics – why good hearing is just as important as good vision.

No matter how high-quality a room’s design may be, if it echoes, feels loud or makes conversation difficult, it will negatively affect well-being. Room acoustics are often underestimated but are a crucial component of modern interior design.

At PFLÜGER KG, we do not view acoustics as a specialised discipline of building physics, but as an important component of holistic interior design. We are not acoustic planners in the technical sense – but with our textile portfolio, we can make a noticeable contribution to a pleasant sound environment.

Why acoustics are more important today than in the past.

In our daily practice, we are observing a significant shift in interior design. Many rooms are now designed in a more minimalist style than just a few years ago. Typical features include:

• Parquet or designer flooring
• Exposed concrete or lacquered surfaces
• Large glass fronts and floor-to-ceiling windows
• Minimal furnishings
• Open-plan layouts

These materials appear high-quality and modern, but they have one thing in common: they reflect sound instead of absorbing it.

The result is often audible harshness in the room, reverberation and an overall restless acoustic atmosphere.

When beautiful rooms suddenly seem “loud”.

After a project is completed, clients are initially delighted with the clean, minimalist design. However, once the room is in use, it often becomes apparent that:

• conversations feel tiring
• noises are perceived more intensely
• the room sounds “hard”
• the quality of the space declines

A single rug in front of the sofa is usually not enough in such situations. There is simply a lack of materials in the room capable of absorbing sound.

This phenomenon affects both private living spaces and commercial environments such as offices, hotels and meeting rooms.

How textiles can improve room acoustics.

Textiles are among the most effective design elements for sound absorption. This is precisely where our strength lies.

Our portfolio can significantly improve the acoustic properties of a room:

• Carpets
• Decorative fabrics and curtains
• Upholstery fabrics
• Textile wall coverings
• Wall upholstery systems

These elements reduce reflections, shorten reverberation time and create a calmer acoustic environment – without dominating the design.

Acoustic improvement is not achieved through a single product, but through the interaction of different materials within the room.

Selective acoustic elements as a complement.

In addition to classic textile solutions, decorative sound absorbers can also be integrated selectively – for example as wall panels or free-standing elements.

These can be designed using our fabrics or other covering materials, combining function and design.

Basotect® EcoBalanced, a high-quality melamine resin foam with excellent absorption properties, has proven particularly effective in this context. The material:

• does not yellow
• is dimensionally stable
• offers very good acoustic performance
• complies with fire protection requirements according to DIN 4102 B1 (flame-retardant)

Such solutions are suitable for both residential and commercial environments. We would be pleased to support you with planning and implementation.

Acoustics as part of holistic interior design.

The best results are achieved when acoustics are not “corrected” afterwards, but considered from the outset. That is why we always view rooms as the interaction of:

• Architecture
• Materials
• Light
• Use
• Acoustics

This creates spaces that not only look good, but also sound good.

Conclusion: Acoustics are an invisible aspect of living quality.

Good room acoustics are not immediately noticeable – but their absence is. Textiles play a decisive role in making modern architecture comfortable and pleasant to experience.

Whether in living spaces, offices or commercial interiors: with the right materials, acoustics can be noticeably improved.

PFLÜGER KG – Rooms you want to see and hear.