How To Design A Quietly Revolutionary Office That Lets You Focus Amid Chaos

• In today’s open-office environments, noise is a big distraction, but it isn’t the only one. Visual interruptions — like coworkers moving, chatting, or even impromptu snacking — can disrupt focus. 
• The Acoustic Lounge leverages ROOM’s proven acoustic insulation technology combined with 59-inch high panels to block visual stimuli and provide a sense of privacy, creating a distraction-free environment amid the chaos of open offices and hybrid work environments. 
• For coworking spaces or corporate offices with vibrant, noisy common areas, this modular office furniture collection offers an inviting refuge for focused work.

No matter where you fall on the return-to-office mandate spectrum, everyone can admit that the office is not always the most productive place to work. 

A coworker adjusts their desk height in preparation for a Zoom meeting. A spontaneous conversation begins nearby, or someone starts cursing at the printer—again. And while the office’s afternoon happy hour is great, watching people set up for an hour before is just taunting. 

It’s not that you don’t want to be part of the energy — sometimes, you just need space to think.

Enter the latest from ROOM: The Acoustic Lounge. After pioneering the bestselling Phone Booth, the brand’s recent introduction of sound-dampening furniture solutions provide the desired privacy for collaborative meetings and focused work in the open plan. 

A New Standard in Workspace Design

The best companies recognize workplace noise as a problem, redesigning offices in an attempt to get workers to return. Part of this post-pandemic workspace evolution includes the specification of modular office furniture that fosters greater flexibility and adjusts to the needs of those who are in the office on any given day. 

“Everyone talks about hybrid work, but the office is not hybrid,” says Justin Dollinger, VP of Engineering and Design.

“The biggest pre-pandemic challenge was a lack of privacy and far too much noise.”

The Acoustic Lounge extends the brand’s expertise into their first foray into furniture, creating dynamic environments that balance privacy, collaboration, and style.

“When we were considering our first real product to ‘step outside of the box’ of modular architecture, we felt that a configurable lounge with acoustic properties was a natural evolution,” Dollinger continues..

“We could bring moments of comfort and peace to more people at an affordable price point.”

The full roster of furniture pieces—comprising five products across a range of four seating configurations—improves the acoustics of the office itself, providing a welcome refuge to settle in and get things done. 

The Solo single-seater, available with a custom desktop in a soft-touch matte finish, built-in storage compartment, and integrated power, is designed for private work, while the Duo is a double-seat sofa ideal for casual catch-ups. The Solo Connect and Duo Connect modular units come together with connector panels and custom tables for collaborative sessions.

Why Acoustic Office Solutions Matter

The Acoustic Lounge leverages ROOM’s proven acoustic insulation technology. Its dense plywood shell reflects and dampens external noise, while internal foam absorbs sound, ensuring a peaceful workspace. 

“As soon as you sit back into The Acoustic Lounge, you feel a sense of calm as noise becomes dampened,” Dollinger notes.

In today’s open-office environments, noise is a big distraction, but it isn’t the only one. Visual interruptions — like coworkers moving, chatting, or even impromptu snacking — can disrupt focus. 

“These micro-interruptions can make it difficult to enter that deep state of focus we’re all looking for,” Dollinger explains. 

ROOM designed The Acoustic Lounge’s 59-inch high panels with this everyday struggle in mind. They block visual stimuli and provide a sense of privacy, creating a distraction-free environment amid the chaos of open offices and hybrid work environments. 

For coworking spaces or corporate offices with vibrant, noisy common areas, these lounges offer an inviting refuge for focused work.

“These acoustic office solutions allow you to hang out in the ‘more fun’ sections while still getting your work done,” Dollinger says.

“They’re also a game-changer for day-pass members who lack access to private offices.”

Thoughtful Design, Tailored for Modern Needs

Consulting with your teams can be a good first step in making sure that you’re incorporating the right pieces in an office refresh. Do they need spaces for collaboration or is that need already met elsewhere in the office? How many people would actually use individual spaces? 

Giving employees buy-in opportunities ensures use once the furniture is in place. ROOM’s Acoustic Lounge offers four versatile seating setups to fit these varied needs. 

When offices redesign with modular office furniture it can be easy to either look haphazard or monotone in an intentional effort to blend things together.

Each Acoustic Lounge piece features 100% custom-dyed polyester fabric, available in bespoke colors that range from subtle to bold, including sleek Graphite, warm Terracotta, clean Cactus, and neutral Sand. Solid oak legs uphold each lounge while quietly complementing each colorway. 

Dollinger explains that these shades are designed to complement ROOM’s existing palette while offering variety to suit diverse aesthetics. The wood components boast an oak finish, blending durability with the elegance of bespoke furniture.

“We prioritized tactile upholstery for its durability and feel,” says Dollinger.

“An added bonus: the textured surface further reduces sound reflection, enhancing the lounge’s acoustic properties.”

ROOM’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in the modularity of The Acoustic Lounge. 

The products are easy to install in 60 minutes or less, and its inherent modularity ensures longevity. “We designed the collection so any part can easily be swapped,” Dollinger explains. Detachable cushions and panels mean accidental damage doesn’t necessitate replacing the entire piece, reducing waste. 

Additionally, for every Acoustic Lounge piece purchased, ROOM will plant one tree in partnership with One Tree Planted in one of the nonprofit’s global reforestation projects.

Whether you’re seeking moments of clarity, collaboration, or creativity, acoustic office solutions allow you to reimagine what your workspace can be.