Echo happens when sound bounces off hard surfaces like glass, timber floors, bare walls and concrete. With nothing to absorb the sound, it reflects around the room and builds up.

Soft materials absorb sound. Hard surfaces reflect it.

1. Carpets & Rugs

Hard flooring reflects sound straight back into the room. Rugs and carpets absorb those reflections at floor level, instantly reducing sharp echo and improving warmth.

2. Heavy Curtains & Soft Furnishings

Heavy curtains, fabric lounges, cushions and throws soak up sound that would otherwise bounce off windows and walls. The thicker the fabric, the better the result.

3. Plants 

Plants are naturally suited to manage sound.  Large leafy plants help break up sound waves and stop direct reflections. They don’t absorb as much sound as fabric, but they improve echo while adding visual appeal.

4. Acoustic Panels

Acoustic wall and ceiling panels are designed to reduce echo and improve how a space sounds. Acoustic tiles can be used as artwork or feature pieces, while panels can be installed as feature walls or ceiling systems for the best performance. Many options are easy to install yourself. Explore Sonio’s range of acoustic panels, tiles, and lighting from leading manufacturers.

5. Professional Acoustic Treatment
For offices, venues and commercial spaces, a tailored acoustic design delivers the biggest improvement. This combines panels, ceilings and layout planning for controlled sound. Resonics offers free surveys, where we provide expert advice on noise control, echo reduction, and speech privacy, followed by a tailored proposal and budget quotation.

How to reduce echo in a room with high ceilings? 
High ceilings increase echo because sound has more space to reflect and build up. The most effective solution is acoustic ceiling treatment, which absorbs sound at its highest reflection point. Acoustic panels on upper walls, combined with soft furnishings below, help stop sound from bouncing back into the room.

How to reduce echo in a room with hard floors?

Hard floors like concrete, timber and tiles reflect sound instead of absorbing it. The fastest way to reduce echo is by adding rugs or carpet, which absorb sound at ground level. Pair this with curtains, fabric seating or acoustic wall panels.

Does my space need to use all the suggestions listed to reduce echo?

No. Every space is different. Ceiling height, room size, surface finishes, furnishings and how the space is used all affect how much acoustic treatment is needed. Most rooms only require a combination of a few well-placed solutions to achieve the right result.

Are acoustic solutions safe for residential environments?

Yes. All materials are fire-rated, low-VOC, and designed for use in homes. We only use high-quality, environmentally safe products.

Can acoustics help in open-plan kitchens and living areas?

Yes. These spaces typically have lots of hard surfaces that create echo. Acoustic panels or ceiling elements make conversations clearer and the space more comfortable and relaxing.

DIY fixes help. Professional acoustic design solves echo properly. For lasting results in any room, Resonics designs and installs solutions that work. Book a free acoustic survey, where you’ll get a detailed understanding of your noise problem, along with recommendations for the most effective treatment.