How to Reduce Echo in a Room: 3 Quick Fixes That Work

How to Reduce Echo in a Room: 3 Quick Fixes That Work

If your room feels “loud” even at normal volume, you’re probably hearing echo — sound bouncing between hard, flat surfaces. The good news: you can often reduce it quickly without a full redesign. So how to reduce echo in a room?

The 10-second echo test

Stand in the space and clap once.If you hear a noticeable “ring” or flutter, the room likely needs more sound absorption and less reflection.

Fix #1: Add soft surfaces (fastest impact)

Hard floors + bare walls amplify echo. Start with the easiest wins:

• a rug (or larger rug)

• curtains instead of bare glass

• upholstered seating / cushionsEven one or two changes can make the room feel calmer.

Fix #2: Treat one wall (not the whole room)

You don’t need to cover everything. Choose one large reflective wall (often opposite glass) and add a sound-absorbing zone. This is especially effective in:

• open-plan living

• meeting rooms

• hospitality spaces

The goal is to reduce reflections where they bounce the most.

Fix #3: Break up large flat surfaces

Echo loves big, uninterrupted planes. You can reduce it by adding visual + material variation:

• shelving / joinery

• textured finishes

• wall zones with different materials

This helps scatter reflections and makes the space feel less harsh.

When you should consider acoustic wall panels

If the room still rings after adding softness, it’s usually a sign you need targeted absorption. Acoustic wall panels are a clean way to improve comfort while keeping a premium look — especially where you can’t rely on rugs/curtains.

Next step

Explore brochures and resources to help with early decisions and examples: Technical Resources (public brochures + request-only Spec/Fire Packs).

• Technical Resources: https://www.artiem.com.au/technical-resources

• Systems hub: https://www.artiem.com.au/systems