Background music in the office increases well-being at work, finances and improves concentration, according to research. The soundscape of the work environment has a significant impact on the smoothness and comfort of work. A soundscape that suits the space serves several different goals: according to research, it reduces stress, increases concentration, masks unwanted sounds and can improve the atmosphere of the entire work community.
Well-chosen background music acts as an unobtrusive sound blanket that softens and makes surrounding sounds more pleasant. On the other hand, it can also serve as an energizing or entertaining element, and mask distracting background noises such as speech. The goals and problem areas of a space influence how an appropriate sound environment should be built.
Finding the right background music starts with the goals and challenges of the space.
- Is the space intended for entertainment, focused work, or relaxation?
- Do conversation sounds create challenges for deep focus at work?
- Does the quiet space feel cold and uninviting?
Background noise in open-plan offices causes stress
Office spaces are increasingly open-plan, which gives acoustics and sound environments a greater role than before. You cannot simply switch off your hearing – people always hear and listen, even when not consciously paying attention to sounds in their surroundings. Phone calls, video meetings, conversations and catching up – in an open office there is constantly background noise that affects employees’ concentration and well-being.
Background speech is considered particularly distracting, and can reduce work efficiency by up to 41%. In tasks that require concentration, the decisive factor is how clearly the speech stands out. The distractibility of speech is therefore not so much due to its loudness, but rather to the difference in level between speech and background noise. In a room that is too quiet, speech also carries far. Properly selected background music drowns out other sounds and improves the peace of mind of the staff, without disturbing their concentration. At the same time, music can also have a positive effect on emotions and can even improve the general atmosphere of the workplace.
In studies, 65% of Finns considered the impact of music on well-being at work to be significant.
Background music can shape the soundscape of an office
Open-plan offices and shared spaces also have many benefits, such as positive effects on community and organizational culture. Additionally, open offices can save space and thereby reduce a company’s costs and carbon footprint.
Shaping the soundscape of an office begins with observing the space and identifying its challenges. The acoustic environment of a space is influenced by factors such as acoustics, structures, and even textile choices. The most common problems are speech and other background noises and their impact on concentration. Background music can dampen these environmental sounds without the music itself becoming a disruptive element.
Background music should be chosen based on what type of sound environment employees find reduces stress and improves concentration. According to research, the best background music for productivity is instrumental – lyrics tend to capture too much attention and can disrupt concentration. If you want to better mask conversation sounds in a space, and thus create better opportunities for deep focus, you can supplement background music with masking sounds. Masking sounds are specifically designed to effectively mask speech and other distracting background noise.
Read more on the blog: Masking sounds reduce noise and improve privacy »
See also how background music strengthens your brand and saves money »
Background music also shapes the atmosphere of a workspace. Energetic and upbeat music can boost productivity and add energy to a workday. On the other hand, calm and serene music can guide deeper focus and inspire creativity. When designing the sound environment of a company’s open office, it is worth thinking about what tasks employees in the office are focused on. Do you want to bring different moods to the office throughout the day? And what kind of background music best fits the company’s brand?
A great example of successful soundscape design is the Eteläesplanadi 2 Wood concept premises in Helsinki.
The aim was to create an inviting and peaceful atmosphere in the shared spaces of this office hotel that supports both work and relaxation. FirstView implemented a time-of-day varying sound environment in the spaces, while modern sound masking devices were also installed. The result was a work environment where comfort, functionality, and the core of the brand come together seamlessly.
“In Wood’s concept, it is important that people working in the office have a good feeling about coming to work. Background music plays a big role in this, says Nrep’s Asset Manager Mikael Pasila. He has also received a great deal of positive feedback from users working in the Eteläesplanadi office spaces. “
The effects of background music on comfort in service and retail environments
In restaurants, hair salons, and brick-and-mortar retail shops, background music is used even more commonly than in offices. In these spaces, music serves multiple goals and purposes: it is part of building the brand and can be used to guide customers’ purchasing behavior.
Background music in retail environments also has an impact on the well-being, work performance, and engagement of service and sales staff. When choosing retail background music, it is also important to consider employees, who listen to background music throughout the entire workday. Employees’ comfort and engagement in service work is crucially important for creating a good customer experience, as customer-facing staff also reflect their own mood to the surroundings.
Loud, energetic background music can be an effective branding tool, but in customer service tasks it can hinder work and even lead to mistakes. On the other hand, excessively repetitive playlists that repeat the same short list many times during a shift, or otherwise unpleasant music, can negatively impact well-being and engagement.
Even if the music in other parts of the space is loud, it can be a good idea to make the service counter area quieter. In FirstView’s background music service, playlists can be customized, scheduled, and updated to easily avoid privacy concerns.
If feedback is received from employees, it is worth listening to: background music that is experienced as pleasant improves employees’ comfort and commitment to their work.
Learn more about the different background music service and sound landscaping solutions »
How to choose the right background music?
Finding the right background music starts with the goals and challenges of the space. Is the purpose to increase comfort, improve concentration, or bring energy to the day? Based on the answers, a suitable soundscape can be built.
For example, instrumental music, especially at a moderate volume and calm in character, is best suited for deep focus at work. Background music can be supplemented with masking sounds, which more effectively mask speech and other noise. Additionally, regularly updated playlists ensure the music doesn’t feel repetitive, and music that varies with the rhythm of the day adds a natural tempo to the workday.
Use the rhythm of the day as part of your music selection:
- In the morning: calm, focus-enhancing music
- At lunchtime: energizing rhythm
- In the afternoon: soft, calming tone
To help with background music choices, we have compiled a quick guide on how to select suitable background music for different types of spaces 👇
Read more: Quick guide to choosing background music.
Combining music with digital signage
With FirstView MediaCloud, you can manage background music and digital signage in one place – you can schedule background music just as easily as screen content. Background music and digital signage content can be very well designed to complement each other: visual content and the audio environment create the mood of the space together. From MediaCloud’s licensed background music library you’ll find tens of pre-curated playlists.
Firstview’s license-free background music service includes, among other things:
- Over 12,000 songs from original artists
- Use the rhythm of the day as part of your music selection:
- Ability to schedule and automate background music
- Easy control from the same interface as the info displays
Would you like to create a soundscape that promotes well-being at work? Contact our experts and we will help you choose the right background music.
Sources:
Annu Haapakangas, Valtteri Hongisto & Eveliina Kankkunen: Comparison of five masking sounds in an office laboratory – effects on concentration and acoustic satisfaction.
Kaarina Kilpiö and Meri Kytö: Well-being in background music experiences: views of service sector workers on working with music https://musiikki.journal.fi/article/view/113247/66825.
