When you spend time in a forest, you often experience an sense of calm. Part of this of course comes from the appearance of all the leaves and greenery, which triggers a sense of relaxation in the mind and the body. Indeed, many studies are conclusively showing that humans have a lower stress level when they spend time in green space. However, it is not just about the woodland being pleasing on the eyes. It is also to do with the softening of ambient noise that occurs when you step into a forest. All the plants and trees absorb sound from the outside, and so this means that, even if you are near to a road, the outside noise becomes muffled. But what about faux trees and greenery? Do artificial plants absorb sound just like the real versions do?
Shhhh… and Relax
When you become insulated from noise, combined with fresh air and greenery, it can help the body to relax and the mind to de-clutter. But what if you want some of that calming feeling in your day to day working or home life? This is where the huge benefit of house plants to well-being comes into play. Many people use house plants not only because they lift the appearance of a room with their fresh and verdant presence, but they also use them in order to absorb sound. This can be really important in urban areas, whether in a home, an office, or a shop. When you have a really busy local street to contend with, you can create a feeling of calm not only through the gentle beauty of natural plants but also through the way in which they buffer and insulate sound.
It can also be extremely useful in a hotel or restaurant to absorb some of the sounds from within the room too. A gentle hubbub can be a pleasant thing, but when voices and other sounds start to collide and clash, bouncing from one end of the space to the other, it is very tricky to stop the space from feeling a bit cold and impersonal like a large airport or a vast museum. Plants are great for helping out with this, but what some may not have the time to take care of (and replace) as many plants as it needs to keep the ambience at the right level all through the year. So, this raises the question, do artificial plants do the same thing vis a vis sound?
So, Do Artificial Plants Absorb Sound?
The short answer is: yes!
The great news for everyone looking to insulate their space from sounds and create a more calming environment is that artificial plants do absorb sound. This opens up a lot of possibilities, as it means that you won’t need to spend lots of time tending to your plants in order to create this beautiful sound absorbing environment.
It also means that you are freed up to place the artificial plants wherever you want, unlike the real plants which would need to be somewhere with access to plenty of natural light. With realistic artificial plants, you don’t really lose anything on the visual front, and you also get the bonus of being able to place them in the most effective place in terms of ambience and sound. They will always look just as good, and they won’t cause allergies. All the while, they will be soaking up the sound in just the way that a natural plant would.
Are Some Artificial Plants Better Than Others at Absorbing Sound?
The question of which plants do the best job at absorbing plants is really much the same for artificial options or real options. The main factor is the surface area. This means that you are better off with bushy or large-leafed plants. Types like artificial ferns are always a good option. These kinds of artificial bushes and foliage would be the best bet for absorbing the most sound. Narrow and high stemmed artificial flowers or faux plants which have very few leaves on them will not be as effective. So you should be thinking about going for as much green coverage as possible.
Artificial Green Walls
Artificial green walls can be another really great way to insulate a room from sound. These are really effective in commercial spaces where you are suffering from challenging acoustics. This might not be to do with sound from outside the building leaking in, but instead sound from within the space echoing around the room.
When you have hard floors and lots of glass, as well as high ceilings, sound can clatter against these surfaces and bounce back. To customers on the ground level this means that there is always a sense that multiple sounds are clattering together at any one time. This can create a cavernous and even chaotic feel. Which is not great when really you want to create a space that is calmer and more intimate.
Furthermore, in offices, when acoustics are creating this distractingly loud and echo filled atmosphere all the time, morale, productivity and even emotional well-being can begin to come down.
However, when the sound is insulated with an artificial green wall, you will find that this can create a feeling of togetherness and focus, lowering stress levels and making the room a nicer place to be. This can also be beneficial for cafes or restaurants. Although you want there to be a chatter buzzing away to create a sense of energy, you also want people to be able to hear what their friend or loved one is saying just across from the table! Softening the blow of hard walls with this artificial solution, which also is minimal effort to maintain, will not get rid of the energy but instead add a welcoming feeling of intimacy.
Smaller Touches Can Work Too
At home, smaller touches of realistic artificial trailing bushes, foliage bunches, spring green bunches and other plants of bountiful leaves will be perfect in bedrooms, studies, living rooms or kitchens.
