Upholstered Privacy Screens for Desks
Softline Desk Divider is a range of sound absorbing desk screens with contemporary radius corners. Part of the Softline Acoustic Series, the desk range includes the following models:
- Desktop: A divider that is clamped on top of the desktop.
- Suspended: The screen suspends below the desktop (useful for height-adjustable desks).
- Wrap-around: Side return screens wrap around the desktop creating a high-level cubicle for enhanced privacy.
- Mobile: A moveable on-desk divider, which can be located anywhere when required.
The acoustic rating differs by thickness, with the 40mm thick desk dividers offering increased absorption.
Below are two test results from Acoustic Facts for the 30mm and 40mm Softline desk suspended dividers at sizes: W1600 x H650mm
Softline 30 Desk Screen
Screen test size: W1600 x D30 x H650mm
Softline 40 Desk Screen
Screen test size: W1600 x D40 x H650mm
The 100m² Room Example
A good rule of thumb for open-plan offices is to aim for a sound absorption area equivalent to roughly 10% of the room's floor size. In a 100m² room, this means aiming for 10 square metres of total absorption to manage background noise and echo.
Using the Softline 40 Desk Screen (N10: 10.2) as our example, this target is met with 10–11 screens. Think of this as your acoustic baseline—a solid starting point for a quieter environment.
If your office hosts a larger team (25+ users) or is designed for agile working where movement is high, we recommend using this baseline as your minimum. For these high-density or multi-purpose spaces, we advise placing screens at every workstation and introducing complementary solutions like acoustic wall panels or ceiling baffles to further break up sound travel and ensure your workspace remains comfortable as it grows.
Important Information Regarding Acoustic Estimations: The acoustic guidelines provided on this website are for a starter estimation purposes only and do not take existing building or furniture properties into account. We base our targets on the N10 metric, aiming for a sound absorption area equivalent to 10% of the room’s floor space. Unlike NRC percentages (often cited at 15-25% for flat 2D wall/ceiling panels, carpets and textured walls), N10 is specifically engineered for 3D furniture. Because screens and 3D panels act as efficient vertical barriers, targeting 10% of your floor area provides effective acoustic zoning with significantly less product. Feel free to add more as you please.
Please note that these figures represent a suggested acoustic baseline. Actual performance is influenced by:
- Room Architecture: Ceiling height, hard reflective surfaces (e.g., concrete/glass), and floor coverings.
- Office Density & Usage: Number of personnel, activity levels, and layout (agile vs. static).
- Existing Treatments: Other existing acoustic elements like ceiling baffles or soft furnishings.
For projects where acoustic privacy is critical, or for spaces with unusual dimensions and materials, we recommend consulting an acoustic engineer. Urban Office provides these calculations as a starting point to assist with your planning and product selection, and they do not constitute a professional acoustic performance guarantee.
