Quick answer: In high-ceiling restaurants, the best fix is usually hanging clouds or baffles below the ceiling, over the tables, plus panels on one or two walls. Hanging them lower puts the soft material closer to the noise and keeps the open look. Flat panels on a very high ceiling work, but are harder and costlier to fit.

Key takeaways

  • Hang clouds or baffles over the tables.
  • Add panels on one or two long walls.
  • Keep the open look; you do not need a false ceiling.

Why high ceilings are loud

A tall, hard ceiling gives sound lots of room to bounce. The echo lasts longer, and every table adds to the roar. Guests then talk louder, which makes it worse. See high-ceiling cafés.

Option 1: clouds

Clouds are flat panels hung on wires over the dining area, like a lower ceiling. They look clean and can be shaped and coloured. Acqua E Farina on Keong Saik Road used custom clouds.

Not sure what your room needs? Send us a photo on WhatsApp or request a free quote. We'll tell you how many panels, where they go and the price. See our restaurant acoustic panels and recent projects.

Quiet a high-ceiling restaurant infographic

Option 2: baffles

Baffles are panels hung on edge, in rows. They suit long rooms and industrial looks. They also let lights and sprinklers fit between the rows.

Option 3: flat on the ceiling

Panels can be fixed straight onto a very high ceiling. They work, but they need a scaffold to install. They are also far from the noise, so you may need more of them.

Option 4: walls

Panels can go on the long walls, above seat height. They work best together with clouds or baffles. Walls alone rarely fix a very tall room. See ceiling vs wall panels.

Clouds vs baffles diagram

Cost

A 10 × 6 m dining room needs about 28 to 38 panels. At S$185 each installed, that is S$5,180 to S$7,030. Standard fixings are included; a scaffold for high ceilings, if needed, is quoted on top. See restaurant acoustic panel cost.

How high to hang clouds

Low enough to be close to the noise, high enough to clear tall guests, lights and any moving equipment. We set the height with you on site, and check sightlines from the entrance.

Working around a busy ceiling

High ceilings often have exposed ducts, sprinklers and track lights. We map them first, then fit clouds or baffles in the gaps, so nothing is blocked.

What we see on real jobs

In tall rooms, bringing the soft material down closer to the diners does the most good. Clouds at the right height make a big difference.

Get a straight answer for your room

WhatsApp us (+65 8930 1905) a photo of your dining room, ideally taken during service, and tell us when it gets loudest. We'll come back with a ceiling-and-wall plan and a price. Ask us about installing outside opening hours.

WhatsApp us a photo · Request a free quote · See prices

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