What are acoustic felt wall panels, and how do they work?

 

Silence is something you can’t see, but you can feel it. A pleasant space doesn’t sound hollow, isn’t tiring on the ears, and naturally feels more peaceful.

Yet many people struggle with annoying reverberation or echoes at home or in the office. This is because hard surfaces—walls, floors, windows—reflect sound instead of absorbing it.

 

The solution? Acoustic wall panels made of felt.

They are stylish, durable, and improve acoustics immediately after installation.

At Maeven Art, we take this concept a step further: we use Dutch PET felt, develop exclusive designs, and make all our panels self-adhesive. This allows you to create a quiet, cozy space in just minutes—without a drill or glue.

 

In this comprehensive knowledge blog, we take a closer look at the subject:

 

Table of Contents – What Are Acoustic Felt Wall Panels and How Do They Work?

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1. Why Good Acoustics Are Essential

 

Sound travels in waves. When these waves hit a hard wall, they bounce back—which we perceive as reverberation. The more reflections there are, the noisier a room sounds. In modern homes with high ceilings and smooth surfaces, this effect is even more pronounced.

 

Poor acoustics can affect:

                  • Concentration – in offices and home offices.

                  • Clarity – during calls and video conferences.

                  • Comfort – in living rooms or bedrooms with a lot of echo.

 

With the right sound-absorbing panels, you can create a quiet environment by absorbing some of the sound.

The echo fades away, conversations sound clearer, and the room feels cozier.

 

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2. What are acoustic felt wall panels?

 

An acoustic wall panel made of felt isa decorative element that absorbs sound waves.

The Ek panel is made entirely of PET felt—a soft, sturdy material made from 60% recycled PET bottles.

 

What makes felt unique is its fiber structure: open enough to absorb sound, yet dense enough to muffle it.

When sound waves strike the surface, they are absorbed by the fibers. The vibrations are absorbed and no longer reflected, thereby improving acoustic comfort.

 

Our panels are made of 9mm-thick Dutch felt, tested in the anechoic chamber at TU Delft.

Result: a sound absorption coefficient (αw) of up to 0.80 (with 2.5 cm of denim wool)—which means virtually complete sound absorption at certain frequencies.

 

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3. How exactly does felt reduce noise?

 

Sound consists of vibrations at different frequencies: low, mid, and high frequencies.

The open fiber structure of felt “captures” those frequencies at different depths.

This creates a balanced sound, without echoes or harsh reflections.

 

💡 Did you know?

A wall covered with felt panels can reduce reverberation by up to 50% compared to a bare wall.

 

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4. PET felt: locally sourced, sustainable, and smartly designed

 

At Maeven, we use only Dutch-made PET felt, produced from recycled plastic bottles. This Dutch felt has a much higher density

Each plate goes through three steps:

                  1. Collecting bottles.

                  2. Grind into flakes.

                  3. Melted into fibers, pressed into felt sheets.

 

The result is a sustainable product that lasts a long time, contains no adhesives or chemical additives, and remains recyclable.

 

Sustainability isn't just a side issue—it's the foundation.

By producing locally, we reduce transportation distances, maintain control over quality, and support the Dutch manufacturing industry.

 

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5. Felt vs. Wood: The Difference in Acoustics

 

Wooden slatted panels are popular—but they work differently.

Wood reflects sound; felt absorbs it.

That means:

                  • Wood allows for diffusion (spread),

                  • Felt provides cushioning (absorption).

 

It's the perfect combination: many customers choose a felt backdrop with wooden slats.

This way, you get the warm look of wood, but with the quietness of felt.

 

On average, our panels are 50% wood, with the remainder consisting of sound-absorbing felt—a perfect balance between design and acoustics.

 

6. Unique Benefits of Maeven Art Panels

 

✅ Self-adhesive – no tools or glue required

Remove the backing, stick the panel directly onto the wall, and you're done.

No drilling, no caulk, no damage.

 

✅ Measurable acoustic effect

Our panels have been tested by TU Delft and Cauberg-Huygen.

You can hear the difference even with just one 4-square-meter wall.

 

✅ Dutch design, available nowhere else

Each collection—such as Loa, Maya, and Sade—has been designed exclusively for Maeven.

No imports, no generic patterns, just hand-drawn designs.

 

✅ Durable & low-maintenance

The PET felt is colorfast, moisture-resistant, and easy to keep clean.

 

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7. Applications by room

 

🛋 Living room

 

Large open space with a lot of echo? Felt panels break up reflections and soften the sound.

Combine colors to make a design statement—for example, Cognac and Sand Grey for a warm look.

 

💼 Kantoor of werkplek

 

Fewer distractions, less echo. Perfect for use at a desk or in meeting rooms.

Even 2 square meters of panels can make a difference in speech intelligibility.

 

🛏 Bedroom

 

A peaceful space calls for soft materials.

Place panels behind the bed to serve as both a visual focal point and an acoustic barrier.

 

🍽 Restaurants & public spaces

 

Create a comfortable environment for guests. Our panels are widely used in restaurants, hotels, and reception areas—they improve both acoustics and aesthetics.

 

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8. The Science Behind Acoustics

 

The performance of felt panels can be physically measured.

The following tests were conducted in the TU Delft reverberation chamber:

 

This means: the more air behind it, the wider the frequency range that is absorbed.

 

This feature makes our panels suitable for both residential and commercial spaces, such as offices and studios.

 

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9. Sustainability: Silence with a Conscience

 

Every square meter of solar panel prevents about 45 plastic bottles from ending up in a landfill.

The material is fully recyclable and meets the strictest European standards.

 

In addition, our products are processed by hand in the Netherlands, which reduces transportation and supports local employment.

 

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10. Design that brings a sense of calm

 

Acoustics is technology, but design is about feeling.

That is why we design our panels as works of art: each set features balance, rhythm, and depth.

You can place them horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—and even combine them to create your own compositions.

 

“From a bare wall to a serene feature wall in 15 minutes—no drilling, no noise, just peace and quiet.”

 

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11. Installation in 3 steps

                  1. Remove any dust from the wall.

                  2. Peel the protective film off the adhesive layer.

                  3. Position the panel and press it gently into place.

 

Want to change the layout later? No problem.

The adhesive backing is strong, but can be easily removed without damaging the wall.

 

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12. Experience the difference

 

Whether you're looking for peace and quiet in the living room or a quiet office environment, felt panels are the most effective and stylish solution.

With Dutch craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and unique design, Maeven Art is the driving force behind a more harmonious interior.

 

🎯 Explore the collection or request a sample kit—and experience the power of silence for yourself.

 

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🔗 Internal link structure

                  • Link to product category: Acoustic felt wall panels

                  • Link to blog: What is the difference between felt and wood panels?

                  • Link to FAQ: How much noise does a panel actually block?

                  • Link to page: Acoustic art / paintings

 

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