Music in open-plan offices improves well-being
26 June 2025
Playing music in open-plan offices improves productivity and wellbeing, according to a Cardiff University researcher.
In a paper to be presented at an international conference, Dr Andrew Smith of the University’s School of Psychology will outline how music can be a straightforward and cost-effective tool to mitigate the adverse effects of noise in the workplace.
Bringing together his own research and that of others in the field. Dr Smith’s work details how music in an open plan office not only reduces stress but can improve productivity, working memory and wellbeing.
Dr Smith said: “The use of music in the workplace can be traced back to the early 1900s, as music was viewed as a motivational tool to improve productivity – with the BBC radio broadcasting the “Music While You Work” programme into British factories from 1940 to 1967."
I wanted to understand how this principle would impact those working in office jobs, especially with the shift towards open-plan office work, to reveal if we can improve well-being in the office.
In open-plan offices, noise is a common problem that can reduce employee performance. This noise may come from many different sources - telephones ringing, air conditioning, traffic noise, and others speaking. Background speech is often the most annoying source of noise in an office, with previous studies indicating that continuous exposure to background speech impairs our working memory.
In his paper, Dr Smith draws together research on the types of music played in offices, as well as the personalities of office workers and the tasks undertaken.
Dr Smith said: “Systematic research shows that excessive background noise in the office may result in stress, lack of concentration, and reduced performance and efficiency.
“By looking at past research, we can see that several types of music have been suggested to improve performance and increase positive mood. Classical music, nature music such as the sound of waves, or cinematic music can enhance mood.
“Music that is 50-80 beats per minute induces a state where the person can resume focus and think without listening to the music."
Listening to your favourite music may increase positive affect and performance. Similarly, disliked and relaxing music has also been shown to impair performance.
The research Effects Of Music On Cognitive Performance: From The Workplace To The Laboratory To Open-Plan Offices was presented at the 11th Convention of the European Acoustics Association in Málaga, Spain, June 23 – 26 2025.
