Saturday Sounds: Soundscaping your space
Thoughtful sound—not just music—can lengthen dwell time, calm queues, and make your brand feel intentional.
We only have 5 senses (touch, taste, sight, scent and sound, for your reminder). That’s 5 chances we get to make an impact on the customer.
I recently visited OnePlayground (yes, the crazy fancy, futuristic gym with light installations in the spin classrooms and 360-mirrors in the reformer pilates rooms). I was obviously impressed by the led-screen walls but what stuck with me was the scent.
Far from what gyms usually smell like there was a light waft of a luxurious scent that floated throughout the entire gym.
This really stuck with me. It really helped solidify the image of OnePlayground as being a high-end gym that was worth the price tag.
I know that’s 5-too-many things to think about while already running a business. So here are four tips to help your soundscaping journey:
- Map your day in 4 zones (open, mid-morning, rush, late). Set temp/volume per zone; keep rush hours calmer, not louder. (Slow tempo ≠ sleepy—think calming a busy crowd)
- Add non-music layers (soft ambience or nature) to mask harsh sounds like trolleys, grinders, cutlery, etc.
- Write a 30-day playlist schedule and rotate weekly to avoid staff fatigue—quick tip: make full use of spotify and youtube playlists
- Test one Saturday: measure dwell time or basket size against the last week
The more your business is able to hit all of these senses the bigger your brand identity becomes. It’s time to reverse to the fundamental senses to boost your sales and brand awareness.
