These acoustic and textile merchandise soften the look and sound of schooling areas

Making schools hospitable for returning faculty, staff, and students is not only a question of safety and cleanliness. Learning environments—so austere in the U.S.—also need to mitigate noise and soften hard edges. Fabrics are a cost-effective measure for achieving these ends. The following selection pairs geometric and three-dimensional acoustic tiles with durable upholsteries and carpets. All meet the highest technical standards and do it with panache. The cold, utilitarian, and ramshackle classrooms of the past stand to be transformed into truly inspirational spaces for study.