Echo in outdoor seating areas can disrupt conversations and create an unpleasant environment. To minimize echo, consider these design strategies:

1. Use Absorptive Materials: Incorporate materials like wood, fabric cushions, or acoustic panels that absorb sound waves instead of reflecting them.

2. Strategic Layout: Arrange seating in clusters with varied heights and angles to break up sound reflections. Avoid large, flat surfaces that amplify echoes.

3. Add Soft Landscaping: Plants, grass, and shrubs naturally absorb sound. Integrate greenery around seating areas to dampen noise.

4. Install Sound Barriers: Pergolas, trellises, or partial walls can deflect and absorb sound, reducing echo while adding aesthetic appeal.

5. Choose Textured Surfaces: Rough or uneven surfaces scatter sound waves, preventing them from bouncing back uniformly.

By combining these techniques, you can create an outdoor seating area that is both acoustically comfortable and visually inviting.