The atmosphere of Zankel Theater at Carnegie Hall is elegant and minimalist. The plain black and white walls are decorated by large, smooth, wooden panels. Each panel is built differently, with each steak of wood a different shade of brown. The walls adjacent to the panels are a tan shade of white, as if to complement the light brown of the wood. The ceiling, on the other hand, is layered with bulky lights, which all point at the stage. The light creates a bright circle on the stage, illuminating the orchestra. The stage itself is wooden as well, however it is a much paler color than the rest of the the auditorium.  This contrast between the stage and walls, the bright, focused lighting, and the simple design of the theater further lock the attention of the audience onto the performers.

On the other side of the stage, the audience is surrounded by tall, wooden fencing. The fencing is composed of long, sparingly spaced narrow bars. The seats are composed of a smooth, shiny, also wooden fabric, however the cushion is black with a furry texture.