Chatty neighbors, crying babies, barking dogs — despite all the great perks of apartment living, annoying noise from nearby units can be a real drawback. If you tried politely asking your neighbors to quiet down to no avail, you might feel like your sanctuary just got a lot less appealing. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy and affordable ways to reduce the noise that makes it into your home. Here are a few simple tricks to soundproof your apartment.
10 ways to soundproof your apartment
1. Soften your surfaces
Noise reflects off of hard surfaces such as ceilings, floors, and walls. You can cut down on sound reflection by covering bare walls, and even ceilings, with soft things. Reducing reflected noise can go a long way toward making your unit more peaceful. Try putting rubber textile mats on your walls and a shag rug on your ceiling to soften the noise within your apartment. These items also absorb noises coming in from adjacent units. If you have hard floors, put a thick rug down on the floor. Boost the noise-dampening potential by laying down a density rug pad first.
2. Weatherproof the front door
Can you hear every word spoken in the building’s hallway from your couch? If so, there are probably big air gaps around the front door. Sealing up those leaks can cut down on the chatter and your energy bills. Since sound travels on air, any gap where light comes through also lets in sound. A commercial-grade door sweep with a thick rubber strip can efficiently seal up large gaps under apartment doors. This solution also keeps out drafts, dust, and bugs. You can also try sealing the sides and top of your door with weatherstripping if your door doesn’t close tightly against its jambs.
3. Deal with the doors
Weatherproofing isn’t your only option when it comes to doors. Hanging up heavy blackout curtains adds an additional soundproofing layer over your front door. They’ll absorb noise still leaking through that door when you close them. Interior doors may also be part of the problem. Gaps under doors inside your unit can also let in lots of noise, so fill those gaps with draft stoppers. You can either buy one or make it yourself. Versions that attach to the door, typically via an elastic band, are the most convenient.
4. Reduce the vibrations
Vibrating things, like washing machines and speakers, create sound. Reducing the vibrations in your apartment can, therefore, reduce sound. If you have noisy vibrating items in your apartment, try placing pieces of fabric under or behind them. The material cushions the items, reducing the vibrations and the noise.
5. Muffle with a bookcase
Soundproofing an apartment can also offer decorating possibilities. Put a wall-to-wall bookcase on a thin wall to muffle noise from the adjacent unit. Not only will you cut down on the sound coming through the walls, but you’ll also get to show off your impressive book collection while saving space. Since massive objects and materials resist vibration, they also cut down on sound transmission. Just make sure the edges of your bookcase fit in snugly against each wall, the floor, and the ceiling to eliminate those air gaps which let in sound.
6. Hang some wall art
Speaking of decorating possibilities, simply hanging wall art can make a world of difference. You’ll get some benefit from hanging art in classic wood or metal frames, but for a big impact, look for soft pieces. Tapestries, quilts, and macrame artwork absorb sound waves in a similar way to those textile mats mentioned above.
7. Install acoustic panels
If household hacks like rugs and bookcases aren’t doing the trick, try acoustic panels. You can find these crafted as boards or fabric you can hang on your walls. These panels are better at stopping sounds from echoing around your apartment than preventing sounds from outside entering your place.
8. Hang soundproof curtains
Soundproof curtains can stop outside noises from disturbing your sleep. Install them so they lie flat against the window trim or wall to block any sounds and deflect those noises back outside. You can also find noise-absorbing curtain styles built to glide along tracks that are easier to open and close.
9. Install window inserts
Window inserts are another possibility for blocking outside noise while maintaining your view. Install these clear panes of either acrylic or glass over your existing windows. The design creates an airtight seal, cutting outside noise by half or more. For extra convenience, try a design that quickly pops out to let in the fresh air.
10. Mask the sound with white noise
If all else fails, go for a white noise machine. You can try a sound machine or an app installed on your phone, tablet, or another device to carry sound. Whether you put on soft sounds or your favorite songs, this can go a long way in distracting you from the annoying noises coming in from your neighboring unit.
What to avoid when soundproofing your apartment
Now that you know the do’s of soundproofing, here are a few things to avoid:
Ditch the egg crates
There’s a common myth that egg crates are a miracle soundproofing material, but their impact is fairly minimal. They might dampen sound a little, but not enough to make up for their unsightly appearance. They might be cheap, but you’re better off spending your energy installing more effective and appealing soundproofing options.
Avoid foam rubber
Soundproofing foam might sound like an easy fix, but it’s best to steer clear. First, this material is pretty porous, so sound tends to pass straight through. It’s also highly flammable, so it can be a real hazard in apartment buildings.
Forget about mattresses
We’ve all seen those people who hammer a mattress to the wall in hopes that it will soundproof their room. It might look impressive, but it’s a lot of effort for little reward. Your new wall fixture can also be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
FAQs: Soundproofing your apartment
It’s difficult to know what soundproofing measures are in place when inspecting an apartment, so it’s best to ask the property manager. You might let them know that you’re a light sleeper or require a quiet place to study. A good property manager will happily disclose the soundproofing measures already in place before you sign a lease.
Try to inspect apartments at times when there’s a lot of outside noise, such as on weekend mornings or evenings throughout the week. Pay attention to the noise you hear from traffic, people on the street, and neighboring apartments. Decide whether you could tolerate the noise before signing on.
Finding a well-soundproofed apartment can be challenging, as it’s not the sort of thing you can filter on real estate websites. Word-of-mouth recommendations are ideal. Ask your friends and family members how quiet their apartments are and look for vacancies in their buildings. Modern apartments often have more soundproofing measures than older buildings, so you might target those in your search. Apartments near elevators are often noisier than end units or top-floor apartments.
There’s no need to let a loud environment ruin your dream home. Soundproofing an apartment doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult. In fact, you probably have some helpful items around your apartment that can help you get started. These tips can help you soundproof your apartment so your dream place turns back into that peaceful retreat you love.
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