How to Soundproof a Room From Outside Noise

Whether during the day when you are trying to focus on work or at night when you are trying to sleep, outside noises can be extremely bothersome, taking away from some much needed peace and quiet. However, a great way to combat this is through soundproofing your space.

In this article, we will outline how to soundproof a room from outside noise, discussing the things to know before getting started, various DIY methods, and what you can do when you are on a budget in order to help figure out the most ideal solution for you.

How to Soundproof a Room (Things to Know Before Getting Started)

In order to create a soundproof room, it is important to keep these three steps in mind before beginning to work on any kind of soundproofing itself. Without this knowledge, you may not get the desired results:

1. Understand the Difference Between Sound Proofing vs. Sound Absorbing – While sound proofing and sound absorbing are often thought to be the same thing, this is not actually the case. Sound proofing refers to the act of keeping sound contained in one space, using dense, air-tight materials to prevent sound from leaving. On the other hand, sound absorbing refers to the act of reducing noise in a room, using soft and light materials to soak up sound vibrations. Understanding these concepts is vital in order to properly apply them and control the level of sound in your room.
2. Identify the Source of Noise in Your Room – The two primary sources are airborne noise and impact noise. Airborne noise is any sound transmitted through the air that can enter a room via gaps in windows, doors, walls, and ceilings. This includes people’s voices, traffic/cars honking, and dogs barking. Impact noise, meanwhile, is structure-based sound that is typically caused by the vibration of objects moving against each other, such as the footsteps of people walking around the floor above you. You will need to identify the specific sources of noise in your room in order to come up with a plan that effectively addresses them and properly soundproofs the space.
3. Determine the Best Materials to Use – There are different materials that can be used depending on the sources of noise and the areas of the room that you need or want to focus your efforts on. For example, when focusing on the walls, installing
   acoustic panels, decorative fabrics, or other types of wall coverings can help to better absorb unwanted sound. For the ceiling, installing resilient channels, isolation chips, or acoustic tiles is a good idea, and for the floor, installing carpeting or area rugs is your best bet.

DIY Ways to Soundproof a Room

Now that you know the general process of how to get started, it’s time to determine how to best soundproof your space. The following are different DIY ways to go about soundproofing a room in your home.

Install Soundproofing Panels

Installing acoustic wall panels is arguably the best way to create soundproof rooms. This is what musicians and sound engineers use when setting up recording studios. These panels aren’t just great for soundproofing a room, but they also look good, adding to the aesthetic appeal of your space.

Add Rugs or Carpets

Putting thick carpeting and area rugs in your room can help dampen sound, while also adding to the comfort of the space. For additional support and even better results, consider extra soundproof rug pads underneath the carpets and rugs.

Add Cotton or Wool Throw Pillows

Studies have shown that natural materials, like cotton and wool, can be used to create sustainable, eco-friendly sound absorbers. Therefore, adding cotton or wool throw pillows to a room, whether on a couch or bed, can help with dampening sounds. If you don’t want extra pillows on your bed when you go to sleep, you can move them near the windows or door at night to specifically target and reduce noise from those areas.

Get Noise-Reducing Curtains

Heavy curtains can help muffle outside noise in general, but getting dedicated noise-reducing curtains will help even more. This is because, as the name suggests, noise-reducing curtains are specifically made to block out sound, just like how blackout curtains are made to block out light.

Improve Your Window’s Insulation

The two ways that you can improve your window’s insulation and block out airborne noise are by installing sound-blocking inserts and using acoustic caulk to seal gaps around the window frame. The combination of these two methods will help keep all unwanted noise out.

Use a Fan or Sound Machine

When all else fails, use white noise to battle bothersome nighttime noises. A fan or sound machine creates a steady whir of white noise that covers up all other disruptive sounds, allowing you to have a better night’s sleep.

How to Soundproof a Room for Cheap

If you’re trying to soundproof on a budget, the best way to go about it is to work with what you have. Drape blankets over chairs, add extra cotton or wool pillows to your bed, hang decorative fabrics on the wall, and place rugs on the floor to dampen sound as much as you can.

Investing in other DIY methods, like installing acoustic wall panels, can also go a long way with soundproofing a room for the sake of functionality, durability, longevity, and aesthetics. Ultimately, though, the decision is up to you when it comes to how much money you are willing to spend.