Everyday Materials That Can Be Used for Soundproofing

Whether you’re a musician building a home studio, a college student in a noisy apartment building or one of the countless professionals working from home, a quiet, peaceful space can be invaluable. If high-quality soundproofing gear isn’t in the budget just yet, there are still plenty of ways to reduce noise using soundproofing materials found at home.

Soundproofing with household items is easier than you might think. Here are a few tips for soundproofing on a budget:

1. Hang tapestries or blankets: Covering hard surfaces like walls and ceilings with tapestries or blankets is an easy way to limit the amount of noise that reflects off those surfaces. To maximize sound absorption, try using multiple layers to create the thickest barrier you can.
2. Strategically position furniture: Couches, pillows, recliners and other furnishings make excellent soundproofing materials because they soak up sound and prevent reverberations. If you live in an apartment with noisy neighbors, situate your couch along a shared wall to soak up noise that transfers through.
3. Hang curtains and blinds: Because windows are meant to open and close with ease, they are notoriously hard to soundproof. Curtains and blinds take the edge off of any noise coming from outside by absorbing soundwaves. As with any soundproofing material, the thicker, the better!
4. Get creative with carpets or rugs: Lining your floors with rugs or carpets is a great way to reduce noise from footsteps or dropped objects both inside your building and for the neighbors below. If you’re looking for an outside-the-box solution, try hanging a decorative rug on a wall or ceiling. Rugs are thick and heavy, so they work super well as an insulative material.

When DIY Doesn’t Cut It

Soundproofing with household items can be incredibly effective if you’re on a tight budget. At the same time, Soundproof Cow makes professional-quality soundproofing material affordable for everyone. For the best results, try some of our residential soundproofing solutions:

• Soundproofing insulation: Designed for use in drop ceilings or between wall studs, materials like Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation reduce noise transfer while also retaining heat.
• Acoustic panels: For an easy-to-install material that looks great in any room, try foam or perforated wood acoustic panels. Create a panel that complements your style with an Art Acoustic Panel printed with a design of your choice.
• Flooring underlayments: If you’re redoing your floors, install Impact Barrier QT Flooring Underlayments to reduce noise from footsteps or falling objects — your downstairs neighbors will thank you!

Contact Soundproof Cow to Learn More

At Soundproof Cow, we’re committed to making effective soundproofing materials available for anyone and everyone. For more helpful tips or a free acoustic analysis, get in touch with us today!

 

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