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How to Soundproof a Bedroom: 9 Tips & Tricks
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
In the last 2 ½ years, most of us have found ourselves at home more than we used to be. It may have started as watching a lot of Netflix, but then responsibility came creeping over our shoulders and reminded us that we have to get work done. This is a problem if your work environment is distracting and noisy! Here are some tips to help you reduce sound in your bedroom or home office.
The 9 Tips & Tricks to Soundproofing a Bedroom
1. Rearrange Your Furniture
Difficulty:
Easy
One of the basic principles of acoustics is that the shape of a room determines how the sound moves around. Based on this, try moving some of your heavier and bulkier furniture toward walls or doors through which undesired sound comes. If street noise comes through your window, try moving a dresser next to it.
2. Acoustic Foam Paneling
Materials:
Acoustic Foam, Command Strips, Rubbing Alcohol
Difficulty:
Moderate
Acoustic foam paneling is not only for recording studios. In fact, there are two different uses for it. The first is for a sound treatment for a recording studio. The second use is for sound suppression, meaning it’s for soundproofing. With this method, you don’t have to worry about damaging your walls either. Using some Command strips, which can be installed with ease, you can mount the foam on your wall within an hour.
3. Use a White Noise Machine
Difficulty:
Easy
This isn’t exactly soundproofing, but it can drown out unwanted noise. The nice thing about a white noise machine is that it has a switch. Sometimes you might prefer the background noise with birds tweeting, the wind blowing, or rain falling. Other times there might be a jackhammer ruining your remote workday. Many white noise machines have multiple settings and sounds so that you can get variety. If you do not want to run out and buy one, you can always loop some white noise tracks on Spotify or YouTube. Flip on the switch and get in the zone.
4. Close the Gap on Your Door
Materials:
Door Sweep, Screws
Tools:
Hacksaw, Scissors, Drill
Difficulty:
Moderate
Installing a door sweep is a great way to keep any sound coming through your front or back door out and enhance your heating and cooling efficiency. You should install the fixture on the side where the door swings when you open it. For most front doors, this is the inside.
Measure the length of the bottom side of your door and make sure to account for the gaps on either side. Transfer this measurement to your door sweep. When you cut it to size with the hacksaw, ensure that you remove the vinyl and rubber from the edge, so you don’t accidentally cut it. After you’ve cut the aluminum, cut the rubber and vinyl, so there is about ¼” overhang on either side. Now you’re ready to screw it into the door!
5. Get Thicker Carpet
Difficulty:
Difficult
There’s a reason many churches and cathedrals are not lined with carpet. The Sistine Chapel, which is known for its many paintings, does not have carpeting to adorn it. Softer surfaces dull sound and are counterproductive to resonance. So, if you want to dull some of the sounds in your bedroom, get carpeting if you have hard floors. If you are still having trouble, try thicker carpeting, but don’t break the bank if you’re just trying it out. You can always throw a few area rugs down to start.
6. Put Some Art on the Walls
Materials:
Rockwool, canvas frames, cardboard
Tools:
Glue gun, rubber gloves
Difficulty:
Moderate
Along with moving bulkier furniture to the gateways of sound in your room, you can also add artwork or other frames to your bedroom. Family photos, diplomas, and other decorations will help absorb some of the noise. You even have the option of insulating canvas frames for extra absorption with Rockwool.
7. Install Soundproof Curtains
Materials:
Curtain Rod, Soundproof Curtains
Tools:
Drill
Difficulty:
Easy
These curtains are called soundproof but that’s a bit of a misnomer. Soundproofing curtains do not lower the decibel level of any sound coming in through your windows. For a long-term solution, it’s best to soundproof your windows entirely. If you want something that will dampen any echo, whether traffic noise or reverb inside your bathroom, soundproof curtains are a great way to go.
8. Add More Sheetrock
Materials:
Drywall, Drywall Screws, Drywall Mud
Tools:
Drill, Drywall Square, Putty Knife
Difficulty:
Difficult
This may not be the easiest solution, but it is quite effective. What better way to block out sound than to add another layer to your wall? However, if you’ve never hung and mudded drywall before, it can take a novice some getting used to, especially when it comes to achieving a professional-looking texture. You might want to consider the acoustic foam before installing sheetrock.
9. Window Insulation
Materials:
Window Seal, Acrylic Panel, Window Screen Clips
Tools:
Hair Dryer
Difficulty:
Moderate
Everyone knows that windows can get drafty, but if air can get through around the seals of windows, sound certainly can as well. Soundproofing your windows will help eliminate street noise, dogs barking, etc. However, some premade window inserts for soundproofing can be quite expensive. Check out this tutorial on how to make your own easily removable acrylic soundproofing panels for your windows. This could save you hundreds of dollars depending on how many windows you plan to soundproof.
Final Thoughts
In all reality there will not be a one size fits all solution for everyone or every room. Each room has different natural acoustics that call for different soundproofing methods. You probably won’t want to start with foam paneling. Start with rearranging your furniture and adding a rug. These are two of the easiest solutions on your journey to peace and quiet!
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
