Noise pollution has become a serious concern for a lot of major metropolitan cities around the world, according to UNEP.org. For example, 90% of New York mass transit users are exposed to noise above the recommended decibel level (above 70 dBA).

Living in an apartment in the city offers convenience and affordability, but it often comes at the cost of peace and quiet. Whether you're dealing with noisy neighbors, street traffic, or trying to create a quiet space for work, sleep, or recording, soundproofing your apartment room can drastically improve your quality of life.

The good news? You don't need to break the lease or the bank to make it happen.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through practical, renter-friendly, and effective methods of how to soundproof a room in an apartment.

Understanding Soundproofing vs. Sound Absorption

Before diving into the steps, it's important to understand the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption:

• Soundproofing is the process of blocking sound from entering or leaving a room; this involves stopping vibrations and sealing gaps.
• Sound absorption is about reducing echo and reverberation within a room by using soft, porous materials to trap sound waves.

An effective soundproofing strategy will typically involve both.

Step 1: Identify the Noise Problem

Before you start adding panels or rugs, determine where the noise is coming from:

• Airborne noise: Voices, music, or TV from other rooms or apartments.
• Impact noise: Footsteps or objects dropping on the floor above.
• Flanking noise: Sound traveling through ductwork, outlets, or gaps in construction.

Walk around the room and listen carefully.Common problem areas include:

• Windows
• Doors
• Walls (especially shared walls)
• Floors and ceilings
• Electrical outlets and vents

There will also be certain times when the noise levels are higher than others. For example, during commute times, if you live on a major street, noise levels will be highest from 7-9 am and 5-7 pm (approximately).

If you are searching for an apartment using Reazy Hub, make sure to enquire with the landlords or your potential roommates about noise levels during various times of the day.

Try and visit the apartment at different times to see what the noise levels are like. You don't want to choose an apartment and realize that in the evenings, there is a pub nearby that plays such loud music that you feel like the band is standing in your living room.

Step 2: Seal Air Gaps and Cracks

Sound travels easily through small openings, so sealing these gaps is your first line of defense.

Here are the materials needed:

• Acoustic caulk (non-hardening, flexible sealant)
• Weatherstripping tape
• Door sweeps
• Foam gaskets for outlets

Here's how to do it:

Doors:

• Install weatherstripping around the door frame.
• Add a door sweep at the bottom to block the gap between the door and the floor.

Windows:

• Apply weatherstripping or acoustic caulk around window frames.
• Use thick curtains or soundproof window inserts for extra protection.

Electrical Outlets:

• Install foam gaskets behind outlet covers to seal flanking paths.

Baseboards and Wall Cracks:

• Use acoustic sealant to fill any cracks or gaps around baseboards and wall seams.

Pro Tip: Always use acoustic caulk, not regular silicone or acrylic caulks, because it remains flexible and doesn't crack over time.

Step 3: Reinforce the Doors

Doors, especially hollow-core ones, are weak points in soundproofing. You have many options when it comes to reinforcing the doors against noise. Here are some to consider:

1. Add Mass:

Apply mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) to the back of the door. MLV is a dense material that blocks sound.

Alternatively, use a composite soundproof blanket or moving blanket for a budget-friendly solution.

2. Upgrade the Door:

For this option, you need to obtain permission from the landlord or your roommates to make the change. They might not allow it, unless you can make a good case for how loud your apartment can get.

If you live on the main street and traffic noises make it impossible for you to sleep all night, ruining your mental and physical health, you could make a strong case for this upgrade.

Replace a hollow-core door with a solid-core door, which provides better sound isolation. It's well worth the investment.

3. Install a Door Seal Kit:

These kits include door sweeps and seals for the top and sides of the door. These aren't as good of an option as the other two, but still doable, if you are at your wits' end with the noise.

Step 4: Soundproof the Windows

Windows are often the thinnest barrier between your apartment and the outside world. That's why there are many professional companies out there that will be happy to replace your regular windows with soundproof ones.

If you don't have the budget for that or permission from your landlord, then consider the following solutions.

• Heavy Curtains: Use sound-dampening curtains or thermal blackout curtains with multiple layers.
• Window Inserts: Add acrylic or glass inserts that create a sealed air gap between the window and the insert.
• Seal the Frames: Use weatherstripping or acoustic sealant to close gaps around the frame.

Step 5: Add Mass to the Walls

Hopefully, you are living in a detached home. But if you share walls with noisy neighbors, you'll need to increase the wall's mass to block sound.

Some of the non-invasive methods are listed below:

1. Bookshelves and Furniture

Place tall, filled bookshelves or heavy furniture against shared walls. The added mass helps absorb and block sound.

2. Soundproof Wall Panels

Use:

• Acoustic foam panels
• Fabric-wrapped fiberglass panels
• Soundproof wallpaper

These materials absorb mid to high-frequency sound and reduce echo.

3. Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)

Hang MLV behind large tapestries or decorative fabric to combine soundproofing and style. You can purchase this from a Home Depot near you.

4. Acoustic Wallpaper

Some wallpapers are specifically designed to dampen sound and are renter-friendly. You might have to still get permission from your landlord for this, though. It's always better to ask and be sure.

5. Temporary Drywall or Panels

Some products allow you to install a temporary second wall using materials like green glue compound and drywall panels. However, this is more invasive and may not suit every lease. Again, speak to your landlord about it.

Step 6: Soundproof the Floor

If you're dealing with noise from below or want to prevent your sound from leaking downstairs, soundproofing the floor is key. You might have heard this in the apartments you lived in or visited before. You can hear the sound of stomping feet from the apartment above, as if they were doing a military march.

Here are some floor soundproofing tips to reduce the noise in an apartment:

1. Rugs and Pads:

Lay down thick rugs with a dense rug pad underneath. Look for materials like felt, rubber, or memory foam for better impact absorption.

2. Interlocking Foam Mats:

These are ideal for:

• Home studios
• Nurseries
• Gyms

These mats dampen footfall and vibrations.

3. Carpet Tiles

A good semi-permanent option that adds both style and sound control. You can choose a marble look-alike tile to make your apartment stand out even more. These can be easier to clean as well, which is a double bonus.

Step 7: Soundproof the Ceiling

Ceilings are tough because you don't have control over the floor above. You could speak to your upstairs neighbor and ask them to put down some carpet or soundproofing material, but they are probably going to ignore you.

However, there are some options:

1. Acoustic Ceiling Panels

Install cloud panels or hanging acoustic baffles. These don't require ceiling modification and are great for absorbing sound.

2. Tension Rod Sound Blankets

If the noise is severe, hang moving blankets or acoustic quilts using tension rods or hooks to create a drop ceiling effect.

3. White Noise Machines

As a supplemental measure, a white noise machine or air purifier can mask unwanted sounds from above.

Step 8: Treat the Room for Echo and Internal Acoustics

Even if you block external sounds, hard surfaces in a room can cause echo, making sounds seem louder.

Here are some sound-absorbing materials you could add:

• Acoustic foam panels (on walls and ceilings)
• Fabric wall art or tapestries
• Cushioned furniture (sofas, chairs, ottomans)
• Thick curtains and carpets
• Plants absorb sound and improve aesthetics

The great thing about plants is that not only are they good for noise pollution, but they can also help with the indoor air pollution that is rampant many US homes today. If you are worried about your lung health or about your children getting asthma, then consider adding plants or an air purifier as an added resource to protect your health.

Step 9: Use White Noise or Sound Masking

In some situations, sound masking is just as effective as sound blocking. Here are some tools for noise-masking:

• White noise machines
• Apps (like Noisli, Calm, or Rain Rain)
• Fans or air purifiers with consistent hums

These tools create a consistent ambient sound that can help drown out intermittent noises like talking or footsteps. You can even use appliances you might already have in your place, like an air purifier or a fan, to add white noise to your apartment and protect you from the noise pollution outside.

Step 10: Combine Strategies for Best Results

No single method will completely soundproof your apartment. The key is layering:

• Start with sealing gaps.
• Add mass to doors and walls.
• Use soft, absorbent materials to treat internal acoustics.
• Supplement with white noise if needed.

This layered approach tackles both airborne and impact noise while also improving comfort and ambiance.

Renter-Friendly Soundproofing Tips

Living in a rental can make permanent installations tricky, but many of these techniques are landlord-approved and removable. You can leave the apartment as you found it, and not have your landlord jumping down your throat every time they do an inspection.

• Use Command strips for panels and acoustic foam.
• Choose freestanding furniture and bookshelves instead of wall-mounted options.
• Opt for removable weatherstripping and non-permanent sealants.
• Look for clip-on window inserts or tension rods for curtains and sound blankets.

Always check your lease or ask your landlord before making any permanent changes.

Soundproofing Materials Guide

Here's a handy checklist of what you might need:

• Acoustic caulk
• Weatherstripping
• Door sweeps
• Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
• Acoustic panels
• Soundproof curtains
• Heavy rugs and pads
• Foam gaskets for outlets
• Bookshelves and dense furniture
• White noise machine or app
• Tapestries or fabric wall art
• Window inserts or acrylic panels

When to Call a Professional

If you've tried everything and still experience significant noise disturbances, consider:

• Talking to your landlord about upgrading insulation or windows.
• Hiring a contractor to assess structural noise issues.
• Consulting an acoustical engineer for major projects.

Your landlord could be a reasonable person who understands that excessive noise can be terrible for one's mental health. Many people wear earplugs inside their homes to prevent themselves from going mad with the noise pollution that's pervasive in major cities.

If you can show that your mental health is deteriorating due to this noise, or that you are serious enough to break the lease and leave if the noise doesn't stop, your landlord might be conducive to make some changes to the apartment.

Make some recommendations to them from the list above, which they can install cheaply and without much alteration to the apartment. Make them think of it as an investment for the future. Future renters will appreciate having an apartment that's not too noisy and protected from the sounds of the city.

How to Soundproof a Room in An Apartment 101

Now you have a comprehensive view of the answer to the question, "How to soundproof a room in an apartment?" With a strategic mix of sealing gaps, adding mass, and using soft materials, you can finally achieve effective noise reduction.

The ideal situation would be if you never have to worry about excessive noise from the outside because you chose your apartment with care and discernment. At Reazy Hub, a social platform for apartment seekers like you, you can have a conversation with roommates and landlords before choosing an apartment, so you never have to have a noise or smell issue again.

Sign up for our platform and prevent housing mismatch, scams, and other issues going forward.