How To Soundproof A Bedroom

In this article, we’re going to teach you how to soundproof a bedroom. 

For your perusal, we have soundproofing tips for you whether you have as little as no money, to a few hundred dollars to spend.

As expected, the more money you spend, the greater the results you would be able to achieve. However, even with $0, you should be able to reduce the noise that gets in or goes out of your bedroom considerably. 

How To Soundproof A Bedroom
Photo by Phillip Goldsberry on Unsplash

Soundproofing Techniques

Now that we know that we can soundproof our rooms considerably, no matter how little we have, it’s time to look at the different soundproofing techniques. 

In this section, we would only be talking about the science of these techniques and how they work, not necessarily how to implement them. We would talk more about implementation when we look at different budgets. 

Sound Absorption

The first soundproofing technique we have is sound absorption. With this one, sound-absorbing materials are put in place to convert the sound waves into heat. This, in turn, reduces the amount of sound that is reflected in that area. 

Generally, sound absorption is the easiest way to go if you want to soundproof a room. It usually just requires you to place the sound absorption materials on the parts of the room where the noise usually comes from, and you’re good to go. 

The most popular material used for sound absorption is acoustic foam. Cheaper alternatives to this are used towels, blankets, and soundproof curtains. 

Sound Diffusion

This one is more on a constructional level. Basically, you can construct certain irregular surfaces that can help to either scatter the sound waves or break them down. This will make these sound waves travel in much smaller paths, which will reduce the traveling distance of the sound waves, making them a lot quieter. 

Sound Reflection

This one is not really used in bedrooms but we felt we should mention it regardless. The way it is mainly used to reduce the noise on major roads. Hard surfaces like glass and concrete are used to reflect the sound somewhere. 

Most of the time, the sound bounces off of these solid surfaces upwards, towards the sky. We wouldn’t talk too much about this way of soundproofing as it doesn’t really help in soundproofing a bedroom. 

Before We Start Soundproofing, What Are You Trying To Achieve?

There are three main results you should be looking for when trying to soundproof your bedroom. The first is to reduce sound within the room. The second is to prevent noise from getting in and out. The third is a combination of the first and the second. 

The first result is also called an echo-free chamber. If you’re trying to build a music recording studio, a microphone testing studio, then this is the result you want to be aiming for.

However, achieving this requires a bit more expertise than the second result, which is what most people are aiming for. 

So, we are going to be focusing majorly on the second result, which is to reduce the noise that comes in and goes out of the room. Because we know that for a simple bedroom setup, this is what most people need. 

With that said, we are going right into soundproofing your bedroom with different budgets. 

How To Soundproof A Bedroom For $0

First off, we would like to tell you to lower your expectations. If you’re trying to soundproof your bedroom for absolutely no cash, you definitely shouldn’t be expecting a 100% result. 

However, what we can assure you, is that you definitely would notice a difference in the amount of noise that gets in and out of your bedroom. 

Another thing we have to point out is that most of these would be trial and error in order to find what works best for you. It’s not a “one-size fits all” situation. So, be patient and try out different things. 

Re-arrange The Room

Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash

The first thing you need to do is to re-arrange your furniture. Simply rearranging the furniture can have a great impact on the acoustics of a room. 

First, you’ll need to find the access point for the noise in your room. If it’s the walls, place your bookshelf or wardrobe against those walls. This should help absorb some of the noise coming in from those walls. 

If you can’t find the access point, then place these bookshelves and wardrobes on the walls facing the street or shared walls. 

Also, if you already own some canvas paintings or wall decorations, putting them on these access points is a great idea. Just note that the thicker whatever it is you put on the wall is, the better it is able to absorb sound. 

Soundproof Doors And Windows With Household Materials

The only reason we didn’t put this first is that the first point has to do with rearranging the whole room. Normally, when you want to do any soundproofing, the first places to attack are the doors and windows. These are the natural access points and let in the most noise. 

The first thing you want to do is to find thick and heavy clothing and layer them on your doors and windows. Create this layer of clothing with as many clothes as you’re not using. The thicker this layer of clothes becomes, the better it is at insulating sounds. 

Another thing people often don’t pay attention to but should is the space underneath the door. This can let in a whole lot of sound. You can either get a door sweep or cut up a piece of rug and attach that to the end of the door and let it fall, using it as a door sweep.

Soundproofing Walls With Blankets

Now that you’ve re-arranged and you’ve treated the windows and doors, it’s time to go wild with the wall. This process is not aesthetically pleasing, at all, but it does the job at no cost. 

All you need to do is take as many pieces of blankets you have lying around and attach them to the empty walls. You can use glue or nails. You can also use curtain rods to hang them. 

If you have moving blankets (they are used to protect your stuff when you’re moving), they would be perfect for soundproofing a wall. They are thick and heavy, making them soundproof. The best thing about them is that they cost a fraction of what other soundproofing equipments cost.

How To Soundproof A Bedroom On A  Budget

In this section, we’ll be taking a look at soundproofing your bedroom on a budget. That means you have a few bucks to spare here and there so you get your desired result.

We would be looking at several different options. Pick the ones that fit into your budget. Obviously, the more you pick, the better the overall outcome would be. 

Acoustic Windows And Soundproof Doors

Like we said earlier when it comes to soundproofing a room, the first two places to attack are the windows and the doors.  These places let in the most noise.

So, if you do have the money, we suggest that you look into getting acoustic windows and soundproof doors for your room. These are specifically designed to reduce the amount of noise that passes through them. 

Soundproof Curtains

Photo by DJ Paine on Unsplash

Now that you’ve gotten acoustic windows, you can’t just leave them bare. You need some curtains. If you have the budget to accommodate it, consider getting soundproof curtains.

Remember, we’re trying to create as many blockages for the noise to reduce it to the barest minimum. 

If you want to get soundproof curtains, one company you should definitely look at is NICETOWN. They make some of the best soundproof curtains out there. 

Click here to check their best rated soundproof curtains. The two things we love about these NICETOWN soundproof curtains is that they are available in a wide range of colors and are really affordable. 

Thicker Carpets/Rugs

Carpets are not just beautifying your floor. If done right, they can be used to block off some sounds. If you live on the ground floor, you might be thinking “why should I consider this?”.

Well, when you walk on really light carpets, you can always hear some sounds and vibrations. This is especially annoying if you have a pet that keeps running around the room. 

To prevent this, simply install thicker carpets or rugs. If you install thicker carpets, they would help absorb the sound created when feet and paws meet the floor. If you don’t live on the ground floor, this would also help reduce the sound from the neighbors downstairs. 

Soundproofing Foam

Most people do not have the money to go out and splurge on really expensive soundproofing foams. However, if you do, then, by all means, go ahead.  When you install soundproofing foam. they do an excellent job of soundproofing your room from unwanted sounds.

On the other hand, if you do not have the money, we suggest that you go for a DIY acoustic panel instead. Most cheaper acoustic foams don’t really do anything to absorb sounds. Consider the option below instead.

DIY Acoustic Panel

With a little time, effort, and some easy-to-get materials, you should be able to create some DIY acoustic panels. You’ll need some wood and some used towels. Yes, that’s pretty much it! You’ll also need a few nails or glue to install them.

Once you’ve got those, watch the video below to find out exactly how to make these super cheap acoustic panels. You can use these to soundproof walls in your house. He also teaches how to install them.

Conclusion

Alright! We’ve gotten to the end of this article. If you followed us and did as we said, then you now have a soundproof room, congratulations. Yes, it might not be 100% soundproof, but you can’t tell us that it isn’t a lot better than it was before. You’re welcome! 

Now you can start creating content, rehearsing that instrument, or just having a good night’s sleep.