A common aspect of communal living is there are usually other people around us making noise. In most circumstances, the noise is incidental since we are all active and busy. In other words, we don’t tend to bother each other during 'normal' hours.
But what if your hours aren’t normal? Or if we have neighbors whose hours don’t match ours?
Here are a few tips for soundproofing your apartment to keep it free of noisy distractions:
Fill your space. You know how when you first enter your new home the room often echoes? That’s because stuff absorbs noise. Consider placing furniture, or putting a large bookcase, shelves, or entertainment center against a shared wall. Tip: Textured wall hangings such as tapestries will help absorb sound.
The downside to living on the first floor. Much of the noise in an apartment is going to come from above you if you have neighbors up there. Noise-absorbing ceiling tile is an effective solution but requires some work. As well, this would require approval from the property owner. Most ceiling tile isn’t especially design-oriented, so check the internet and home stores for distinctive designs and colors that match your taste and style.
Remember that sound goes both ways. So your floor maybe someone else’s ceiling! Wood and tile are attractive and easy to maintain, but not great for noise insulation. If you have hard surfaces, consider nice thick area rugs to dull the noise both from below and the
It’s noisy outside. If your ‘night’ is during the day, you’ll need windows (especially in the bedroom) with thick (and dark) coverings to block noise and light. Blackout window treatments are terrific and you can easily find them at big-box stores. Tip: Making windows airtight (in cooler climes) improves both temperature and noise insulation. Check with the property owner if you have drafty windows, as they may wish to maintain or replace them for greater heating/cooling efficiency.
Ambient sound. A good way to cancel out external noise is to have peaceful internal sound. Use a sound-making device or white noise machine. Playing soft music is an option as well. Also, focus on keeping your own unnecessary sounds in check by doing things such as muting your phone for rings and notifications. There is always the option of wearing earplugs, too. They are available at any pharmacy.
Some outside sounds are pleasant -- like trains in the distance or babbling brooks. But some just bother and annoy us. Keep the sound environment in mind when you’re looking for a place to live to ensure you won’t have to deal with noises you can’t live with.
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