Top 3 Ways to Reduce Noise in Your Apartment

Noisy neighbors are a nuisance to us all. Sometimes they can be convinced to calm down; sometimes not. Beyond working with your neighbors, landlord, and perhaps even the police in extreme cases, you can take some steps to make your apartment a less noisy place.

Carpeting and rugs

Carpet can do a surprisingly good job of absorbing sound in the home. If your apartment isn’t already carpeted, consider asking your landlord about the possibility of adding carpeting to a room in your unit. If this isn’t an option, you can still make a big impact on the noise level with area rugs. The more rugs you have and the larger they are, the more they’ll help reduce noise by absorbing sound instead of reflecting it off hard surfaces. Cushier rugs can have a greater noise-absorbing effect, so if you’re into shag rugs, you’re in luck.

Wall hangings and curtains

So you’ve got your floor taken care of, but what about the walls? Those are pretty big and barren, too. No worries, though—just a few wall hangings or tapestries can make a big difference when it comes to reducing the amount of noise in your apartment, while adding a ton of style at the same time. Curtains or drapes can also help reduce noise, whether they’re placed over windows or across open spaces in the apartment. This can help divide up a large room and absorb noise at the same time.

Sound-absorbing panels

There are many technologically advanced ways to absorb sound. Most were designed for office, music, or industrial use and may not be suitable for the home, but some can be modified to fit your needs. Fabric-covered panels are one option, or consider covering noise-reducing barriers with your own fabrics, wall hangings, or curtains.

Focus your anti-noise efforts on the loudest area of your apartment—if your downstairs neighbors are noisy, rugs may be your best bet. If it’s the neighbors on one side, cover up that wall with some insulating items and fabric. If your upstairs neighbors are the issue, don’t hesitate to drape fabric from the ceiling. There’s no limit to what you can do to address noise issues within your apartment, and you’ll be surprised by how effective just a few simple steps can be in combating noise.