Peace and Quiet: Keep Noise in Your Apartment Down

Controlling the noise in an apartment is not just a matter of lowering the music or walking a bit lighter; effective noise control is about absorbing the sounds coming in and out of your apartment. With a few decorating techniques, you can easily reduce the noise pollution in your living space.

Things like neatly disguised soundproofing, heavy drapes and padded rugs are just a few ways to buffer the sounds in your place. Here are some other decorating tips to help foster peaceful living.

Evaluate the Source of the Noise

If you are new to your apartment building, wait a bit before decorating. This will give you the opportunity to hear exactly where the most noises are coming from so that you can strategically block them out.

For example, if you find that your downstairs neighbors are noisy, focus your attention on buying the appropriate flooring. But if the most noise is coming from your next-door tenants, make use of wall tapestries or soundproofing units. A large painting or framed print is ideal for shielding panel- or sound-board.

Embellish Floors to Buffer Noise

Throw rugs and carpeting can help soften heavy foot traffic and shield sounds flowing up from the apartment below. Some renters choose to install wall-to-wall carpeting that has padding underneath, or installing cork before laying floor tiles.

If you don’t want to install carpeting, place a few area rugs in your apartment with thick padding underneath them. When using area rugs to block sound, be sure and cover as much of the floor as possible to shield all the noise. Styles of flooring effective for blocking sound include shag-pile, thick wool and floor pads made out of fiber-felt cushion and natural rubber.

Window Treatments that Block Noise

Rely on special window treatments when decorating your space to help absorb noise. Cover windows with soundproofing-curtains, this will help reduce the noise coming in and out of your apartment. Along with that, hang noise-reduction shades in conjunction with heavy drapery. This is also an effective way to dress-up, as well as, protect sliding-glass doors or an entrance to a terrace or patio area.

Peacefully Enjoy Loud Music and DVDs

If you can’t live without your loud music or home theatre system, consider soundproofing the walls. This may be worth the trouble if you will be staying at your present location for a long period of time. There are also portable soundproofing panels, which can be easily installed and removed so not to cause damage to surface areas.

Evaluate your Doors and Balconies

Take the time to shield your front door especially if there is a long corridor in your building. Place draft blockers under every door leading to your apartment to contain miscellaneous sounds.

You may also want to evaluate the door to your apartment. There are different types of doors-such solid wood and strong metal-that are better for soundproofing purposes than hallow-bodied designs. If you are willing to invest in a new entry, ask your landlord if you can replace your existing door.