Today we’re taking a look at 8 awesome ways on how to soundproof a bedroom (which is a bit different than soundproofing a room in general).
There are many reasons why you may want soundproof bedrooms in your home even if you have the quietest bed frames or use ear muffs for sleeping.
One of the main reasons is if you live in a noisy neighborhood and noise from outside interrupts your sleep.
Interrupted sleep can cause you to feel tired and drained throughout the day which affects your mood and from performing your daily activities properly.
So how to soundproof your bedroom and block all noises from outside coming in?
That’s right, you soundproof your room.
But not a lot of people know how to go about achieving this.
Take back your peace and get that much-needed rest to face the challenges of the new day.
Follow these steps on how to make a room quieter.
1. Install a door sweep and use weather stripping.
When soundproofing a bedroom, one of the most neglected spots that we forget to seal is the gap under our bedroom door.
When that happens air is allowed to pass and that means that sound can too as sound travels in the air through sound waves and vibrations.
This would cause you to hear everything that is going on in your home when all you want to do is sleep.
The noises could be coming from your kids or the tv can keep you from sleeping which in turn leads to sleepless nights.
This is also applicable to the bathroom especially if you are in the master bedroom.
No one wants to hear what’s going on in there so it is a good idea to soundproof the master bathroom as well.
So how can you combat that? To block out any of those noises, you will need to seal under your bedroom door.
This can be done by installing a door sweep to seal the gap.
Suptikes Door Sweep
- 3 layer design
- Blocks out sound 5x more than its competitors
- Holds for a long time.
Suptikes Door Sweep features a 3 layer design that is thicker, durable, and blocks out sound 5 times better than the competition.
With the adjustable silicone material and tenacious adhesive, it works on all types of doors like wood, glass, and metal and holds for a long time.
Not only is this door sweep a good soundproofing tool but also great as a draft and dust stopper as well.
They can ensure that your bedroom remains at an ideal temperature at all times since they will block any hot or cold air from escaping.
That means they are energy efficient and help you save utility costs.
Installing the Suptikes Door Sweep is fast, easy, and simple.
Buy with confidence, Suptikes offer great after-sale service and will address any issues you may have in 24 hours.
Should you not be happy with your purchase, they have a free return policy.
You can take it one step further and place weather stripping around the perimeter of the door which seals any other cracks that allow sounds to pass through.
Trim-Lok D-Shaped Rubber Seal
- Blocks out noise and vibrations
- Comes in an assortment of sizes
- Easy to install
Tackle dust, noise, and vibrations, all at the same time with the Trim-Lok rubber seal.
This 3-in-one seal is a durable option that can help to block out sounds from other gaps and gaps on your bedroom door.
They come in an assortment of sizes with some measuring 50” in height, .50” in width, 25′ in length and can be cut to fit your specific door.
The Trim-Lok adhesive backing rubber seal is simple to install with two adhesive options: BT tape and HT tape.
BT tape creates a moisture barrier and airtight seal since it is an acrylic automotive grade tape.
Meanwhile, HT tape is an acrylic-based adhesive that allows for easy repositioning when installing.
HT tape takes about 72 hours to cure before it reaches full bond strength.
It doesn’t matter which one you choose, just remember to clean the surface before you apply by using a 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol and water solution.
2. Upgrade your bedroom door
Most bedroom doors feature a hollow core style which means that their insides are filled with either plastic or cardboard neither of which has soundproofing properties.
Replacing your door with a solid wood door is going to help you stop sounds from filtering in better.
National Door Company Solid Core Interior Door
- Solid core interior
- Attractive price
- Built as a prehung unit for no-fuss installation
These solid core interior doors are a great addition to any room where you need to stop sounds from coming in.
National Door Company molded wood fiber solid core doors are each primed white to add a sophisticated look to your room;’s decor.
They come at an attractive price and are built as a prehung unit for quick no-fuss installation.
The door measures 32″x80″ with the unit Dimension measuring 33.5″x81.75″ and a suggested rough opening of 34″x82.25″
3. Add mass to your existing bedroom door
If replacing your door does not fit into your budget then you can look into adding mass to your hollow core bedroom door to block sounds.
To do so you can choose to use some drywall or MDF board.
These add some weight and thickness to your hollow core door to reduce the infiltration of sounds. One MDF board that works great is Grafix Medium Weight Chipboard Sheets.
Grafix Medium Weight Chipboard Sheets
- All-natural non-toxic chipboard sheets
- Can be painted
- Adds mass to stop sounds
Grafix chipboard sheets are an easy fix option for adding some mass to your door to stop sounds from penetrating.
They act as another layer that sounds have to pass through before it reaches you in the room.
Due to that, the sound is further muffled and what reaches you is less than what would with just your standalone door.
These chipboard sheets are made from all-natural non-toxic material and are completely bare so you can paint or dress them up in any way you want.
The sheets are 12 x 12 inches and come in a pack of 25.
You can also use fiberglass panels to add mass to your bedroom door. We recommend Singer SafetyDouble Faced Quilted Fiberglass Panel.
Singer Safety Double Faced Quilted Fiberglass Panel
- Get up to 17 dBA noise reduction
- Class 1 per ASTM E-84 test for flammability
- Tough outer layer
Singer Safety double-faced quilted fiberglass works as a sound absorber and provides up to 17 dBA reduction, depending on the noise source.
The panels consist of two layers of QFM bound material and are rated Class 1 per ASTM E-84 test for flammability.
A tough oil, grease, and mildew resistant outer layer allow for easy cleaning with a simple wipe-down.
These panels feature grommets at the top and side which are used to hang them up against your doors or attach to other panels.
They are 4-feet width by 6-feet height by 2-inches thickness.
4. Seal your windows
If you feel any sort of draft coming in from your windows that means sounds are coming in as well.
Even with a noise-reducing window treatment, sounds may still be coming in.
This is because there may be gaps and cracks around your bedroom window.
While some gaps around your windows are visible, some aren’t.
To ensure you have a fully sealed window that does not permit any sound to penetrate, use an acoustic sealant.
If you are not comfortable with using an acoustic sealant, use leftovers from the weather stripping tape as the one mentioned above for your bedroom door.
Acoustic sealants unlike regular do not harden but remain pliable and elastic over time.
They absorb sounds and keep them trapped thereby extinguishing them before they reach into your bedroom.
Regular caulk hardens, shrink and crack over time which defeats the purpose of soundproofing.
If you choose to use an acoustic sealant, choose Auralex Acoustics STOPGAP Acoustical Sealant.
Auralex Acoustics STOPGAP Acoustical Sealant
- Reduces sound transmission
- meets ASTM C-834 standards for flame
- No run-off and non-staining
STOPGAP is a highly elastic water-based sealant that reduces sound transmission from your windows.
This acoustical sealant meets ASTM C-834 standards for flame and is safe to use anywhere in the home.
STOPGAP comes in a large, 29 oz caulking tube which needs a normal size caulking gun to apply.
You can buy the caulking gun at your local hardware store or call in the pros to seal up your windows.
The application is less messy than others because there is no run-off and the formula does not stain.
If the sealant is visible you can paint it over to match the color of your window and walls.
5. Soundproofing curtains
Most people may not realize it but light and sound go hand in hand and can hinder sleep.
Soundproofing bedroom curtains offer a solution to both these problems and give your room a stylish look while at it.
Blackout curtains will block out natural light or street lights from filtering into the bedroom.
A thick and heavy curtain absorbs sound and can be further enhanced by increasing the folds in the curtain when hanging so that it absorbs sound more effectively.
AMAZLINEN Blackout Curtains
- Reduce noise up to 20dB
- 100% eco-friendly polyester
- Durable and machine washable
AMAZLINEN blackout curtains block UV rays, 90% of light and reduce noise up to 20 dB.
The 100% polyester material is eco-friendly with no chemical coating and no toxic smell.
The curtains are durable and machine washable for long life and easy cleaning when dirty.
These innovative triple weave technology curtains are thermal weaved to prevent loss of heat or cold which lowers energy costs.
Available in a variety of colors, they come packed in a set of 2 panels with each panel measuring 52 W X 84″L.
Installing them is easy by using the 8 metal grommets with an inner diameter of 1-3/5 inch for rods up to 1-3/8 inch diameter.
6. Hang some acoustic foam
Acoustic foam reduces echos and absorbs sounds and are used to soundproof bedroom walls.
This can work both ways by acting as a barrier to stop sounds from coming in or going out.
They also help you to improve the sound quality in your bedroom if you watch tv while in bed.
You can place acoustic foam of your walls to reduce sound transmission.
Foamily 12 Pack- Acoustic Panels
- Noise reduction foam panels
- Pyramid design
- Easy to install
Foamily Acoustic Panels offer professional acoustic control, sound dampening, acoustic treatment, and noise reduction.
They come in many different colors and feature a pyramid design that reduces sound waves transmission.
The panels measure 2 inches in thickness and 12×12 inches in length and width.
You can use any strong double-sided tape, adhesive square, or an adhesive spray to install the acoustic foam panels.
If you are worried about damaging your walls, you can use 3M command strips which leaves no residue or damages when you remove the panels.
7. Decorate your wall with some art
In addition to your acoustic foam panel, you can buy some cheap canvas.
You can do this if you do not like the look of the acoustic foam.
All you do is cut the acoustic foam to fit into the hollow at the back of the canvas.
Now you got acoustic foam panels that not only block sound but are also pleasing to look at.
wall26 Canvas Art
- High-quality canvas material
- Frames will not shrink.
- Fade-resistant
Wall 26 canvas art is made up of high-quality canvas material that is a mix of polyester and cotton.
The canvas is hand-stretched on formaldehyde-free MDF stretcher frames that will not shrink over time.
The canvas by itself is a white semi-gloss artist canvas and when paired with HP Latex inks they provide some awesome fade-resistant images in high definition.
This particular set is 3 panels measuring a total of 16″x24″ portraying a foggy forest.
8. Cover the ceiling or floors.
If you live in a building where there are apartments above you, you will need to soundproof that ceiling.
For ceilings, you can opt to go with acoustic foam panels like the ones we suggested before.
If your budget provides, you can invest in a ceiling cloud.
Sonex WWC-2 Whisper Wave Clouds
- 24”x 48”
- Made of melamine foam
- Class 1 fire-rated, UV/heat/humidity resistant
Sonex ceiling cloud is an acoustical cloud that absorbs sounds and reduces them.
They are hung from the ceiling and stop sounds from above.
To install you will need to buy the hangers separately.
These are perfect for use if you have lofted or high ceilings that have more surface area for sounds to reflect and bounce around on.
The Sonex clouds come in a box with 4 white sheets measuring 24in x 48in each.
Similarly, if your living room is under your bedroom you will want to reduce the amount of noise that filters down.
A bare floor also is a hard surface that allows sound to bounce off which then amplifies that sound.
To help with that you can use a heavy rug that will absorb the sounds and help you rest.
Ottomanson Area Rug
- 100% Heat-Set Polypropylene
- Jute backing will keep your rug in place
- Machine made in Turkey
The Ottoman area rug is made from 100% Heat-Set Polypropylene with a Jute backing that keeps your rug in place.
The rug works by absorbing sounds and reducing echoes and reverberation of sounds in your bedroom.
It is stain and fade resistant and can be spot cleaned or vacuumed regularly.
They add a touch of elegance to your bedroom while keeping your floors free from damage and stains.
This area rug is 3 colors and features a contemporary Moroccan Trellis style design measuring 5’3″ X 7’0″.
If you want to take it a step further, you can place the rug on the top of some mass loaded vinyl,
The rug and vinyl together will block out more sounds so that your bedroom is quieter.
TMS Mass Loaded Vinyl
- 1/8th inch thick, 27 STC
- Odor free
- 4 ft wide rolls
TMS mass loaded vinyl provides a 1 pound barrier to block out sounds.
The vinyl as a stand-alone has an STC rating of 27.
It is made from extruded virgin material ensuring you get the best quality possible.
This durable and robust mass loaded vinyl has no odor and comes on a roll of 4 ft wide x10 ft in length.
Use a utility knife or heavy-duty scissors if you need to trim it.