How To Manage Noise Levels in an Apartment

Living in an apartment means having to deal with noise — it comes with the territory! 

Being mindful of your own noise and muffling noise from neighbors is a big part of living in an apartment community, so use these tips to make your stay a little more peaceful!

10 ways to make your apartment quieter

1. Use soft furnishings

Adding soft furnishings to your apartment can greatly reduce noise levels by absorbing sound. For instance, heavy curtains or blackout blinds can help block out external noise while adding a layer of sound absorption to windows. In the same way, large area rugs or carpets placed on hard floors can absorb sound and minimize echo. These soft furnishings work together to create a quieter living space by reducing the amount of sound that bounces off hard surfaces.

2. Invest in acoustic panels

Acoustic panels are specifically designed to absorb sound and reduce echo, making them a valuable addition for noise management — especially if you’re a musician!

Install renter-friendly, fabric-covered acoustic panels on your walls to dampen noise and improve sound quality within your apartment. Ceiling-mounted acoustic tiles are another option, particularly effective for minimizing noise coming from above, but be sure to check with your apartment community to see if this is a viable option. These panels and tiles also come in various designs, allowing you to enhance both the acoustics and the aesthetics of your space.

3. Use white noise machines

White noise machines are an effective way to mask disruptive sounds and create a consistent background noise that can make other noises less noticeable. A white noise generator or fan can help cover up sudden or jarring noises, making them less intrusive but not necessarily stopping them from happening. This is handy if you work from home and are often in meetings where sudden sounds can jar your audio quality. 

You don’t need a fancy white noise machine for this, either — there are plenty of apps and devices available with built-in sound options that can generate white noise or soothing sounds to help you maintain a peaceful environment, especially in noisy urban areas.

4. Seal gaps and insulate

Addressing gaps and poor insulation can significantly reduce noise leakage into your apartment. Applying renter-friendly weatherstripping to doors and windows helps seal gaps where sound might enter, improving the overall soundproofing of your space. Door draft stoppers or sweeps are also useful for blocking sound from coming through the gaps at the bottom of doors and are much less intrusive. By addressing these small-but-powerful areas, you can create a more serene living environment and minimize the amount of noise sneaking into your calm space. 

5. Arrange furniture strategically

The arrangement of your furniture can also play a role in managing noise levels. 

Placing large, heavy items like bookshelves or upholstered sofas against walls that face noisy areas can create sound barriers which absorb some of the noise. In the same way, hanging tapestries or heavy fabric wall hangings on walls can add an extra layer of sound absorption to thin walls and building materials. This way, you can decorate your space and soundproof it all at the same time!

6. Address floor and ceiling noise

Managing noise between floors is crucial if you’re dealing with noise from upstairs or downstairs neighbors. Using thick mats or rugs in high-traffic areas can help reduce the noise from footsteps and other movement, thereby reducing your downstairs neighbors’ ceiling noise. Hopefully, your upstairs neighbors will do the same. 

While you can’t necessarily control what your upstairs neighbors do on your ceiling, you can control what you do on your floor — your downstairs neighbors will be grateful!

7. Use soundproofing products

Soundproofing products can be as simple as putting a soft vinyl mat underneath your office rolling chair, or felt tabs underneath dining stools. These small additions can reduce the noise your items make, such as creaking, scratching, scooting or rolling on wooden or vinyl flooring. Wear slippers around the house instead of work boots, and be mindful of how your animals and kids interact with slippery vinyl or hardwood floors. Your dog may be the cutest thing since sliced bread, but your downstairs neighbors can definitely hear its adorable little paws click-clacking as it skids, runs and slides across your slippery vinyl floor. 

8. Manage noise from appliances

Noisy appliances can contribute to overall noise levels in your apartment. Using soundproofing covers or enclosures for appliances like washers and dryers can help reduce the noise they produce, while placing noisy appliances away from living areas or using rubber mats underneath can minimize vibrations and sound transmission.

9. Communicate with neighbors

Maintaining open communication with your neighbors can help manage noise levels and address any issues amicably. If you experience disturbances, discussing them with your neighbors in a friendly manner can often resolve the situation, as they may be unaware of the noise they are causing. A good rule of thumb is to talk to them in the same way you’d want them to talk to you, and react to them with the same level of consideration and kindness you’d want them to show to you, too.

10. Practice noise-canceling techniques

For personal noise management, noise-canceling headphones can be a valuable tool, especially for focused work or relaxation. They help block out ambient noise and create a quieter personal space. They may not prevent the noise from happening, but they can certainly act as a buffer between it and you. 

Living with noise is part of living in an apartment — it comes with the territory. All we can do is try to be mindful of how we live and be considerate of others doing the same, and these tips can help us do just that!

Good luck!

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Featured photo by Norbert Levajsics on Unsplash