Your bedroom should be your haven of comfort where you can relax at the end of a stressful day. This means that all the raucous cacophony from outside—traffic from the street, the barking of pet dogs, and the sounds of movie night from the apartment next door—should stay out of your room!
How can you make sure that your bedroom does not easily let in, or let out, any sound? Your furniture, furnishings and walls are elements that can muffle unwanted sound, or do away with it altogether. Here’s a list of ways in which you can soundproof your bedroom.
Start with the Walls
Most of the sound that is transmitted into the bedroom comes in through the walls. Acoustic panelling on the walls can render them completely, one hundred per cent soundproof; but is that really the way you want to go? Some amount of white noise is conducive to good sleep, and most people are uncomfortable in a room that is completely blanked out from ambient noise of any sort.
Instead, hanging large pieces of art on the walls, or using a bed with an upholstered headboard, can minimize sounds from outside. Wallpaper, especially the textured kind, also serves to absorb sounds.
Look at the Furnishings
Any kind of soft furnishing will muffle noises. Think of shaggy rugs, soft bedsheets, upholstered chairs, pillows or window drapes—all or any of these will reduce the amount of noise in the room. Just think of a bare room with no carpets, drapes or furniture. Any sound will echo since it is able to bounce around the many plane surfaces of the room. Reduce the number of surfaces, and the sound will get reduced as well!
Next, Soundproof the Windows
Especially if your windows are old, there could be tiny gaps in the frame that let in air and sound. It might be time to swap them out and replace them with soundproof uPVC or aluminium windows, which are not only cost-effective but also insulate your room, keeping out the winter cold and the summer heat.
Address the Gap Below the Doors
Bend down and look at the space below the door. While a tiny gap is always needed for the free movement of the door shutter, anything larger than a hair’s breadth will let the sound in. A quick and easy way of dealing with this is to put down a floor mat outside the door, so that it’s not in the way of the door swing. This will stop any sound from entering the room. The same goes for the bathroom door too.
Is your AC Very Noisy?
Air conditioners that are past their best dates start to emit a characteristic buzz, and if you are not a fan of this noise get them serviced, or replace them with a newer model. Do keep in mind that the older an AC unit is, the more it starts to leak energy. Buying a new, energy-efficient model will reduce your power bills and save you money in the long run.
The same goes for a squeaking ceiling fan. You can call in an electrician to tighten screws, lubricate the blades, and see if the noise reduces.
Also Read: How To Soundproof Your Home?
Plan Wardrobes along the Outer Wall of the Room
If you stay on a busy street, you should plan to have fitted wardrobes along the outer wall so that they provide a solid layer of acoustic insulation and effectively cut out traffic sounds. The clothes within the wardrobe act as an additional layer of protection that will also absorb all the noise.
Add a Bookcase
If there’s not enough space to have a full-length closet along the wall, even an open bookshelf will make a significant difference to the noise levels in the room. And if you’re using your bedroom as a home office, then the desk and cabinetry will do the trick.
Read also: Please be Quiet! Soundproof Your Home Office
Create a False Ceiling
Sound doesn’t only come through the walls, doors and windows; it can travel through the ceiling too! A false ceiling in the bedroom looks lovely and takes care of the noisy neighbours above.
Try Two Layers of Curtains
Sound absorbing blackout curtains that glide noiselessly on a track are sure to be conducive to a good night’s sleep! During the day, roll up the thicker drapes, and use the second layer of sheers that will let the sunlight stream in and brighten up your space. And while you’re at it, consider floor-to-ceiling drapes that not only look good but are functional too.
Another pro tip— pleated curtains can offer twice the noise reduction that flat curtains give you.
Fill your Room with Plants!
Plants not only make the air in your room fresh and toxin-free, but they also dampen the noise to some extent. And of course, greenery in a bedroom is always refreshing!
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