Living in an apartment or condo can be downright loud. The density of apartment living offers a bustling vibrancy, but it can also bring a lot of unwanted noise. Whether it’s a neighbor down the hall who watches movies at deafening levels, or the wailing of sirens outside, or the chattering of voices from the hallway or the sidewalk below, noise is part and parcel of denser living. However, there are ways you can prevent the noise from getting in, and keep the noise you make, from getting out.
Keep
the Noise Out
By
adding some additional blockage to your doors and windows you can greatly
reduce the amount of ambient noise that drifts into your unit. Door sweeps—rubber seals that easily fasten
on to the bottom of doors—are an excellent way to prevent the conversations and
echoing footsteps of a busy hallway from flowing into your apartment. Door sweeps provide the added bonus of
keeping drafts and roaming insects out as well.
Another way to keep out the noise is by adding thick curtains in front
of windows, sliding doors, and front doors.
Thick curtains muffle sound, but they also keep your apartment nice and
warm in the colder months, and provide a stylish and dramatic flare to your
living space.
Muffle
the Noise Within
Noise
can be greatly increased by the acoustics of your apartment, as well. This is especially the case in newer
buildings where open concept apartments with high ceilings really allow noise
to bounce off the ceiling, floor, and walls.
You can significantly diminish this echoing by adding rugs and carpets
to your apartment. The effectiveness of
rugs can be improved further by inserting rug pads underneath them. Not only do the pads keep your rugs from sliding
all over the place, their thickness muffles sound as well. Another option is to hang rugs or carpets on
your walls. Some rugs are too beautiful
to simply go underfoot, and by showcasing their design on the wall you greatly
decrease the echoing of internal apartment noise. Also, consider placing a wall length bookcase
against any walls that are thin and noise-porous. Nothing stifles unwanted sound like books,
and you get some much needed storage space as well.
Go
Pro
If
you are less interested in the DIY approach there are also numerous noise-canceling
products available to buy. Items like complete
window inserts, sound-proof panels for walls and ceilings, and acoustic window/door
blankets and sealing kits are all solid solutions to cutting down the noise in
your apartment. If you do plan on going
with a more installation-heavy approach, be sure you check with the property
owner first.
By
taking a few small steps to stop the flow of outside noise, and to soften and
neutralize the noise inside your unit, you can have all the benefits of urban
density without all of the racket.
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