You can learn how to soundproof a room without spending a fortune by using simple materials. Some of these materials may be destined for the recycling plant and can be repurposed for your project.
1. Bubble Wrap and Packaging Foam
If you have a lot of bubble wrap lying around from receiving packages, you can use it to line the walls. You can create an interesting collage when you use the odd shapes of packing foam along with bubble wrap. Get creative and cut out shapes and paint various colors. You can place the bubble wrap and foam, so they overlap each other. Attach using double-faced foam tape.
2. Bookshelves, Bookcases and Books
You can use heavy furniture to absorb sounds, such as placing bookcases on the walls. If you can't afford that many bookcases, consider making shelves for the length of your walls. You can fill the shelves with sound absorbing books, baskets, and other objects. You may decide to use a mixture of bookcases and bookshelves.
3. Sound Reducing Draperies
You may find sound reducing draperies are a great solution for soundproofing windows. You can also use heavy draperies and seal the edges by using foam double-sided tape.
4. Soundproofing Windows
Use the packing foam sheets to insulate your windows. You can pack the window space with paper-backed insulation and cover with a heavy blanket or draperies. Use old clothing strips to braid together to form a mat that will fill in the window space.
5. Old Rugs and Mats
If you have old area rugs or floor mats, don't discard them. Clean them and use on the walls for a colorful soundproofing material. You can purchase carpet remnants and attach to the wall using a construction stapler or tacks.
6. Trash Bags
You can use a vacuum cleaner with a reverse feature to fill large garbage bags, secure with duct tape and using double faced foam tape attach to the walls. Try to be consistent so the bags don't bulge but form a rectangle cushion. The overall effect will be the appearance of raised shiny panels.
7. Repurpose Bed Toppers
If you have an old bed topper or two, you can use these to tape onto the walls and fill in windows. Don't forget to add one to the inside of the door.
8. Cardboard Boxes
You can break down cardboard boxes and use cans of spray foam that expands to fill in gaps. Spray the foam on one side of the cardboard and tape another piece of cardboard onto the foam side to create an insulated panel. You can paint these the same color or opt for different colors to create a color blocking effect.
9. Build Faux Walls
You can create a pocket of soundproofing with a few panels of sheetrock/drywall and a couple of 2"x6" boards. You will need to create a frame for each wall.
Supplies
- Sheet rock
- 2"x6"x8' boards (enough for each wall: top, bottom, and sides)
- Nails
- Hammer
- Sheetrock finishing tape
- Sheetrock mud
Instructions
- Come out from your existing wall about 6 inches and nail a 2"x6"x8' or 10' board on each end of the wall.
- Measure the length of sheetrock and nail another 2"x6"x8' or 10' board.
- Repeat if the span of your wall exceeds two sheets of drywall.
- Fill the 6" space with insulation, different household materials, old clothes, old blankets, etc.
- Nail the sheets of sheetrock over the makeshift frame.
- Finish the sheetrock with tape over the seams and then add the mud.
- Sand to even out the surface.
- Paint your wall and repeat on the remaining walls.
10. Walls From Plastic Bottles
If you are like most people, you have drink bottles, all sizes that you throw away each week. Get your friends and family to save all their bottles, ask them to rinse them out and keep the caps on them. You will need a good plastic glue.
Supplies
- Large plastic beverage bottles
- Plastic glue/adhesive
- 2" x 6" x 8' or 10' board
Instructions
- Use a 2" x 6"x 8' for the bottom rail of your bottle wall panel.
- Glue the largest plastic bottles in upright position to the board.
- Fill with water and screw on the caps.
- Leave remaining bottles empty.
- Invert next row of bottles so the top of the bottle fits between two below.
- For the next row, glue bottles upright. Continue with this pattern of inverting every other row until you can no longer add bottles.
- You can use bottles all the same color, clear bottles or create a color pattern for a unique soundproof wall.
How to Soundproof a Room with Simple Materials Only
You can use simple materials to soundproof a room. With a little creativity you can discover other ways that are cheap and easy solutions.
