In this guide, we shall be looking at different ways on how to soundproof a dorm room.
We all know how fun-loving college kids can be, especially during weekends.
With all the partying, drinking, and everything else, it can be quite a mess living with a party goer in a dorm room.
Changing dorm rooms won’t help in most cases because I bet almost 90% of college kids are fun-loving.
If you’re a serious kid concerned with your grades and want to take your studies in your dorm room, then why not soundproof it?
Let’s get started.
A-List of Ways on How to Soundproof a Dorm Room
Soundproofing, in this case, won’t involve major structural changes to the existing building.
Instead, these are simple hacks that will help reduce unwanted noises from your dorm room.
1. Add or Rearrange Furniture
Believe it or not, you can soundproof a room using household items.
In this case, furniture can make a huge difference in your dorm room in terms of noise reduction.
Since there is already furniture in your room, you can try using them to your advantage.
Push the furniture against the wall or where the noise is coming in through.
Furniture like closet, couch, study table can be of great help with noise reduction.
The furniture will act as a buffer against noise.
Don’t place your bed against the wall as a noise reduction element as you will end up hearing the noise.
The more furniture you have, the better chance there is at noise reduction.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to clutter your room with too much furniture, be wise about how you arrange them.
2. Soundproofing Curtains
Hanging acoustic foam panels or acoustic curtains are also good at minimizing noise coming into your dorm room.
Understand that the window is a big entry point of noise in any room, and your dorm room is no exception.
Acoustic curtains have the right amount of density to either block or absorb any noise.
Adding acoustic curtains will significantly make a difference in your room.
The curtains are not only made of soundproofing properties but also aesthetic properties that will give your room a good look.
If you don’t have the money to purchase curtains, you can use clothes or blankets to cover them.
Remember, the idea is to add extra layers to the window to minimize the entry of noise.
You can also do the same with the walls.
The walls are also an entry point for noise, so covering them with an acoustic blanket or acoustic curtains will help minimize noise.
3. Use Carpets
Most dorm rooms are just bare floors made of either tiles or other materials, which amplify the noise that has gotten in the room.
To minimize this noise, you will need to use a carpet or rug made of acoustic properties to absorb and block the noise.
Laying carpets or rugs is a simple step that does not require any special expertise to do it.
All you have to do is place the carpets directly on the areas that are bringing the noise.
Carpets underlayment will significantly help reduce stomping noise so you won’t be a nuisance to your downstairs neighbors.
An excellent example of a rug you can use is LEEVAN Plush Sheepskin Style Throw Rug.
If you cannot purchase carpets or rugs because of limited finances, you can use those that are available.
4. Seal All the Gaps in the Room
Don’t underestimate the power of cracks in letting in noise in the room.
Cracks are located on the walls, doors, and windows.
Ensure you inspect the whole room, check for the cracks, and then find a way to seal them.
One of the ways you can seal the cracks is by using Green Glue Sealant. Besides being a sealing agent, the glue is also a soundproofing agent.
It absorbs noise while at the same time sealing the cracks in your room.
Before applying the glue, ensure you clean the cracks well by removing dirt, moisture and applying it.
Another product you can use is weather-stripping tape.
You will need to cut the tape to the right side of the crack and install it.
Remember also to seal the gap between the door and the floor.
Interior door sweeps work well on the door; besides blocking air, they will also block the noise coming in through it.
5. Decorations and Soundproof Paint
Another way you can soundproof a doom room hanging decorations on the wall.
Decorative elements such as posters, tapestries, and acoustic curtains can do a fantastic job at reducing noise in your room.
You should remember, though, that these decorations have to be thick for them to be effective.
Are you aware of something called soundproof paint?
It’s a special type of paint that’s designed to help absorb considerable amounts of high frequency noise and echoes.
6. Soundproof the Ceilings
The ceiling is also an entry point for noise in your dorm room.
You will need to soundproof the ceiling using a layer of drywall or acoustic tiles just like you did on the walls.
I have written a detailed guide on cheapest way to soundproof ceiling.
If you’re not allowed to make an structural changes to the building, then here is a simple guide on soundproofing a ceiling without construction.
You can choose a different color to make your room look brighter and aesthetically pleasing.
Acoustic blankets are also a good choice for noise reduction.
Installing the blankets shouldn’t be a big problem as long as you have the right tools to attach them.
Amazon has different types of acoustic blankets, which you can try on your walls.
A corkboard is also a good means of noise reduction.
Even though the corkboard won’t block the noise entirely, it will significantly reduce the noise coming into your room.
The corkboard also acts as a thermal insulator.
7. Soundproof Door and Window
Doors and windows are one of the biggest culprits in leaking in noise from the outside world.
If you have a hollow door, then your best bet would be to replace it with a solid core door.
However, if the rules don’t allow you to change the doors, then you can read my guide on how to soundproof a hollow door.
To stop noise from neighbors yard from leaking through the window, you can use soundproofing curtains.
They are made of dense materials that helps absorb considerable amounts of noise.
8. Use White Noise
Using white noise in your dorm room will also help in minimizing noise in the room.
White noise machine produces soothing noise that overpowers the noise from outside.
Instead of listening to your neighbors’ irritating noise, you will hear the different noise from the machine.
The soothing noise includes the ocean, nature, or waterfall.
A white noise machine is your best option if you don’t want to go through the hassle of soundproofing the room.
A white noise machine is also affordable, so you won’t have to break the bank to have it.
Keep in mind that white noise does not stop the outside noise from coming in but makes it less annoying.
9. Buy Noise Cancelling Headphones
You can also try noise-canceling headphones as a way of reducing the irritating noise from your neighbor.
When there is noise, you can wear them and focus on your work without any disturbances.
These headphones are made of soundproofing properties that limit the noise you are supposed to be hearing.
The headphone will give you peace without investing much in other soundproofing methods.
On How to Soundproof a Dorm Room
Above are nine proven and effective methods on how to soundproof a dorm room even when on a budget.
Dorms can be quite noisy places to live, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy quiet and peaceful living.
Implement a combination of the above methods, and you’ll be able to reduce noise to manageable levels.