Tips to Block Noise From Neighbors

As a renter, you may face some noise in your daily routine. Whether your neighbor are noisy, your walls is too thin and some other reason. Due to the fact you are renting a place, will limit actions you can take in order to make your life noisy-free. However, with some easy trips, you can block or reduce significantly the noise from neighbors without having your landlord freaking out.

1. Try Ceiling Clouds and Acoustic Fixtures: Acoustic panels that hang from the ceiling reduce noise significantly! It’s commonly found in restaurants, atriums and auditoriums. Before taking any action – ask your landlord’s approval. If your landlord is not agreeable with this option, there are less invasive approaches to dissipate sound such as including acoustic light fixtures (such as the BuzziLight from BuzziSpace) that claim to absorb sound. The price tag may range between $700 to $1,175.
2. Rearrange your Furniture: You can place your heavy furniture such as built-in closets against the wall covering it as much as possible.”The more mass between you and the neighbor, the less sound that will come through,” says Zach Ziskin, a recording engineer in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Then, rearrange fabric-covered sofas or chairs so that they’re close to windows and doors. And for more quiet, use lots of decorative pillows and throws. “The heavier and denser the textile, the greater the absorption,” says Heather Humphrey, owner of the interior design firm Alder & Tweed, in Park City, UT.
3. Fill up your Bathroom: Can you hear your neighbor’s flush? Chances are, they hear yours as well. This is due to the open spaces with tile and hard surfaces. To avoid this, place a small linen closet against the wall. If you are short on space, consider placing some coverings such as rugs and towels using the same principle as listed above: “The more you cover your walls, the greater the barrier to sound created.”
4. Seal the Windows: Street noise can be as annoying as loud neighbors , and your windows may not be blocking the pandemonium even while closed. Check your windows to be sure they are properly caulked and sealed, you can find out how to do it here. Sealing the windows effectively will prevent you from the noise and from the cold drafts in winter. An easier solution is to hang some heavy curtains, which will help reduce any noise from outside.
5. Seal the Doors: Doors can be a source of unwelcome noise. Make sure there’s high-quality weatherstripping between the door and door frame to create a seal when closed. In addition, if there is any air gap between the bottom of the door and the floor, you can attach a heavy-duty door sweep or draft blocker to create a seal that will reduce the noise from outside. 
6. Hang Wall Art and Tapestries: Wall hangings and tapestries are porous; they easily absorb sound and excessive noise. It is a great way to block the noise from the neighbors through the wall. For example you can use macrame and canvas wall art, adding some foam and sound-absorbing felt panels. In a nutshell, you will be decorating and blocking noise at the same time.
7. Add Thick Rugs with Rubber Backing: Ideal for homes with wood floors. Heck if you have carpet, go ahead and try this as well!  You can add some pile material with a rubber backing, adding one more layer to block the noise. You will be doing a favor for your neighbor at the same time.
8. Know your Neighbors: At the end of the day, it’s hard to make your place completely soundproof, especially when you live in a rented apartment where you will have limitations on huge changes. Hence, it is always a good idea to talk to your neighbors and develop a respectful relationship with them.

Credits to realtor.com