How to Create the Illusion of Privacy When You Live in an Apartment Building

Reviews · November 10, 2017

Urban living requires that we live in close proximity to our neighbors. Apartments are innovative solutions to urban overpopulation, allowing everyone to have a comfortable home to live and work in, but the closeness of neighbors means that you can often hear movement, talking, and life through your walls. You don’t have to suffer under the din, instead, you can use these methods to soundproof your apartment and give you the illusion of privacy.

1. Buy Rugs

Rugs can easily and cheaply soundproof your home. Not only that, but they can also help muffle your own movements, so you don’t have to be quite as paranoid about annoying your neighbors every time you move your chair too loudly. The thicker the rugs you choose, the better. They can also make your apartment much warmer, so you can save on your utilities bill as well.

2. Wall Hangings

Depending on what you’re doing in your apartment, you can benefit either from hanging tapestries, or even installing a few soundproof panels. It depends entirely on your budget. While this won’t sound proof your home, it will help absorb the sound, so at the very least the noise doesn’t bounce around your room. Bookshelves also apply to this, and you can increase the amount of noise blocking by adding a piece of foam behind your shelves.

3. Increase the Soft Surfaces

Sound is absorbed by soft surfaces such as textiles and fabrics, so reduce the amount of echo by increasing the number of soft surfaces you have in your flat. This can be done by getting tablecloths, couches, or cushioned chairs. What you can do depends on the size of your space, but aim for comfort and you’ll also cut down the noise.

4. Windows

A lot of noise comes in through your windows, so buying thick curtains can help you cut out the noise (especially at night). As a bonus, this is another great method to keeping your home insulated and warm, so you can stay comfortable in the middle of winter without having the heating constantly on.

5. Hide the Noise

When you need absolute silence, however, you need to invest in some earplugs. They are the only way to truly cut out most the noise in your apartment. If you want to listen to music without outside interference, however, choose one of the best noise cancelling headphones under 100. Similarly, if you don’t want something around or in your ears to drown out the noise, you can instead try a white noise machine. Getting all three will ensure that you have the quiet you need, whatever you’re doing.

You won’t be able to escape all noise in your apartment – that’s just the way that apartment living is. You will, however, be able to reduce echo and even be able to drown out noises so that you can live with the illusion of absolute privacy. If all else fails, you’ll have to contact your landlord to discuss with your loud neighbors what they can do to keep their own noise levels down.