For many, our homes act as a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and should provide a quiet and relaxed space. For others, the home is also a space from which we can work and a quiet environment is necessary to concentrate and increase productivity. Unfortunately, many homeowners struggle with keeping noise at bay, whether that noise comes from having shared walls with neighbours or family members, loud home appliances, or pets and children.
If you’re looking for ways to help make the noise more manageable without resorting to building false walls or retrofitting your building with more noise insulating materials, we’ve got you covered. Our guide will help you soundproof your home on a budget by making some simple and affordable changes.
How do you soundproof a room cheaply?
There are a few things that you can do to help soundproof a space without spending a fortune, and whilst you can never completely soundproof a domestic room, you’ll be able to create a more tranquil area by implementing the following things.
Soft furnishings - soft furnishings can go a long way to stopping travelling sound. Especially in home offices where there is typically less furniture to block out noise. Try adding fabric sofas and chairs if you have the space, and then decorate these using accent cushions and throws. You can also incorporate things like lampshades and wall hangings to further your efforts.
Rugs and carpets - hardwood flooring does not absorb sound well. Adding a large rug to your room can assist with lessening noise, whilst also providing additional comfort and creating aesthetic appeal.
Noise-dampening curtains and fitted shutters - for homes that are subject to a lot of outside noise, you may want to consider covering your windows with fitted shutters or specialist noise-dampening curtains which are made from dense fabric. This will help to reduce sound reverberation, but it should be incorporated alongside the other methods listed for enhanced effectiveness.
Position large furniture in front of adjoining walls - instead of creating a new wall or soundproofing an existing one which can be costly, you can place any large items such as bookcases or storage shelves against the adjoining walls instead to help mute noise.
Use acoustic wall panels - if you don’t have the space for large furniture items, you can opt for acoustic wall panels which are easy to install and will sit flush against the wall. These are specially designed to help absorb excess noise, making them perfect for a home office, bedroom, or any room of the house that warrants peace and quiet.
What are acoustic wall panels?
Acoustic wall panels are specially designed to absorb sound. At The Panel Company, we stock what are known as acoustic slat panels rather than the commercial type that is commonly seen in office buildings. This is because slat panels are the perfect blend of style and function, which makes them ideal for soundproofing your home without impacting the aesthetic.
Because the panels feature slats, the sound does not bounce off a flat wall but rather reverberates in between the gaps before being absorbed by the polyester fibre or felt backing as shown in the image below.
Light Ash Acoustic Slat Wall Panel
The MDF wood also has soundproofing properties which makes this type of panel an excellent way to enhance both the visual and sonic appeal of your home. The natural tones and textures ensure that these panels will fit seamlessly with your existing decor, ranging from dark hues such as the Charcoal panel by Sulcado to light Scandi-inspired palettes like the light ash as listed above.
Charcoal Acoustic Slat Wall Panel
To make the most of the aesthetic function and create more visual appeal in your room, we would recommend installing the soundproof panels as a feature wall. If you are soundproofing a home office, you might wish to use the panels to create a professional backdrop by covering the full wall adjacent to where your desk sits. For full acoustic enhancement, you should go for a floor-to-wall application, as seen in the image below.
Strivo Acoustic Slat Panel in Natural Ash
Are soundproof panels easy to install?
Yes, soundproof wall panels are extremely easy to install. Simply mount onto your desired wall using adhesive, screws & pins. You can cut the panels to a desired specification using a jigsaw if necessary, meaning there is very little DIY involved in the installation process. They can be applied to almost any wall surface, including brick and concrete, and can be used in conjunction with other soundproofing materials if necessary.
There is some preparation required, as you’ll need to ensure that your walls are smooth and clear from debris before using the adhesive to apply your wall panels. We’d also recommend that you fix any cracks or holes for a seamless application.
It is important to remember that these panels should not be installed in areas with high humidity. This shouldn’t be a problem for those looking to soundproof an office, but this may be worth keeping in mind if your home office is located in very close proximity to humid areas, or if it is in an outdoor shed that may be subject to changing humidity levels.
Do acoustic panels require any maintenance after installation?
Acoustic slat panels only require a little bit of maintenance to keep them clean. This means using a soft-bristle brush or a vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust. You should not use water to get rid of any debris as this can damage the panels
Soundproof any room with The Panel Company
Acoustic slat wall panels are an easy and visually appealing way to reduce unwanted travelling noise within your home and create a tranquil space. Helping to ensure you’re free from noise disturbances, we offer a wide range of slat wall styles and colours that can complement your interior design scheme. Simply browse through the full range of acoustic slat panels to find the perfect option for you, or use our wall panel calculator to figure out the correct quantity needed for your room.
