14 Cheap and Clever Ways to Soundproof Any Door

I didn’t think a door could be the loudest part of my room. 

Until I moved into a place where I could literally hear every hallway footstep, late-night phone call, and clunky keychain jingle through that thin little slab of wood.

If you live alone, you feel everything more, especially noise. 

And sometimes all you want is a little peace. A quieter door. A softer night. A moment to just exist without someone else’s noise bleeding into your space.

So if your door’s leaking sound like mine was, here are a bunch of fixes that actually helped. 

Some are cheap and fast, others are more of a weekend project. 

But they’re all doable—and totally worth it when your room finally feels like yours again.

1. Add a Door Sweep

This one works great – Amazon

Okay, let’s talk about that annoying gap under your door. 

You know, the one where all the cold air, hallway noise, and weird smells seem to sneak in?

A simple door sweep can block all of that—and it’s honestly one of the cheapest fixes you can do. 

You just screw or stick it to the bottom of your door, and boom: less sound, less draft, more peace.

There are different types—rubber, silicone, even brush-style ones. 

I used a basic adhesive rubber sweep from Amazon, and it made an instant difference. 

You don’t need tools, just a clean surface and scissors to trim it.

This is one of those little upgrades you do once and then wonder why you waited so long.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Wall

2. Use Weatherstripping Tape

Go for this- Amazon

This one’s for the tiny gaps around the top and sides of your door—where sound loves to slip through like it owns the place.

Weatherstripping tape is soft, squishy, and sticks right to the frame.

It creates a tighter seal when the door closes, which helps block noise (and also keeps the room warmer in winter).

It’s cheap, renter-friendly, and you can find it at any hardware store or online. 

I used foam tape that came in a big roll and just lined the inside edge of the frame. No tools, no drama.

And you will notice the difference, especially if your door rattles or has that echo-y, hollow sound every time it shuts.

Also read: Cheap Ways to Soundproof a Ceiling

3. Install a Door Gasket Kit

I’d suggest these – Amazon

Think of this like weatherstripping… but way more serious.

A door gasket kit is made for people who actually want to shut the world out, like for sound studios or noisy apartment buildings. 

It goes along the top and sides of the door, just like tape, but it’s usually rubber or silicone, and seals tighter when the door’s closed.

It’s a bit more of a project (you’ll need a screwdriver and a little patience), but it gives you a cleaner look and better soundproofing than the peel-and-stick kind.

If your door still lets in voices or hallway echoes even after taping it up, a gasket kit is your next move. 

I didn’t expect it to matter this much, but once I added it, the silence was thick. In the best way.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Window

4. Hang a Heavy Curtain or Blanket

If you rent, or just don’t feel like drilling into anything, this one’s your best friend.

Just hang a thick curtain, moving blanket, or even a heavy quilt over the back of your door. 

Use a tension rod or adhesive hooks if you don’t want to drill. It’s a super low-effort way to muffle sound and add some cozy vibes to the space.

I used a blackout curtain I already had and layered it with a chunky knit throw—looked cute, felt snug, and definitely softened the hallway noise at night.

It won’t block everything, but it makes a noticeable dent—and sometimes that’s all you need.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Bathroom

5. Add a Soundproof Blanket

I got mine from here – Amazon

This is like the heavier-duty cousin of the curtain trick.

Soundproof blankets (also called moving blankets or acoustic blankets) are designed to absorb noise. They’re thick, dense, and way more effective than regular fabric. 

You can hang one directly on the door with adhesive hooks, nails, or a tension rod if you’re crafty.

I tried one of those quilted moving blankets from a hardware store—it wasn’t pretty, but wow, it worked. 

Especially helpful if you’ve got loud neighbors or a shared hallway situation.

Pro tip? Go floor-to-ceiling if you can. Cover more surface = block more sound.

Also read: Cheap Ways to Soundproof a Room That Actually Work

6. Cover the Door with Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)

This one works great – Amazon

If you’re dealing with serious noise (like loud music or constant talking), this one’s for you.

Mass Loaded Vinyl sounds fancy, but it’s basically a super-thin, heavy sheet that blocks sound like a champ. 

You can cut it to size and either glue, staple, or screw it directly onto the door. It adds weight, which is exactly what most hollow-core doors are missing.

It’s not the prettiest fix unless you cover it with fabric or paneling after, but the sound difference? Totally worth it.

If you’ve tried softer fixes and they didn’t cut it, MLV is that “I’m done playing games” level of soundproofing.

7. Try Acoustic Foam Panels

Worth checking out – Amazon

Okay, so they’re not exactly chic—but they do work.

Stick-on acoustic foam panels are designed to absorb sound vibrations, especially the echo-y kind. 

They won’t block noise from coming in as much as they’ll stop it from bouncing around inside your space.

I slapped a few on the back of my door just to test—and even that helped with the sharpness of hallway noise. 

Plus, you can find them in all kinds of colors and patterns now, so they don’t have to look like a recording studio (unless you’re into that).

If your door feels like a megaphone, this can help take the edge off.

Also read: How to Soundproof Your Floor on a Budget

8. Use a Door Plug

This one’s kind of a hidden gem—not super well-known, but seriously effective.

A door plug is exactly what it sounds like: a thick, padded insert you wedge into the doorway to seal it up completely. 

It’s usually custom-fit, so it covers every little gap—top, sides, bottom. Total seal. Total silence.

It’s mostly used in recording studios or for people who work night shifts and need real-deal quiet. 

I saw someone DIY one using foam board wrapped in fabric, and it worked almost too well (just don’t forget to remove it before walking into your door).

Not for everyday use, but if you need a “close the world out” moment now and then? Game-changer.

9. Swap to a Solid Core Door

If your current door feels hollow when you knock on it… that’s because it probably is.

And hollow-core doors are awful for sound.

Swapping to a solid core door is one of the most effective long-term fixes. 

It adds instant mass, which is the #1 thing that blocks sound. 

It’s not cheap (think $100–$300+), and yeah, it’s a bit of a project—but if you own your place or plan to stay long-term, it’s worth every cent.

I once lived in a studio with a solid wood door, and I did not realize how quiet it was until I moved and had to hear the world again through a hollow one.

If you’re serious about peace and quiet, this is the upgrade that makes everything else easier.

10. Add a Second Layer (Like Plywood + MLV Sandwich)

If replacing the whole door isn’t an option, you can build a thicker skin.

Just attach a sheet of plywood (or MDF) to the back of the door, with a layer of Mass Loaded Vinyl sandwiched in between. 

You’re basically turning your thin door into a dense, sound-blocking beast.

Yes, it’s a little DIY. 

But you don’t need to be a contractor—just some basic tools and a free afternoon. And when you’re done? It’ll feel like a completely different door.

Also… kind of satisfying to close it and feel that solid thud instead of a cheap clunk.

11. Install a Threshold Seal

These are super effective – Amazon

You know that tiny little gap under your door that light—and noise—sneaks through?

A threshold seal closes that off completely. 

It’s a rubber or metal strip you attach to the floor right where the door meets it. When the door shuts, the seal presses against it, leaving zero room for sound to leak in or out.

I used one in a hallway-facing bedroom, and honestly, it made a big difference with footsteps and voices. 

It’s one of those fixes that doesn’t get enough credit, but once it’s there, you’ll feel the silence.

Plus, it pairs perfectly with a door sweep for double protection.

12. Use Soundproof Paint

Yep, that’s a thing.

Soundproof paint is thicker and denser than regular paint, and it’s designed to absorb a bit of sound, mostly mid to high frequencies like talking or typing. 

It won’t block loud bass or traffic noise, but it can help reduce echoes and soften sharp sounds.

To be honest, it won’t do much on its own—but when you combine it with other fixes (like a door sweep and foam panels), it adds a little extra layer of quiet.

And if you’re painting anyway? Might as well grab the version that works harder.

13. DIY Faux Upholstered Door

Okay, this one’s kind of fun.

If you want something that looks cute and muffles sound, try upholstering your door with padding and fabric. Think: an old comforter, a mattress topper, or some quilted foam, covered in a fabric you love. 

Staple it to a thin board or directly onto the door (if you’re not renting), and boom—soft, sound-dampening, and way more aesthetic than foam panels.

It gives hotel room vibes—those heavy, padded doors that just feel quieter when they close.

It takes a little time, but it’s worth it if you want your door to look good while shutting the noise out.

14. Put Down a Rug Right by the Door

This one’s more subtle, but surprisingly helpful.

Laying a thick rug or mat on the floor right in front of the door can help absorb sound, especially footsteps, creaks, or echoes that bounce up from hard floors. 

It also helps soften the area around the door, which is often where sound leaks in from underneath.

I didn’t expect much when I added a rug outside my bedroom door… but it cut down on hallway noise more than I thought. 

Plus, it makes the space feel warmer and more grounded—literally.

Pair this with a sweep or threshold seal, and you’ve got a cozy little sound buffer zone.

One Last Thing Before You Go

If your door’s been driving you up the wall with every creak, voice, or hallway footstep, just know you’re not stuck with it. 

You don’t need to rip the whole thing out or spend a fortune.

You just need a few layers. A bit of fabric here, a seal there, maybe some extra mass if you’re feeling ambitious. Little by little, your space gets quieter. Softer. Yours.

And honestly… There’s something powerful about shutting a door that finally feels like it’s shutting the world out.

If you try any of these, or if you’ve got your own clever trick, I’d love to hear about it. 

This is the kind of stuff no one talks about, but it makes such a difference when you live alone.

Stay cozy. Stay quiet. You deserve that peace.