21 Cheap Ways to Soundproof a Room That Actually Work

I live alone, but I swear — my walls don’t.

When I first moved in, I could literally hear my neighbor’s microwave beep. 

Every conversation, every footstep upstairs, every single bark from the dog next door… it made me feel like I was living inside someone else’s life. 

And honestly… I couldn’t afford those fancy soundproof panels or a full room makeover.

So I did what any noise-sensitive, budget-conscious woman would do — I got creative.

In this guide, I’m sharing 21 cheap, renter-safe ways to soundproof your space without spending a fortune or drilling into walls. 

Some of these cost less than a coffee, but they actually work. Whether you’re dealing with traffic noise, loud neighbors, or just want your room to feel quieter and cozier, there’s something here for you.

Let’s fix those paper-thin walls — one hack at a time.

1. Use a Door Draft Stopper

I’d suggest these – Amazon

Doors are sneaky. Even when they’re shut, they let in a surprising amount of noise through that little gap at the bottom. 

I didn’t believe it either — until I shoved an old towel there and the difference was instant.

If you want a cleaner look, grab one of those under-door draft stoppers (the kind that slides on or sits on both sides). 

I found a cute one on Amazon for like $9, and honestly? Total game changer.

Not only did it muffle hallway noise, it also kept the room warmer in winter.

Pro tip: If you’re in a pinch, roll up a thick towel or blanket and tuck it right under. No tools, no money spent — just sweet, sweet silence.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Door

2. Seal Window Gaps

Worth checking out – Amazon

If your windows are even a little drafty, they’re probably letting in noise too. 

I didn’t realize how much until I stood by mine during rush hour and felt the breeze — yep, noise sneaks in with it.

The fix… Weatherstripping seal. 

It’s cheap (like under $10 cheap), easy to apply, and doesn’t leave a mess when you peel it off later. Just press it along the window frame where the glass meets the edges — you’ll hear the difference almost immediately.

I used it in my bedroom, and suddenly, the street traffic didn’t feel like it was parked in my brain anymore.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Window

3. Hang Thick Curtains

These are super effective – Amazon

Regular curtains? Cute. Thick, heavy curtains? Life-changing.

They’re not just for blocking sunlight — they absorb sound too. 

I swapped my light linen ones for blackout curtains, and the room got noticeably quieter. You don’t need anything fancy — just something with weight. (Even thrifted ones work great.)

And if you’re on a really tight budget? Blankets work too. 

I once hung a fleece throw using binder clips and a tension rod. 

Was it Pinterest-worthy? No. Did it quiet down the street noise? Absolutely.

Also read: Best Bathroom Soundproofing Ideas

4. Lay Down a Rug

Go for these – Amazon

If you’ve got hardwood or tile floors, sound just bounces around.

A thick rug can soak up all that echo and footstep noise like magic, especially in echo-y apartments.

I grabbed a secondhand rug for under $20 and dropped it right in the middle of my bedroom. Instant cozy, and way less noise from the downstairs neighbor’s nightly heel parade.

Tip: Layer a smaller rug over a larger one or toss in a floor runner. More fabric = more sound absorption.

5. Use Moving Blankets

I’d suggest these – Amazon

I know it sounds weird, but moving blankets are actually amazing for soundproofing. 

They’re thick, heavy, and made to absorb impact, which happens to include sound.

I ordered a 2-pack online for under $20 and hung one behind my bed and the other on the wall I share with my neighbor.

I swear, it was like wrapping the room in a cozy little sound hug.

No need for fancy hooks either — you can use nails, Command strips, or even binder clips on curtain rods if you’re renting.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Wall

6. Rearrange Furniture

This is the cheapest trick of them all — free but smart.

Push your biggest, heaviest pieces of furniture — like a bookshelf, dresser, or even a couch — against the wall that lets in the most noise.

It adds mass and acts like a sound barrier.

I moved my bookshelf behind my headboard, and it instantly dulled the noise from the next apartment. 

Plus, it just made the space feel more anchored and calm.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Ceiling Cheaply

7. Stick Acoustic Panels

These are super effective – Amazon

Okay, hear me out — I used to think acoustic panels were expensive and only for podcasters. 

But I found these peel-and-stick foam panels on Amazon that were super cheap and surprisingly cute (they come in pink, beige, and black now!).

I stuck a few behind my mirror and along the wall I share with my neighbor.

It doesn’t soundproof the room completely, but it softens everything, especially voices and TV noise.

Tip: You don’t need to cover the whole wall. Even a few in the right spots makes a difference.

8. Cover the Door

I didn’t realize how thin my door was until I could literally hear my neighbor coughing from the hallway. (Yep. That thin.)

I hung a thick blanket over the back of the door using Command hooks, and I could feel the difference right away. Bonus if the blanket is quilted or fleece-lined.

If you want to be extra, layer two blankets or add a yoga mat underneath for weight. Not glamorous, but girl… it works.

Also read: How to Soundproof Your Floor on a Budget

9. DIY Curtain Rod Hack

If you don’t want to drill into your walls, grab a tension rod and hang a thick blanket or curtain right in front of a noisy window or wall. 

That’s it. Instant sound barrier.

I did this in my living room and layered two fleece throws — no tools, no holes, and it looked kind of artsy-boho. 

You can also double it up behind your bed if your walls are super thin.

10. Line with Cardboard or Foam

It sounds scrappy — and it kind of is — but lining a thin wall with foam boards or thick cardboard can dull a surprising amount of noise.

I saved the shipping boxes from my last online haul, cut them to size, and tucked them behind a tapestry.

You’d never know they were there, and the echo totally faded.

It’s one of those no-one-tells-you-but-it-works tricks.

11. Try Egg Cartons

I know, egg cartons are NOT professional soundproofing. 

But if you arrange them properly — facing outward in a layered pattern — they can help break up sound waves and reduce echo.

I tested it behind my closet door (out of sight!) and noticed it dulled some of the outside chatter. 

Would I use them in my living room? Probably not. But for a closet, storage room, or studio corner? Totally fair game.

12. Add Soft Decor

Sometimes, soundproofing is just about softening your space.

Think throw pillows, floor cushions, poufs, even stuffed animals if that’s your vibe.

I added two oversized pillows in the corners of my room and a chunky knit blanket over my chair — and the whole place just felt quieter.

All that fabric absorbs the little sounds that bounce around, especially in empty corners.

Plus, it makes your space feel cozier without spending much at all.

13. Hang a Tapestry or Fabric Wall Art

One of my favorite renter-safe hacks: hang a big tapestry on a shared wall.

It acts like a sound cushion — plus, it hides any of the other little soundproof DIYs you’ve got going on behind it.

I’ve even layered a thick blanket behind the tapestry for extra noise-blocking without sacrificing style.

No one ever notices. They just ask where I got the wall art.

14. Close Off Unused Vents

You’d be surprised how much sound sneaks through those little air vents — especially if they connect to another room or apartment unit.

I stuffed an old towel into one I never used and covered it with a magnetic vent cover I found for $6.

You could also use foam or cardboard if you’re not using the vent for airflow.

Instant noise block — and totally reversible if you’re renting.

15. Add Felt Pads Under Furniture

Worth checking out – Amazon

This one’s subtle, but it really helps reduce that low rumble sound from moving chairs, shifting tables, or even neighbors stomping upstairs.

I stuck felt pads under every piece of furniture I own (you can get a whole pack for under $5), and now my apartment sounds way less clunky.

It’s one of those little things that adds up over time.

16. Use Draft Seal Tape Around the Door Frame

I’d suggest these – Amazon

Not just the bottom of the door — the sides and top leak noise too.

I added adhesive draft-seal tape all around my bedroom door frame, and I swear it turned my room into a tiny sound cave.

It’s super easy to apply, totally renter-friendly, and barely noticeable once it’s on.

It’s like closing the gap that noise was just waiting to crawl through.

17. Hang a Second Curtain Layer

If one curtain helps… two is even better.

I added a second rod behind my blackout curtains and layered a thick fleece throw over it. Not only did it block more light, but it seriously softened the noise from outside, especially at night.

You can also double up two cheap blackout panels. It looks lush and adds an extra sound barrier without a big price tag.

18. Place Foam Tiles Behind Wall Art

These are super effective – Amazon

This one’s sneaky — and kinda genius.

Grab a few foam tiles (like the ones for workout floors or kids’ play areas) and stick them behind any large framed art or posters. 

It’s totally invisible, and it adds just enough padding to help reduce echo or sound bounce.

I did this behind a canvas print in my hallway, and it’s been weirdly effective. Plus, it keeps the frame from rattling on the wall.

19. Stuff a Blanket Behind the Headboard

This one’s for my fellow apartment dwellers who can hear what’s going on next door (ugh).

Slide a folded blanket or quilt between your headboard and the wall.

It absorbs sound coming from the other side and stops your bed from bumping against the wall at night. 

I used an old comforter I wasn’t using anymore — zero dollars, total difference.

20. Use a Thick Shower Curtain as a Divider

I’d suggest these – Amazon

Need to block noise from a shared space or open room? Hang a thick shower curtain using a tension rod.

I used this trick to divide my studio apartment when I had guests over — it cut down the sound and gave a little privacy too. 

You can even layer it with fabric for extra soundproofing (and cuteness).

It’s cheap, temporary, and totally renter-safe — aka my kind of fix.

21. Use White Noise Machine

I got mine from here – Amazon

When all else fails, cover the noise with better noise.

I use a white noise machine to block out hallway chatter and traffic at night. 

You can also use a cheap fan or even an old phone set on loop with ocean sounds.

It doesn’t cancel the sound, but it keeps your brain from fixating on it. Total lifesaver when you’re trying to sleep or work.

One Last Thing Before You Go

Look, I get it — not all of us can afford those fancy acoustic panels or full-on renovations. 

But that doesn’t mean we have to live with every neighbor’s sneeze echoing through the walls.

These soundproofing hacks are scrappy, renter-safe, and they actually help. 

You don’t need to do it all at once — even picking 3 or 4 can seriously change the way your space feels.

And if you ever want to go a little deeper (like building DIY panels or sealing up the room like a pro), I’ve got a full guide on that too.

But for now… Start here. Budget fixes, big peace of mind.

You deserve quiet.