14 Ways to Soundproof Your Floor on a Budget

I love living alone, but you know what I don’t love? That weird echo when I walk barefoot across my apartment. 

Or when the floor creaks for no reason at 2 am and makes me think someone’s breaking in. 

Or when I hear every single step my upstairs neighbor takes — like they’re practicing for a tap dance recital I didn’t sign up for.

If you’re here, I’m guessing you get it. 

Soundproofing your floor sounds like a big, expensive project—but honestly? It doesn’t have to be. 

There are renter-friendly, budget-friendly ways to quiet things down without ripping up your floors or calling your landlord.

Here are the 14 things that actually helped me make my apartment feel calmer, quieter, and way more peaceful.

1. Add a Thick Rug (or Layer a Few)

This is the one I used – Amazon

Honestly, this was the very first thing I did. 

I tossed a thick, fluffy rug down in my bedroom and instantly noticed how much less echoey everything felt. 

Rugs don’t just cozy up a space—they absorb sound, especially footstep noise that loves to bounce off hard floors.

And if you already have a rug, but it’s a bit thin? Layer another one on top. 

I’ve done that too, and not only did it look kind of artsy-boho (in a good way), it also made the floor feel quieter and softer underfoot. 

Living room, bedroom, hallway—wherever the noise is loudest, throw some rug love at it.

Also read: Cheap Ways to Soundproof a Room

2. Use Rug Pads That Absorb Sound

I’d recommend this one – Amazon

Okay, so you’ve got a rug—but if it’s just chilling flat on the floor without a pad underneath, you’re missing a huge opportunity to kill some noise.

I didn’t know this either until I tried it, but rug pads don’t just stop slipping—they actually help absorb the thuds and creaks that come from walking, especially in older apartments with hardwood or tile. 

The thicker the pad, the better the sound dampening.

You can grab those felt-rubber combo ones online for cheap, and they make a big difference. 

Also read: How to Soundproof a Ceiling on a Budget

3. Lay Down Interlocking Foam Mats

These are super effective – Amazon

These are my little secret weapon—especially if you’ve got a space where rugs just don’t work (like a corner you turned into a home gym or your kitchen floor that echoes way too much).

Those squishy interlocking foam mats? The ones people use in kids’ rooms or workout spaces? Total game-changer. 

They absorb sound and soften the floor, and honestly, they’re way cuter than they used to be—lots of neutral or wood-look options now.

I use them under my desk to cut down on chair noise and under a floor mirror that used to rattle every time I walked by. 

And bonus… They’re super easy to clean and move around.

Also read: How to Soundproof Any Door

4. Try Mass Loaded Vinyl Under Rugs

Worth checking out – Amazon

Okay, this one sounds intense—but hear me out. 

Mass Loaded Vinyl (or MLV if you wanna sound like a pro) is basically a thin, heavy sheet that blocks sound like a boss. 

It’s often used in studios or behind walls, but you can totally use it under a rug.

I cut mine to fit just under the rug in my entryway—because heels + hardwood = echo city. It stayed hidden, didn’t budge, and seriously helped muffle all the clunking sounds.

It’s not super cute on its own, but under a rug? You’ll forget it’s there… except for how quiet your place starts to feel.

5. Cover Gaps with Floor Draft Stoppers

These are super effective – Amazon

You know those tiny gaps between the floor and the bottom of your door? Yeah, they let in more than just cold air—they carry every single hallway noise too. 

And if you live above someone? Your own noise escapes right through them.

Draft stoppers (or door sweeps) are such an underrated fix. 

I started with just one at the front door, and it cut down a ton of noise and made the place feel warmer in winter. Win-win.

You can grab the soft fabric ones that you just slide in—no tools, no damage—or go for the adhesive kind if you want a more secure seal. 

Either way, it’s like giving your floor a little soundproofing hug.

Also read: Clever Ways to Soundproof a Window

6. Add Cork Sheets Under Area Rugs

I’d suggest these – Amazon

Cork isn’t just for wine bottles and cute bulletin boards—it’s actually an amazing natural sound absorber. 

I didn’t know this until I stumbled across some cork floor tiles at a home store, and now I swear by them.

You can cut cork sheets to size and lay them under any area rug. 

It gives the rug a little extra padding and helps block noise from traveling down through the floor (or bouncing back up from below).

It’s especially great if your floors are tile or laminate and you want to soften the sound without fully carpeting a space. 

And you know what, cork’s eco-friendly and doesn’t trap gross stuff like foam sometimes does.

7. Go for Carpet Tiles (Easy to Remove Too)

These are super effective – Amazon

Carpet tiles are like the grown-up version of puzzle mats—except way cuter. 

And here’s the best part: you don’t have to cover your entire floor. Just place them in high-traffic spots where the noise is loudest—like near your bed, your couch, or that spot where your heels always land louder than you’d like.

They’re peel-and-stick, super easy to install (and just as easy to pull up when you move), and you can mix and match colors if you want to have a little fun with it.

I laid down a few in my closet-turned-office and noticed the echo instantly chill out. 

They make the space feel warmer and quieter—and for a solo dweller? That’s the kind of energy we love.

Also read: How to Soundproof a Wall

8. Stick on Anti-Vibration Pads Under Furniture Legs

This is the one I used – Amazon

Okay, this might sound tiny, but trust me—it works. 

Ever notice how your table or chair legs kinda thud or scrape when you move them, even just a little? Those sounds travel through the floor, especially if you’ve got hardwood or thin laminate.

I stuck anti-vibration pads (you can find ’em in little packs online) under my bed frame, dresser, and even my laundry basket stand. 

The difference… Instant. No more mini earthquakes every time I shifted something.

They’re cheap, easy to install, and kind of addictive once you see how well they work. 

You’ll start sticking them on everything. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Also read: Best Bathroom Soundproofing Ideas

9. Move Heavy Furniture to Problem Spots

This one costs zero dollars but makes a surprising difference. 

If there’s a part of your floor that creaks louder or echoes more (mine was right near the hallway), try sliding a heavy piece of furniture—like a bookshelf, dresser, or even a storage bench—over it.

It’s not a total fix, but it helps muffle the sound and reduce how much noise bounces around that area. 

I did this with an old trunk I use as a coffee table, and it seriously helped deaden the “thud” sounds from walking past.

Sometimes it’s just about rethinking where things go to make the space feel calmer—and this one’s kind of fun because you get to rearrange and reset the energy too.

10. Use Fabric (or Felt) Floor Runners in Hallways

I’d recommend this one – Amazon

Hallways are secretly the loudest part of the apartment. Every step sounds like a dramatic entrance. 

I didn’t realize how much noise I was creating until I laid down a long fabric runner—total game-changer.

Whether it’s a cute vintage-look rug or just a basic felt runner, adding that soft layer in those echo-prone spots makes your whole place feel calmer. 

Plus, it saves your ears during those late-night snack missions to the kitchen (we’ve all been there).

I’ve even layered a runner over foam mats for extra softness. It looked cute and felt like walking on clouds. Highly recommend.

11. Hang Curtains to Absorb Echo (Yes, Floor Sound Too!)

Okay, I know this sounds weird for a floor post—but trust me on this. 

Echo and noise bounce all around your space, not just off the floor. 

I hung thick blackout curtains in my bedroom and living area, and the difference? Immediate. Not just softer lighting, but the room felt quieter—especially when walking around.

If you live in a boxy apartment with high ceilings or minimal furniture, this helps way more than you’d think. 

The fabric absorbs ambient sound, and that includes the stuff coming from—or bouncing off—the floor.

And it makes your place feel cozier, warmer, and a little more you. (I went with soft oatmeal-colored ones and they’re chef’s kiss.)

12. Create a DIY Floor Underlayment with Moving Blankets

These are super effective – Amazon

I know… moving blankets? But hear me out—they’re thick, heavy, and made to protect stuff from banging around in trucks, so guess what? They’re great at absorbing sound.

I folded one up under my bed, tucked another under a big rug in the living room, and now, less floor creaking, less echo, and it felt warmer too. 

It’s kind of like giving your apartment an extra layer of padding, without committing to anything permanent.

You can get them cheap online or even at hardware stores, and they’re super easy to cut or fold to size. 

Not pretty on their own, but once you throw a rug or a piece of furniture on top? No one’ll know.

13. Use Bookshelves or Cabinets as Sound Barriers

When I tell you my bookshelf saved my sanity? I mean it. 

I pushed it up against the wall where the most sound seemed to travel—right next to a shared hallway—and it legit felt like someone turned the volume down on my apartment.

Heavy furniture, especially bookshelves filled with, well, books, work like a natural sound shield. 

Same with cabinets or even cube storage—anything dense that adds mass between you and the noise.

If your place feels like it echoes or carries footsteps across rooms, try repositioning a few big pieces along the noisiest walls or in open corners. 

It’s a low-effort move that helps block and absorb sound like a charm.

14. Wear Noise-Reducing Slippers (Yes, It Helps More Than You Think)

This is the one I used – Amazon

This one might sound too simple to matter—but trust me, it matters. 

I used to clomp around barefoot or in hard-soled slides, and every step echoed like I lived inside a drum. 

Then I switched to soft, cushioned slippers… and wow. Total vibe shift.

Not only did it make my space feel cozier and quieter, but it also cut down on how much sound I was sending through the floor—especially helpful if you’ve got neighbors below or creaky floorboards that love to squeal.

Get yourself a cute, squishy pair you’ll actually want to wear at home. It’s the smallest fix on this list, but honestly? One of my favorites.

One Last Thing Before You Go

If your floor’s been driving you a little nuts—whether it’s your own footsteps echoing at midnight or your neighbor’s dog doing laps upstairs—I hope this helped. 

You don’t need fancy tools or a full renovation. Just a few layers, some clever swaps, and a bit of rearranging can make your space feel so much more peaceful.

Honestly, I didn’t realize how much the noise was messing with my head until things got quieter.

If you’ve tried any of these—or have a quiet-living hack I missed—send it my way. I’m always down to add to the list.

Take care of your space, and it’ll take care of you right back.