Working from home saves people the effort of commuting to the office and allows them to spend more time pursuing their hobbies. But on the flip side, remote work can be full of distractions, especially if someone lives with a big family, has pets, or stays in a noisy neighborhood. One way to avoid distractions and create a noise-free environment is to soundproof the home office using affordable soundproofing solutions.
Fix a solid door in the home office
A good place to start is to install a solid door in the room being used as a home office. These days, most homes come with hollow doors because they are more affordable and easier to fix. But these doors are not really soundproof as noise can easily pass through them. So, if there is a door with a hollow core in the home office, one must swap it out for a solid wooden door. Such doors can better absorb sounds and keep all the distraction out.
Install a door sweep
If installing a new door is not an option, one can consider soundproofing doors in home offices. One way to do that is to seal the space right below the door. Many soundproof under-the-door seals in the market dampen noises that sneak in from underneath. Weatherstripping the top and sides of the door can reduce the noise further. Such installations are useful for those who need to join multiple online meetings throughout the day and need minimal noise getting into their office space.
Add acoustic panels
Smaller houses may not have an extra room that can be converted into an office. In such cases, many use room dividers to create a small workstation within the living room. While this is a great idea, one must choose the right materials for the DIY workstation. Acoustic panels are commonly used as room dividers because they work like a soundproof wall. One can stick multiple panels together to enclose a space within a room and keep the unwanted sound out.
Most acoustic panels for home offices are portable and lightweight, so there is no need to make permanent changes to the space. Besides, these panels are available in various colors and styles, meaning one can create a custom workspace that suits their preferences.
Using acoustic panels is an effective home office noise reduction technique, especially in the cases of shared spaces like living rooms. After setting up the panels, one can work in a quieter and smaller space without getting in the way of other family members.
Seal all the holes in the walls
Soundproofing walls in the home office is crucial for maintaining a quiet working space. A wall that has been built well can offer moderate levels of noise reduction. But if there are holes in it, noises can travel through from the other side and cause disturbance.
Older walls generally have holes and gaps, especially around ducts and outlets. Sealing these holes can provide a quieter work environment. One can fill the gaps using all-purpose caulk. Using a wood filler is a good idea if the holes are too big. This material will significantly lower the levels of noise that enter the office through the walls.
Hang soundproof curtains
Installing curtains is one of the most affordable home office soundproofing tips to keep away noise. Curtains are a good alternative to acoustic partitions. It’s an effective yet simple way to divide the larger space into two smaller workspaces. Polyester, fiberglass, velvet, suede, velour, and wool are suitable materials for soundproof curtains. One must look for fabrics with textured surfaces as they are among the most useful soundproofing materials for home offices.
One must install the curtains carefully when creating a DIY soundproof home office. Curtains that fall to the floor are usually more efficient in keeping noises away. One can also try making them pleated to keep unwanted sounds from entering the space. Besides working like temporary soundproof barriers, curtains can beautify the space if chosen and installed carefully.
Place rugs on the floor
Another easy home office soundproofing tip is to place rugs on the floor. Noises tend to bounce around a room, especially if it has laminate and tile floors. In such situations, it is not really necessary to install carpets from wall to wall to get some relief from all the sounds. Placing a few throw or area rugs at different spots on the floor can dampen the noises. That said, the rugs should be thick and soft enough to absorb all the sounds coming from outside and inside the house.
Use soft wall hangings
Something as simple as a wall hanging can also provide insulation against noise. An ornamental rug or a quilt hung on the wall of the home office can lower sound transfer considerably. The thicker the wall hanging, the higher its sound-absorbing capacity.
