Soundproof Your Apartment for Under $50

Understand Sound

Sound travels two ways: airborne (voices, TV) and impact (footsteps).

Airborne Sound Fixes

• Weatherstripping on doors ($8)
• Door sweep ($12) — blocks the bottom gap
• Acoustic panels ($25 for 12-pack) — stick on shared walls
• Bookshelves against shared walls — books absorb sound

Impact Sound Fixes

• Thick rug pad ($20)
• Rubber mats under appliances
• Furniture pads on chair legs

White Noise

A $25 white noise machine by your bed does more than all the above combined for sleep quality.