When I first moved to Los Angeles in 2012, it was not as a design enthusiast but for a job in the recording industry. Working for the renowned alternative producer John Feldmann, I started my career as a runner – essentially a dignified gofer. At night, I shared a dumpy 2-bedroom crash pad in the valley with 6 now-prolific producers, songwriters, and musicians. Back then, making $500 a month, being scrappy, and being surrounded by noise 24/7 felt like a dream at 20. Looking back at 34, I can’t help but wonder – who was that?
Now, the noise from my downstairs neighbor, whether it’s the click-clack of her clogs, muffled conversations, creak of floorboards, or nighttime coughs, drives me up the wall. The 20-year-old who used to zonk out in a noisy frat house after a long workday has evolved into a 34-year-old who values peace and quiet.
I owe a big thank you to all my former roommates for teaching me every DIY soundproofing trick in the book. From ugly fixes like egg crates taped to the ceiling to smarter, more effective sound-dampening techniques, they showed me it all. Today, I’ll be sharing some of these techniques with you, starting with a twist on an old favorite…
Sound-Dampening Hack: An Extra-Thick Rug Pad
1/2″ Felt Pad | 7/16″ Memory Foam Pad
Your best bet for soundproofing is a felt or acoustic foam floor underlayment. However, a thick rug pad can also help dampen sound. Felt, with its dense fibers, is great for absorbing sounds from speech or music. On the other hand, thick memory foam, besides being comfortable to walk on, can also help in sound dampening. To enhance sound dampening, consider cutting up an old rug pad and placing it under large furniture pieces like your sofa or bed to trap any rogue sound waves.
Sound-Dampening Hack: A Sturdy Rug
Moroccan Beni Ourain Rug | Starke Broken Stripe Wool Rug | Antique Turkish Rug
For optimal sound reduction, opt for a rug with the tightest weave you can afford, preferably with a higher KPSI (knots per square inch). A good rug should have at least 100 KPSI, while a great one will have over 300 knots per square inch. Look for vintage handwoven Turkish, Persian, Moroccan, or Tibetan rugs on Etsy or eBay for sound-dampening floor coverings that won’t cost a fortune. Interestingly, pile height has less impact on sound reduction, with higher pile only resulting in a 2% average reduction in sound.
… (continue with the rest of the content)