How to Soundproof a Room DIY: Expert Tips and Solutions

I recently got a call from a customer who wanted to turn their guest bedroom into a home office. They were dealing with the same problem many of us face—noise. Between barking dogs, lawnmowers, and traffic outside, concentrating on work was nearly impossible. They asked me, “What’s the best way to soundproof a room without spending a fortune?”

I told them they could absolutely tackle this as a DIY project, especially with the right materials and approach. With a little planning and some high-quality products, they could transform their space into the quiet retreat they needed.

Let me walk you through the same advice I shared with them so you can tackle your own DIY soundproofing project.

One of the first things I always recommend is sealing up the doors and windows. These are the biggest culprits for sound leaks. Even the smallest gaps can let in a surprising amount of noise. Here’s what I told them:

I suggested installing an Acoustic Door Seal Kit to seal gaps around the edges of the door. These kits are easy to install and create a tight seal to block sound. For the gap at the bottom of the door, adding a door sweep works wonders.

For the windows, I recommended soundproofing curtains. These heavy-duty curtains not only block noise but also help insulate the room. If the noise is particularly bad, our PrivacyShield® Window Seal Kit applied to the window frame can provide extra soundproofing.

Walls are another area where noise tends to sneak through. Adding mass is one of the most effective ways to block sound. I told my customer:

AudioSeal® Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is a flexible, heavy material that is perfect for DIY soundproofing. You can attach it directly to the walls using adhesive strips or staples. It’s thin enough to layer behind drywall or paint, making it a seamless addition.

To improve the acoustics inside the room, I recommended AlphaSorb® Fabric Wrapped Acoustic Panels. These panels absorb mid- and high-frequency sounds, reducing echo and reverb. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and finishes, so they look great on any wall.

If there’s a lot of noise coming from above—like footsteps from a second floor—soundproofing the ceiling is key. I told my customer:

Products like our AlphaSorb® Fabric-Wrapped Ceiling Clouds are designed to absorb sound and reduce noise from overhead.

For rooms with high ceilings, hanging acoustic ceiling baffles can dramatically cut down on reverb and improve sound quality.

Floors are often overlooked, but they’re an important part of the equation—especially if you’re dealing with impact noise like footsteps or dropped objects.

I suggested starting with a thick area rug combined with an underlay to reduce vibrations.

For more serious noise issues, Iso-Step® Soundproofing Underlayment is an excellent solution. It goes underneath flooring materials to dampen sound transmission.

Once you’ve blocked external noise, the next step is improving the acoustics inside the room. I explained to my customer:

Low-frequency sounds can be tricky to manage. Placing AlphaSorb® Acoustic Foam Bass Traps in the corners of the room helps control these "boomy" sounds.

For a balanced sound environment, I recommended sound diffusers. These scatter sound waves, making the room feel more natural and less "dead."

I also made sure to warn them about a few common mistakes people make:

While foam is great for absorbing sound, it doesn’t block noise. For that, you need materials like MLV or acoustic blankets.

Even a tiny gap around a door or window can undo a lot of your hard work.

DIY soundproofing can reduce noise significantly, but achieving complete silence often requires professional-grade construction.

When it comes to DIY soundproofing, not all materials are created equal. I told my customer that the reason I recommend Acoustical Solutions products is simple: they’re easy to work with, affordable, and incredibly effective. Whether it’s mass-loaded vinyl, acoustic panels, or soundproofing curtains, these products are designed to deliver professional results—even for DIY projects.

By the end of our conversation, my customer felt confident about tackling their project. They sealed their doors and windows, added MLV to the walls, and installed acoustic panels—and the results were amazing. Their once-noisy room became a peaceful, functional workspace.

If you’re ready to take on a DIY soundproofing project, I’d love to help. Check out our full range of products at Acoustical Solutions, or contact me to discuss your needs.

Together, we’ll create the quiet, comfortable space you’ve been dreaming of.