Renting a flat often feels like you’re sharing your space with neighbours either above or below you.
Finding your calm might be difficult when every step, word, or squeak of a chair seems to reverberate through thin walls. When you’re attempting to watch a movie, sleep, or just relax for some peaceful time after a busy day, this battle becomes even more important.
While renters have to consider twice about changing their properties in any form, homeowners enjoy the freedom of drilling into walls and permanently altering their area to soundproof it.
The great news is without leaving one mark on the walls, you may make your rental flat soundproof and cut noise. These non-invasive, landlord-friendly fixes will not only provide some much-needed peace but also help to minimise your bond cleaning obligations when it comes time to move out.
Let’s explore how you might soundproof your rental without looking at a drill!
Use Thick Curtains for Windows and Walls
More than just beautiful accents, curtains might be among your best shields against noise pollution. Thick, heavy curtains covering your windows will noticeably help to reduce the outside noise entering your house. But it doesn’t end there: hanging drapes on especially thin walls will assist in lowering noise between you and the next flat.
Choose curtains marked “soundproof” or “thermal” or fashioned from velvet or another similar fabric. A substance will absorb more sound the thicker it is.
Bonus tip: curtains can help keep your flat warmer in the winter, so saving you heating costs.
Renters would find tension rods, which are available if you are concerned about the installation, perfect as they require neither drilling nor permanent installation. Moreover, removing them when it comes time for bond cleaning is quite easy!
Install Draft Stoppers and Seals
One of the most overlooked places where noise enters your home is through the doors and windows. Gaps under doors or around window frames can let sound and cold drafts into your room.
Using adhesive window seals and door draft stoppers is a basic and very successful fix. Easy to install, cheap, and—best of all—completely detachable when it comes time for your last inspection.
Your bond cleaning crew will appreciate you for keeping things damage-free and basic.
Lay Down Rugs and Carpets
If you have echoey flooring, your best friend is either thick rugs or carpets. They not only give your house warmth and style but also assist in absorbing noise, especially from furniture movement and footwalks.
For additional sound absorption, search for soft, high-pile rugs or even place some rugs layer-wise. Area rugs are perfect for renters trying to minimise floor damage since they are easy to roll up when bond cleaning leaves the property looking just as it was.
Add Soft Furnishings
Adding soft, cushioned objects to the flat will help to significantly lower noise levels there. Think about big sofas, pillows, cushioned headboards, and even bean bags. The theory is that the more soft surfaces you have, the more sound will be absorbed instead of bouncing off the floor and walls.
Renters will find great delight in this approach. Apart from enhancing sound insulation, it gives your room a comfortable, lived-in feel without requiring nails or screws. Your bond cleaning checklist will stay hassle-free since nothing will call for repainting or repairs.
Consider Acoustic Panels or Foam
Acoustic panels are a terrific approach to fight noise if you wish for a more polished way. These panels are made to capture sound, therefore lowering both entering and exiting noise. And even if they are usually connected with recording facilities, you may locate ornamental panels that fit your house décor rather easily.
The best thing about it is that removable adhesive strips let several acoustic panels be put in without drilling holes in your walls.
Think about acoustic foam panels, which, with adhesive pads, are lightweight and readily attachable. This implies that you may easily remove them when you move out without thinking about bond maintenance or wall damage repair.
Soundproofing Mats for Floors and Walls
For loud homes, soundproofing mats—often composed of rubber or another solid material—are quite helpful. To improve soundproofing even more, these mats can be set under carpets or rugs. They function by absorbing vibrations generated by furniture movements, footfall, or even loud music.
Additionally available are soundproofing mats specifically for walls. These can be hung like a huge tapestry or mounted with adhesive strips; they are thicker than conventional wallpaper. Like the other renter-friendly ideas on this list, they are readily taken out when it comes time to relocate, so you leave the flat in perfect condition for bond cleaning.
Rearrange Your Furniture
The most effective remedies are sometimes the most basic ones. Your furniture can be arranged to form natural sound barriers that serve to absorb and prevent noise. For instance, orienting a big bookcase or closet against a common wall helps to lessen noise flow between flats.
Even better—those will help to further minimise the noise—if you have lots of books or storage goods! Arrange bigger furniture items such as beds, armchairs, and sofas against the busiest walls.
Use Wall Hangings and Tapestries
Bare walls do nothing to absorb sound. By adding fabric wall hangings, tapestries, or even large canvases, you can make a noticeable difference in the noise levels within your apartment. These decor items act as a barrier to sound waves, reducing the echo effect that happens in empty spaces.
You can even use adhesive hooks or removable strips to hang these items, keeping your walls damage-free. When it’s time to vacate the apartment, you can easily take them down, leaving no trace behind.
This not only helps with soundproofing but also simplifies bond cleaning since you won’t need to worry about filling holes or repainting walls.
Final Thoughts
Given that you want to avoid drilling and permanent alterations, soundproofing a rental flat can seem like an impossible chore.
As we have shown, though, there are several easy, renter-friendly strategies to cut noise without changing your space in a way that would compromise your deposit. Every small change, from shifting furniture to heavy curtains, serves to create a more calm living space.
Furthermore, most of these soundproofing devices are straightforward to remove when your lease expires so you can retrieve your full bond.
