Today’s hyperconnected economy means that more of us work from home now than ever before. While not having a commute has its benefits, one of the biggest challenges for homebound workers is keeping noise—whether it be construction in the neighborhood or kids running down the hallways—out of the workspace.

Regain focus and boost your productivity—below, we walk you through seven steps to soundproofing your home office.

Seal Holes in the Walls

A large wall is a great sound blocker, but it’s useless if there are any holes in it. Inspect the walls and ceilings of your home office, and if you find any perforations, fill them in with sound-absorbing materials such as fiberglass batt insulation.

Install a Solid Core Door

Solid core doors are much better sound absorbers that hollow core doors. If you want to ensure that no sound enters through your door, install a solid core door, and add vinyl weatherstripping and a bottom sweep and threshold seal.

Caulk Spaces in Your Drywall

Look out for cracks and crevices on your drywall around electrical boxes and ductwork, and caulk these openings to prevent noise from entering your work sanctuary.

Add a Layer of Acoustic Board

If you have the stamina for a bigger soundproofing project that may involve moving electrical boxes or reinstalling baseboards, you can glue a layer of acoustic board, and then another layer of drywall over your existing interior walls for added defense against noise from outside. Another good alternative are acoustic panels and tiles from BAUX Acoustic WoodWool.

Soundproof Your Ceiling

If the noise is coming from above, nail 1x2-inch furring strips over three-quarter-inch rigid insulation on your ceiling. This will be a big job, as you will then need to tape, sand, and paint your ceiling after.

Soundproof Your Floor

If the noise is coming from below, lay an acoustic board on top of the floor, and ideally cover it with carpeting, which provides additional sound absorption.

Soundproof Your Windows

If you're on a budget, install soundproof curtains from brands such as AcousticCurtain™. If you want to invest in even stronger soundproofing, install double-pane windows that can help block out noise from the street.

Also Appears In

Modern Furniture Fit for a Classic Eichler