How to Soundproof a Kids’ Room for a Safe & Relaxing Environment

The first thing anyone who has been around kids’ notices is that they are noisy. Almost unfeasibly noisy when you consider their size. That’s where soundproofing their room comes in. If you do the job properly, they can play, have fun and be as noisy as they like, and you’ll have nothing but blissful silence. This can work in reverse too. If you’d like to have friends over, do the vacuuming, or if you live in a noisy area by soundproofing the room you can ensure your child is not disturbed. 

How do you go about it though? What’s the most effective solution to prevent noise from travelling? Read on from the guys at Quiet Living and all shall be explained.

The Walls

There are a few options you can consider here. A cheap option would be to attach egg cartons and/or Styrofoam to the walls. You should then cover them with drywall. The combination of the extra layers and the sound deadening materials will make a substantial difference to the noise that can penetrate.

If you have a higher budget there are acoustic tiles available. These are used in recording studios and so they will block almost all sound. They are expensive however so covering an entire room with them would cost a lot. They’re probably not necessary but it is up to you.

This next option can be used on its own or with the extra soundproofing already suggested. Build up extra layers to deaden the sound. The first option is wallpaper which can also be a lovely decorative touch. These wallpapers are designed to be noise-cancelling and feel thick/heavy to the touch. You can also hang blankets or patchwork quilts on the wall. They’ll look pretty and absorb airborne sound. 

Any of these things on their own will help but all three would produce the best possible results. In Birmingham, many parents also look into soundproofing solutions to complement these methods and achieve even better noise control at home

The Ceiling

You should soundproof the ceiling in the same way as the walls. It is unusual to wallpaper the ceiling but if you got a plain paper and painted it to match the rest of the room it may work. It would be difficult to attach blankets to the ceiling so this would not work. An extra layer of soundproofing topped with drywall or plywood would be your best bet.

You should also look in your attic. If the insulation is old, then think about replacing it. A good thick layer will help reduce the sound coming down into your child’s room. It will also prevent heat escaping from your home.

The Floor

Unless you’re planning on ripping up the floor, a good thick carpet is your best friend here. Find one that has the thickest deepest pile you can. You know, the ones your feet sink right into when you walk on them. If you’re laying a new carpet you could consider laying sheets of cork underneath. This would absorb even more impact sound. Unless you’re planning on being extremely noisy though the carpet should be enough. If you want to go the extra mile you could add some rugs too.

The Door

This is one of the most important parts when soundproofing as a lot of sound escapes through the door. If your door is hollow you need to replace it with one that has a solid core. You should also check for any gaps in the frame, these should be sealed up. If there are also spaces between the door and the frame, then you can buy acoustic strips to plug any gaps.

The best option is a specific design of door which has a bottom that automatically blocks out sound. These are not cheap however so whether you can get one depends on your budget.

One final addition you make is to hang a decorative curtain rail above the outside of the door. You can hang a thick curtain from it which will help block any sounds that manage to make their way through the door. A simple door sweep can work wonders too.

Windows

Windows are more of an issue of you want to stop noise from outside getting into your child’s room. It’s still worth considering if you’re trying to block your child’s noise escaping into rest of the house though. The first thing to look at is the condition of the windows. If they are in poor repair, they should be replaced. If you can’t do this then use acoustic caulking to seal up any holes or gaps at all. 

Top Tip! If you’re not sure where all the gaps are then try waiting for a windy day. Move strips of tissue paper around the window and watch closely for any movement. If you’re not sure about an area there’s nothing to be lost by putting a bit of caulking on it just to be sure.

If your windows aren’t double-glazed, then consider getting at least this window replaced. Ideally, you should double-glaze the whole house. Nothing else blocks out more sound from the outside. Double-glazed windows also keep in a lot of heat. You’ll recoup the money you spend by reducing your heating bills.

Once the windows are done then look to add extra barriers. Again, you can get both soundproof blinds and curtains nowadays. They are a bit more expensive than normal ones. You can try the blinds and curtains you already have first and see how effective they are before you decide. For the most effective solution, you should have both blinds and thick curtains over the window. An added bonus is that this will also keep the room dark, helping your child to sleep later in the mornings.

Effective and aesthetically pleasing

For soundproofing to be effective you need to attend to every surface. This will be a big project but there are ideas here to suit almost every budget. The important thing is to take your time. If you put in a little thought, you’ll come up with modifications that will be effective and look great too. Your child will love their room and you’ll get to enjoy the rest of the house, it’s win-win!