How can I set up my apartment to muffle noise that is disturbing my neighbors?

Question

I love my apartment EXCEPT I share one bedroom wall with my older, married next door neighbors. While my other neighbor swears he has never heard noise from my apartment, the neighbors that share my bedroom wall have complained to me a couple of times.

I do run sort of odd hours (I'm a student) but I make sure not to make a lot of noise late at night. I keep my tv and stereo very low and try not speak above a conversational tone. However, apparently, this is enough to bother them.

I don't want to disturb my neighbors but I also need to be able to function at the hours I function. Is there anything I can do to cut down on how much the noise travels?

Answer 1

Try putting up a HUGE cork board bulletin board on that wall. Or you could try putting up some hand-made quilts to help muffle the noise. Putting down carpeting could help as could putting up paintings in the apartment to help absorb some of the noise.

Answer 2

All that noise muffling gear is ugly to look at. If this is ur bedroom put ur bed on that wall . Use lots of pillows and a comforter. All this material will absorb the sound waves. Use some area rugs, don't walk w/ shoes on (use slippers). Keep furniture away from the walls.If u have a T.V. and stereo in the room keep it away from that wall.Or take it out of that room. Do'nt play music late hours. If its ur bedroom what noise could u possibly make? If u live w/ ur significant other make noise in a diff. room. . I had a simular problem once I lived next door to my apt. mnger. so he did'nt want me to use the bathroom after 10 pm . I just told him" I gotta go when I gotta go, unless u want me to go on ur front door". The plumbing is not my problem it's a biulding problem. Of course I'm alot bigger than u, so I can do that. It souds like u have some cheap thin walls. Just use some common sense if u don't give them nething to complain about, they wont.

Answer 3

Honey, I know what you're going through. I live in a mid-rise in Texas..on the third floor. I like where I live...feel safe, too but I swear I live beneath a real, by God, big footed Yetti. It's either that or it's the cast from "Stomp". He disturbs my peace constantly.

This guy doesn't know how to walk, he stomps everywhere and incesessantly to. Literally..at all hours of the day and night. I'm unemployed right now and home a lot (guess he is, too). He drops and throws stuff down on the floor and slams doors and drawers. Once, he dropped something with such force, a picture almost fell off the wall.

I've complained to management..I've left notes on his door (anonymous and signed). I've banged on the ceiling. I;ve even considered lighting a bag of doo doo and leaving it front of his door. But I fear the karmic retribution.

As in your case, I don't want this guy to stop living his life. As a result of HIS complete and utter inconsideration, I walk lightly. We all pay to live where we live. SOunds to me like you;'re being overly considerate. Maybe your neightbors animal like hearing. I imagine them standing up like Mierkats when they hear any noise eminating from your apartment. They prgve eniges...they pay to live there too, but come on!!! I'd suggest talking to managment, telling them you're living as silently as Marlee Matlin, but, usually that's a worthless proposition. In my case it was. The Clydesdale living above me wasn't phased by my complaints.

I don't think there's anything you can do for noise abatement. Egg crates or foam on the wall will absorb sound, but it ain't pretty.

Good luck to us both. My guy walks so damn heavy, I fully expect to see one of his chubby little legs fall through my ceiling any day now. I can only imagine what kind of shoes he wears. Probably Adidont's.

Answer 4

Standard sound proofing material or the bottom pieces of used cardboard egg container's stuck to wall.

Answer 5

Egg crate foam on the walls. Hide it with a couple bookshelves.

Answer 6

Big area rugs or wall to wall carpeting and thick heavy curtains

Answer 7

Glue or staple egg carton containers on the walls, works like a charm!

Answer 8

you need more rugs and stuff to absorb the noise. Curtains etc.

Answer 9

tell you're neighbors that their old sex noises are bothering YOU. i think they'll leave you alone after that. or rip off your drywall and insulate in between.

Answer 10

not really. they will complain anyway.