Soundproof Your Home Office

If you’re new to working from home, mainly because you never planned on it, this post is for you!

You probably used to look forward to leaving the house each day. It was your break, your mental reset. But then the pandemic hit, and now you find yourself stuck inside, staring at the same walls and the same people every single day.

Now, I’m not saying you don’t love your significant other or your kids. But let’s be real: that time away, even just to go to work, provided a balance I’m sure you dearly miss.

Chances are, you got the typical speech from your boss before they sent you home:
“Try to make sure your home office is quiet and free from distractions.”

Well, that’s easier said than done. Not everyone has a spare room with a lock on the door or a soundproofed studio setup. Our living situations vary—and that’s okay. So, here are some practical and budget-friendly tips to help you soundproof your home office.

Studio foam panels to place on your walls

When I first started working from home, one of the best purchases I made was a set of studio foam panels for my walls. The key is to place them around the area where you’ll be working.

These panels do two things:

• They block out noise coming into your workspace.

• They muffle your voice so others in your home don’t hear every word of your Zoom calls.

Bonus tip: If you live in a downstairs apartment, placing panels on your ceiling can help reduce overhead noise as well.

The Kaishengwei Acoustic Foam Egg Crate Panels come in 2-packs and 4-packs. Each panel measures 48″ x 24″ x 2″ and is available in five different colors.

VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

 

Noise-Reducing Curtains for Your Window

Next up are the windows. If your office setup is near one (like mine is), noise-reducing curtains can make a huge difference. Whether it’s the neighbor’s lawnmower, street traffic, or weekend construction, these curtains help muffle outside noise so you can stay focused.

I love working with natural light. But when the landscapers start buzzing outside, I just close my curtains and enjoy the quiet.

Check out the Yakamok 100% Blackout Curtains, available in two sizes and nine color options.

VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

 

Soundproof your home office door

You might’ve soundproofed your walls, ceiling, and windows, but sound always finds the weak spot. In most home setups, that’s your door.

Not only can you hear someone knocking or talking outside, but chances are, they can hear you, too. That’s especially tricky if your work involves sharing sensitive info.

If you’ve ever watched a movie where someone is eavesdropping, it’s almost always at a door. And that’s not a coincidence. The Audimute Isolé Sound Barrier & Absorption Sheet comes in four colors and is made in the U.S.A. It’s great for covering your office door to block out sound.

View Price On Amazon

 

Noise-cancellation headset with a noise-cancellation mic

Let’s say you’ve done all you can to soundproof your space, and noise still finds its way in. The next best thing? A noise-canceling headset with a noise-canceling mic.

I was lucky enough to get one before the pandemic hit, back when my old company switched to remote work to cut costs. They upgraded our gear, and let me tell you, the noise-canceling mic was a game-changer.

Even if your kids are fighting in the next room, your coworkers won’t hear a thing. You might still hear it, but at least you won’t have to explain it mid-meeting.

The Jabra Evolve2 USB-A Wired Headset is lightweight, delivers great audio, and blocks out up to 48% of surrounding noise.

View Price On Amazon

 

Maybe you should get a white noise machine.

If all else fails or you just need a little extra peace of mind, a white noise machine can help you stay focused.

I originally bought one to help me sleep, but it ended up saving my sanity during work hours, too. I was tired of complaining to my apartment manager about the neighbors upstairs. They weren’t exactly considerate, and the more I complained, the worse it got.

After some YouTube research, I came across a white noise machine that helped even while I was working. It took about a week to get used to, but now I don’t even think about the noise anymore. And I haven’t made a single complaint to the office in months.

The SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine comes in two colors and is portable, so you can take it anywhere!

View Price On Amazon

 

In Conclusion

I hope these tips on how to soundproof your home office have been helpful. I didn’t figure this stuff out overnight, it was a lot of trial and error. But now that I’ve got my setup right, I wanted to share what’s worked for me with you.

If this has helped you or if you’ve got your soundproofing tips, drop them in the comments below. I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.

Take care, and happy working from home!

If this article has been helpful to you or will be beneficial to someone else, please share and comment below!