15 Effective Ways On How To Soundproof A Closet

Playing a musical instrument like a guitar in the house or garage will disturb your neighbors or other family members of your house. You want some space to play a musical instrument comfortably without knowing anyone. 

So do you have a walk-in closet? If yes, then soundproof it to get rid of the solution.

So, how to soundproof a closet? You can soundproof a closet in various ways, like sealing cracks, using acoustic panels, or installing thick carpet on the floor.

The article discusses how to soundproof a closet. So you can keep scrolling through this article to learn how you can soundproof your walk-in closet and concentrate on some productive work.

How To Soundproof A Closet?

Soundproofing is essential for recording music or playing a drum or guitar. A walk-in closet is just not to keep organizing your clothes. It is a beautiful space to spend time alone and do productive work without disturbances.

Soundproofing your walk-in closet involves simple steps. However, it will not eliminate the noise levels.

Now let’s discuss various ways by which you can soundproof your closet.

1. Weather Strip Your Door

Having a walk-in closet is a beautiful thing. You can soundproof it and do your office work or play any musical instrument without disturbing your neighbors or family members.

So if you wish to soundproof your walk-in closet, start with a door. It is because the door is the main culprit for entering and leaving sound.

Weatherstripping the door frame is one of the most effective and affordable ways to soundproof your walk-in closet. Buy stick-on weather stripping from the hardware store and apply it on your door frame to soundproof your closet.

It’s best to use foam weather strips on the sides and top of the door frame. Use metal weather strips on the bottom of the door frame to seal the air.

We are discussing below a step-by-step guide on how you can apply a weather strip on the door frame.

• You need first to measure the door frame. Try to take a measuring tape and measure the width and height of the door frame.
• Buy foam weatherstripping from the local hardware store and cut it according to your measurement.
• If you have earlier applied any weatherstripping, then remove it with the help of a putty knife.
• Stick your weatherstripping on every side of the door frame.
• Stretch the weather stripping properly to prevent gaps between two strips.
• Now when you close the door, you will observe a tight seal. This tight seal will prevent the airborne sound from entering your walk-in closet.

2. Seal Cracks 

You need to observe cracks on your closet’s walls, floor, and ceiling properly. These cracks will allow sound waves to enter and leave the closet easily. So your duty should be to seal them so that it will create a barrier for the sound waves and moisture.

Well you can seal it in various ways. We are discussing them below.

• Caulking

Caulking will create an air-tight seal and prevent sound waves from entering and leave from any cracks. Try to purchase silicon-based caulking and apply it on the cracks to get effective results.

•  Acoustic sealant

You can use acoustic sealant to fill the gaps or cracks in the walls, ceiling, or floor. It is available in liquid or spray form.

Acoustic sealant can not only help to minimize noise pollution but also increase the insulation inside the closet.

• Spray Foam

Spray foam usually expands when it comes in contact with air. You can apply them on any cracks to get effective results.

The spray foam is better than caulking or sealant. It will even last for a longer time.

3. Install A New Layer Of Drywall

You can install another layer of drywall in the walk-in closet to soundproof it.

Drywalls are made from gypsum boards and attached to the wood studs with the help of nails and screws. Most homes have at least one layer of drywall. But installing another layer of drywall can help to minimize noise better.

You can use a sound-dampening compound like green-blue between two dry layers for effective results.

4. Acoustic Panels

You can install acoustic panels on your wall to minimize noise levels. These panels don’t block sound; instead, they absorb the sound.

Acoustic panels are available in various colors and designs. So you can purchase the one that matches the decor or style of your closet. Some acoustic panels are wrapped with fabric.

Installing these acoustic panels can help to add a royal touch to your walk-in closet. You can even use acoustic panels on your ceiling to reduce noise.

These panels are available at an affordable rate and are made from mineral wool, rock wool, or fiberglass, which are great for minimizing noise. They will even help to insulate your walk-in closet.

But there is one limitation to using acoustic panels. They don’t cover much areas. Hence, you must buy various acoustic panels to cover your walk-in closet’s entire wall or ceiling.

5. Foam Panels

Have you planned your walk-in closet to make a recording studio? If yes, then use a foam panel on your wall.

These panels are made from polystyrene or polyurethane and help to minimize noise levels. 

Sound requires a medium to travel and can readily travel through the air. 

For instance, if someone is watching TV on the other side of your closet, that sound may disturb you. So you need to block the unnecessary sound.

The foam panels trap air inside the cellular structure. So the air can no more vibrate and make noise inside the closet.

Some foam panels are available with adhesives. So you can easily install them.

The best thing about foam panels is that they cover large areas when installed on your walls or ceiling.  

6. Add Bass Traps

The low-frequency sound produced by the drum gets collected in the corner of your closet and bounces in the room. It creates an unpleasant sound which is quite disturbing for neighbors and other family members. 

So if you are playing any musical instrument, place bass traps on the corners. They are made from acoustic foam, polyester foam, mineral wool, or fiber glass.

The bass traps are designed in such a way that they will not block sounds; instead, they will absorb the sound waves. Hence you can peacefully play any musical instrument without the fear of sound going outside and disturbing anyone. Place bass traps on every corner of your closet to get effective results.

7. Soundproof Your Floor

Soundproofing your floor is essential otherwise; the floorboards can transmit the sound waves easily. You can install MLV(Mass loaded vinyl sheets ) on the closet floor and then lay carpet underlayment and a thick carpet to absorb maximum impact noise.

We are discussing a step-by-step guide on how you can soundproof your floor.

• You need to first clean your floor thoroughly with soap and water. Removing all the dust and debris helps to adhere to MLV sheets better.
• Clean your floor with normal water and allow it to dry.
• Cut the MLV sheets into the size of your floor and then install them. Overlapping ML sheets will not create any problems. You can secure the MLV sheets with the help of adhesive or double-sided tape. Try to cover the floor entirely with MLV sheets for effective results.
• Lay a carpet underlayment just above the MLV sheets. It is a thick material that will provide insulation and better soundproof your walk-in closet. Carpet underlayments are either made from foam or rubber. They come in rolls; you need to cut them according to the floor size. Secure it with the help of adhesive or double-sided tape. 
• Purchase a thick carpet according to your floor size and lay it just above the carpet underlayment. You can secure it with the help of a carpet stapler. You may install baseboards just beneath the wall to hide the edges of the carpet.

8. Install Soundproof Blankets on Walls

Installing soundproof blankets on walls is another best way to soundproof your closet. They are made from fiberglass and dramatically help to reduce noise. The best thing about the soundproof blanket is that they are lightweight and easily installed.

Try always to purchase thick blankets for better soundproofing your closet.

The soundproof blankets absorb almost all noise, and thus you can safely concentrate on your work. But don’t leave any space between the two soundproof blankets while installing them on the wall. A small gap can make all your effort worthless.

Here is a step-by-step guide regarding the installation of soundproof blankets.

• Your first duty is to measure the length and width of your closet properly with a measuring tape.
• Purchase soundproof blankets according to the measurements. Try to purchase some extra for overlapping at the top and bottom of the wall.
• Hang the blankets on the wall. You can use tape to secure the places where the blanket will overlap with each other.

9. Install Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is an alternative to carpet flooring. You can cut the rubber into the size of your floor and install it. Rubber rolls are durable and help to absorb sound waves. You can install them on both your floor and the ceiling.

Rubber comes in the form of rolls. They are available in various colors, so you can choose the one that matches the color and style of your walk-in closet.

Rubber floors are durable and can be installed easily on tiles, concrete, wood, or any surface. Some rubber flooring comes with adhesives. You can purchase them if you dislike installing rubber on your floor permanently.

Also Read : How To Soundproof A Room For Drums

10. Install Mass Loaded Vinyl Sheets

Mass-loaded vinyl sheets are the most common and affordable way to soundproof your floor or ceiling. They are made from vinyl and loaded with mass like Barium sulfate or other materials.

We have listed below the installation of MLV sheets.

• You need to cut the MLV sheets into the proper size.
• Use some adhesive on the back of the sheet
• Attach it to either floor or ceiling to absorb sound.

11. Install Door Sweep

A gap beneath the closet door can enter the sound waves easily. So you need to seal it.

You can install a door sweep in that place to soundproof your closet.

Door sweeps are usually made from rubber or cork. They are even durable and prevent the sound waves from the closet from going outside and vice versa.

We have listed a step-by-step guide regarding the installation of a door sweep.

• Remove the door from the hinges.
• Remove the old door sweep if you have installed it before
• Clean that place properly to remove dust and dirt
• Install the new door sweep with screws.
• Install the door back in place.

12. Purchase A Noise Cancelling Headphone

You can purchase a noise-canceling headphone that will help block the ambient noise inside your walk-in closet. It has a built-in microphone which catches the outside noise and cancels it.

13. Add Reflection Filter

You can add a reflection filter to your closet. It will absorb the sound waves before they bounce on any surface and reflect all over the closet.

We recommend using a reflection filter if you want to record your voice inside the walk-in closet. It can make you sound clear and professional.

However, you need to remember a few things before installing a reflection filter in your walk-in closet.

• Consider The Filter Size

If you prefer to buy a large reflection filter, it will absorb sound effectively. But transporting from one place to another will be expensive and difficult.

• Consider Material

You will find a reflection filter of various materials. Again every material has a different capacity to absorb sound. So you must consider the material that will work on your desired frequency range.

• Space Of Closet

You will observe that reflection filters are curved and block sound evenly. They work best in small closets. If you install them in the large walk-in closet, they may not be effective.

14. Use Soundproof Paint

Are you trying to convert your walk-in closet into a recording studio? If yes, then you must take care of echo and reverberation.

Try to use soundproof paint on the walls of your closet. It is water-based latex paint which can effectively dampen the sound waves.

You can even use acoustic wallpaper along with soundproof paint for better results.

15. Never Forget About Ceiling

You should never forget about the ceiling in your closet. It can be the primary source for the noise to travel inside your closet.

You can soundproof your ceiling in various ways. We have listed them below.

• Install drywall on your ceiling to increase the mass. It will help to reduce noise.
• Add mass-loaded vinyl sheets on the ceiling
• Add soundproof insulation to reduce sound.
• Seal all the holes and cracks on your ceiling so that sound waves can enter it.

Advantages Of Soundproofing Your Closet

1. Increase Your Privacy

If you want to talk over call and keep conversations private, then a soundproof closet will help you. Additionally, f you wish to record music or play any musical instrument without disturbing anyone, then you can use a soundproof closet to do such things. The best thing is by soundproofing your closet; you can increase your privacy.

2. Promotes Better Sleep

Are you staying with your noisy roommates? If yes, you can use the soundproof closet to have sound sleep.

3. Increase Your Home Value

Soundproofing your closet will increase the home value if your house is near a noisy source. Buyers will be more interested in buying a house with a soundproof room in that locality.

Conclusion

Having a walk-in closet is an excellent thing. But it is not meant only for keeping clothes in an organized way. You can do various things inside a walk-in closet, like play any musical instrument, have private conversations, or record professional audio. 

But you cannot record professional audio if sound waves peep inside the closet at the recording time. 

Soundproofing your walk-in closet may help you to get rid of the problem. We have explained various ways by which you can soundproof your closet. Try to adopt some ideas from this article and implement them in your closet to soundproof it.

FAQ : How To Soundproof A Closet