Everyone needs a safe place where they can relax and unwind away from the chaos of the outside world. It is a refuge providing feelings of warmth and familiarity. Without this security and privacy, an individual’s health and well-being may suffer. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), poor housing conditions can increase one’s risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. That is why a lot of people invest in improving their home environment. They want their homes to be where they feel the happiest and most loved.

For families or roommates living together, it might not be possible to have the whole house serve as their sanctuary. Sudden distractions and noise can perpetuate the space, especially during busy and hectic days. It could be your partner practising her presentation about different marketing strategies in a loud voice or your mother bugging you to install stormwater trench grating in time for the rainy season. When this happens, it pays to have a private space all to yourself. For most people, their bedroom becomes their solace in the house.

One way to improve privacy in the bedroom is to make it soundproof because it can block persistent noise pollution. You are guaranteed moments of peace within those four walls, especially when it’s time to get a good night’s sleep (or ignore the nagging from everyone). Here are some practical ways to turn your bedroom into a soundproof oasis:

Opt for hardwood panels and flooring

A sound is resilient. As long as there are gaps and creaks where air can pass, you will hear whatever ruckus is happening outside. Choosing solid hardwood flooring can help mitigate the perseverance of sound because its density doesn’t trigger reverberation. Meanwhile, due to hardwood’s acoustic properties, the sound will be distributed evenly around the room, which will dampen its loudness. Other lightweight materials like laminate or floating floor installations might look nice, but they do nothing in absorbing the sound. Flooring that is nailed down or glued also does an excellent job in lessening oscillation.

Be smart about room decor

You don’t have to choose between aesthetics and soundproof quality when identifying materials for improving the bedroom. When placed against shared walls, room furniture like bookshelves and closets can act as sound barriers because they add another layer that can absorb noise. The more filled they are, the more they become effective, which is excellent news if you’re looking for excuses to buy a lot of books or clothes. Another trick is to hang a lot of canvas art and tapestries because they are made of thick materials that will plug sound leaks.

Drown unwelcome sounds with your preferred tunes

Sometimes, threats to the budget and security deposit can hinder significant improvements in having a soundproof bedroom. If this happens, one cheap way to ignore unwelcome noise is to drown it out with your preferred sounds, such as catchy pop songs or calming nature sounds. A good noise-cancellation headphone or Bluetooth speaker is more affordable and practical than installing permanent fixtures that can get you in trouble with the landlord.

The privacy of one’s bedroom should be protected from distractions and noise, whether it’s through hardwood floors, room decorations, or music.