Just when you think you can finally sneak away, a scooter roars by outside, waking your precious little one. I know that feeling. From a full renovation to soft furnishings, there are ways to mitigate the noise and create a quieter, more restful space for your baby—and hopefully, better nights for you.
Here are your options to soundproof a baby’s room.
Renovate the Nursery
Anthony Williams of Pillar Management Group in Miami, FL, says that there are many ways to create a quieter and calmer nursery (or your own bedroom, if your baby still sleeps beside you like mine does).
“The first step in soundproofing any room is to address its weakest points,” Williams says. “Often, sound leaks in through cracks, thin walls, or shared surfaces.”
If renovation is on the budget, here are a few tips. If not, skip to the DIY section.
Soundproof the Walls
Seal the gaps: Williams recommends checking around baseboards, electrical outlets, and where walls meet windows or doors. Use an acoustic sealant or caulk. “If you can see light through a gap, sound can get through too. Focus on those first,” Williams says.
This is one of the best ways to also prevent noise from escaping the nursery if you want to avoid disturbing the rest of the household or your neighbors.
Insulate: George Longtin of Longtin’s Property Services in Massena, NY, recommends insulation as one of the best soundproofing methods. Plus, it helps maintain a comfortable temperature for your little one.
Install resilient channels: Resilient channels are metal strips that create a small gap between drywall and wall studs, reducing vibrations and sound transfer.
Apply soundproofing paint or wallpaper: Although its impact is relatively small, soundproofing paint adds a thin layer of noise reduction. They’re often available in pastels, so if you’re going for baby blue or baby pink, there’s no reason to pick regular paint instead.
Soundproof the Floors
Williams stresses that noise often travels vertically—for ultimate soundproofing, don’t forget about your nursery floors.
Install a carpet with padding: Not only are carpets comfortable for small feet, but they also reduce echoes and muffle footsteps from other rooms. Moreover, a dense foam layer under your rugs will give extra soundproofing and comfort.
Install an acoustic floor underlayment: Installing cork or rubber underlayment beneath flooring materials like laminate or hardwood is another solution.
Soundproof the Ceiling
Install acoustic ceiling tiles or soundproofing layers: “If ceiling noise is an issue, acoustic tiles or a drop ceiling with soundproofing layers can help,” advises Williams.
Install insulation above the ceiling: Longtin recommended insulating the walls, but if you can, it won’t hurt to go the extra step and insulate the ceiling as well.
DIY Tricks to Soundproof the Nursery
If you can’t or don’t want to renovate the nursery right now, it’s not a problem. There are plenty of DIY quick fixes you can do instead.
“Even small changes can transform a noisy space into a peaceful retreat,” advises Williams. “For nurseries and bedrooms, focus on soft materials like rugs, curtains, and acoustic panels for a calm, cozy atmosphere.”
Try white noise first: If your surroundings aren’t too noisy, white noise might be all the soundproofing you need. I had doubts about this one, but the first time I played white noise for my son when he was a newborn, it worked almost instantly. We’ve been using it ever since.
We live in a pretty quiet neighborhood, but on the occasion that there’s a ruckus outside, the white noise machine does the trick to keep the room a calming space.
You can get a white noise machine, but honestly, playing white noise off YouTube on your phone works too. Just be careful not to play a video with ads—I learned the hard way. Alternatively, when the weather is warm, I even find that turning on a fan does the trick.
Hang stuff on the walls: Williams suggests fabric-wrapped acoustic panels as a DIY-friendly solution that also enhances the nursery. There are also alternative options, like corkboards.
Honestly, who doesn’t love a little nursery art? Pick a theme and go with it. Whether it’s framed prints, soft fabric art, or decorative acoustic panels, the more you cover your walls, the better your chances of reducing noise from outside and containing sounds inside.
Add a thick, plush rug: Thick, soft rugs absorb a significant amount of sound.
We got a plushy, white rug because I thought it was super soft and cozy, and it matched the “sheep” theme of the nursery. I didn’t even realize it could have soundproofing qualities at the time.
A bigger rug than the one I got would have been even better. Aim for a rug covering 60 to 70% of the nursery floor’s size for the best results.
Interlocking foam mats: Affordable and easy to clean, interlocking foam mats work well both for playtime and for absorbing impact noise.
Add soft furniture: The more you fill up the nursery, the less noise will travel through it. Think pillows, plushies, and bookshelves. They’ll not only make your nursery look a lot cuter but also prevent noise from getting in and escaping.
I also suggest you position the crib wisely, not close to any noisy rooms or windows.
For more tips on reducing noise in other parts of your home, check out my article on How to Soundproof a Room.
Soundproof Nursery Doors and Windows
Doors and windows are often the thinnest barriers in your nursery, letting in street noise and letting out those soft nighttime lullabies. However, there are ways to contain the noise here as well.
Hang mass: Hanging vinyl, blankets, or curtains works on doors and windows, too.
Install weatherproofing and door sweeps: In Williams’ words, weatherproofing like sealant, caulk, and weatherstripping is “your first line of defense,” and door sweeps are “the bouncers of your threshold.”
Install professional-grade sealing equipment: Acoustic door gaskets and thresholds can add 35% to 55% noise reduction. A full professional-grade seal is a “complete sensory lockdown,” according to Williams.
Apply soundproofing paint: If soundproofing paint sounds like a good idea, the door is a good candidate.
Use window inserts: “Window inserts offer almost the same noise reduction as replacing the window—at a fraction of the cost,” Williams says.
Replace your doors and windows: Solid-core doors are the best choice. Longtin recommends triple-pane Low-E Argon windows.
Pick soundproof shutters: Soundproof shutters can also help block outside noise while adding style. I’m not sure if our shutters are even soundproof (we got them from the previous tenants), but they’re made out of wood and are really thick. Not only do they block out the light well, but I’m pretty sure they act as a decent sound barrier.
Want to learn more about keeping noise out through your doors and windows? Don’t miss my articles on How to Soundproof a Door and How to Soundproof a Window.
FAQ
It’s necessary, or at least beneficial, to some degree. How much soundproofing you need depends on your baby and your situation. Our bedroom only really needs white noise and shutters, while others may need a full renovation with extra drywall.
Anything over 50 decibels can disrupt a baby’s sleep. For context, that’s about the level of a quiet conversation, so keeping noise levels low is crucial.
However, take numbers with a grain of salt. Sometimes, our baby can easily sleep through a conversation at night if he’s really tired. Other times, the tiniest noise will wake him up. This depends on your baby and might change as he or she grows.
You know your baby best, but a quiet sleeping environment (especially at night) is always helpful.
When to Call a Soundproofing Pro
If you find that your little one could benefit from more than white noise and shutters, it may be time to call a soundproofing professional about renovation options. They’ll assess the space for personalized solutions that will work for you.
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Read next:
- Crib Mattress Size Guide: What to Know as a New Parent
- Bassinet or Crib: Which is Best for Your Baby?
- What to Know About Bassinets
Main Image: A vibrant green nursery features a white cradle, toys, and colorful flags. Photo Credit: Michael / Adobe Stock
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