I'm dealing with some really loud neighbors in my townhouse and I'm curious if filling a bookcase with books along the shared wall can help reduce noise. I've always wanted a cool book wall anyway to look more intellectual. Has anyone tried this, and does it actually work?
3 Answers
Yeah, bookcases can definitely help with soundproofing! Just stacking books on the shelves can absorb some of the noise. I also heard that adding sound reduction blankets to the back of the bookcase can make a huge difference. I did that myself, and it worked wonders!
Definitely, adding some felt sound dampening material to the back of the bookcase can really enhance its effectiveness at reducing noise. Mixing that with your books should help a lot!
While bookcases can provide some sound dampening, keep in mind that sound can sneak through tiny gaps in the wall. If your wall is shared and has no windows, you might want to consider building a full soundproof wall. There are tons of DIY tutorials online for that! Once you do that, you can toss up as many bookcases as you like. But remember, low-frequency sounds like bass might still travel through shared spaces, so fully isolating your home can be tough.
That sounds like a solid idea!