How to Soundproof a Room at Home - Affordable Australian Solutions
Introduction
With more Australians working from home, setting up media rooms, or simply wanting a quieter living space, the need to soundproof a room has become increasingly common.
Whether you're taking Zoom calls, recording audio, or trying to block out noise from the rest of the house, there are several practical ways to reduce sound transmission without major renovations.
In this guide, we’ll walk through simple, affordable soundproofing solutions you can find at local hardware stores, along with one of the most effective upgrades — installing a proper door to seal the space.
What Does “Soundproofing” Actually Mean?
Before getting started, it’s important to understand that most home solutions don’t completely eliminate sound — instead, they reduce sound transfer.
There are two main goals:
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Block sound from entering or leaving a room
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Absorb sound within the room to reduce echo
The best results come from combining both approaches.
1. Seal the Biggest Gap – The Doorway
In most homes, the biggest source of noise leakage is not the walls — it’s the door opening.
Many study rooms, hallway spaces, or converted areas either:
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have no door at all
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have large gaps around the door
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use lightweight hollow doors
Why This Matters
Sound travels through air gaps. Even a small gap under a door can allow a significant amount of noise through.
Effective Solution
Installing a well-sealed door system can make a dramatic difference.
For example, an acoustic folding door / concertina door like ACOUSTICflo can:
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close off open-plan spaces
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reduce sound transfer between rooms
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maintain flexibility (open when not needed)
This is especially useful for:
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home offices
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study rooms
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media rooms
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multi-purpose living spaces
👉 You can also explore our guide on folding door applications here - Best Places to Install Folding Doors at Home & How Folding Doors are Used in Homes
Folding doors / Concertina doors are mostly compact doors, that can be easily installed as replacement for swing doors or bifold doors. We explain the differences between folding doors / concertina doors / accordion doors and bi-fold doors in our comprehensive guide.
2. Add Door Seals (Quick Win)
If you already have a door, sealing the gaps is one of the easiest improvements.
You can find products at major Australian hardware stores like Bunnings Warehouse and Mitre 10, including:
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adhesive door seals
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brush seals
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door snakes (for temporary fixes)
These help reduce:
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sound leakage
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drafts
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light gaps
3. Use Acoustic Wall Panels or Battens
Walls reflect sound, which creates echo and allows noise to bounce around.
Easy Options Available Locally
From hardware retailers, you can install:
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wall battens
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decorative acoustic panels
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acoustic / sound dampening slat panels - example here
These:
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improve sound absorption
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reduce echo inside the room
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enhance the look of the space
This is ideal for:
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home offices
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podcast rooms
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gaming setups
4. Upgrade Flooring and Soft Furnishings
Hard surfaces reflect sound, while soft materials absorb it.
Simple Improvements
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Rugs or carpets - some with acoustic ratings - example here
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Curtains or blinds
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Fabric furniture
These are all easy to source from everyday retailers and can significantly reduce noise levels.
Why It Works
Soft materials help:
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absorb sound waves
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reduce echo
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improve overall room acoustics
5. Treat Windows and Glass Areas
Glass surfaces are another common source of sound leakage.
Options Include:
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thick curtains
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double-layer blinds
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window seals
Even basic upgrades can help reduce external noise entering the room.
6. Create a Fully Enclosed Room
For the best results, you need to create a fully enclosed space.
This means addressing:
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doors - with seals or an insulative / acoustic door
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walls
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flooring
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ceiling (if required)
In many homes, the missing piece is simply a proper door to close off the space.
Real Example: Creating a Quiet Home Office
In a recent residential project, a homeowner needed to convert an open study area into a quiet work-from-home space.
The room had no door, allowing noise from the hallway to travel freely.
By installing our acoustic accordion door, the ACOUSTICflo, the homeowner was able to:
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create a private workspace
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reduce noise during meetings
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maintain flexibility when the door is open
Advice was also given regarding soft furnishings and acoustic panelling to help with noise transfer through walls and echoing inside the room.​
This type of solution is becoming increasingly popular in Australian homes.
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Best Rooms to Soundproof at Home
Soundproofing is particularly useful for:
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Home offices
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Study rooms
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Media rooms / home theatres
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Bedrooms
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Gaming rooms
Each of these spaces benefits from reduced noise and improved comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you fully soundproof a room at home?
A: Complete soundproofing is difficult without major construction, but you can significantly reduce noise with the right combination of solutions.
Q: What is the cheapest way to reduce noise in a room?
A: Adding door seals, rugs, curtains and wall panels are some of the most affordable ways to improve sound control.
Q: Do doors make a big difference for soundproofing?
A: Yes. Doors are often the biggest weak point. A well-sealed door can dramatically reduce sound transfer.
Q: Are folding doors good for soundproofing?
A: Acoustic folding doors can help reduce sound while allowing flexibility in how spaces are used - read our complete guide on folding doors in Australia, and go here for information on prices of internal folding doors in Australia.
Soundproofing a Room in Adelaide
Many Adelaide homes feature open-plan layouts, which can make it difficult to create quiet workspaces. Installing a concertina door with top and bottom seals as well as acoustic foam, as well as and adding soft furnishings can significantly improve acoustic comfort.
Soundproofing a Room in Darwin
Darwin homeowners and businessowners often convert spare rooms into offices or media rooms, or use doors to insulate rooms from the heat; in commercial spaces, they also use our concertina doors to create private consultation and meeting rooms. Soundproofing solutions help reduce noise in high-density living environments.
Commercial - Acoustic Folding Door for a Function Space in Perth
Our customers in Perth used our ACOUSTICflo doors to create a function space in their club, creating a new revenue stream with options of smaller function space or a whole large ballroom when required. Our doors are the most slimline, easy-to-install and cost-effective soundproof concertina doors in the market for its size and cost.
Creating versatility, privacy and enjoyment areas in the home is highly important, particularly post-COVID when more and more people are working from home, and with the growing trend of immersive entertainment at home with the boom of streaming services for movies, sports and quality audio-system setups, an acoustic folding door and various other ways we share above would help to elevate the in-home living experience and requirements.
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If you are thinking of doing the same, and have some ideas of how you would like to use folding doors in your home, send us an enquiry, and one of our folding door specialists will help to assess your existing system / space and explore options suited to your budget and function requirements.
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More information:
• Our Concertina Folding Door Range
• COMFORTflo - improve home value and energy efficiency
• ACOUSTICflo - soundproof folding door product information
• Our Residential Concertina Door Applications
• Our Commercial Concertina Door Applications
