Totally agree on the MLV point—it's great stuff for soundproofing, but won't do much for echoes bouncing around your room. Honestly, I've flipped a few houses where just adding a thick rug or some curtains made a huge difference... way cheaper and easier than tearing into drywall again.
"Honestly, I've flipped a few houses where just adding a thick rug or some curtains made a huge difference... way cheaper and easier than tearing into drywall again."
Exactly this. People underestimate how much soft furnishings can soak up sound. I once spent a weekend meticulously installing acoustic panels in a rental property—only to realize later that the tenant's massive sectional couch and bookshelf did 90% of the work anyway. Lesson learned: sometimes the simplest solutions are the best (and cheapest). Unless you're building a recording studio, save yourself the drywall dust and headaches...
"Unless you're building a recording studio, save yourself the drywall dust and headaches..."
Couldn't agree more. Before you dive into major renovations, try this first: toss down a thick area rug, hang some heavy curtains, and maybe add a bookshelf or two. Give it a few days, then reassess. Usually, that's enough to notice a pretty big difference—without the mess of drywall dust everywhere. Learned that one the hard way myself...
Totally get the rug and curtain suggestion—great first step. But if your place is anything like mine (built in 1890, drafty as heck...), sometimes you need more. A few things that helped me:
- Weatherstripping doors/windows—cheap, easy, and surprisingly effective.
- Thick tapestry or quilt on colder walls—bonus points for vintage charm.
- Strategic furniture placement—bookshelves against exterior walls can insulate a bit.
Made my old place feel cozy without losing its character or drowning in renovation dust...
Weatherstripping definitely helps, though I've found it can be hit-or-miss depending on the gaps you're dealing with. Ever tried those clear plastic window insulation kits? They're kinda ugly at first, but surprisingly effective and removable come spring... might be worth a shot?
