Every single person heading to bed for the night wants to have a tranquil and peaceful sleep. That sometimes is easier said than done, especially if the surrounding area is a little noisier than some people would like.
The good news is that there are ways to make adjustments to just about every part of the bedroom, and the bed itself can be treated to help with sound overall. In fact, soundproofing a headboard is one of the easiest ways to get things back to normal overall.
How exactly can this be done? There are a few methods that work out there, and depending on how much work a person wants to put in, they can see results pretty quickly.
1. Building a Headboard To Help With Sound
It might seem like a huge task to take on, but it is something that a lot of people have been able to pull off without really having too much knowledge as far as construction is concerned. They can purchase a few pieces of supply, follow some instructions, and then go from there.
If a person does not trust their ability to build something on their own, they can also offer to pay someone to do this professionally. It is going to cost a lot more money that way, but it is one way to get something that will last a long time.
1/2 inch sheet of plywood
The body of the headboard does not need to be anything else other than a sheet of plywood. It needs to be a little bit longer than the width of a bed to make sense.
For example, if a person is trying to put together a headboard for a queen bed, it should be 60 inches long or a little longer. As far as he’s concerned, 2 feet is usually sufficient, but people can play around with that height as well.
The sheet of plywood is likely not going to come in the exact size, so it needs cut to fit everything. It might be a bit of a challenge for some people to do any type of cutting themselves, so look for a store that might offer the service.
They might do it for free, or at a very low cost depending on what a person is looking for.
Acoustic Soundproof Tiles
These are the same type of tiles that are used for so many different flat surfaces to help with soundproofing. Acoustic Foam Tiles (Amazon) are pretty affordable, and they are also more comfortable than a lot of people think.
This is good news for those who are building a headboard because no one wants to put themselves up against something that is way too uncomfortable.
Glue
Most people are going to depend on wood glue (Amazon) to put together a headboard and get everything going.
This is a perfect solution for people out there who do not want to have to operate any type of machinery to put everything together. The glue should be sufficient with materials involved with the situation.
Super glue is another option for people if they want to go in that direction. It can work either as dry super glue, or put into a hot glue gun to provide excellent adhesion.
Hanging Cleat
A headboard that is going to be soundproof needs to be mounted to the wall to have the most amount of success. If there is any space between the wall and the headboard, it is going to lose its ability to provide some soundproofing.
A hanging cleat (Amazon) that is heavy-duty enough to hold the headboard is probably the best way to go. There are some other methods out there, but this is the most user-friendly for a secure hold
Steps For Building a Soundproof headboard
The headboard is the base of everything, and using plywood to come together with the right type of shape is essential.
It does not have to be perfect, especially in areas that are going to be covered up with foam and decorative material. As long as it is strong and intact, most people are going to be pretty satisfied.
One way to make the headboard look a little more finished is to use some additional wood around the perimeter to provide some decoration.
This can either be left as is in the end, or it can be painted or covered as another solution. A lot of people are very creative and what they can come up with, and there is no doubt that it is worth putting in the effort to make it stand out a bit more and look finished.
Sanding everything down and painting the headboard is another solution that some people go with. It does not need to be done at the very beginning, but it might be more convenient for people to go that direction.
The headboard needs to be very strong when it is put together, so if there is wood added around the perimeter, make sure that it is secured with a good amount of wood glue.
Tools Needed
Nothing too crazy is needed for tools to build a soundproof headboard but make sure to have a level, tape measure, stud finder, and drill.
There are some other tools some people might end up using, but this is the best way to go.
Attaching The Acoustic Panels
The headboard is starting to come along when the wood is cut and there is a frame around everything. However, the key to soundproofing is, of course, the acoustic foam panels.
They come in a few different colors, so make sure to select the right type that fits the aesthetic and the rest of the room.
Some people go with solid color all around, while others will make sure they switch things up a little and make it look creative. Another option is to switch out the way things are shaped, so they going different directions depending on the setup.
No one should worry about whether or not they are going to be effective overall. As long as there is little to no gap in between them, they are going to provide an efficient amount of soundproofing overall.
Most people are going to be very surprised just how much they are able to accomplish with these panels, but it is something to keep in mind.
It really does not take much more than using glue to attach these foam panels, and if one is starting to come down, just use more the next time.
Make sure to press firmly when each new panel is attached, and let it sit for a little bit before putting it up against the wall.
Some people also put a little bit of weight on top of the panels to keep them in place as well. This is to speed up the attachment process and ensure that they do not end up falling off.
Setting Up The Hanging Cleat
While the headboard and panels are taking time settling in with the glue, this is a perfect time to put the cleat up against a wall behind the bed. This is maybe the most complicated process, just because it involves using a drill and most likely, trying to find a stud.
If a person has no idea on what to do as far as drilling and finding a stud is concerned, this might be time to hire a professional. There also might be a friend or family member who can do this task, and it could possibly save a little bit of money.
Make sure to do proper measurements so that the bed is in the exact location a person wants it. Once the cleat goes up, a person can’t move their bed around that easily. It needs to line up with a wall stud so that it does not damage a wall, so make sure to do that as well.
Once the cleat is in, take a look at the headboard and locate the halfway point not only from side to side but top to bottom. Mark this point with a pencil, and then prepare for the attachment.
Most cleats are going to be just fine as far as handling this amount of weight with a headboard, but just make sure not to skimp and go with a lightweight option.
Purchasing a Soundproofing Headboard
For those who do not feel like they want to create their own, there is the opportunity of purchasing one (Amazon) that has some soundproofing material already installed. It is not going to look quite as primitive, but it does do a pretty good job of helping control sound.
There is not too much of a market for soundproofing headboards at this moment, which is a big reason why people go with their own solutions.
The do-it-yourself method is probably going to be the best bet overall anyway because a person will use a thicker and denser material that will help out.
Some of the best soundproofing headboards are not going to even advertise themselves as providing this type of value. Look for a thick headboard made of dense material that just fits the overall profile.
Soundproofing Material Behind a Headboard
Another solution that some people might turn to that is a little more temporary is to add soundproofing material behind the headboard instead of creating a brand new one.
Maybe they do not want to drill into the wall, or they are not sure just how much of a difference a soundproof headboard will make.
The main difference here is that the acoustic foam panels go on the other side of the headboard instead of the side that people lean up against.
They might feel like they are a little bit hidden, but the downside is that there will not be that closed off gap that works quite the same way.
People can use foam panels, mass loaded vinyl, and other material out there that might help with soundproofing. It is usually not as effective, but it is something worth considering.
Essentially, a person is soundproofing the wall behind the headboard and not the actual headboard, but it works roughly the same.
How Effective Is Soundproofing A Headboard?
Think of soundproofing a headboard as a solution that is part of a bigger fix as far as sound is concerned overall. Do not be someone who thinks that a simple fix with the headboard is going to eliminate all sounds in the room.
People need to explore all the other options that are out there to control sound in a room, including soundproofing the walls, windows, doors, and more. When looking at a bedroom, the windows and the doors are the most vulnerable overall.
A headboard helps to quiet things a bit, and that is especially true if there is a lot of sound coming through then walls.
For a lot of people, they want to make sure that the headboard that they make is a little bit bigger than the average one, because this way, everything is covered in a very effective manner.
Other Helpful Tips For A Peaceful Night Of Sleep
A soundproof headboard is nice, but it loses its effectiveness if it is in a noisy location. There are other ways to silence things a bit when sleeping, and keeping them in mind will help overall.
Tips To Help You Sleep Better!
Focus on Doors and Windows
The two most noisy areas in any bedroom is going to be the doors and the windows. They are simply not as strong as the walls, and this is where sound can creep in.
It is very important to use a soundproof headboard, but it is just as essential to make sure that there is soundproofing material at least in these two areas as well.
For windows, soundproof curtains (Amazon) make the most sense. They are easy to hang up, are very inexpensive, and they are pretty useful right away.
Treating the doors is a little bit more difficult, as it usually includes adding a door sweep or some type of soundproofing material.
Some people will put the material inside the door, while others will put it on the outside. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but most people will find a solution that works for them.
Block Out Noise With Other Noises
A soundproof headboard is usually initially looked into because there is some type of noise that is bothering people while they are sleeping.
It might be on the other side of the wall, especially if it is a shared wall in a condo or apartment. If that is the case, there is an easy solution of trying to block out that noise with something else.
Use a white noise machine, playing music, or come up with some other solution is pretty effective overall.
Strategically Locate The Bed
Some people do not have much flexibility overall on where they put the bed in a bedroom. Others are a little more fortunate, and they can put the bed wherever they want to avoid the sound.
If there is a particularly noisy wall in a person’s bedroom, it makes sense to try to be as far away from that area as possible.
To help, even more, treat that wall with soundproofing material, And the noise can largely be eliminated. It is might not always work for everyone, but it is worth a try.
Talk With The Neighbor
This might not always work for some people, but it is worth a try if there is any type of relationship with a neighbor and the sound is coming from them.
There is a very good chance that they might not even realize how much noise they are making, and how easy it is to hear on the other side. Maybe they have put their TV in a certain location, or a speaker is right up against a shared wall.
Try to approach the situation pretty delicately, just explaining how noise is bothering everything at night. It might seem like a lot of complaining and something that might come off the wrong way, but most people are pretty understanding overall.
The last thing a person should try to do is fight a lot of sound with more sound. This is a good way to create a lot of tension between neighbors, and generally not recommended overall.
There are so many people out there who start to get frustrated with who they are living next to. It does not do anyone any good to continually be at war.
It Is a Soundproof Headboard Ultimately Worth The Effort?
Making a soundproofing headboard is fairly straightforward, and it allows people to be a bit creative with how it looks in the end.
The other option is to make a purchase, and the soundproof headboards really do not end up costing that much more than some of the other premium options out there.
Does it make a huge difference by itself? More likely than not, people are going to be a bit underwhelmed by the amount of change. This is because a person is only soundproofing a small amount of area, but it is an area that is very vulnerable.
Only if there is a lot of noise in a particular area and other solutions do not work should a person make their own soundproof headboard right away?
It is a great way to control sound and try to be in charge of the entire situation, but it might not be necessary if other solutions can work just fine.