Sound Proofing/Reducing Basement Living noise for Upstairs

Hi!

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but I live in a basement room that is open, with stairs without a door leading to the top level of an apartment, where two roommates live above me.

They constantly complain about sounds (they are particularly obnoxious, even claiming my 'humming' disturbs them). That said, I'm stuck on this lease until August and was wondering if you have any tips as to how I can close off my basement or do something else to reduce the noise that travels upstairs, to help my situation a little.

Can attach a pic if necessary! Thanks

 

Assuming you can't do alterations like adding a real door, I'd try heavy-ish curtains on a spring rod to close off the stairway. Won't help much, but might be enough.

 

Welcome to the forums! Being an apartment and not owned by you, I would hesitate to make any permanent changes to avoid problems with the landlord. You could ask the landlord to install a door at the head of the stairs, or do as Paul mentioned by hanging heavy curtains both at the bottom and top of the stairs.

Unless the roommates are Trappist Monks, I am sure they make their own noise . That being said, monitor yourself to make sure you are not making an inordinate amount of noise. Sometimes we don't realize it, but noise travels well in closed in spaces.

 

Curtain was my thought as well. And then different roommates at the next place....