I've actually found those heavier-duty isolation mounts surprisingly helpful for furniture, especially larger pieces like dressers or cabinets. It seems odd, but maybe furniture vibrations amplify street noise more than we think...? Could be worth experimenting a bit.
Interesting idea about the furniture mounts... never thought of that angle before. Do you think it's more noticeable with older furniture or maybe certain materials like wood vs metal? I've got this ancient wooden dresser that's basically a noise amplifier at this point, haha. Wonder if isolating it would help quiet things down a bit. Might be worth a weekend experiment to see if it makes any difference.
"I've got this ancient wooden dresser that's basically a noise amplifier at this point, haha."
Haha, I feel you on that one. Honestly though, I'm a bit skeptical that isolating furniture alone would make a huge difference—especially if the noise is coming from outside. I've tried similar stuff with mixed results. But hey, every little bit counts, right? Curious though, have you checked if the dresser's actually vibrating against the wall or floor? Sometimes just adding felt pads or rubber feet underneath can surprisingly quiet things down.
Honestly, I doubt furniture tweaks will really help much if you're dealing with city noise. I've tried the felt pad trick myself—sure, it quieted some rattling—but the real issue was street traffic, sirens, and loud neighbors. Eventually, I bit the bullet and invested in acoustic windows. Not cheap, but made a huge difference compared to curtains or minor furniture fixes. Curtains helped a bit with echo and muffling, but didn't really block the sound itself.
If you're renting or can't afford new windows yet, heavy curtains plus weather stripping around doors and windows can help somewhat. But realistically, if noise is seriously bothering you, acoustic windows or proper soundproofing are probably the only long-term solutions.
You're spot on about acoustic windows being the most effective long-term solution. I've installed quite a few of these for clients dealing with city noise, and the difference is usually night and day. Curtains and weather stripping can help soften things a bit, but they're more like band-aids rather than real fixes.
That said, I totally get that acoustic windows aren't always feasible—especially if you're renting or budgeting carefully. In those cases, combining heavy curtains with some DIY sealing around window frames can at least take the edge off. It won't silence everything completely, but it might make things bearable until you're ready to invest in something more substantial.
Hang in there... city noise can be incredibly frustrating, but you're definitely not alone in this struggle.
I lived downtown for years and tried just about everything to block out traffic noise. Acoustic windows were definitely the best investment I made, but before I could afford them, I layered thick blackout curtains with some foam weather stripping around the frames. Honestly, it wasn't perfect, but it did help me sleep better until I saved up enough for proper windows. City noise is tough... sometimes you just gotta get creative and make do until you can swing a more permanent fix.
Totally agree about acoustic windows being the gold standard—I've installed plenty, and clients always notice a huge difference. But yeah, they're pricey. Your curtain and weather stripping combo is actually pretty clever. Another thing I've seen help is adding some heavy furniture or bookshelves along the noisy wall; it absorbs vibrations surprisingly well. Won't silence everything, but every bit counts when you're desperate for sleep...
"Another thing I've seen help is adding some heavy furniture or bookshelves along the noisy wall; it absorbs vibrations surprisingly well."
Definitely agree with this—bookshelves made a noticeable difference for me too. Also, don't overlook area rugs...they can dampen echoes and vibrations nicely. Every little tweak adds up, especially in older buildings.
Bookshelves do help, but in my experience, they're more effective against vibrations than actual street noise. I installed acoustic windows in my bedroom last year, and the difference was night and day. Curtains can help a bit, sure, but if you're dealing with constant city traffic or sirens...windows are worth the investment. Rugs and furniture tweaks are good secondary measures, but for serious noise issues, structural upgrades usually give the best results.
I've been tempted by acoustic windows, but man, the price tag makes me hesitate. Curtains helped a tiny bit in my place, but honestly, it's still pretty noisy. Bookshelves and rugs are nice touches, but yeah, they're not miracle workers. Maybe I'll bite the bullet eventually on the windows...but for now, earplugs are my best friends, lol.