Should I Soundproof Our Noisy Shared Apartment Without Telling My Roommates?

A 28-year-old woman is at her breaking point in a shared apartment, and it’s not because she can’t handle roommates. It’s because one roommate is running loud video calls all day, while the other keeps blasting music during work breaks, and the noise has turned her work-from-home routine into nonstop chaos.

The complicated part? They all agreed on noise levels before moving in. The OP tried the polite route, asking for quieter volumes, and it only worked temporarily. Now she’s researching affordable soundproofing solutions and wants to install them without telling her roommates, worried they’ll argue, interfere, or stop the plan entirely.

So the real question becomes: is she protecting her focus, or is she about to create a bigger fight?

Original Post

I (28F) live in a shared apartment with two roommates (both 26F). We all work from home due to the pandemic, and it's been tough trying to focus with the constant noise in our place.

One roommate has loud video calls all day, while the other loves blasting music during work breaks. For background, we discussed noise levels before moving in, agreeing to keep it down during work hours.

However, that agreement seems forgotten now. I've tried politely asking for quieter volumes, but it only works temporarily.

It's affecting my productivity and mental health. I've done some research and found affordable soundproofing solutions for our rooms.

My plan is to install them without telling my roommates to avoid conflict or them trying to stop me. I believe it's a reasonable solution that benefits all of us, but I also understand they might feel hurt by being excluded from the decision.

So, WIBTA for setting up soundproofing in our shared apartment without consulting my roommates, even though it's for the greater good of our work environment?

The Roommate Agreement Fallout

This situation perfectly illustrates the tension that can arise in shared living spaces, especially when initial agreements about noise levels are forgotten. The OP’s frustration with her roommates' disruptive video calls and meetings highlights a common struggle many face while working from home. It’s not just about the noise; it’s about the underlying respect—or lack thereof—for each other's work environment.

When she considers soundproofing without consulting them, it raises questions about autonomy versus communal living. Is it fair to take drastic measures unilaterally, or does this further strain their relationship? The potential for conflict here is palpable, as it taps into the struggle between personal comfort and shared responsibility.

The apartment’s original “keep it down during work hours” agreement lasted about as long as one of those loud video calls before it fell apart.

Comment from u/Sleepy_Tea_Lover

NTA - they clearly broke the initial agreement, so it's fair to take matters into your own hands.

Comment from u/PopcornWitch_99

NTA - They had their chance to respect the shared space. Install that soundproofing and enjoy some peace!

Comment from u/Adventure_Seeker07

You're definitely NTA. Your mental well-being matters too, and it's a practical solution to a shared problem.

Comment from u/MusicLover_88

NTA - Sounds like a smart move to create a better working environment for everyone. They'll thank you later!

After her quiet requests only worked temporarily, the OP is done waiting for either roommate to suddenly respect the schedule.

Comment from u/Doggo_Fanatic42

NTA - It's your space too, and you deserve to feel comfortable while working. Get that soundproofing and block out the noise!

This is similar to the roommate who tried enforcing quiet hours and caused tension.

Comment from u/MoonlightDreamer

NTA - Your roommates need to be considerate of others sharing the space. Improving the environment benefits everyone in the long run.

Comment from u/CoffeeAndBooks22

NTA - Your peace of mind is important. They've shown disregard for the agreement, so it's reasonable to take action to fix the situation.

Now it’s the OP’s plan versus her roommates’ feelings, because installing soundproofing without warning could make it feel like she’s excluding them.

Comment from u/Pizza_Addict123

NTA - Sometimes, you have to prioritize your own sanity. Hopefully, the soundproofing helps all of you in the end.

Comment from u/StarGazingDreamer

Honestly, NTA. Your roommates should understand the impact of their noise on your work. Hopefully, this solution benefits everyone.

Comment from u/AdventureBound_01

NTA - Your roommates should respect the need for a quiet working space. Installing soundproofing is a practical step to establish boundaries.

Meanwhile, the roommate blasting music and the one on calls are still living like the noise rules never existed, which is exactly why she’s tempted to act first.

What's your opinion on this situation? Join the conversation!.

The OP’s dilemma also sits in a moral grey area—on one hand, her need for a quiet workspace is valid, yet her decision to soundproof without telling her roommates could be seen as undermining their shared living agreement. This kind of conflict can easily spiral, especially when emotions run high over work-life balance during a pandemic.

What makes the community's reaction interesting is how divided opinions are on whether she should proceed without her roommates' knowledge. Some argue for individual needs in a shared space, while others caution against breaking trust. It’s a situation that forces everyone to grapple with how to prioritize personal peace in a communal setting.

The Takeaway

This story really resonates because it taps into the broader experience of remote work in shared living situations.

What It Comes Down To

The situation in this article highlights the tension that can arise in shared living spaces, especially when previous agreements about noise levels are ignored. The 28-year-old woman feels justified in considering soundproofing because her roommates' disruptive behaviors—like loud video calls and music—have overshadowed their initial pact. This dilemma underscores a common struggle: balancing personal comfort with communal respect, particularly in a time when everyone is working from home. Her choice to act independently may stem from a desire to reclaim her space and sanity, yet it risks straining their relationship further.

If the noise agreement keeps getting ignored, she might as well stop asking permission and start protecting her own work time.

Before you drill in extra soundproofing, consider how OP split rent unequally for chronic insomnia. Read what happened when disruptive roommates wrecked sleep.