Noisy House? 17 Tips For A Quieter, More Peaceful Home

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Is your house falling short of being the tranquil retreat you envisioned when you bought it? Are you lamenting the unrealized dreams of cozy nights by the fire or curling up on the couch with a captivating novel thanks to a busy freeway, nearby train tracks, or your unfortunate proximity to the airport?

Or maybe your noisy house is due to what’s happening inside of your four walls, including rambunctious children, a spouse that loves loud movies, and a dog that barks whenever the mood strikes. You’re not planning to move any time soon, so how do you make your house quieter?

1. Use Surfaces That Absorb Sound

Have you ever listened to how your voice echoes when you speak in an empty room? This is because there’s nothing present to absorb any sound. Therefore, the sound waves all bounce off of the hard surfaces throughout the room, creating more noise. Adding soft surfaces using items like rugs, curtains, upholstered furniture, throw pillows, and blankets helps absorb sound and make your space quieter.

2. Include A Water Feature

If your home’s noise level comes from outside sources like traffic, trains, or environmental clamor, install a water feature to help mask these sounds and replace them with a soothing alternative. Use a fountain, water wall, or similar feature to add a calm trickle or rippling waves. An indoor fountain is also a good way to help drown out unwanted noises from other areas inside or outside the home.

3. Seal Gaps And Cracks

Go through your home and make sure any gaps or cracks are sealed. Use caulk to seal around windows and doors. Gaps in these areas are often the primary source of annoying noise from outside. You get the added benefit of making your home more energy-efficient, too.

4. Upgrade Windows And Doors

Old, worn-out doors and windows are another reason your home may be noisier than you prefer. If you have the budget for it, replace your windows and doors with upgraded models that include soundproofing features. This tip also applies to interior doors if you want to reduce the amount of sound that travels between spaces.

5. Create A Quiet Room

Sometimes, even when you live in the quietest neighborhood in the world, your home is still a noisy place because of what’s happening inside of it. If your household is busy and includes several people, it’s hard to keep things calm.

To help achieve a more muted environment, create a quiet space where anyone needing a break can retreat when things get too hectic. This room should have no television, include extra-plush fabrics and other sound-absorbing soft surfaces, and feature devices to help mask noise, like noise-canceling headphones or a white noise machine.

6. Designate Quiet Hours

Another way to help create a calmer, quieter household is to designate certain times of the day as quiet time. Hospitals, which are the epitome of bustling, busy places, sometimes do this to ensure patients get at least a couple of hours of uninterrupted rest. During quiet hours, there are no visitors, no loud noises, the lights are dim, and so on. Make sure everyone in the household agrees to the time and rules for your home’s quiet time.

7. Fix Squeaky Floors

Squeaky floors are another nuisance when you’re trying to relax or take a nap. That recurrent creak or squeak tends to get under your skin. If you’re handy, you could likely fix a minor squeak yourself. However, if it’s occurring in multiple areas, or you don’t know the difference between a screwdriver and a hammer, have a professional do the job.

8. Repair Clunking Pipes

Clanging pipes, rattling vents, noisy ducts, and similar sounds are bothersome noises that add to the racket in your home. These sounds could also signal potential issues with your HVAC or plumbing systems. In some cases, installing a water arrestor takes care of banging pipes and tightening screws can quiet shaky vents. But beyond minor plumbing issues and other small problems, call a pro if the noise is more than you can DIY.

9. Add Insulation

To dampen sound from outside, see if buying more insulation is a possibility. Adding insulation to walls or your attic can help absorb more sound, reducing the sound that passes from outside into your home. 

However, if sound absorption is your primary goal, choose the best type of insulation to do the job. For example, high-density fiberglass insulation traps sound waves well, but you would require much more spray foam or cellulose insulation to achieve the same results.

10. Reimagine Your Layout

Sometimes, a simple rearranging of your current space gives you a quieter home. For example, if you love to read by the window, don’t set up a reading nook by the window facing the busy street. Instead, reposition your cozy chair near a rear window facing the quieter side of your house. Do your kids always end up playing in the family room instead of the playroom? Don’t fight it. Set up a play zone for them in the family room and convert the playroom to your home office.

11. Close The Gap Under Doors

No matter how well you seal around doors, if you leave a gap at the bottom between the door and the floor, the sound gets through. Use door sweeps to close this gap and block sound. There are different styles, including some that attach to the door and others that slide under for easy removal.

12. Plant Trees and Bushes Outside

Go green to make your home quieter. Different parts of plants handle sound differently, and many bushes and trees absorb sound waves or deflect sound. Trees also attract wildlife, which adds natural sounds, so be aware of this and decide if these sounds are preferable to the ones you’re currently hearing. If you plan to use trees and shrubs to lessen your noise problem, consult with a landscape expert to make sure you choose the best ones for your area.

13. Use Noise-Canceling Devices

If the noise persists despite your best efforts, keep a good pair of noise-canceling headphones on hand. If you live in an especially noisy house, you may want a couple of pairs so you can keep some in different rooms or have a few to share with other family members or guests. Earplugs, a white noise machine, or playing soft music are other ways to cancel unpleasant sounds.

14. Get On Good Terms With Your Neighbors

Are the unwanted sounds you hear coming from next door? Does your neighbor’s son practice drums at all hours? Maybe the guy next door has a workshop in their backyard, and you hear drilling, hammering, and sawing constantly. Getting on good terms with your neighbors goes a long way in making your home a more peaceful place to stay. When you’re friendly, your neighbors are more likely to work things out and set designated times to pursue their hobbies.

15. Clear Out Clutter

Noise doesn’t always offend your ears. There’s such a thing as visual noise that can stress you out and make you anxious. To help reduce the visual cacophony, get rid of clutter and keep items to a manageable level. Between decreasing the noise level and the amount of stuff in your house, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful home.

Read More: 20 Items To Get Rid Of For An Instantly Tidier Home

16. Get A Home Energy Audit

Hiring a technician to perform a home energy audit isn’t just a great way to find energy leaks in your home. The audit also pinpoints places contributing to your home’s noisy environment. Basically, if energy can leak out, noise can leak in. The energy assessment helps identify the areas that need attention (and saves you money, too).

17. Assess Noisy Appliances

Is your dishwasher making noise? Does your refrigerator buzz constantly, or does your washing machine bang nonstop? If your appliances are adding to your home’s noise level, book a service call to see if a repair or replacement is in order. Sometimes, it might be an easy fix, but other times, it could be your appliance is on its last leg, working overtime to try and do its job. If so, it may be time to upgrade your appliances.