12 Ways To Block Out Noisy Street Sounds

In your real estate search, you may find your dream home is located next to a noisy street. In some aspects, this is a good thing. There are tons of people-watching opportunities, and your home is at the center of something exciting. It also means these loud street noises make it impossible for you to sleep. If loud street sounds keep you from a good night’s sleep, you need to find ways to keep these sounds out of your home.

To keep street noises out of your home, you should seal up any cracks and holes and consider swapping out old windows for new ones. Install heavy and full-coverage curtains, and create an accent wall made of ornate sound-absorbing panels. Add a thick rug with a felt pad, and place a large wooden bookshelf against street-facing walls. You can also add draft stoppers to all bedroom doors.

Loud noises can turn a dream home into a nightmare very quickly. The unpredictable and sharp sounds can keep you on edge and make it hard to relax. While this can amount to a lot of frustration, it doesn’t have to. There are all sorts of DIY ways you can help keep noises outside your home where they belong. Keep reading to learn all the best ways to block out street noise so you can enjoy quiet and peaceful evenings at home.

12 Ways To Help Keep Street Noises Out Of Your Home 

1. Add A Thick Rug Or Carpeting

One easy way to help reduce street noise in your home is to add carpeting or rugs. Carpets and rugs act as insulators and sound absorbers. They are particularly effective in older homes with wood flooring. These homes tend to have small gaps in the floors, which allow sound to travel more freely.

When you add carpeting or rugs, you should also add a memory foam or felt layer underneath. This will be comfortable on your feet and also prevent your rug from slipping. Most importantly, it acts as an additional layer of sound absorption.

2. Seal All Gaps And Cracks

One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep street noises out of your bedroom is to seal up all gaps and cracks. Sound can’t easily penetrate through concrete, brick, and most other home materials. Instead, it finds its way into your bedroom and ears through cracks and other vulnerabilities.

Seal up any cracks, especially those found in your bedroom. Pay particular attention to areas near the floor and around your windows. Using exterior caulk and sealants will not only keep noises out, but also pests, and extreme weather.

3. Buy Thick And Full-Coverage Curtains Or Drapes

Since windows are often where most noise sneaks into the home, you should focus most of your energy on sealing this area. One easy DIY way to help mitigate street noise from coming through windows is to install thick and full-coverage- types of curtains or drapes. 

Thick fabric that covers the entire window will help muffle and mute a lot of street noise. It will also keep the glow of street lights out of the room, allowing you to control how much (if any) light is in your room when you want to sleep. 

Ensure the curtains are thick and long enough. It’s better to have too much fabric than not enough.

4. Swap Out Old Windows For New Ones

If you have old windows that are single-pane and out of date, then they probably let in a lot of noise. They may also be letting in a lot of heat during the summer and cold during the winter. All this inconvenience can increase your electric bill.

Swapping out old windows for new noise-canceling and weather-treated windows is expensive, but it will save you money over time. Start by replacing the windows in the rooms where you sleep and work. If you notice a significant difference, then replace the rest. 

This is an investment that may even increase your home’s value when you prepare to sell it.

5. Place A Wooden Bookshelf Against The Wall

If you don’t want to make any dramatic changes to your home but want to reduce the street noise in your room, then find a solid wood bookshelf. Placing a large bookshelf along the street-facing wall of your bedroom is a great way to reduce outdoor noise inside your home.

Wood is great at absorbing and blocking sound. Softer woods like pine will absorb outdoor noise, while oak and maple bookshelves will help block it out. Filling your bookshelf with books can add a nice aesthetic to your room, and also add additional noise-canceling benefits.

6. Plant Hedges And Install A Fence

Some of the best ways to mitigate sound inside your home are done outside. If you have a street-facing yard, then you should consider adding a fence and some fast-growing hedges. A fence (not chain link) acts as a first line of defence against street sounds. Fences are also great at providing privacy. 

Hedges act as a second layer of sound diffusion. They can also help add lovely color and foliage to your front yard, so you aren’t staring out at an ugly fence.

7. Add Draft Stoppers On Your Bedroom Doors

Another way sound finds its way into your room is from underneath your door. To help reduce these sounds that come from under your bedroom door, add draft stoppers. Draft stoppers act as a sound barrier in that hard-to-seal region underneath your door.

They are also great at keeping the temperature and humidity controlled in your bedroom.

8. Consider A Noise Machine For Sleeping

If you want a quick and easy fix to help you sleep better right away, then a noise machine might be a good option. Noise machines might not keep street noises out, but they prevent you from hearing them.

White noise, or the sound of rain or waves, can be very soothing to some people. While this does not create silence, it is more relaxing than the sound of loud people or car horns in the middle of the night.

9. Use Design-Friendly Acoustic Panels As An Accent Wall

If you plan on living in this loud home for several years, then it is worth investing some time into keeping your bedroom quiet. One excellent way to soundproof your bedroom is to add acoustic panels to the walls that face the street. 

Some acoustic panels will make your bedroom look like a recording studio, but the good news is that there are all sorts of unique acoustic panel designs. Some of them look more like unique and funky textured wallpaper than acoustic panels.

These panels aren’t cheap, so start by covering street-facing walls only, and treat it as an accent wall.

10. Hang Your Favorite Tapestry 

If you have a large tapestry or piece of art, then you can use it on your bedroom wall. This will help block some outside sound. To help block out even more street noise, add the same foam or felt padding you would use for a rug. This will help absorb significantly more sound than if you hang just the art itself.

11. Install A Water Feature Near Your Window

You might not be able to eliminate sounds from coming into your home, but you can have some say about what types of sounds you hear. You can install a water feature like a fountain or lazy river that can make soothing waterfall noises outside your bedroom.

This will allow you to open your window more and hear relaxing noises instead of street noise. Ensure you position the water feature close enough to your window that you can hear it easily.

12. Invest In Noise-Canceling Headphones

Lastly, if you can’t seem to escape street noise no matter what you try, then your last best bet is a solid set of noise-canceling headphones. There are many types of noise-canceling headphones out there, and they work surprisingly well.

There are even many styles of noise-canceling headphones that you can sleep with. These are a great investment for those who are sensitive sleepers and live on a noisy street.

Final Notes On How To Block Out Noisy Street Sounds

Don’t let a busy street prevent you from living in a dream home or an ideal neighborhood. There are all sorts of ways you can keep street noises out of your bedroom. Add a fence and hedges outside, and consider swapping out old windows for new insulated ones. Seal up any cracks and holes, and add carpeting or a rug to your floors. You can add heavy and full-coverage drapes, and place a wooden bookshelf on your street-facing wall. You can even make an accent wall using stylish acoustic panels, or simply buy a noise machine.

Related Guides:

• How Do I Make My House Quieter?
• How to Stop Your Neighbor From Playing Loud Music
• Is It Safe To Sleep With AirPods In Your Ears?