Noise from neighbours can quickly disrupt the calm of your home, whether it's footsteps overhead, music through the wall, or conversations drifting in from next door.
While full soundproofing can be costly, there are plenty of stylish, practical ways to soften unwanted noise and make your space feel more peaceful.
"Designing for noise reduction is becoming an increasingly important consideration in modern homes, particularly in flats, terraced properties and open-plan spaces where sound travels," says Laura Dollimore, Head of Buying, Paint, Flooring and Tiling at B&Q.
"Interior design choices can play a role in softening noise, reducing echo and creating a calmer atmosphere overall, from introducing softer materials to repositioning furniture."
Here are her top tips for reducing noise at home without compromising on style.
1. Layer up soft furnishings
"Soft furnishings play a role in controlling acoustics within the home," says Laura. "Rugs, heavy curtains, upholstered furniture and fabric headboards all help absorb sound rather than allowing it to bounce around hard surfaces. Layered textiles can be especially useful in minimalist or open-plan homes where an echo tends to be more noticeable."
Luckily, these are all opportunities to have fun with your decorating. An upholstered headboard is a good way to bring an uplifting dose of colour and pattern to a bedroom as well as helping to soften sound, while layered curtain treatments, such as blinds paired with full-length curtains, or lightweight sheers beneath heavier drapes, can add depth, softness and a cocooning feel.
2. Strategic bookshelf placement
While we are very much in favour of heavily stacked bookshelves on aesthetic grounds alone, they also come with a lesser-known functional benefit.
"Bookshelves can work surprisingly well as a sound buffer when positioned against adjoining walls," says Laura. "Filled shelving adds density and can help soften sound travelling through partitions, especially compared to leaving walls bare. Floor-to-ceiling units tend to be most effective, even more so when stocked with books rather than decorative pieces alone."
3. Wall panelling
A regular feature in many a country home, wall panelling also has the hidden benefit of reducing sound transmission.
"Wall panelling is a useful solution for reducing noise indoors," says Laura. "Acoustic panels made from felt, timber slats or upholstered materials can help absorb sound waves and minimise echo, particularly on shared walls."
Choose tongue-and-groove panelling for classic country charm or timber slats for a more contemporary feel.
4. Rearrange your furniture
"Positioning larger furniture pieces such as wardrobes, sideboards or sofas against shared walls can help create a physical barrier between rooms, softening vibrations and reducing the sound of neighbours in everyday living spaces," advises Laura.
This is also a brilliant opportunity to flex your decorating muscles. Go for generously sized Welsh dressers, folk-style armoires and characterful sideboards that can conceal clutter while adding warmth, charm and personality to the room.
5. Choose the right flooring
"Hard flooring can amplify noise both within your own home and for neighbours below, so using large rugs with thick underlays can help dampen footsteps and reduce overall sound transfer between floors," says Laura. "If you are starting from scratch, opting for softer flooring, such as carpet, can help reduce unwanted sound."
For those who do not want to fully commit to carpet, a generous rug or two, paired with a good-quality underlay, is a stylish alternative that can also help muffle everyday noise.
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Daisy Bendall is the Houses Editor at Country Living and House Beautiful, where she spends her days sourcing some of the most inspiring homes across the country. Prior to specialising in real homes, Daisy worked for Good Housekeeping, Red, Elle Decoration and Prima, styling shoots, covering the latest decorating trends and hunting down the best buys for your home.
