1. Stop street sounds disturbing you
Double and triple glazing are your ultimate weapon when it comes to stopping sounds travelling from outside to disrupt your sleep patterns. But you don't need to install new windows to reduce noise floating into your bedroom, sometimes simply learning how to draught-proof windows can do the trick.
2. Add noise-reducing window treatments
The bedroom curtains and bedroom blind ideas you choose can be key in soundproofing your sleep space. 'If you are lucky and have deep window reveals, shutters can be an excellent place to start,' suggests interior designer Lucinda Griffith, founder of Lucinda Griffith Design Consultancy. 'For the best noise reduction, choose curtains over blinds, and always include a good interlining. Ideally, you should also make them full length as that will certainly help to muffle sound.'
3. Add acoustic panels to absorb sound
There are lots of bedroom wall panelling ideas that can provide an additional soundproof layer to create a quiet sanctuary for you to sleep in. This might be a classic tongue-and-groove design that covers walls and ceilings for a cabin-style room, traditional wood panels below a dado rail, or contemporary geometric panels that add a graphic design element to your bedroom decor. You can layer sound-absorbing foam panels behind your decor panelling for extra 'ssshh' factor.
4. Take a quiet approach to flooring
Most of us prefer to have softer bedroom flooring, whether that's a carpet or soft rugs underfoot. But the benefits go beyond keeping bare feet feeling cosy. 'Soft flooring makes a difference as it helps the acoustics,' explains interior designer Lucinda Griffith. 'If wall-to-wall carpet is not an option, then rugs will help (although not nearly as effectively as carpet will).'
5. Block out sound with a solid door
All doors are not created equal. While they may look very similar, there's a big difference between a solid wooden door and one that's simply constructed from two thin panels with not much in between. The solid version will cost more, but the expense may be worth it to get a decent night's rest. 'A solid door on the bedroom, rather than a hollow one, can stop noise creeping in from elsewhere in the house,' confirms Lucinda Griffith.