Buzz
Welcome back to tranquility
Living near others has its perks (neighborhood barbecues, friendly chats, and borrowing a cup of sugar in a pinch). But sharing space can also bring challenges, and noise is one of the biggest. Here are some simple yet effective ways to drown out the sound of loud neighbors and reclaim your peace. If that doesn’t do the trick, we’ve also listed ways to escalate things politely and encourage quiet hours.
Essential Tips
- Consider noise-canceling headphones. When the noise level rises, slip them on, put on your favorite tunes, and let the stress melt away.
- Lay down some rugs to absorb sound. If you live above noisy neighbors, a few rugs can drastically reduce the thumping noise through your floors.
- Don’t hesitate to contact your landlord. If the noise becomes unbearable, kindly ask them to intervene, perhaps with a warning to the noisy neighbors.
How to Take Action
Invest in noise-canceling headphones.
They’re perfect for blocking out distractions when you need some peace. If your noisy neighbors are driving you crazy, consider picking up a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. They’re great for unwinding after a long day, and can even help you sleep if your neighbors are keeping you up late.
- Good noise-canceling headphones can be found for around $100.
- If headphones are out of your price range, earplugs can also do the trick.
Try a white noise machine.
A bit of ambient noise can mask the sounds of your noisy neighbors. Set up a white noise machine or simply use a fan on high. This can help drown out disruptive sounds and also help calm your nerves. If you’re not ready to buy a machine, search for “white noise” on YouTube and play it from your phone or computer.
- White noise machines also make excellent sleep aids! If you struggle to fall asleep, try using white noise to drift off.
Reposition your bed away from the noise if possible.
Sharing a wall with neighbors can make it tough to sleep. If you have the space, try rearranging your furniture so your bed is farther from the wall where your neighbors are. The same goes for your couch or any other areas where you spend a lot of time—the more distance you create from the noise, the better your chances of finding peace.
Place rugs on the floor to absorb sound.
Rugs are a simple and effective way to reduce noise in your home. If you have hard flooring like wood, tile, or concrete, head out and buy a few large rugs to soften the sound. The more soft surfaces you can add to your living space, the better!
- If you have an empty area in your home, consider filling it with furniture to absorb sound. Thrift stores are great places to find quality pieces for a lower price.
Fill in cracks in your walls with caulk.
Gaps in your walls can let in a lot of noise. If your home is older or you notice cracks where sound seems to sneak through, grab some caulk and seal up those openings. Once it dries, check if the noise levels have decreased.
- Cracks often appear around doors and windows. If you own an older home, upgrading your door and window fittings can help block out more sound.
- If you're renting, try adding weather stripping to your windows to improve sound insulation.
Install acoustic light fixtures to absorb sound.
These specially designed light fixtures help reduce noise levels in your home. If you’re allowed to change your light fixtures, consider upgrading to acoustic ones. The more you install, the better they’ll absorb sound and help minimize noise from your neighbors.
- Basic acoustic light fixtures can be found at most hardware stores for around $80 for a pack.
- If you’re renting, be sure to keep your old light fixtures and replace them before you move out.
Take a break and step out of the house.
If the noise is driving you crazy, take a walk or visit a coffee shop for a change of scenery. Stepping out of your home for a while can give you a mental reset and help you return feeling more peaceful. If you work from home and the noise is constant, try working from a coffee shop or a shared workspace for a change of environment.
Practice relaxation techniques to manage stress.
The calmer you are, the less noise will bother you. Take time for yourself each day by indulging in something relaxing, like a bubble bath or a favorite treat. You can also help reduce stress by meditating for just 5-10 minutes a day.
- Exercise is another great stress-buster. Plus, finding a nearby gym gives you the perfect excuse to get out of the house for a while.
- If the noise from your neighbors is causing anxiety, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Anxiety can make you more sensitive to stress, leading to an ongoing cycle of worry about the noise in your home.
Have a conversation with your neighbors about the noise.
If you haven’t yet, try talking directly to your neighbors. They might not be aware of how loud they are, and a polite conversation could prompt them to reduce the noise. Knock on their door and have a calm, respectful discussion about how the noise is affecting you. You could say something like:
- “Hi, I live in the apartment below you, and I can hear a lot of noise from your place. I was hoping you could lower the volume at night to help me get a better night’s sleep.”
- Approaching your neighbors might feel intimidating, but it gives you control over the situation and can help reduce your anxiety. Even if the change doesn’t happen immediately, you’re taking active steps to address the issue.
Reach out to your landlord if the noise persists.
If your neighbors don’t make any changes, it might be time to involve your landlord. If you’re renting, contact your landlord or property manager to explain the ongoing issue. Be sure to mention that you’ve already spoken with your neighbors and the problem persists. Hopefully, your landlord will issue a formal warning, which should encourage your neighbors to quiet down.
- When you talk to your landlord, you could say, “I’d like to discuss the tenants in apartment 23. They play loud music late into the night, and I’ve already asked them to be quieter. It’s disturbing me and other tenants in the building.”
If necessary, involve the police about the noise.
If your landlord is unable to help, this may be your next option. Many cities have noise ordinances that make it illegal to create excessive noise after a certain time. If your neighbors are disrupting your peace late at night, you can call the non-emergency line and report a noise complaint. The police may come by and talk to them about lowering the volume.
- For example, many cities have noise regulations that restrict loud noises between 9 PM and 7 AM.
- While calling the police can strain relationships with neighbors, it’s an option to consider only after you’ve exhausted all other avenues.
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If you’re particularly sensitive to noise (a condition known as misophonia), working with a mental health professional can help you manage your anxiety and sensitivity levels.
