When clients meet with me at my Austin interior design studio, they often talk about how they want their space to look and feel — which should come as no surprise. But what many folks overlook is how their home should sound. There are many benefits to designing a quieter home, from lowering stress levels to fostering deeper conversations. However, many popular interior design trends actually increase home noise levels, which is in direct opposition to what we’re trying to achieve. So, how do we make quieter spaces? 

The Effect Sound Has on Us in the Home

I am writing this blog from a construction zone in Cape Cod. I am deep in the final phases of a stunning vacation home project. The picturesque property is set on the waterfront. As I sit here on the patio, I can see gentle waves beating against the dock and an 1800s barn set in a rolling meadow. I’m surrounded by beautiful views and wildlife, including these incredible turkeys wandering around displaying their plumage. Visually, everything is peaceful and idyllic. 

However, right now, this home is an active construction site. So, I hear the sounds of circular saws slicing baseboards, drills eating into the walls, and the constant low beeping of delivery trucks backing into the driveway. It is incongruous! 

Lucky for this homeowner, the construction sounds are only temporary. Once the work crews are out, they will be left with our thoughtful and intentional design, giving them a quiet space to take in what I’m sure are the most lovely sounds of the Cape (if I could hear them). 

But I can’t help but think that this incessant noise level is what some people live through on a daily basis due to bad interior design mistakes. They have massive great rooms with towing ceilings and polished marble floors where the sounds constantly bounce off the walls with nowhere to go or open kitchens that interrupt movie viewing with the clang of pots and pans. 

I’ve written before about the sounds of home and my obsession with noise levels. I believe silence is an utter luxury, and it turns out I’m not alone! The emerging field of neuroaesthetics has found that the visual and sound qualities of our homes significantly impact our mental and physical health.  

The Benefits of a Peaceful Home & The Costs of a Noisy One

So, what are the real benefits of a quieter home? Well, for starters, a quieter home is simply a more comfortable home. Long, consistent noise can feel grating and drain our energy levels before we even realize it. This is not to say all noise in the home is bad. The sound of a light rain on the porch overhang is much different than the beep of a smoke alarm with dead batteries. 

The World Health Organization says noise pollution can cause long-term health problems, including sleep disturbance, cardiovascular effects, poorer work performance, hearing impairment, and more. You might be surprised to learn that the threshold for dangerous noise levels is quite low, and your home may actually be a noise pollution hot spot. 

The WHO defines anything above 65 decibels as noise pollution and recommends keeping levels below 30 decibels at night for sleep. For reference: 

• 90 decibels is a shouted conversation
• 70 decibels is a vacuum cleaner
• 60 decibels is the level of a normal conversation 
• 30 decibels is the sound of a light refrigerator hum

So, your health may actually suffer if you live in a home where you constantly shout to call people in the next room or blast the TV set to compensate for the commotion in your open-concept kitchen. Conversely, a family in a smaller home layered with noise-absorbing textiles may have a higher quality of life and health. 

Design Mistakes Disrupting the Peace 

So, what design mistakes are making your house noisier and disrupting the peace? 

Open-concept Floor Plans

One of the biggest offenders is the rise of the open-concept floor plan. I’ve said it before. I hate open-concept living. Many folks are drawn to it because they think it is good for entertaining and brings everyone together. However, in practice, it has the opposite effect. 

Open-concept plans subject everyone to the noise of multiple activities in a single room. One family member may be trying to cook a meal while another turns the TV volume up so they can hear the news, leaving the next to put in headphones to try to study. You’re left with a cacophony of sounds, leaving everyone agitated and on edge. 

High Ceilings

I am also not a fan of pointlessly high ceilings. They increase noise and create an echo effect. Counterbalancing this is often hard, so you’re left with a space where it’s less than enjoyable to hold an intimate conversation. While I appreciate the grandeur of high ceilings, most of us live in homes where a super high ceiling is out of place. I prefer mid-century homes with a lower ceiling height, which helps reduce noise and create a much more comfortable and cozy feel. To put it in perspective, high ceilings create the atmosphere of a banquet hall, whereas lower ceilings have a lounge feel. Which place is easier to have a conversation? 

Hard Surfaces

Design elements like walls of glass windows, polished marble floors, and metal fireplace surrounds all negatively impact the sound quality of a home. They bounce noise and give the space a cold sound quality. Of course, none of these features are bad, but they create a problem when they’re not layered with other noise-absorbing textures like rugs, draperies, and other textiles.   

Ways to Design Quieter Spaces

Sounds need to be considered from the start of the design process. It comes down to layout and materials. 

Layout 

A home’s layout will have a huge impact on the tonal quality. I often encourage my clients to look at the benefits of a galley style kitchen, which can be closed off from the rest of the house and make for quieter living. Additionally, room placement is important. You can make bedrooms quieter by placing them on the upper floors or toward the back of the house, away from the street. For some, a home office may even be best located in an outbuilding on the property for total seclusion and quiet. Everyone’s space and needs differ, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach for a quieter home layout. The key is to consider sound impacts before you make choices based purely on aesthetics or trends. 

Materials 

Bringing in softer materials and textures will also help absorb the sounds that bounce off hard finishes. Area rugs are my personal favorite. Not only do I love the softness underfoot, but they help absorb the sound of footsteps — as do cork floors which are a great alternative to tile. Upholstered furnishings and even walls also help reduce noise and create a cozy cocoon of comfort. If you really have a sound problem in your space, you could also utilize textile wall hangings like tapestries and macrame. 

Why I Believe in Designing a Quieter Home

So, why am I so passionate about designing a quieter home? For me, it’s about creating a stronger sense of connection for those who live inside. Creating quiet spaces for conversation brings families together. In my home, I have a small den that becomes a place for everyone to congregate at the end of the day. Without the distraction of the TV or the looming chores of the kitchen, we can connect without distraction. 

And that’s the beauty of peace and quiet.