While you can't really control the noise that's happening outside your door, but you can create a space that meets your quieter needs.
Make sleeping, reading, or working at home more worthwhile by first understanding the basic premise of sound. The longer that sound is allowed to bounce around a space, without being absorbed, the louder the noise will be. Work around that principle and you can either: decrease the area for the sound to play, or decrease the number of hard surfaces the sound can bounce around at.
Apartment Therapy suggests these house design tricks to solve unwanted noise and achieve peace and quiet in your space:
Divide space
Remember that sound loves to play in spaces? Divide your wide open loft space and break up the room by hanging a curtain and create two rooms out of one. Not only will you have an extra space or add privacy, it would also absorb the sound waves and deal with the pesky noise.
Lower your ceiling
It doesn't mean that you have to get a new ceiling. You can actually bring the ceiling level down by getting bed canopies or hanging textiles - they just as much would work in absorbing sound.
Soft surfaces
Muffle loud sounds by using rugs or carpets - unless you want that click clack sound you get when walking through hardwood or concrete floors. Decrease the number of hard surfaces, remember? You will significantly dampen the noise if you could even use padded layer underneath your rugs.
Insulation
Yes, wall and ceiling insulation is a huge answer here, if you have the option. But even basic weather stripping helps cut down on sound, not to mention drafts.
Plug up holes
Seal up cracks in your windows and walls by using noise-proofing caulk. Don't forget the electrical sockets and outlets too. This way, you minimize the amount of noise leakage.
Floating hardwood floors
These wood floors require an underlayment, usually a soft foam or plastic layer, that lies between floating (not glue or nail down) hardwood flooring and the subfloor.
Wall covering
If the noise is coming through because of a thin wall, beef it up by using a thick textile, a bookshelf, or a layer of foam. If you like, you can also use materials like felt and cork as they also have noise-blocking properties since they are soft surfaces.
Special curtains
Aside from blocking the light, you will keep the noise at bay by using multiple layers of curtain. If you really need serious soundproofing, then a noise-cancelling curtain would work best.
