How to Block Noise When Working from Home: 7 Practical Tips for a Quieter, More Productive Space

How to block noise when working from home is a question that has been on the minds of many professionals because working from home sounds like a dream—until your neighbor starts mowing the lawn, your dog decides to audition for The Voice, and someone in the house discovers their love for loud phone calls. Sound familiar?

If you’re a remote worker juggling family chaos and street noise, finding ways to block distractions is essential for maintaining productivity and sanity.

This guide offers practical tips and tools to help you reclaim focus, minimize noise, and also how to sound-treat your home office for better audio and comfort.

7 Practical Tips for a Quieter, More Productive Workspace

Tired of battling barking dogs, lawnmowers, and loud housemates during work hours? Here’s how to create a peaceful work environment and stay focused, no matter what’s going on around you.

1. Create a Designated Workspace to Block out Noise while Working in a Home Office

Many remote workers have wondered how to block noise when working from home. Trust me, while home offices sound exciting and offer a lot of flexibility, they also have advantages and disadvantages, with noise pollution being one of their disadvantages.

Setting up a specific area just for work helps you mentally and physically separate from the rest of your home.

Choose a quiet corner, spare room, or nook away from high-traffic areas like the kitchen or living room.

Pro Tip: Position your desk away from appliances and shared spaces. The more isolated the spot, the less ambient noise you’ll deal with.

2. Invest in Noise-Canceling Headphones to Block out Noise while Working in a Home Office

A quality pair of noise-canceling headphones. is one of the best tools you can own for working remotely. They block out ambient sounds and improve concentration, whether you’re listening to white noise or just enjoying silence.

Pro Tip: Look for models with active noise-canceling technology, which blocks low-frequency sounds like air conditioning or traffic. This extra sound isolation is perfect for those long work sessions.

Top Picks:

• Bose QuietComfort 45
• Sony WH-1000XM5
• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

3. Use White Noise or Background Music to Block Out Noise While Working from Home

White noise apps or ambient music can mask background distractions and create a consistent, soothing sound environment.

I use apps and websites that offer white noise, nature sounds, or even instrumental music to help drown out interruptions like my barking dog or the hum of the refrigerator.

Suggestions:

• Noisli – customizable ambient sounds
• myNoise – noise masking for specific distractions
• Coffitivity – simulates café background ambiance

If white noise isn’t for you, try instrumental music like lo-fi beats or classical tunes to stay in the zone without the distraction of lyrics..

4. Soundproof Your Space on a Budget

If noise continues to be a significant issue, consider soundproofing your workspace on a budget.

You don’t need a professional studio setup—just a few smart upgrades can make a huge difference:

• Hang thick curtains to block outdoor noise
• Add rugs or carpets to absorb footstep sounds
• Install foam panels or acoustic tiles to reduce echo

Even these small additions can significantly reduce unwanted sound and create a calmer atmosphere. This method allows me to block out noise in my home office while working.

5. Use a Room Divider or Partition to block out noise while working from home

Using room dividers or partitions is a very effective method to block out noise in your home office while you’re working because they don’t just limit noise—they visually separate your space, helping others know when you’re working.

Try using:

• Foldable screens
• Bookshelves
• Curtains or portable partitions

A simple way to reduce distractions and increase privacy is to create a physical boundary in your workspace.

6. Block out Noise while Working From Home by Establishing Quiet Hours

Set boundaries with housemates or family by agreeing on dedicated quiet times during your work hours.

Mutual respect for schedules helps reduce interruptions and keeps everyone on the same page.

7. Rethink Your Furniture Layout

You might be wondering how your furniture or its layout helps block out noise from a home office while working.

It will help your curiosity to know that strategically placing furniture can dampen noise and reduce echo. Place bookshelves against shared walls, or add cushioned chairs to absorb sound.

Pro Tip: Soft furnishings like pillows, rugs, and wall hangings also act as natural sound absorbers.

How to Sound-Treat Your Home Office for Better Audio

As a remote worker looking to achieve a great standard or impress a client, your home office is not supposed to let in every outside noise or sound like an echo chamber.

I achieved optimal audio in my home office by improving soundproofing and acoustic treatment.

Good audio quality is essential, especially for video calls, content creation, or remote meetings. Unlike soundproofing, sound treatment improves the way your voice sounds inside the room.

Luckily, with these simple tricks, you can block out noise while working in your home office and create a space that sounds as good as it looks.

1. Add Absorptive Materials

• Acoustic foam panels – great behind your desk or near your mic
• Rugs and carpets – ideal for echo reduction
• Heavy curtains – block outside noise and soften acoustics
• Bass traps – control low-end frequencies in corners

2. Diffuse Sound Naturally

To sound-treat your home office and block out noise while you’re working, make use of this method as it scatters sound waves to prevent harsh echoes. Use:

• Bookshelves with varied items
• Wall-mounted diffusers (wood or plastic panels)

These create a more balanced sound environment without deadening the space.

3. Treat Key Reflection Points

To sound-treat your home office and block out noise while you’re working, try identifying walls or surfaces where sound bounces. Common problem spots:

• Behind or beside your desk
• Ceiling above your workstation

Use foam panels or hanging treatments to reduce reflections.

4. Optimize Furniture Placement

Place larger pieces (like sofas or bookshelves) against echo-prone areas. Even placing a plush chair in the corner can help absorb sound energy and block out noise in your home office while you’re working.

5. Test Your Space

Record a voice memo or clap test. If you hear a flutter echo or ringing, consider adding more treatments in those areas.

Bonus: Tools and Gadgets for Blocking Noise

Nore are some great options to enhance your noise-blocking strategy:

Noise-Canceling Headphones:

1. Bose QuietComfort 45 – Top-tier ANC for noise isolation.
2. Sony WH-1000XM5 – Excellent sound quality and comfort.
3. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) – Compact, great for Apple users.

White Noise Apps:

• Noisli – Customizable background sounds.
• myNoise – Personalized noise masking.
• Coffitivity – Simulates coffee shop background noise.

Budget Soundproofing Ideas:

• Door Draft Stoppers: Block noise from under doors.
• Thick Curtains: Absorb outside sounds.
• DIY Foam Panels: Reduce echo and noise in rooms.

Pro Tip: Even rearranging furniture (like placing bookshelves against shared walls) can significantly reduce noise levels.

Final Thoughts: Building Your Quiet Sanctuary

To block out noise while working from home doesn’t require drastic measures, but a combination of thoughtful design choices, technology, and communication can transform your space into a productive oasis.

Whether you use noise-canceling headphones or get creative with soundproofing, small changes can make a big difference in your ability to focus and stay on task.

Choosing to recognize the impact of a quiet environment on productivity will benefit you in ways you can’t imagine. you cannot imagine.

Finally, sound treatment of your home office doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—but it does pay off.

With a few key additions, you can create a space that sounds polished and professional whether you’re on Zoom or recording a podcast.

Need help choosing the right materials or setting up your space? Drop your questions in the comments, or check out this full Home Studio Gear Guide.