When you live in a bustling city, traffic noise is something you have to accept. Some people can block it out, and some even find it comforting, like white noise. Of course, there are people who find traffic noise stress inducing and struggle to sleep because of the din. Double glazing can make a difference, but it's not cheap, and it rarely removes the noise entirely. If you've just moved into a new home and are unfortunate enough to have a bedroom that faces onto a busy road, read on for three great noise reduction tips that are cheaper than double glazing.

Start at the Boundary Fence

You're looking to reduce the sound by making it travel through as many things as possible. Anything you put in the sound wave's path is going to help. If you have a front garden, add some planting that can help reduce sound. Opt for high, dense bushes or hedges at the boundary fence. A non-invasive bamboo can also work well. It will dampen sound and create a pleasant swishing noise that gives you something else to focus on. Planting can also work psychologically -- when you can't see the road and traffic, it's generally easier to ignore it.

Shut out at the Sound at the Window

The next barrier can be at the windows themselves. Roller shutters should muffle some of the noise by adding an extra barrier between your bed and the traffic. They're a good choice if you're looking to add security too. These aluminium shutters are fitted outside over your windows and can help lower the temperature of your bedroom's glazing. The lower temperature may mean you're able to get away with sleeping without the windows open during hot summer nights.

Dampen Sound with Decorative Additions

Now you need to work on dampening any noise that's still getting in. If you're willing to decorate, you could consider using cork tiles to create a feature wall. These can be left in their natural form for a warm, cosy look for your bedroom, or painted in a colour to suit your taste. Consider hanging thick curtains to reduce the sound further and some nice thick tapestries on the wall space around the window. Thick scatter rugs will also help absorb some of the sound waves that make it through the other barriers.

Hopefully, with these measures, you'll find yourself sleeping like a baby in no time. You can also be comforted by knowing that before long, you'll probably get used to the noise and won't even notice it -- many people do.