Lots of artworks (especially those on canvas) on the walls!

All kinds of fabrics -- on tables, floors, cushions or curtains ..... maybe a tapestry on the wall?

Area rugs -- even basic sisal rugs can really really help -- use for parties and then just roll them up and stash them for everyday wear-and-tear!

During parties -- add tall arrangements of flowers or branches .....

And add background music during parties too!

mkr -
Sorry to hear ;) about your sound travels - a downside of open floor plans - Unfortunately there is not a lot to be done to remedy this situation - remedy needs to happen inside the walls during construction - some things used
- Insulating interior walls w/mineral wool
- using thick or doubled drywall (not 1/2")
-Drywall adhered to joists & 2x4's acts as a catalyst for sounds to penetrate, bounce, etc...
- new PVC pipe has great qualities - sound is not one of them - they need to be wrapped or use the old fashioned cast iron ones
-mass loaded vinyl on top of subfloors helps btwn 1st & 2nd floor of the home -

Rugs would help - city dwellers even hang them on walls to help deaden sounds btwn apartments -also cork on walls - lowering ceiling & putting insulation in there -

good luck

Hi jejvtr :) -- Are you saying to put sheet vinyl between the subfloor and hardwood flooring? What is mass-loaded?

TIA : )

Books in the bookcase help too. Think of sound traveling in a straight line and bouncing off hard surfaces. Now think about what happens when it hits books, or rugs, or drapes... it gets broken up.

Teacats hit it right on the nose. You need more "soft" surfaces to absorb sound vs the hard surfaces that just bounce it back to you.

Soft WT rather than just blinds or shutters help. For evening parties, WT that can be pulled over the windows will cut down a lot of sound. Book shelves full of books and not just pic frames and pottery. Area rugs, cushions, etc.... Lamps w/ fabric shades rather than metal ones, throws or quilts tossed over a seating piece.

Do you have an island or cupboards between the kitchen and FM? Make sure the base cabs or shelves are full. Empty ones make sound echo. Add table runners, placemats, table cloths, chair pads, lots of towels. Dishtowels and dishcloths make great napkins that can be tossed in the wash and used over and over rather than just paper ones. Use nice fabric hot pads as trivets instead of metal or tile ones.

Hi squirrel -

I used Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) in my basement ceiling - It is very difficult to use overhead - I had joists filled w/Roxul (mineral wool) - which is also a firestopper - and then applied acoustic ceiling tile - Finished basement is kids play/homework area - & my thought was eventually a home theatre - so it is wired & sound proofed as much as we could

Here's some links

http://www.soundprooffoam.com/vinyl-barrier.html?gclid=CMyki-msg5MCFQInlgodzC_-Gg&lcode=AA162

HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: soundproofing co.

We have the same problem, a 26 ft tall gallery connecting to an open dining room and open kitchen - all hard surfaces.

Today we have installed drapes on the two sets of French doors in the gallery, and the dining room windows. They are linen with a fairly light lining but what a difference! We can actually communicate with each other from gallery to kitchen without the sound being distorted. The rooms are also much 'softer' and more pleasant to be in. That's a great bonus as we decided on the drapes only to deaden the sound!

I will certainly try to use some of the other good suggestions from above too. Paintings on canvas etc.