Noise level is measured in decibels. In any building, there will be appliances that make everyday noise so it’s good to use that for reference. For those light sleepers, if the sound of a ticking watch keeps you up that’s only 20 decibels. Around the kitchen, the hum of a refrigerator should only be 40 decibels. The washing machine and dishwasher amount to around 70 decibels. For the loudest household sounds consider the vacuum cleaner at 80 decibels. Right at the top should be the lawnmower at between 80 and 90 decibels.