Late-night sirens, the 16th Street Mall shuttle, and weekend foot traffic can make downtown Denver life louder than you expected. You want the energy of the city, not the echo in your bedroom. The good news is you can tame a lot of that noise with renter-friendly fixes that protect your deposit and work in a single weekend. In this guide, you’ll learn smart, removable upgrades that target the real noise paths in Denver apartments and how to combine them for the biggest impact. Let’s dive in.
Why downtown Denver noise feels different
Downtown Denver gives you a mix of street traffic, light rail and bus routes, bar and restaurant noise, and emergency vehicles. Older masonry buildings and modern glass-heavy towers handle that noise differently, but almost every rental has weak points. Windows and door gaps let in higher-frequency sounds, while low-frequency rumble from buses and trucks travels through structure.
Frequency matters. Soft, fibrous materials like rugs and acoustic panels absorb mid to high frequencies and reduce echo. Dense, heavy layers are better for low-frequency rumble, but they tend to be more permanent. As a renter, you get the best results by sealing air gaps, adding absorption, and creating buffer zones with furniture and mass.
For context, workplace safety agencies set long-term exposure limits near 85 to 90 dB for an eight-hour day. You do not need to reach those levels to feel stressed or lose sleep. Even small reductions in a noisy room and fewer peak events can improve comfort.
Start with a quick assessment
Before you buy anything, walk your place during peak noise. Late night, morning rush, and weekend evenings show different patterns.
- Stand by each window and door. Listen for whistling, rattles, or clear speech from outside.
- Check for visible light under your entry door or around the jamb.
- Clap in the bedroom and living room. If you hear a long echo, you need absorption.
- Take a few photos of windows, frames, and thresholds so you can measure and shop confidently.
Windows: your top priority
Windows are the biggest path for outdoor noise. Focus here first for street-facing rooms.
- Install removable window inserts or secondary glazing. These clear acrylic panels sit inside your existing frame and create an air gap that cuts noise and drafts. They are designed to be removable, so they are deposit-safe. Measure carefully for a tight fit and follow the vendor’s guidance for mounting and removal.
- Hang heavy curtains on tension rods or removable brackets. Acoustic or blackout curtains help absorb reflections and block light. They do not stop low-frequency rumble by themselves, but they improve perceived quiet and sleep quality.
- Seal small gaps with temporary weatherstripping or rope caulk. Avoid permanent silicone unless your landlord gives you written permission.
Combine inserts plus heavy curtains for the best window results. The insert reduces transmission through the glass, and the curtain tames reflections in the room.
Quiet the door and hallway noise
Entry doors and interior doors often leak sound through small gaps. Closing those paths is simple and cheap.
- Add a door sweep at the threshold. A rubber or brush sweep blocks the light and air gap under your door. Use an adhesive model if your lease limits screws.
- Apply compressible weatherstripping around the jamb. Foam or V-strip creates a tighter seal and cuts voices and hallway noise.
- Use a draft stopper for a no-install option. Not as tight as a sweep, but better than nothing.
Document the door’s condition with photos before you install anything. Choose removable products and follow the manufacturer’s directions for clean removal when you move out.
Treat shared walls the renter way
Shared walls can carry voices and TV noise. Drywall is not great at stopping low frequencies, but you can make a noticeable difference with absorption and mass.
- Hang removable acoustic panels. Fabric-wrapped or foam panels attached with Command strips or picture hooks absorb mid to high frequencies and reduce echo. Start with the wall you face when you sleep or work.
- Place bookcases or wardrobes against noisy walls. A full, dense bookshelf adds mass and helps dampen sound. Secure tall pieces with anti-tip hardware if allowed.
- Use thick tapestries or moving blankets as a budget layer. They are less effective than purpose-built panels but completely removable.
Panels make the room quieter so outside noise blends into a softer background. Pairing panels with a full bookshelf boosts the effect.
Soften floors and reduce impact noise
If upstairs footsteps drive you crazy, you are fighting impact noise traveling through structure. You cannot rebuild the ceiling, but you can soften your side.
- Lay thick area rugs with quality pads. Felt or closed-cell foam pads at 1/4 inch or thicker help absorb footfall energy and reduce reverberation.
- Add interlocking foam tiles in play areas or near the bed for extra cushion.
- Consider modular underlayment mats if allowed. Keep them floating and removable.
Place rugs in high-traffic paths and under your bed. You will notice less echo as well as softer impact sounds.
Smart layout moves that cost nothing
Your furniture layout can create buffer zones that make a real difference.
- Move your bed and sofa away from the noisiest wall or window. Even a few feet helps.
- Use an upholstered headboard or extra pillows at the head of the bed to add absorption near your ears.
- Put your fullest bookshelves on the wall that faces the noise source.
Small shifts stack with your other fixes for a more peaceful room.
Mask the rest with sound
For intermittent sounds like voices or the occasional siren, steady background noise can make peaks less noticeable.
- Use a white noise machine, a fan, or a high-quality app. Choose a sound you can ignore and set a comfortable level.
- Schedule masking during your personal quiet hours. Nighttime routines help your brain focus on sleep instead of peaks.
Keep levels comfortable. You do not need high volume to get results.
What to buy this weekend
You can pull together an effective kit in a single shopping trip.
- Door sweep and adhesive weatherstripping. Budget 20 to 50 dollars total.
- Thick area rug with a quality underlay. Expect 60 to 400 dollars depending on size and materials.
- Heavy curtains plus tension rod or removable brackets. Often 40 to 150 dollars.
- Removable acoustic panels or moving blankets. Plan for 60 to 300 dollars based on size and count.
- Command strips, removable Velcro, and picture hooks. About 10 to 25 dollars.
- White noise machine or app. Free to 100 dollars depending on features.
- Optional: window inserts. Budget 100 to 300 dollars per window for DIY kits, more for custom. These often require ordering ahead.
Prices vary by brand and size. Start with gaps and absorption, then layer in inserts for the most exposed rooms.
A weekend plan that works
Make the most of your time with this simple schedule.
- Day 1 morning: Seal the front door with a sweep and weatherstripping. Install draft stoppers if needed. 60 to 90 minutes.
- Day 1 afternoon: Place rugs and pads in the bedroom and living room, then slide furniture to create buffer zones. 30 to 60 minutes.
- Day 1 evening: Hang heavy curtains on tension rods over street-facing windows. 30 to 60 minutes.
- Day 2 morning: Install 2 to 6 acoustic panels on your most exposed walls. Add bookcases against shared partitions. 60 to 120 minutes.
- Day 2 afternoon: Set up white noise. Experiment with volume and placement. Tweak furniture if you still hear trouble spots. 30 to 60 minutes.
If you plan to add window inserts, measure now and place the order. They install quickly once delivered.
What to expect from each fix
Set realistic expectations and focus on combinations.
- Sealing air gaps: Low cost and high impact for voices and hallway noise. This is your best first step.
- Heavy curtains and panels: Reduce echo and high-frequency clutter, which helps your brain relax. They do not stop deep rumble by themselves.
- Window inserts: Strongest renter-friendly option for street noise through glass. They also improve comfort by cutting drafts.
- Rugs and pads: Noticeable improvement for footsteps and overall room sound.
- White noise: Smooths over unpredictable peaks so you get steadier sleep.
Product numbers vary and in-room performance depends on fit, the noise spectrum, and your room shape. Measure, test, adjust, and combine fixes for the best results.
Lease, landlord, and deposit tips in Denver
Most downtown leases limit permanent changes, but you can still do a lot with removable products.
- Review your lease for hardware rules. When in doubt, ask for written permission before using screws. Many landlords allow small nail holes if you patch.
- Choose non-permanent hardware like Command strips, removable Velcro, and tension rods whenever possible.
- Protect your deposit. Take before, during, and after photos. Keep receipts to show your intent to use reversible solutions.
- Historic or professionally managed buildings may have preferred vendors for inserts. Ask the property manager if there are approved options.
Denver enforces local noise ordinances and offers a 311 complaint process. For persistent or extreme issues, log dates and times, record short clips for your personal documentation, and notify your property manager. If you need formal action, follow the city’s guidance for reporting.
Seasonal check: Denver’s dry, cold winters
Cold, dry air can shrink seals and increase drafts. Recheck door sweeps and weatherstripping at the start of winter and after cold snaps. Reseal as needed so you keep both noise and drafts under control.
Ready for a quieter downtown life
You do not have to live with constant noise to enjoy downtown Denver. Focus on the real paths where sound enters, stack small wins, and keep everything reversible. Address windows and doors first, add absorption with rugs and panels, then create buffer zones and mask the rest. A single weekend can change how your home sounds and how well you sleep.
If you are still hunting for a quieter rental or want help identifying buildings that fit your lifestyle, start your free, personalized search with Premium Apartment Locators. Our local team knows downtown Denver buildings and can guide you to units with better window assemblies, interior layouts, and exposure for a calmer home. Start Your Free Apartment Search.
FAQs
Will heavy curtains stop downtown Denver traffic noise?
- Heavy curtains help absorb reflections and reduce mid to high frequencies, but they will not fully block low-frequency rumble. Pair them with sealed gaps and window inserts for better results.
Are removable acoustic panels safe for my deposit?
- Panels hung with manufacturer-recommended removable hooks or Command strips should come down cleanly. Test in a discreet spot and document wall conditions before and after.
Are window inserts worth it for renters near the 16th Street Mall?
- Often yes. Inserts create an air gap that cuts perceived street noise and drafts, and they are designed to be removable when you move out.
Can rugs actually help with upstairs footsteps?
- Thick rugs and quality pads reduce impact noise and soften overall room sound. They help, but very heavy footfalls may still be noticeable.
When should I contact my property manager or the city about noise?
- Start with your property manager for building systems or persistent neighbor issues. For ongoing public noise outside quiet hours, document events and follow Denver’s official 311 complaint process.
How loud is too loud inside an apartment?
- Workplace guidelines reference about 85 to 90 dB for eight-hour exposure, but annoyance happens well below that. Aim to reduce peaks and overall echo, since small reductions can improve comfort and sleep.
