Once you find your dream the next step is to decorate your new apartment which requires shopping and decorating. While you have the freedom to live on your own and make your apartment your own, there are some rules and regulations you must abide by. It is important to know what you can and cannot when living in your apartment. Here are some renter-friendly hacks Bama students can use to avoid extra fees and to make decorating your apartment easy!
Can't Drill Holes? Use Damage-Free Hanging Hooks
In the dorms, students at UA are not allowed to drill excessive holes because of the damage it brings to the walls. Some apartment complexes in Tuscaloosa have the same rules. Property owners will charge you extra fees if there are excessive holes and damage after you move out. The best way to avoid those fees is to invest in command hooks and strips. Command hooks and strips are an easy and affordable way to hang up your items and room décor and personify your walls without damage. There are several types of command strips for different items. Students use command strips to hang up curtains, plants, canvases, accessories, and other cool wall pieces. The wonderful thing about Command hooks and strips is that they come in different shapes and sizes making it easy to hide the hooks for a sleek and clean appearance. Command strips are easy to take down if installed properly. Paint might come off, but you will not be charged for minor damage.
Decorate With Temporary Wallpaper 
Most off-campus housing near UA sticks to an off-white color for the walls or a custom color that fits their brand. Renters are not allowed to change or paint on the walls. This could be depressing especially if you have a vision for your space. Luckily, if you want to make your apartment pop here are some ways you can bright your walls to life. The best way to customize your walls is by adding temporary wallpaper. Removeable wallpaper adds personality and uniqueness to your space. Many Bama students either order their removable wallpaper online or they go to Target right by . Target has become popular with Bama students for their broad selection of wallpaper.
Want to Spice Up Your Floors? Install Temporary Vinyl Tiles
Just like the walls, you cannot change the flooring in several Tuscaloosa apartments. Bama students love to add carpet with designs and color to brighten their room, but for those students who want to really spice up their apartment, they install temporary vinyl tiles. temporary Vinyl tiles are like removable wallpaper: you can easily install the tiles without damaging the floors. Students can find vinyl tiles in assorted colors and patterns their apartment aesthetic. Vinyl tiles can be purchased online or at Lowe's, Target, and Walmart.
Upgrade Your Shower head
Investing in a new shower head adds personality to your bathroom, and it can give you great health benefits. Students at UA will invest in a shower head because it detoxifies the water, improves water pressure, and other features. Shower heads can be expensive depending on the brand, but students can find affordable shower heads at Five and Below, Target, Lowe's, and Bed Bath and Beyond (all located on Mcfarland Blvd). Make sure you put the original shower head in a place where it does not get damaged, and you can easily put it back at the end of your lease.
Remember to ask questions and read your lease thoroughly to make sure you are following the rules and you know what you are limited too. The best thing about these renter-friendly hacks for Bama students is that they completely transform your Tuscaloosa Apartment.