BY JONATHAN LEVSKY // OCT. 25, 2016 //

If you’re a resident at Curry College, then you know all too well the many rules of the residence halls. But what if there was a way to enhance your dorm without breaking any rules at all?

Some of these rules may be surprising, but nevertheless they’re in place to ensure your safety within your room as well as the residence hall. So you may not be able to bring your candles, or your extension cords, or even your tapestry. However, there are still some ways to work around these restrictions and make your room as functional, comfortable, and personalized as possible.

IMAGE CREDIT: Jonathan Levsky

1. Command Strips are a necessity.

Command strips, which come in all shapes and sizes, can be used on pretty much anything. They can stick your favorite posters to the wall, hang extra hooks in your room, and hold photos and decor securely. The best part? They’re damage free, meaning no damage fees for you!

2. Plug in air fresheners.

We all know that candles are awesome; they add both nice aroma and atmosphere to a room. However, they are not legal in campus residence halls. So switch it up and purchase a plug in air freshener for your room to add a nice smell. You can purchase them just about anywhere and can even change up the scents whenever you like; even holiday specific scents. Who doesn’t love the smell of Pumpkin Spice in the fall and Candy Canes in the winter?

Buy curtains and a tension rod to hide a messy closet. // CREDIT: Shauna Nickerson ’18 and Nicole Harkins ’18

3. Tension rods and curtains will hide that messy closet.

You move into your new room and unpack. Everything has a place, except for the things that don’t. For some, a closet is a perfect place to stuff those extra items you don’t need out in the open. But by purchasing a small tension rod and curtain, your messy closet can be hidden from everyone that enters your room.

4. Door Draft Stopper are multipurpose.

Door draft stopper can be placed beneath a door to stop air that may be coming in underneath. What many don’t know is that it can also be used to also block light from coming in. So if you’re someone that needs complete darkness to sleep then purchasing one of these is a must.

5. Fire proof spray your tapestries.

One of the most popular items on and college campus are tapestries. However, like candles, they aren’t allowed. Or are they? A tapestry alone is not allowed unless it is fire resistant. By spraying down the tapestry as well as having proof that it’s fire resistant, you can have that $100 Urban Outfitter tapestry hanging freely in your room.

6. Invest in a rug.

If you’re anything like me, sitting on the floor in your room to do homework is a pretty common thing. However some floors with old carpets just aren’t as clean as you’d like and trying to clean it yourself is nearly impossible. So cover it up and purchase a rug! You can get any color and size you want and even match it to your room. It also serves as a comfy place to sit or have guests sleep.

7. Bring extra storage bins.

We all have had that moment when we unpack our room and find that there is not enough space for everything. So purchasing more storage bins for your room is a must. Put anything you need in extra storage to be used when you need it and then just slide it back under your bed when you’re done.

Invest in command hooks and strips to decorate your walls without damage. // CREDIT: Christianna Casaletto ’18

8. Take advantage of the bed risers.

When you first move into your dorm, you’ll notice that the beds can be raised to any height you want. Most students decide that highest is best for maximum storage. However, this may still not be high enough if you’re trying to put items such as your fridge under your bed. Buy extra bed raisers so that you can raise the bed as high as you need and fit everything perfectly under your bed.

9. Over the door hangers are a must.

Anybody who has a lot of clothes and shoes will understand just how small the Curry closets really are. By purchasing an over the door hanger, this problem can easily be avoided. A simple hanger is placed over your door and provides extra space to place items such as your shoes and clothes away.

10. Dryer Racks are a life saver.

Sometimes, the Curry Dryers just don’t do their job, no matter how long you keep cycling your laundry in them. A dryer rack you can solve this problem and be able to hang all your wet clothes out until they are perfectly dry to put away.