One of the pitfalls of living with a roommate is the fact that there are so many little things that can cause resentment and arguments that, in the grand scheme of things, really don’t matter. While both roommates should have complete autonomy to decorate their own spaces as they see fit, the decorating of common spaces can be a major point of contention. Here are a few pointers you can keep in mind to avoid a fight over a topic that really isn’t that important.

If one of you has seniority in an apartment, then that person essentially has the right to decorate public spaces as they see fit, as long as the decorations aren’t offensive in any way. There really isn’t anything wrong with the new roommate adding a flourish or touch here or there or even hanging a picture if they wish, even if there is some clashing going on. The main problem arises when both people move into a unit at the same time.

Luckily, most roommates don’t have a real problem compromising when it comes to decorating public spaces, but if it turns out that there is a real clash of styles, both roommates can benefit by compromising. One roommate can simply allow the other to decorate public spaces in return for another privilege around the apartment. You could even talk about possible financial compensation if the two of you can agree on a price. Above all, remember that the two of you are adults, and if one of you is so passionate about your desire to decorate public spaces in the apartment, then an agreement can be reached so that both parties don’t resent the other.

One of the best trends in recent years when it comes to apartment living has to do with decorating. More and more landlords and management companies are letting people take control of what their apartment looks like, with one major caveat: you have to restore it back to how it looked when you decide to leave. This means that if you decide to paint, you have to get a can of the original color paint from your landlord before you move out and repaint any walls you changed. Here are a few other tips for following decorating rules in your new apartment.

Some landlords require that you fill any holes that you put in walls. In most cases, they will provide you with the materials and the putty knife you need to do this, but make sure that is spelled out in your lease. More than one tenant has been stuck footing the bill for restoration materials because they didn’t read the fine print.

Every apartment is going to undergo wear and tear during your time in it, so make sure that you aren’t responsible for repairing things like loose caulking in the shower or around windows or replacing things like worn window screens.

Some apartments require that an apartment be painted when you move out regardless of any damage that may or may not have taken place. The cost for this is usually paid for by your landlord, although some places take it out of your deposit. You can sometimes avoid this by using a pack of magic eraser sponges and going around and removing every scuff mark, every black line and every pencil or pen mark from your walls after you’ve moved all of your belongings out of the way. Most renters don’t go the extra mile and do this, but it can save you hundreds of dollars and even get a security deposit back that you thought was long gone.