diff --git a/install-gnome-backgrounds.sh b/install-gnome-backgrounds.sh
index c15c54d..cab92b0 100755
--- a/install-gnome-backgrounds.sh
+++ b/install-gnome-backgrounds.sh
@@ -4,8 +4,14 @@ readonly ROOT_UID=0
 readonly MAX_DELAY=20 # max delay for user to enter root password
 
 REPO_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
-BACKGROUND_DIR="/usr/share/backgrounds"
-PROPERTIES_DIR="/usr/share/gnome-background-properties"
+
+if [[ "$UID" -eq "$ROOT_UID" ]]; then
+  BACKGROUND_DIR="/usr/share/backgrounds"
+  PROPERTIES_DIR="/usr/share/gnome-background-properties"
+else
+  BACKGROUND_DIR="$HOME/.local/share/backgrounds"
+  PROPERTIES_DIR="$HOME/.local/share/gnome-background-properties"
+fi
 
 THEME_VARIANTS=('WhiteSur' 'Monterey' 'Ventura' 'Sonoma')
 SCREEN_VARIANTS=('1080p' '2k' '4k')
@@ -72,6 +78,9 @@ install() {
 
   cp -a --no-preserve=ownership ${REPO_DIR}/xml-files/timed-xml-files/${theme}-timed.xml ${BACKGROUND_DIR}/${theme}
   cp -a --no-preserve=ownership ${REPO_DIR}/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/${theme}.xml ${PROPERTIES_DIR}
+
+  sed -i "s/@BACKGROUNDDIR@/$(printf '%s\n' "${BACKGROUND_DIR}" | sed 's/[\/&]/\\&/g')/g" "${BACKGROUND_DIR}/${theme}/${theme}-timed.xml"
+  sed -i "s/@BACKGROUNDDIR@/$(printf '%s\n' "${BACKGROUND_DIR}" | sed 's/[\/&]/\\&/g')/g" "${PROPERTIES_DIR}/${theme}.xml"
 }
 
 uninstall() {
@@ -195,13 +204,6 @@ uninstall_wallpaper() {
   echo
 }
 
-if [[ $UID -ne $ROOT_UID ]];  then
-  echo
-  prompt -e "ERROR: Need root access! please run this script with sudo."
-  echo
-  exit 1
-fi
-
 if [[ "${uninstall}" != 'true' ]]; then
   install_wallpaper && install_nord_wallpaper
 else
diff --git a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Mojave-nord.xml b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Mojave-nord.xml
index df114d9..da80ab5 100644
--- a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Mojave-nord.xml
+++ b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Mojave-nord.xml
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 <wallpapers>
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>Mojave Nord Background</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Wallpaper-nord/Mojave-nord-light.png</filename>
-    <filename-dark>/usr/share/backgrounds/Wallpaper-nord/Mojave-nord-dark.png</filename-dark>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Wallpaper-nord/Mojave-nord-light.png</filename>
+    <filename-dark>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Wallpaper-nord/Mojave-nord-dark.png</filename-dark>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#3071AE</pcolor>
diff --git a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Monterey.xml b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Monterey.xml
index 6416c9c..596bf95 100644
--- a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Monterey.xml
+++ b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Monterey.xml
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 <wallpapers>
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>Monterey Background</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</filename>
-    <filename-dark>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</filename-dark>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</filename>
+    <filename-dark>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</filename-dark>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#51a2da</pcolor>
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>Monterey Time of Day</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-timed.xml</filename>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-timed.xml</filename>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#ffffff</pcolor>
diff --git a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Sonoma.xml b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Sonoma.xml
index 0b0e29c..ce0dc7f 100644
--- a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Sonoma.xml
+++ b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Sonoma.xml
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 <wallpapers>
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>Sonoma Background</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</filename>
-    <filename-dark>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</filename-dark>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</filename>
+    <filename-dark>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</filename-dark>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#51a2da</pcolor>
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>Sonoma Time of Day</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-timed.xml</filename>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-timed.xml</filename>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#ffffff</pcolor>
diff --git a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Ventura.xml b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Ventura.xml
index f4d4280..91df238 100644
--- a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Ventura.xml
+++ b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/Ventura.xml
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 <wallpapers>
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>Ventura Background</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</filename>
-    <filename-dark>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</filename-dark>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</filename>
+    <filename-dark>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</filename-dark>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#51a2da</pcolor>
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>Ventura Time of Day</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-timed.xml</filename>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-timed.xml</filename>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#ffffff</pcolor>
diff --git a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/WhiteSur.xml b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/WhiteSur.xml
index d2b6d46..7bc8475 100644
--- a/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/WhiteSur.xml
+++ b/xml-files/gnome-background-properties/WhiteSur.xml
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 <wallpapers>
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>WhiteSur Background</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</filename>
-    <filename-dark>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</filename-dark>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</filename>
+    <filename-dark>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</filename-dark>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#51a2da</pcolor>
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>WhiteSur Nord Background</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/Wallpaper-nord/WhiteSur-nord-light.png</filename>
-    <filename-dark>/usr/share/backgrounds/Wallpaper-nord/WhiteSur-nord-dark.png</filename-dark>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Wallpaper-nord/WhiteSur-nord-light.png</filename>
+    <filename-dark>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Wallpaper-nord/WhiteSur-nord-dark.png</filename-dark>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#6882b3</pcolor>
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
   <wallpaper deleted="false">
     <name>WhiteSur Time of Day</name>
-    <filename>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-timed.xml</filename>
+    <filename>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-timed.xml</filename>
     <options>zoom</options>
     <shade_type>solid</shade_type>
     <pcolor>#ffffff</pcolor>
diff --git a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Monterey-timed.xml b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Monterey-timed.xml
index d4bda94..ca03ad8 100644
--- a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Monterey-timed.xml
+++ b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Monterey-timed.xml
@@ -13,39 +13,39 @@
 <!-- We start with sunrise at 7 AM. It will remain up for 1 hour. -->
 <static>
 <duration>3600.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-morning.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-morning.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- Sunrise starts to transition to day at 8 AM. The transition lasts for 5 hours, ending at 1 PM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-morning.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-morning.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's 1 PM, we're showing the day image in full force now, for 5 hours ending at 6 PM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 7 PM and it's going to start to get darker. This will transition for 6 hours up until midnight. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>21600.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-light.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's midnight. It'll stay dark for 5 hours up until 5 AM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 5 AM. We'll start transitioning to sunrise for 2 hours up until 7 AM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>7200.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Monterey/Monterey-morning.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Monterey/Monterey-morning.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 </background>
diff --git a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Sonoma-timed.xml b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Sonoma-timed.xml
index e195d91..3f39baf 100644
--- a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Sonoma-timed.xml
+++ b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Sonoma-timed.xml
@@ -13,39 +13,39 @@
 <!-- We start with sunrise at 7 AM. It will remain up for 1 hour. -->
 <static>
 <duration>3600.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- Sunrise starts to transition to day at 8 AM. The transition lasts for 5 hours, ending at 1 PM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's 1 PM, we're showing the day image in full force now, for 5 hours ending at 6 PM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 7 PM and it's going to start to get darker. This will transition for 6 hours up until midnight. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>21600.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's midnight. It'll stay dark for 5 hours up until 5 AM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 5 AM. We'll start transitioning to sunrise for 2 hours up until 7 AM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>7200.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-dark.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Sonoma/Sonoma-light.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 </background>
diff --git a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Ventura-timed.xml b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Ventura-timed.xml
index af6cef3..54c82d8 100644
--- a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Ventura-timed.xml
+++ b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/Ventura-timed.xml
@@ -13,39 +13,39 @@
 <!-- We start with sunrise at 7 AM. It will remain up for 1 hour. -->
 <static>
 <duration>3600.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- Sunrise starts to transition to day at 8 AM. The transition lasts for 5 hours, ending at 1 PM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's 1 PM, we're showing the day image in full force now, for 5 hours ending at 6 PM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 7 PM and it's going to start to get darker. This will transition for 6 hours up until midnight. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>21600.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's midnight. It'll stay dark for 5 hours up until 5 AM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 5 AM. We'll start transitioning to sunrise for 2 hours up until 7 AM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>7200.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-dark.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/Ventura/Ventura-light.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 </background>
diff --git a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/WhiteSur-timed.xml b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/WhiteSur-timed.xml
index 807c1f6..835fb05 100644
--- a/xml-files/timed-xml-files/WhiteSur-timed.xml
+++ b/xml-files/timed-xml-files/WhiteSur-timed.xml
@@ -13,39 +13,39 @@
 <!-- We start with sunrise at 7 AM. It will remain up for 1 hour. -->
 <static>
 <duration>3600.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-morning.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-morning.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- Sunrise starts to transition to day at 8 AM. The transition lasts for 5 hours, ending at 1 PM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-morning.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-morning.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's 1 PM, we're showing the day image in full force now, for 5 hours ending at 6 PM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 7 PM and it's going to start to get darker. This will transition for 6 hours up until midnight. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>21600.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-light.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 
 <!-- It's midnight. It'll stay dark for 5 hours up until 5 AM. -->
 <static>
 <duration>18000.0</duration>
-<file>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</file>
+<file>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</file>
 </static>
 
 <!-- It's 5 AM. We'll start transitioning to sunrise for 2 hours up until 7 AM. -->
 <transition type="overlay">
 <duration>7200.0</duration>
-<from>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</from>
-<to>/usr/share/backgrounds/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-morning.jpg</to>
+<from>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur.jpg</from>
+<to>@BACKGROUNDDIR@/WhiteSur/WhiteSur-morning.jpg</to>
 </transition>
 </background>