Brighten Up Your Bedroom With 8 of Our Favorite String Lights (2024)

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After testing these lights in one of our very own homes, we found the Koopower Indoor Fairy Lights to be some of the best of the bunch. Thanks to their soft warm light and unobtrusive clear cord, these lights are a versatile and easy-to-use option. As with most of the lights on this list, the Koopower string lights use LED bulbs with a color temperature of between 2,700 and 3,000 Kelvins, which gives them a “warm white” look.

These string lights are a plug-in option that comes with a remote control, so you can turn them off and on, select from 8 different flicker options, and dim the brightness without getting up from bed. The set is a whopping 69 feet long, which is long enough to wrap around a curtain rod or even illuminate a closet. The built-in timer has a memory function, so you can automatically turn the lights on during the hours you want and back off during the hours you don't use them. It’s also easy to program.

When not in use, these lights look subtle and classy in your space, rather than bulky and out of place. There's also plenty of space before the bulbs begin to reach any outlet nearby. Some say the bulbs can be a bit dim, but the white light comes across as very flattering and soft compared to harsh overhead lighting. As with all of the offerings on our list, these lights are UL-rated (more on that in our FAQs).

_{Length: ‎69 feet | Wattage: 3 watts | Power Source: Corded electric | Waterproof: Yes}

If you want a budget-friendly option to spruce up your bedroom lighting, we suggest the Anjaylia LED Fairy String Lights. Each set comes with 30 firefly lights scattered across 10 feet of wire, and they’re also sold in a pack of two for extra convenience. Unlike many of the wall-powered options on this list, the lights themselves are battery-powered, making the set more versatile than many plug-in options since you can use them pretty much anywhere. However, you’ll need three AA batteries, which are not included, to power them.

We love that the ultra-thin wire of these string lights is lightweight and flexible yet sturdy, so you can wrap the lights around a plant or use them outdoors. (If you do use them outdoors, you’ll want to keep the battery box shielded from the elements since it’s not waterproof.) There are nine different colors—warm white (a bit more yellow), white, multi-color, blue, green, red, purple, pink, and orange. You can also get longer strings, including a 16.4-foot-long option, for a slightly higher price.

_{Length: ‎16.4 feet | Wattage: 3 watts | Power Source: Battery | Waterproof: Yes (apart from battery box)}

If you want to add a bit of color to a room, check out the Rainbow Waterfall String Lights from Pottery Barn Teen. This chain is 59 inches long (just shy of five feet) and 50 inches wide (from top to bottom) thanks to the 16 evenly spaced out strings of lights. We love the pop of color on the waterfall-style string lights set; each strand of lights transitions from red on the top to purple on the bottom. PBteen also has an Ombre Purple option with shades of pink, purple, and blue.

These cascading string lights are the perfect way to add a burst of color to a kid's or teen's bedroom, or even a college dorm. There are plastic hooks every four strands, so you can hang them over a doorway, window, headboard, or vanity—or just use them to fill an otherwise empty wall.

_{Size: 59 x 50 inches | Wattage: Not listed | Power Source: Corded electric | Waterproof: No}

For some extra character, consider the Twinkle Star String Lights. You'll get 100 star-shaped soft LED lights, each of which are about the width of a flash drive, on a 33-foot strand with durable plastic construction. Choose from bright white, warm white, blue, or multi-color to suit your space.

This string light set plugs into a wall via a DC adapter and you can connect up to nine additional strings for a total length of 297 feet (about the length of a football field). There are nine different modes to choose from, including waves, sequential, slow glow, flashing, slow fade, twinkle, and combination. You may have to cycle through each one of the settings as you turn the lights on and off, so keep in mind the controls can be a bit clunky. Additionally, because of the delicate nature of these string lights, they can tangle easily; however, if you take your time while hanging them, the process should be easy.

_{Length: ‎49 feet | Wattage: 5 watts | Power Source: Corded electric | Waterproof: Yes}

This set of globe-style string lights features a long string with 27 globe-like bulbs. Each bulb is about 1.5 inches wide, just slightly smaller than a golf ball. You can connect up to 28 strands with the dual-ended plug and connector for a total of 700 feet—plenty to cover large spaces like a wedding venue, barn, or a backyard tent. Plus, each bulb has its own clip that you can hook onto wire, ribbon, or twine to make installation easier.

These LED globes provide up to 30,000 hours of use. But that's not all—each bulb is shatterproof. This means you don't have to worry about dropping them on hard floors, and it makes storage much easier. Since these string lights are designed for outdoor use, they're also weatherproof. They have candelabra-style screw bases, too, which makes it easy to replace individual bulbs if needed. While there's only one light color available (warm white), the hue is one that should work in any space.

_{Length: ‎25 feet | Wattage: 0.6 watts | Power Source: Corded electric | Waterproof: Yes}

Fairy string lights are delicate, versatile, and charming, and you can expect no less from the Ebern Designs Bulb Fairy String Lights. This set is available in eight colors: warm white, orange, red, blue, green, pink, purple, and multicolor. Each strand comes with 100 micro LED lights, which are spaced four inches apart across a 33-foot copper wire cord. Ideal for mood lighting, the tiny bulbs give off a warm glow. As a bonus, they're rated for use indoors or outdoors, including in wet environments like bathrooms and outdoor showers.

The copper wire strand makes it easy to twist these string lights into various shapes and configurations so you can easily hang or wrap the lights. We like coiling the cords and placing them in a mason jar for a chic DIY indoor lantern. Unfortunately, you can't link multiple strands together, and that can leave these string lights looking quite small in larger spaces. This set plugs into an outlet, so you’ll need one within three feet of the end.

_{Length: ‎33 feet | Wattage: 1 watt | Power Source: Corded electric | Waterproof: Yes}

If you're partial to mini globe lights, we recommend the Bulb Globe String Light from The Party Aisle. This set comes with warm white pendant lights, with a total of 100 round, retro bulbs spaced across 33 feet of PC-coated copper string. The lights themselves are less than an inch wide and spaced about 3.5 inches apart. Plus, there are eight different lighting modes to choose from. With a multitude of mode choices, you can set these string lights to blink, slow blink, marquee, or other variations depending on the mood you're hoping to create.

You can connect up to five sets to hang around your bedroom. However, setting a mode is a bit tricky, as there's no remote and you must press a button on the cord to change it, so for each set you hang, you have to manually change the setting as you go. With LED chips (what makes LEDs glow), the lights can provide up to 50,000 hours of warm, relaxing illumination. (For context, if you leave these lights on for 24 hours a day they could last just shy of six years.) Keep in mind that individual bulbs can't be replaced; however, with such a long lifespan, you should get plenty of use out of this string set.

_{Length: ‎33 feet | Wattage: 6 watts | Power Source: Corded electric | Waterproof: Yes}

Curtain string lights can look really lovely in the bedroom—and if a sparkling, shimmering cascade of lights is the vibe you're going for, the LED Window Curtain Lights from Twinkle Star deliver. With seven light hues and the option of 300 or 600 LED bulbs, each set features hundreds of lights that cascade down 10 strings spaced 9.6 inches apart. The entire string light setup stretches just shy of 7 feet wide, and almost 10 feet long, ideal to drape in bedrooms with large windows or tall ceilings.

You can choose your lighting mode with these soft string lights. It offers eight different settings: waves, sequential, slogs, flashing, flow fade, combination, and steady on, and you can control the settings with the included remote control. The biggest challenge is how easily the slim strands can tangle, a common issue for lengthy string light sets.

_{Size: ‎8 x 3 x 4 feet | Wattage: 7.2 watts | Power Source: Corded electric | Waterproof: Yes}

FAQ

• What are the different types of string lights?

  String lights are a type of decorative accent lighting. There are several varieties of bulbs and string types that can be purchased depending on whether they’re being used indoors or outdoors. The most popular types for indoor use include small LED bulbs, shaped bulbs, strip lights, and multicolored lights. There are also seasonal lights and those that are used outdoors, like bistro and globe lights. These outdoor variations often look a bit different and are made to be weatherproof so they last longer in the rain and snow. Most of our picks can be used indoors and out, though you'll want to make sure that the battery pack is covered for wireless options.

• Are string lights safe for bedrooms?

  When set up correctly and turned off before you go to sleep or leave the house, string lights are perfectly fine to use in bedrooms, especially LED options since they don’t heat up and therefore have less potential to cause a house fire. When shopping, search for lights that are accredited and have a safety rating like UL, a science and safety certification group that works in accordance with the American National Standards Institute to ensure the safety and legitimacy of string light and seasonal light products. (All of the lights on this list are confirmed UL-certified.) Generally, string lights being used in bedrooms will be perfectly fine, but make sure not to install them in areas prone to high levels of moisture like bathrooms.

• How do you install string lights?

  Strings lights are one of the easiest fixtures to implement in a home because there is very little installation needed, and the lights themselves are plugged in or battery-powered rather than hardwired. For a more permanent setup, hammer nails or wall hooks into place and drape them over top. If ease and quick installation are more important, several varieties of adhesive wall hooks and tacks can easily be used to hold up your lights.

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