We researched dozens of string lights, judging them on ease of installation and use, brightness, and durability. Our top recommendation is the KooPower 200 LED Indoor String Lights with Remote and Timer, which is 69-feet long, has a built-in timer with memory, and comes with a remote control. Here are the best string lights for bedrooms. In terms of quality, adjustability, length, and convenience, the best string lights for bedrooms are the KooPower LED Indoor String Lights. This set is a whopping 69 feet long and comes with 200 warm white LED lights. It’s long enough to wrap around curtain rods, install around the perimeter of your ceiling, or even illuminate a full walk-in closet. These KooPower string lights plug into a standard outlet and come with a remote control, allowing you to turn them off and on, select from various modes, and dim the brightness. There’s also a built-in timer with a memory function, which automatically turns the lights on during the hours you want and back off during the hours you don’t use them. When not in use, they 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 very flattering and soft, compared to harsh overhead lighting. Price at time of publish: $23 These cascading waterfall string lights are made of recycled materials and are powered by a standard two-prong plug. They’re perfect for adding a burst of calming color to a kid’s or teen’s bedroom, or even a college dorm. Using the included hook, you can hang them over a doorway, window, headboard, or vanity —or just use them as a wall decoration. Price at time of publish: $89 This set plugs into a wall and can be extended with up to 9 additional strings. Since they’re LEDs, these string lights are energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs. There are nine different modes for the lights, including waves, sequential, slow glow, flashing, slow fade, twinkle, and combination, as well as standard on and off. Price at time of publish: $30 These LED globes provide up to 30,000 hours of use. But that’s not all—each of the bulbs 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. Price at time of publish: $25 The copper wire makes it easy to twist the string into various shapes and configurations. Some people opt to coil the cord and place it in a mason jar for a chic DIY indoor lantern. This set is powered by a standard outlet plug, which is 36 inches from the last fairy light. Also, the energy-efficient individual bulbs won’t heat up even when they’re left on for hours. This string light set is powered through a traditional plug and socket, and you can connect up to five sets to hang around your bedroom. Plus, there are eight different lighting modes to choose from. With LED chips, the lights only use 6W of energy and can provide up to 50,000 hours of warm, relaxing illumination without overheating. Price at time of publish: $49 The ultra-thin wire is lightweight and flexible yet sturdy, allowing you to create a wide range of decorations, like wrapping the lights around a plant. Since the fairy bulbs are LED, they boast a lifespan of 20 years or more and use a fraction of the energy as standard string lights. There are nine colors to choose from, including warm white, white, multi-color, blue, green, red, purple, pink, and orange. You can also get longer strings for a slightly higher price. Price at time of publish: $9 Price at time of publish: $30 These lights run on two AA batteries (not included), so they can be hung virtually anywhere in a bedroom, no outlet needed. Drape them over a dresser, around a mirror, across a doorway, or around bedposts. This set is also ideal for a tween or teen’s room. Price at time of publish: $15
Bulb Density
Bulb count on strong lights can vary from as few as 30 to as many as 300—and cords vary in length, so density is important to consider, too. Bigger bulbs are usually spread out more along the strand, while smaller lights need to be packed closer together to really give off a glow.
Light Settings
Do you want basic cool or warm white lights, or are you interested in jazzing things up with twinkling, fading, or colorful options? Some strands even have automatic timers that will turn the lights off after a set period of time, which could be a nice feature for a child’s bedroom. While none of those features are must-haves, they’re all nice touches that will make the lights more versatile.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance writer who has contributed to The Spruce since 2020. More of her home-related writing can be found on MyDomaine. To make this list, she considered each pick’s shape, price, and style. Additional reporting was done by Melissa Epifano, a news writer for The Spruce who covers trends, decor, and design topics with a deep appreciation for all things interiors and exteriors.
