These Popular Indoor String Lights Are the Perfect Finishing Touch for Your Dorm

Light up your small space with LED strips and fairy lights without breaking the bank.

Wendy is a home commerce writer covering trends, news, and deals for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Southern Living. She is devoted to scouring the internet and social media to find the newest and coolest products at the best prices. Wendy graduated from the Art Institute of New York City in 2012 with an associates degree in fashion marketing and merchandising, then completed a bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in fashion journalism at LIM College in New York City in 2015.

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Lighting is a quick and no-fuss solution to giving your space an immediate glow-up and creating a relaxing ambiance—especially in a small dorm room. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable options out there, so you don't have to spend a fortune to set the mood. If you want to venture outside the standard table and desk lamp, you may want to consider decorative light sources that can enhance your living space.

String lights aren't just for lighting outdoor spaces, they're versatile decor accents. From glowing strips of rainbow hues to delicate clusters of warm fairy lights, Amazon is overflowing with a variety of choices that are well under $20. We combed through all kinds of string lights to bring you these exciting picks that will transform your space with the click of a button.

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This traditional set of twinkle lights features LED beads embedded between fine copper wires for a delicate effect. With 66 feet of microlights, you can get creative and use them for a fun wall border or wrap them around a bedpost. These can even be set on a timer to cleverly switch on and off as needed throughout your day.

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Wash out any bare areas in your room with curtain-like illumination to really make any space your own, whether you plan on using them as a backdrop of a blank wall or draping over your curtains. Plus, this bundle comes with a handy remote control, so you don't have to lift a finger.

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Not your average fairy light, this option features clustered dangling bulbs that look like flower buds for a garden vibe. The flexible wiring gives you the freedom to play around with all kinds of design possibilities that will make your dorm room a cozy retreat.

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Embrace your inner maximalist and welcome color into your room with a spectrum of shades from these light strips. They also come with a remote, and you can program them through an accompanying app to sync with your music.

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Give your dorm room a personalized ethereal touch that will bring the outdoors inside with you year-round. You snap them up in a classic warm white hue as well as purple and a multicolor option. They also have eight playful light modes, from twinkle to slow fade.

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If you prefer an ombre effect, you'll enjoy this curtain of mermaid-inspired strands. The whimsical decorative lights offer a charming and pleasant vibe and are also dimmable. Although these don't come with a timer, they include a remote.

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Alternatively, if you don't want to go all-out with string lights, then you might prefer an intriguing luminescent accent element for your place like this best-selling wall hanging. It provides 30 clips that you can use to attach mementos and photos.

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Light up your area with a nature-inspired strand of illuminated artificial vines. They'll make you feel like a green thumb—no real plants required. It's an instant refreshing addition that you can easily drape over your shelves or lace around your fixtures.