Room Essentials String Lights

String lights are one of the most versatile and fun ways to decorate any room. From dorm rooms to bedrooms, patios to living rooms, a set of twinkly string lights instantly adds a cozy, festive touch. Room Essentials, Target’s popular home goods brand, offers a wide selection of string lights at affordable prices – making them a budget-friendly option for lighting up your space.

But with so many styles and options to choose from, how do you find the perfect set of Room Essentials string lights for your needs? As a string light enthusiast myself, I’ve tested out many of their options over the years. So in this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to consider when shopping for Room Essentials string lights – from types of bulbs, to length, shapes and more.

Plus I’ll share my top tips for styling your string lights to create a showstopping display. Let’s illuminate your space!

The Many Benefits of String Lights

Before we dive into the Room Essentials offerings, let’s look at why string lights are such a versatile decorative choice in the first place:

They provide ambient lighting. String lights give off a soft, cozy glow that is perfect for setting the mood. Their radiance is gentler than overhead lighting and creates a more inviting ambiance.

They’re design multitaskers. Use string lights outdoors to illuminate patios, decks and trees. Or deploy them indoors over beds, windows, shelves and more. They work with any style from modern to bohemian.

Their glow is customizable. With clear bulbs, colored bulbs or a mix, you control the lighting color and look. Go bold or neutral – it’s up to you!

They create focal points. Drape string lights over doorways, arbors, headboards and fireplaces to accent these areas. Outline architectural features or frames with lights.

They add festive cheer. Few decorations celebrate the season quite like lights! Use them year-round or highlight holidays.

They’re budget-friendly. String lights provide big decorative impact for little cost. Affordable options like Room Essentials make great lighting accessible.

Key Factors to Consider When Shopping Room Essentials String Lights

The range of string lights available today can seem endless – but don’t let all the options overwhelm you! Focus on these key factors as you shop to find your perfect set.

Bulb Type

Room Essentials offers string lights with LED, incandescent and clear bulbs. LEDs are the most energy-efficient and long-lasting. Incandescent bulbs provide a classic warm glow. Clear bulbs disappear into the background when off.

Consider the lighting color and longevity you prefer. LED string lights cost a bit more upfront but save money over time.

Length

Measure the area you want to drape or wrap with lights to determine the ideal length. Room Essentials string lights range from 6 ft to 72 ft.

Outdoor sets for trees, patios and gardens should be longer – at least 25 ft. For indoor use, 15-25 ft lights work for most beds, shelves and windows. Buy multiple smaller sets for larger rooms.

Shapes

Beyond standard drop or straight shapes, Room Essentials offers globe bulbs for a fuller shape. Mixing bulbs types creates visual interest too.

For more focused light, choose cone or cylindrical shades to direct illumination downwards or upwards. Lantern styles also provide directional lighting.

Light Colors

Beyond clear, pick from warm white, soft white or multicolored lights for different looks:

• Warm white – Vintage, incandescent style glow
• Soft white – Bright but mellow, neutral light
• Multicolor – Festive, fun accent lighting that can be set to change color modes

Indoor string lights often use soft white for maximum brightness. Outdoors, warm white matches traditional bulbs.

Special Features

Look for these added features to enhance convenience and versatility:

• Timer – Automatically turns lights on/off on a schedule
• Remote control – Change settings from afar for hard-to-reach lights
• Waterproof – For safe outdoor use in all weather
• Battery operated – Allows placement without outlets
• Light modes – Multicolor lights with different color modes add festive options

Reviews: The Best Room Essentials String Lights

Ready to glow? Here are my reviews of the top Room Essentials string light options to match any space and style:

Battery Operated Laser Cut Lamp Post Lights

Great For: Quickly decorating a patio or garden without wiring

Details:

• Style: Black metal lamp posts with laser cut geometric patterns and cylindrical shades
• Length: 29 ft
• Bulbs: Warm white LED
• Power: Battery (included)
• Timer: 6 hours on/18 hours off

These playful black lamp post string lights instantly create an inviting ambiance outdoors. The pretty laser cut patterns provide artistic flair. Just place the lights where desired, turn them on and enjoy 6 hours of warm, welcoming light each evening – no wiring or electrical work required. The weatherproof construction ensures the lights look great all season.

Tip: For the fullest look, wrap the lights around posts, bannisters, trees or other surfaces. Placing them along the ground works too.

Clear Globe String Lights

Great For: Subtle accent lighting or year-round sparkle

Details:

• Style: Braided clear cord with globe bulbs
• Length: 24 ft
• Bulbs: Clear incandescent
• Power: Plug-in
• Modes: Steady on

These clear bulb globe lights disappear into the background when off, but add the perfect twinkle turned on. The mini globes give off more of a sparkle than standard bulbs. With their understated braided cord, these lights work year-round for holidays, parties or everyday ambiance. Use the indoor/outdoor set anywhere from Christmas trees to patios. The lights look beautiful wrapped around wreaths and garlands too.

Tip: For added magic, mix these clear globes lights with a set of white lights.

Outdoor Smart Plug-In String Lights

Great For: Ambient lighting and extending outdoor enjoyment into the evenings

Details:

• Style: Drop-shape bulbs on black cord
• Length: 48 ft
• Bulbs: Soft white LED
• Power: Plug-in with smart plug
• Control: App and voice activated

These weatherproof outdoor string lights offer the ultimate in convenience. First, their generous 48 ft length allows you to fully cover pergolas, trees and more. The smart plug connects to WiFi so you can turn the lights on/off from your phone, or with voice commands if you have a smart speaker. Program a schedule so the lights turn on automatically at dusk each evening!

The soft white LED bulbs give off a bright yet cozy glow that makes your deck or patio feel welcoming and lived-in. I love using these plug-in lights to easily extend the enjoyment of my outdoor living space into the nighttime hours.

Tip: Use outdoor mounting clips or hooks to neatly organize the cord and prevent tangling.

Multi Colored Bedroom String Lights

Great For: Fun, festive dorm or bedroom lighting

Details:

• Style: Drops with colored LED bulbs
• Length: 16 ft
• Bulbs: Multicolor LED
• Power: Plug-in
• Control: Remote to change color modes

These playful string lights allow you to customize the lighting in your bedroom. Use the remote to switch between color modes like slow fade, flashing, color change and more. With the lights draped above your bed or shelving, you can instantly change up the mood to match how you feel.

The waterproof bulbs also make these lights perfect for designing your own creative wall art and decorations. Outline drawings or words on the wall, headboards and other surfaces. The bold colors stand out beautifully for an artistic, DIY look.

Tip: For college dorms, use removable 3M hooks to hang the lights without damaging walls.

Battery Operated Lantern Lights

Great For: Directed outdoor lighting along walkways, steps and doorways

Details:

• Style: Black metal lanterns with rippled glass
• Length: 20 ft
• Bulbs: Warm white LED
• Power: Battery (included)
• Timer: 6 hours on/18 hours off

Lantern-style string lights are perfect for adding focused illumination to outdoor spaces. The charming black metal and rippled glass lanterns concentrate light downwards – ideal for lighting walkways and steps. No wiring needed – just position the lights where desired.

For up to 6 hours each evening, these battery-powered beauties will light your way with a welcoming warm white glow. The weatherproof design keeps them looking great all year long. Move and rearrange them anytime to highlight different areas.

Tip: Place one lantern light by each step along a stairway for easy nighttime navigation.

Hanging and Decorating with String Lights

Once you’ve picked the perfect string lights for your needs, it’s time for the fun part – decorating and displaying your lights! Here are my go-to tips for styling Room Essentials string lights:

Use Curtain Rods for Easy Display

One of my favorite tricks is hanging string lights along a curtain rod or tension rod. This instantly creates an eye-catching focal point above windows, beds, shelves and other areas without damaging walls or ceilings.

Use removable 3M hooks or clips to attach the string light cords to the rod cleanly and securely. Curtain rods make it so easy to put up and take down lights.

Outline Architectural Elements

Make door frames, arbors, ceilings beams and other interesting structural features pop by outlining them with string lights. This highlights and illuminates the shapes in an artistic way.

For long-lasting security, use small nails, hooks or clips specially made for hanging string lights along trim and molding.

Layer Lights for Added Dimension

Sometimes a single strand of string lights just isn’t enough! For extra effect, hang multiple strands in the same space at different lengths and positions.

Crisscrossing lights looks cool along ceilings and walls. Or start lights higher and drape subsequent strands lower for a cascading look. Layering colors and shapes builds visual texture too.

Use Decorative Accents

Take your string light display to the next level by adding complementary decor elements like flowers, greenery, ribbon and more. For example:

• Wrap faux leaves or florals around the lights
• Tie bows where strands meet
• Hang paper fans, pom poms or tissue paper tassels from the lights

Getting creative with decorations and accents builds a beautiful, polished look.

Light Up Your Life!

String lights are one of those simple but transformative decor items that every home needs. With the wide selection of styles and features Room Essentials offers, you’re sure to find the perfect lights to create awe-inspiring displays.

Hopefully this guide gave you all the information and inspiration you need to tackle your lighting project. Always refer to the manufacturer instructions for any safety considerations. Once installed, enjoy your new twinkly ambiance. Your space will shine brighter than ever!