The 2-in-1 Decor Gem I’ve Used in Every Room Since Freshman Year (It’s $11!)

It was the summer before I left for college. I had picked out my throw blankets and pillows, and felt like I just needed one more thing to bring the room together. It was time to search the internet for some cute dorm decor, which is exactly how I found these adorable Photo Clip String Lights from Bed Bath & Beyond. What better way, I thought, to incorporate some warm lighting into my dorm while also getting to decorate it with my favorite photos. 

Four years later, I’ve used these lights in every dorm room and apartment I’ve lived in. The exact lights I have (and love!) are still available online, and I can’t recommend them enough. 

These battery-powered string lights use LED bulbs that emit a nice warm white light, and each bulb is paired with a plastic clothespin-style clip to hang up to 20 photos. The lights take three AA batteries; I only have to change them at the start of each new school year. At its full length the string of lights measures 7.22 feet long, which makes it perfect for any wall in your dorm.

Although LED bulbs generate significantly less heat than incandescent ones, any string lights can still pose a fire hazard, so to be safe I always make sure to turn my lights off when I leave my space, keep the lights away from any heat sources, and make sure not to overload my outlet. One way to avoid that hazard is by purchasing a surge protector. 

The string lights are available on Bed Bath & Beyond’s website for $14.99, but they’re on sale right now for $11.69!

I love that these string lights are long enough that you can hang them in a bunch of different ways: straight across your wall, in a zig zag pattern, or even looping them to create multiple rows of twinkly photos. Not to mention, they’re a great example of dual-purpose decor — they’re a cozy light source and a cute way to hang photos.

I’m not a fan of the harsh overhead lighting most dorms provide, so this is a perfect alternative to introduce some soft and calming light. I love turning them on early in the morning or late at night, in particular. 

Not to mention, these have lasted me for four years (and counting), so if you wind them up and store them carefully they’re likely to last you a while. 

Finally, whether you’re a photography major or just like snapping pics of your friends, these clip lights are such a cool way to display 20 of your favorite photos, and really help make your space at school feel a little more like home as you inject your own personality and memories.

I absolutely love taking photos, so even the 20 on the string lights isn’t enough for me! Amazon has some cute, budget-friendly ways to display your photos without lights attached. This Hanging Photo Display comes with five strings and 30 total clips to hang your photos however you’d like. 

If you’re willing to splurge, the Aura Frame is a digital option that lets you add photos and videos from your phone using the Aura app, so you can display as many memories as you’d like.