Decorating
Spotted! Say it With Neon Lights
Make a room in your home a welcoming stand-out with a typographic neon sign
Neon signs mean different things to different people. For some they represent a commercialised society, for others they’re a creative expression of popular culture, and for decorators, neon signs can be imbued with both meaning and style simply rendered as bright and shiny objet d’art. When so many things compete for our attention every day, a neon sign is a very direct way of saying, ‘Look at me!’
Typographic neon lights are an opportunity to communicate something quirky, inspirational or thought-provoking for all to see. In bedrooms, living rooms or at the front door, neon lights are surprisingly versatile and a quick way to transform a room. Here are some of our favourites.
Typographic neon lights are an opportunity to communicate something quirky, inspirational or thought-provoking for all to see. In bedrooms, living rooms or at the front door, neon lights are surprisingly versatile and a quick way to transform a room. Here are some of our favourites.
Thought provoker
This neon light by British artist Tracey Emin takes an otherwise minimal kitchen and makes it sing. Neon signs can effectively be a form of art in themselves. This particular one certainly raises questions for me: Should we really own art? Or consider it a kind of loan? What are our motivations for collecting art? All these queries from a neon sign. Who knew?
This neon light by British artist Tracey Emin takes an otherwise minimal kitchen and makes it sing. Neon signs can effectively be a form of art in themselves. This particular one certainly raises questions for me: Should we really own art? Or consider it a kind of loan? What are our motivations for collecting art? All these queries from a neon sign. Who knew?
Pattern play
Instead of being the stand-out feature of a room, a neon sign can fit with the rest of the decor. The colour of this neon ‘play’ light matches the pink accents throughout the room as well as its eclectic style. It’s just the space to make room for a little play.
Instead of being the stand-out feature of a room, a neon sign can fit with the rest of the decor. The colour of this neon ‘play’ light matches the pink accents throughout the room as well as its eclectic style. It’s just the space to make room for a little play.
Encouraging words
We all want to feel like the hero or heroine of our own life. So, what better way to remind yourself that you’re the master of your own destiny than through a glowing sign? Pictured here, the juxtaposition of the neon light ‘heroine’ with the tropical philodendron leaves is an interesting mix of artificial and natural elements.
Neon sign: Tamara Magel Studio
We all want to feel like the hero or heroine of our own life. So, what better way to remind yourself that you’re the master of your own destiny than through a glowing sign? Pictured here, the juxtaposition of the neon light ‘heroine’ with the tropical philodendron leaves is an interesting mix of artificial and natural elements.
Neon sign: Tamara Magel Studio
Above the bed
If you feel like your bedroom is a little lacklustre, add a spark with a neon sign. Although neon lights are more often used in the common areas of a house, placing one in a private room adds a point of difference. Such a sign can also function as an effective night light for the bedroom when you don’t feel like having the ceiling lights on.
High-impact looks using LEDs
If you feel like your bedroom is a little lacklustre, add a spark with a neon sign. Although neon lights are more often used in the common areas of a house, placing one in a private room adds a point of difference. Such a sign can also function as an effective night light for the bedroom when you don’t feel like having the ceiling lights on.
High-impact looks using LEDs
Retro love
Adding a neon light to your home is a bold statement reserved for the most adventurous of decorators. The playful retro glamour of this room is offset by the contemporary phrase ‘You Only Live Once’. The beauty of neon lights is that they’re an ideal way to mix the past with the present.
Custom-made sign: Peterson Neon
Adding a neon light to your home is a bold statement reserved for the most adventurous of decorators. The playful retro glamour of this room is offset by the contemporary phrase ‘You Only Live Once’. The beauty of neon lights is that they’re an ideal way to mix the past with the present.
Custom-made sign: Peterson Neon
Keep them guessing
If you want your neon sign to be less literal, try using a single letter. Then, when people ask what it stands for, you can make things up depending on the day (Christmas, cat, chocolate etc.). This oversized ‘C’ really adds to the room, without having to stick to a specific message.
If you want your neon sign to be less literal, try using a single letter. Then, when people ask what it stands for, you can make things up depending on the day (Christmas, cat, chocolate etc.). This oversized ‘C’ really adds to the room, without having to stick to a specific message.
Foreign affair
The (rough) translation of ‘que sera sera’ is ‘what will be, will be’. The sign is placed off-centre to help encourage a unique layout to the room. The choice of a bright colour (like hot pink) instead of white means the neon sign will be more likely to become the primary focus of a room.
The (rough) translation of ‘que sera sera’ is ‘what will be, will be’. The sign is placed off-centre to help encourage a unique layout to the room. The choice of a bright colour (like hot pink) instead of white means the neon sign will be more likely to become the primary focus of a room.
Vintage signs
These vintage industrial pieces are offset by a red ‘hotel’ sign. The combination of industrial style and neon signs is a real winner as it suggests a move from old factories and industrial spaces toward converted lofts and modern times.
So your style is: industrial
These vintage industrial pieces are offset by a red ‘hotel’ sign. The combination of industrial style and neon signs is a real winner as it suggests a move from old factories and industrial spaces toward converted lofts and modern times.
So your style is: industrial
All you need is love
While it’s not quite neon, marquee lights can have a similar effect. If you want love to be at the centre of the home, you can’t get more direct than putting a sign spelling it out right smack bang in the middle of your dining room. Consider the colour palette of the rest of the room when choosing a neon or marquee sign. Either you’ll want to choose a colour that contrasts with the pre-existing palette, or one that complements it.
While it’s not quite neon, marquee lights can have a similar effect. If you want love to be at the centre of the home, you can’t get more direct than putting a sign spelling it out right smack bang in the middle of your dining room. Consider the colour palette of the rest of the room when choosing a neon or marquee sign. Either you’ll want to choose a colour that contrasts with the pre-existing palette, or one that complements it.
From the outside in
There’ll be no more lost postmen or confused night-time visitors with these neon numbers. For full effect, make sure the colour of the neon contrasts with your wall. If you want to keep on top of your electricity usage, however, it’s probably a good idea to just turn them on at night.
House numbers that stand out
There’ll be no more lost postmen or confused night-time visitors with these neon numbers. For full effect, make sure the colour of the neon contrasts with your wall. If you want to keep on top of your electricity usage, however, it’s probably a good idea to just turn them on at night.
House numbers that stand out
Cheeky fun
Go on, treat yourself. Not all signs have to include a deep and meaningful message (although some would argue ‘treat yo’self’ is a commentary on indulgence in our society). But if that concept is too much to ponder, just consider treating yourself to a striking neon sign!
TELL US
How do you feel about neon signs in the home? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
How lighting can set the right mood
Go on, treat yourself. Not all signs have to include a deep and meaningful message (although some would argue ‘treat yo’self’ is a commentary on indulgence in our society). But if that concept is too much to ponder, just consider treating yourself to a striking neon sign!
TELL US
How do you feel about neon signs in the home? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
How lighting can set the right mood
If you’d rather stay in than hit up a bar, but still enjoy a good drink, a set up such as the one pictured here may be the perfect solution. The industrial concrete walls and furniture of the room are complemented by the ‘dry gin’ neon sign. It helps prevent the room from feeling stark and gives the it a clear focus. Try saying no to a gin and tonic in this space!
Neon sign: Not on the High Street