5 Savvy Pointers For Incorporating Neon Decor Into Your Home

Those who love dramatic interior design elements may love a colorful home. But only the most daring would choose to incorporate neon colors into their space. Neons are electrifying, eye-catching, and energy-inducing. Acrylgiessen points out that neon shades look very different from their original shades. For instance, neon green looks very different from a soft or an emerald green. This is because it is extra vibrant, bold, and bright. Therefore, neon colors typically don't have the same connotations their color counterparts do — a neon green doesn't remind the viewer of serene nature in the same way that a forest green does. In this way, when using neon colors in a room, you can choose the shades that you most enjoy. Any color you choose will energize the atmosphere in a space.

However, there is still an art to decorating with neon. Of course, it can be hard to make these bright pieces look cohesive in a space without overwhelming the viewer. If you want to incorporate neon elements into your home, below are five pointers you'll need to know.

Neon colors demand attention. They are typically the first thing the viewer notices when they enter a space. Therefore, you'll need to position neon pieces on neutral walls, so the space doesn't feel overwhelming. Swiss Interior says that rooms that use neon elements should be toned down. Usually, only a few bold elements are used in a mostly neutral space, which can help you and your guests avoid visual headaches.

Apartment Ratings emphasizes the importance of not overdoing it with neons. While neon colors can be beautiful, they will inevitably look very bold in any space. Therefore, being intentional about subtleties in the rest of your design can help them look cohesive in a space. If you want to make more of a bold statement, they recommend letting one wall shine with neon colors and keeping the rest of the walls neutral. This will draw the eye to one wall in the room and leave the others as a place to rest overstimulated eyes.

It's also important to choose the right neutral shades when decorating with neon elements. You could choose mostly dark or light colors. Caan Design says that lighter colors work best with neon elements in small spaces. This is because dark colors may make a small room feel claustrophobic. Therefore, use light colors behind neon elements in the bathroom or entryway. This will make them feel larger and brighter. Oregon Live says that combining pastels with neons can make a space look cohesive.

At the same time, dark colors can also look gorgeous behind neon shades. Dark colors will emphasize the neon elements in your space. Oregon Live suggests balancing neons with grays or blacks. Or, you could choose a dark color to anchor your neon shades. Drapery Street gives examples of how to balance out lime green, electric blue, and vibrant pink with navy blue in different spaces.

You may be wondering what options you have for neon pieces to use in your home. After all, neon décor isn't typically emphasized in stores. However, neon pieces can be found in just about any element you desire, from furniture to art and paint shades. You may have to search online for the items you want to add to your space.

Decoora says that paintings framed in neon colors will highlight the pieces inside. Vintage furniture could be given new life with neon paint shades. Rent Cafe suggests using illuminated neon signs in interior design. These could be hung on the wall or used as a focal point on a gallery wall. Upholstered items like pillows, blankets, and curtains also come in neon shades. Neon paint could be used to create a fun accent wall. Or, you could hang neon wall art. Neon pieces can highlight statement pieces in a space. For instance, if you have a beautiful fireplace, hanging neon wall art above will draw attention to it. Neon lights could be used to cast a beautiful and bright glow on an art piece. If you're on the fence about neon pieces, a great way to dip your toe in is with a vintage lava lamp.

While any neon shade could be chosen to add electricity to a space, choosing the right color is important. You'll want to use neon shades of the colors you already have in your space, per Swiss Interior. This will make your space feel cohesive. Apartment Ratings says that this will also make a space feel well balanced.  

Different neon shades look especially good when paired together. Pair purple and coral together for an interesting contrast. For a tropical feel, mix blue and green. Lime green and an orange chili shade will make a huge statement. Acrylgiessen says that green and magenta, blue and orange, and yellow and purple look best when paired together. All of these options are complementary colors, meaning that they are opposite each other on the color wheel. Using these colors together will make your space look well thought out but also very vibrant and bright.

Finally, you'll need to think about whether you want to use neon solids or patterns. Swiss Interior recommends skipping the patterns when using neons. This is because neon colors are already so loud. They'll make a statement without also including a pattern. Also, a neon pattern may make a space look chaotic or overwhelming. It may cause the viewer to get a headache.

However, Caan Design argues that neon patterns can be added to a space. This is because, no matter if a neon color is used in a pattern or in a solid, it will make a huge statement. A pattern won't take away or add to the loudness of a neon shade, it will only enhance the appearance of your neon elements. A neon pattern could be incorporated into fabrics or in a statement wallpaper. If lots of bright patterns are used, make sure you anchor them in neutrals and solid colors.