Pre-lockdown TikTok was an app I’d heard of but presumed I was 100% not young enough nor cool enough to use. A year on and here I am every single night scrolling through endless videos, sniggering away at myself under the duvet for hours.
It’s this very app that’s almost entirely responsible for the latest interior trend: neon signs. If you use the TikTok app (if you don’t, download it), you’ve probably seen Gen Zs posting clips of their vibey bedrooms with mutli-coloured LED strip lights around the edge of their rooms between the wall and ceiling – this look has been coined as the TikTok bedroom.
TikTok also has a disco-room filter to make videos appear like they could be in a nightclub. With 13 weeks (who’s counting?) left until we can dance under the discolights IRL in the UK, there’s no wonder this trend has taken off so much over the past year.
Since this video trend emerged, searches for neon lights have gone through the roof. Last year, Pinterest reported an 800% increase in searches for ‘neon room’ and in the UK search for ‘neon lights for room’ has risen by 340%. The trend is showing absolutely zero signs of slowing down.
One brand totally killing it with their pop-fuelled neon signage is Yellowpop. Alongside their permanent collection they do artist edition collabs with the likes of André Saraiva, David Elia, fashion critic duo Diet Prada and most recently, cult-favourite visual artist and photographer, Sarah Bahbah. Not to mention they have a huge celeb following including the likes of Emily Ratajkowski and Blanca Miró.
How to style a neon sign
Neon signs might have brought the famous nighttime glow to cities like New York, Paris and London, but how do we style them inside our homes without feeling like we’re living in downtown Las Vegas aesthetic? Granted, it might seem daunting to add a neon sign to a room, for the fear of it overpowering the space.
The key is to keep it simple, creative and stick to a neutral colour palette where you can. When we think of neon signs, we automatically picture bright neon hues like pinks, yellows and blues. However, a neon sign in a subtle white or cream can be an elegant finish to a room and a way of dipping your toe into the trend without going overboard.
The neon trend is a fantastic opportunity to inject a bit of personality while totally reinventing a space. If you’re like me and an empty wall can give you minor anxiety, a neon sign is a wonderful alternative to standard artwork in a frame.
I especially think neon signs look best in rooms that aren’t necessarily where you spend most of your time. For example, by adding a neon sign into your entrance hall, a guest bathroom or an office can give it an edge that you simply wouldn’t get by adding just artwork. It will transform any dull or boring walls into a statement feature that no guest (post-lockdown) will be able to avoid talking about, the perfect icebreaker.
The most important thing to consider is to give the sign breathing room, make sure the space is big enough so the sign doesn’t consume the room. The wall behind a sign should also be a deciding factor, though they look great on solid colours, they also look fabulous on textured walls like stone or brick. If you’re looking for maximum impact, layering a neon-sign onto statement wallpaper will amplify colour and bring the room to life.
“As we’ve all been spending the majority (if not all) of our time at home, more and more consumers are turning to neon to switch the vibe up and bring a welcome dose of optimism, energy and play to their space. When investing in neon this year we’d recommend going the extra mile to source something truly unique” says Jeremy Cortial, co-founder Yellowpop.
What should my sign say?
Once you’ve sacrificed your chosen room and space, next is the biggest decision of all – what should it be? There’s loads of quirky designs, sexy song lyrics and inspirational quotes to choose from, even make one up if you like. If you’re lacking inspiration, spend ten minutes scrolling through #neonlights on Instagram and you’ll be sold.
A great idea for a neon-sign is to use it for an event like a wedding or a baby shower, they can then be taken home and used at home afterwards. They also look great in professional settings, like studios, offices or anything in hospitality. Some companies even offer a custom LED neon sign service, whether that be words, or shape – so the possibilities really are endless.