Neon Signs for Home Decor

Here at Fire House Neon Signs we’re big fans of both color and typography, and if there’s a fun way to combine them—even better. Which is why this 'No Vacancy' neon sign in the home of Birmingham artist Matt Underwood decorated by designer Barri Thompson is one of our favorites, and why we’re still obsessing over neon signs as decor. No longer just for bar signs (though those are still going strong!), you too can decorate like an interior designer and add a little glow to your home. 

Comment on our Facebook or Twitter pages about how you would go about bringing a bit of Vegas into your humble abode.

How to Use Neon Signs in Home Décor

The myth that neon signs are limited to bars and open signs is gone.  Neon Signs have smartly made their existence known by glowing strong in fashionable home decor and favorite hangout places. With their vivid pinks, yellows and blues, neon signs are becoming the newest and one of the most in-demand trends in interior design. 

Neon Furniture: Interior designers are going crazy over it. Modern furniture turned into bright glowing orbs have changed the dynamics of the furniture industry. Believe it or not, there are several designers who are incorporating neon into old world furniture. You might be thinking tacky designers are trying to "pimp their ride", but it has a much more practical application. It provides illumination without the need for lamps or overhead lights and, it highlights the details and classic lines of the traditional furniture. It is art that is functional. This concept can easily be DIY-ed using your own furniture and turning it into modern artwork.

Neon Signs as wall décor: Bold designing on a whole new level, interior designers are creating instant booms of color in some of the most fashionably decorated homes around. It’s a night light element that might make moist traditional interior designers cringe, but is a lot of fun. Used in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kids’ playrooms to add a touch of whimsy with simple catch phrases like “joy”, or "love", famous quotes or names. And the best part? These wordy neon lights can be customized to your own specifications. Probably the most well known room that has incorporated this trend is reality star, Kourtney Kardashian’s master bedroom.  Her hot pink neon LOVE ME sign by artist Curtis Kulig stands out and really makes a statement against the black, white decor.  

Neon signs as Gifts: Customized neon signs for your loved ones are an ideal and modern way to show that you care. Be it birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions, what man wouldn't want a neon sign for his man cave? These cool neon signs add a warm and festive feeling to an otherwise dark cave! But don't limit it to just the men. Neon night lights for kids rooms are all the rage. Check it out! Perfect kids room decor could be any of the retro style wall clocks, decorative sculptures, and neon signs that will add a spunky vibe for the wee modernist. Fire House Neon has hundreds of neon signs to choose from. Match any decor, hobby or interest! 

Neon lightening for your backyards: Neon lights in backyards has become a much widely acceptable and an upscale way to dress up the patio. Art and lighting combines in one durable show piece. Many people have started considering them as a creative alternative to traditional lighing.

Neon signs for home addresses: How many times has it been that the GPS in our car has led us to the wrong location? We all have been through that time where we drove for hours searching for a place or specific location. Imagine a glowing outdoor neon sign instead of old boring house number. Neon signs for home addresses should be encouraged. Such a smart idea to light up your house numbers in neon for safety and as well as aesthetics. People have already started doing it. With glowing numbers, evening visitors will have no trouble finding their way to your door.

There are hundreds of other ways neon signs and clocks can be added to home decors bringing a modern and stylish look to brighten up any dull location. Make sure to light up your world using neon signs as they are the hippest and trendiest way to redesign your interior.

Advertising With Neon Signs

Neon signs are displayed everywhere as a form of advertising for businesses. They are a fairly inexpensive way to market your business because you can display them anywhere and it only costs you a one-time payment to have one made for you. They work great for advertising because people can see the signs from quite a distance away. They are so bright that they draw attention to your store, product or whatever you are promoting. Neon can definitely help your business make more money by increasing the number of customers who walk through your doors.

The main goal of signs is to attract attention. The glowing neon light stands out brightly in the darkness of night. Display one in the window of your store and people will be able to see it as they drive by. It may spark interest in one of these passersby, enough so to get them to come into your store.

Where to Get Neon Signs:

There may be places in your local area that sell pre-made neon signs. Many of the signs are standard template designs like, "Open", "Drive Thru", "Barber Shop", "Restaurant", etc. These types of pre-made signs work well to garner attention and won't cost you nearly as much as a custom sign.

Another place to find pre-made neon signs is on the Internet. These companies will likely have the greatest number of options for you to choose from. There are many retailers online that specialize in their own unique signs and you will find a variety of styles and colors of pre-made neon signs to choose from.

You will also find the opportunity to have a custom-made neon sign for your store as well. This means that you can hire someone to make a unique sign designed especially for your business. A sign like this is likely going to cost you more money but it gives your business the chance to stand out amongst your competitors. You can display your sign proudly because no one else will have one like it. A custom neon sign will gain a lot more attention from people passing by than a standard "Open" sign, which means it also has the ability to bring more traffic into your store.

No matter what, neon signs are a great way to promote your business with another unique form of relatively inexpensive advertising. If your business is near a road, intersection or any other place that has a lot of traffic, a neon sign is the perfect way to turn that traffic into potential customers and get these people interested in coming into your store.

What Size Sign Letters do I Need?

Proper selection of letter height is critical to ensure a sign is legible to its intended audience. To make sure you select the correct letter height, Fire House Neon Signs has included a useful visibility chart that shows an approximate letter size required to be legible at a designated distance from the sign.  

Calculations based on an externally (or naturally) lit sign with all uppercase letters. Factors that may affect required letter size include: color scheme, font selection, traffic and weather conditions. Please refer to the complete study by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Penn University and the United States Sign Council.

A Good First Impression Starts with Your Sign

In business,first impressions count. Giving a bad first impression can lose you the confidence of prospective customers and clients, and even cost you business. The first impressions you give a customer or client will set the tone for your future business relationship and shows that you are professional and prepared. However, it is not difficult to give a good first impression every time by following a few simple guidelines. "We judge books by their covers" is the old saying and a customer will make a judgment in as little a 100 msec seconds according to one Princeton study. Once made they are very difficult to change.

In other words, first impressions are fast, firm, and very sticky. So how do you make a great one with your business?  Attend to the basics. In business, your storefront and its signage is your customers first impression.  In the book, "Predatory Marketing," C. Britt Breemer states that 53% of shoppers base their initial perception of your store and their decision to buy on the appearance of the store exterior. Your storefront signage gives clients all the important information for them to make a snap judgement. 

Looking polished, professional, and welcoming is the foundation for any good first impression for a storefront. Whether we like it or not, looks matter a great deal and affect people's perceptions.  Many small business owners don’t realize the value of their business’ appearance. Once the customer makes it into your store, it’s up to you to make the sale and convert them from a customer to a loyal shopper. But keep in mind...make a good first impression and potential customers will not pass you by.

A good first impression starts with a good sign. A good sign brings in customers and is

• an appropriate size for its location,
• develops a theme that fits in with your other marketing,
• keeps the message short and simple,
• illuminated so it can be read day or night.

At Fire House Neon Signs, we are here to help you create that all important first impression! With a custom neon sign your business will be perceived as professional, exciting and fun. More importantly, a sign from Fire House Neon will have that unmistakable glow that is sure to get your business noticed.

A Roof Over Your Head

Well maybe not for long.... if repairs are not done soon. While busy planning the build-out of the American Sign Museum annex, the annex roof was busy decaying.  Recent torrential downpours have brought the roof to a critical point, and they need to act now to secure it.  Estimated cost: $325,000.

Sol Hurok said “The sky’s the limit if you have a roof over your head.”  We tend to agree.  Thankfully, a VERY generous donor has contributed $150,000 toward securing the roof and is challenging museum supporters to raise the additional $175,000 needed to complete the job!  We love the American Sign Museum. We would love it to be even bigger to accommodate the museum’s ever-expanding collection. The current space features 19,000+ square feet of exhibit space, 28-foot ceilings able to display the museum’s large signs, working neon shop, flexible event space, and an extensive archive of books, photos, and documents reflecting the art and craft of sign-making. 

We ask for a little support from anyone that would like to help the American Sign Museum continue their mission of preserving historic American signs and their stores. To repair the historic Machine Flats annex roof that will double the size of the museum (an additional 20,000 square feet), please make a tax deductible contribution today.

Job Outlook Up for Neon Sign Benders

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies neon glass benders under the broader career category of Molders, Shapers, and Casters, except Metal and Plastic workers. In 2012, workers in these occupations, including neon glass benders, has a salary range of $20,870 to $54,600 and a median annual income of $29,300. Those working in the Seattle area earned the most with an average 2010 salary of $46,070 while those working in Lawrence, Kansas, earned the least with an average annual salary of $18,480.

The BLS predicts that the demand for Molders, Shapers, and Casters occupations, including neon glass benders, will increase by 7.5 percent between 2012 and 2022, Neon sign-makers with experience will have more opportunities than entry level sign-makers. Those entering the profession are mainly by long term on the job training. Neon glass bending is not new, but once again the occupation is emerging as consumer preferences change. The cultural resurgence of neon signs is once again creating the need for neon glass benders.

Neon Sign Safety

Neon signs are functional, nostalgic and, in many cases, memorable, but they can also lead to accidents. Okay, so your not worried about the sign jumping off the wall (even if it is a stock Freddy Krueger clock) and doing damage. They seem innocuous, they don’t offer any obvious hazards, but like anything else they can be mishandled.

So you know that they are made from little glass tubes that contain an inert gas, so, yeah, the glass can break and cut you. Big deal. You just broke a cup in the sink last week and sliced your finger. Apply pressure and put on a band aid. The problem is that there are many things in the house that can cause injuries that people don’t think about. Just follow these tips and enjoy that vintage thumbs-up keep on trucking sign your dad got for a gag gift thirty five years ago.

How High is the Ceiling?

The height at which you put the clock or sign is an issue because if it falls you could have unseen little glass shards all over the house. Neon glass is not special, but, like all other forms, when broken it tends to splinter. Suspending a neon structure improperly from a vaulted ceiling could cause undo hazard.

Daddy, Will the Little Shards of Glass Cut Me?

Children are another concern. Most of the time a neon sign or other memorabilia is carefully tucked away from little fingers, as it should be. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Just realize that there is the danger of breakage as a neon structure is probably more fragile than a lot of signs, clocks and other pretty things that they may come in contact with.

Okay, Does This Seem Warm to Anyone Else?

When purchasing a neon piece, make sure that it properly wired and has a UL2161 power supply installed. The UL 2161 standard was introduced by Underwriters Laboratories (UL®) in 1996 to protect the public from any shock or fire hazard. The standard requires all new neon power supplies to incorporate secondary ground fault and over voltage protection. If you purchase a used neon sign made before 1996, which still has a non-conforming power supply, make sure that it is not growing hotter. This would indicate a problem.

Saved from the Junk Yard

The Museum of Modern Art (MONA), a non profit Art museum in Los Angeles, is launching a fundraising campaign to restore one of the neon dragons formerly on the iconic marquee at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.  For 43 years these neon dragons graced the theaters marquee with their glowing presence, which  is now the site of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

According to MONA, in 2001, the theater's owners had planned to remove the iconic neon dragons and donate them to the museum. However, when the time came, the owners changed their mind and decided to move them to an outdoor storage yard. Although the marquees were in perfect, working condition when they were removed from the Chinese Theater, neglect took a heavy toll. For 6 years the signs sat ravaged by the elements and souvenir hunters. The owners decided to junk the dragons in 2007, but MONA officials found out about the signs' impending disposal, and were able to save them from heading to the dump.

Today, MONA has retained the one of the dragons and gifted the other to another local non-profit institution. The museum's goal  is to restore their dragon to its former glory in time to greet visitors at the grand opening of their new facility in Glendale in 2015. With the help of the public Mona hopes to raise the funds needed to restore the neon sign.

The restoration will entail three phases: the first will involve a thorough cleaning and stripping of rust and old paint off the 40 foot sign and then priming and repainting; the second requires new neon glass units fabrication by a skilled tubebender of the sign's 65 glass units in the original colors; and, the final phase includes recreation of the original animation sequence, wiring and the metal framework that will support the exhibit. The 1974 Mel Brooks classic "Blazing Saddles" will be used to view the animation of the neon tubing on the dragon and will help our restorers recreate the sequencing.

For more information about the campaign and to support the restoration, contact MONA. 

November 9th is Neon Sign Day

November 9th commemorating the development of the first neon sign. In 1911, Frenchman, George Claude, applied for a patent on neon advertising signs. Las Vegas hasn’t been the same since!