What Are Neon Colors?

Neon colors are vibrant and super bright versions of primary and secondary colors that glow. You might have seen them in the form of electric blue, hot pink, and fluorescent colors at homes or commercial spaces. Unlike traditional tones, they are designed to emit light, compelling people to stop to admire or use them as a background for pictures. These have gained more popularity with the rise of neon signage, and then there was no turning back as the neon factor was incorporated in fashion, art, and design.

According to Chartare, the neon colors palette for summer 2025 includes Electric Lime, which conveys freshness and energy, and Fuchsia Intenso, considered a symbol of modern and bold femininity.

Are you interested in learning more about neon colors? Then, the blog is here to give you the required answers and from where you can get custom neon signs.

Neon Colors: What Are They?

Since you asked, what are neon colors? These are certainly not like your everyday pigment-based colors, instead, they are extremely bright, which comes from fluorescent dyes. They absorb ultraviolet light, an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and then re-emit it as visible light at a longer wavelength. This method makes the colors brighter than normal ones, as the glow keeps attracting people.

Characteristics of Neon Colors

High Saturation: Neon colors have a very high degree of saturation, meaning they are extremely intense.

Perception of Luminosity: Due to the process, neon colors often emit light rather than reflecting back.

Eye-Catching: Their striking vibrancy makes them irresistible to ignore, inviting people to look at them properly.

Artificial Appearance: They have a distinguished artificial or synthetic appearance that natural hues lack.

Common Examples

Neon colors are used in everyday life. For instance, emergency and safety vests have bright orange and yellow colors to boost visibility. Electric blue, hot pink, and lime green are famous in fashion. Furthermore, neon signs are swiftly illuminating cityscapes, emerging as a strong example that people love them.

Types of Neon Colors

Neon colors come in a wide variety, and we'll break them down into two main categories: Primary Neon Colors and Blended Neon Hues.

Primary Neon Colors: The Unmixed Brights

Primary neon colors serve to be the basis of single-hue neon shades that deliver a pure burst of vibrant color and are labelled as classic neon colors palette:

Neon Red: An intensely bright version of red that demands your attention.

Neon Green: An electric mode of green that outshines vividly.

Neon Blue: A vibrant blue that radiates striking light.

Neon Yellow: When yellow takes the shape of neon, then its high visibility becomes hard to ignore.

Neon Pink: Nothing can go wrong with neon pink as the bold and energetic shade emits an unmistakable glow.

Neon Orange: Imagine the color in neon form, how it turns into a zesty and vibrant tone that spreads energy.

Neon Purple: A captivating and luminous hue of purple, compelling people to click pictures.

Neon Cyan: An amazing combination of blue-green that’s both striking and refreshing.

Neon Magenta: A reddish-purple magic with a presence you can’t overlook.

Hot Pink: A super bright pink, usually considered for its similar vibrant nature.

Blended Neon Hues: Combining Forces

The blended neon colors are a product of two primary hues, resulting in exciting variations on the neon theme:

Neon Teal: An interesting mix of blue and green, giving a cool and rich tone.

Neon Amber: A glowing and warm merger of orange and yellow.

Neon Coral: Add pink to orange, and you get neon coral, making you feel as if you are in a tropical region.

Neon Chartreuse: It’s a vibrant fusion of green and yellow, which creates a bright hue.

Neon Lavender: This one is a soft yet colorful mixture of pink and purple.

Neon Turquoise: Turquoise is a captivating outcome of blue-green, usually more towards blue than teal.

Electric Variants: Amplified Intensity

The hint is in the name only. The third type is often described as “electric” because of its vibrancy and luminescent quality:

Electric Blue: Their brightness and glowing ability break all records.

Electric Lime: A green-yellow blend, whose brightness shocks and invites you even if you are standing at a distance.

History of Neon Colors

Origins Of Neon

Neon colors have an interesting history. British chemists such as Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers discovered the neon element in 1898. They discovered this “new” gas while studying about air. After being electrically charged, neon gas emits a distinctive reddish-orange light, and this went on to become the cornerstone of neon lighting and ultimately, the broader aesthetic of neon colors. Apart from this, Georges Claude, a French engineer, in 1900 received credit for creating the first practical neon lamp, portraying its ability for signage and illumination.

Rise of Neon Aesthetics

In the early 20th century, neon lights were gradually embraced, mainly for advertising purposes. The striking glow of neon signs started to revamp cityscapes, adding a new dimension of visuals, especially at night. Later onwards by the 1920s and 1930s, neon signs were crowned as iconic features of urban environments across the globe, standing out as a symbol of modernity and progress. One of the major reasons neon signs were attracting people was that their glass tubes could bend into complicated shapes, which allowed the business owners to transform the signs into attractive mediums. The time zone marked the initial connection of a neon sign with energy, and how the city comes to life after dark.

Neon in Pop Culture & Safety

With the prevalence of neon lights, the illumination made its way smoothly into pop culture, too. The vibrance became linked with nightlife, entertainment, and an edge that other cities were yet to mimic. For instance, recall the signage of Las Vegas and the streets of film noir; the shine of neon colors compelled people to use them in applications for safety. Neon orange and yellow were seen in safety vests and other related sectors, where visibility is crucial. Therefore, neon signs surfaced as a lifesaver and for grabbing maximum eyes, too.

Digital Age & Modern Revival

Due to energy efficiency and environmental concerns, traditional neon tube lighting didn’t get as much appreciation, but the neon colors have experienced a drastic revival in the digital age. The advancements in LED technology have unlocked opportunities to create “faux neon” signs that exhibit the same glow with better energy efficiency and safety. Furthermore, the retro-futuristic vibe linked with neon has again become famous in graphic design, interior decorations, and fashion. Its bold nature aligns well with digital screens, and continues to display a sense of energy, nostalgia for past decades, and modern funky style.

How to Use Neon Colors for Home Aesthetic?

Rooms

If you want to use the neon sign for room, it won’t require you to change your comfort zone in a nightclub, but you have to play around in a light way. For instance, a neon-shade throw pillow or a piece of abstract art designed with bold neon strokes in your living room. A single neon sign with a quote or words can create a mid-point in your room without overwhelming the theme. Besides, a neon desk lamp in electric blue or lime green can elevate your workspace.

Events

Have an event coming up and want it to be the best one in town with the help of neon colors? Well, you can use them on the bar or the dance floor, then grab some neon strip lights to increase the festive vibrancy or neon patterns on the wall. Apart from this, you can experiment with the table settings by placing neon-rimmed glassware or straws. After all, your aim is to create a visually exciting experience for guests so that they have never witnessed such a gathering before.

Wedding

You can use neon colors on your wedding day to add a vibrant twist to those traditional decorations. Order a custom wedding neon sign with your and your partner’s initials or a phrase as a backdrop for photos. Neon lights can take your reception space to the next level with such glow; therefore, feel free to use them in your floral arrangements, entrance, and table seating, or painted foliage. 

Garden

Traditional neon tubes will not be ideal for your garden, so you can move on with solar-powered LED lights in vibrant shades. Place them on the path, plants, or use neon-colored pots, and see the difference. Furthermore, you can also use outdoor-friendly neon string lights to create a festive aura for evening gatherings.

How to Use Neon Colors for Business?

Bar

Brightly lit neon bar signs displaying the name of the bar or a shape of a cocktail can be a great neon signage for your bar. At night, the neon sign will attract a lot of customers. Hence, consider using accents in the bar area or as a backdrop, showcase the range of alcohol you serve in neon-lit shelves. 

Coffee Shop

A neon sign featuring your coffee shop’s name or even a coffee-related image can be a sales booster. Besides, you can use smaller accents like an “Open” sign or a neon artwork to highlight a particular area of your coffee shop, like the order counter or near the tables, forcing everyone to grab a chair there only.

Restaurant

Use subtle neon lights to create a catch ambiance in a bar area or the main dining area. If you want to attract customers, then use neon to accent architectural details or artwork. 

Conclusion

Now that you know all about neon colors, we hope you find the glowing idea interesting. Furthermore, if you think neon signs can benefit your space, then get "Custom Neon Signs with Lamomoneon"