Get glowing with neons

Designing any space whether on a canvas or a room is all about balancing colours that are heavy on the eye (eye catchy) with colours that bring relief – ultimately and aesthetically bringing a sense of harmony. Bright colours such as canary yellow, vermillion, crimson, fuschia, neon pink, neon blues are making their way into people’s houses today. Experimenting with colour has become a fashionable trend, so don’t wait, add a pop shade or two to your interiors for an instant facelift.

Bright colours are trending in a big way in modern houses. The clean lines of contemporary furniture and muted expanses are being enlivened with bold splashes of colour; be it the bright orange leather upholstery on chairs or the neon pink paintings on the wall or the bold green marble on tables. Other options include customised wallpaper, printed or woven curtains, framed paintings, interesting side tables, art curios etc. Ashok Basoya, founder of a premium furniture centre, explains how to use these colours in the best way possible. He says, “Think of it like dressing up yourself. Depending on your personal style, mix and match colours that appeal to you. Neutral colours, especially white, are great for balancing the brightness of bold colours. Clear glass accessories are another great way to highlight and balance the bright colours. Another great way to balance it out is by using different hues of the same colour. Do look for interesting, offbeat pieces that tell a story. Do experiment with patterns and shades. Do check out the colour against bright light when opting for fabric (especially in curtains) to ensure that it will not strain the eye over long periods.”

The easiest and safest way to incorporate bright neons, pinks, yellow and orange as highlights is with pale pastels or shades of white. Bright coloured cushions are one of the easiest ways to incorporate these trendy colours in your room.  Anju Goyal, a founder and creative head, suggests, “It is important to remember that textures play an important role along with the colour. For example, let the middle cushion cover be bright and colourful (made of fabrics with sheen like velvet, silk or satin as a highlighter) and the rest of the cushions can be in linen or cotton in subtle hues. Pair neon shades with mellow colours like pale beige, mauve, pastel pink, pista green or even light grey with some subtle embroidery pattern, fine print or soild shades with detailing around. Similarly, if you want to highlight a bright wall behind your bed, then use a simple linen bedcover with subtle colours or embroidery so that your living space feels balanced, warm, welcoming and pleasing to the eye.”

While adding neon shades to your décor, try not to match all the pieces and let one or a few pieces stand out. Also, do not paint all the walls in bright colours as it will swamp the room. Instead, go for a signature wall and balance with muted colours on others. Saumya Agarwal, India director of a crockery brand, mentions how to utilise the neon effect in the living space. “While using bright colours there should be a shade of neutral to make it an inviting space. A nice pop of colour on a wooden or glass table is just what the dining room needs along with slight hints of colour on the fabric. Overdoing colour without the right mix can make it jarring to the eyes. Big spaces look especially stunning when paired with neutral tones such as sage, lilac, periwinkle, black, grey and whites. The contrast makes it very inviting for guests and owners and adds a different level of energy to the room. These colour combinations exude creativity and wake up even the smallest of spaces.”