Your sign arrived, the box is open, and now it is time to get it on the wall. Good news: most LED neon signs go up in 10 to 30 minutes with a drill and a level. This guide walks through the four ways to hang a neon sign, which one fits your space, and the small details that make the difference between "looks fine" and "looks professionally installed."
Watch the install first
We filmed a full install so you can see every step before you start.
Option 1: Wall standoffs (the floating look)
This is how we mount most signs, and it is what ships with every Meon Neon sign. Four stainless steel standoffs hold the acrylic backing a short distance off the wall, so the sign looks like it floats and the light spills evenly around the edges.
Best for: bedrooms, living rooms, offices, reception walls, salons and bar backs.
- Find your spot and your outlet. Hold the sign where you want it and note how the power cable will reach the nearest outlet.
- Mark the holes. With the sign level, mark through each pre-drilled hole onto the wall. A second person helps a lot here.
- Drill and anchor. Drill at each mark and tap in the wall anchors. If you hit a stud, skip the anchor and screw straight into the stud.
- Install the standoff bases, then lift the sign onto them and screw the caps on through the acrylic. Use the clear spacers on both sides so the screw never presses directly on the acrylic.
- Plug in and tidy the cable. Run it straight down or along a baseboard and use cord clips so it disappears.
Lost a standoff or mounting a second sign? Our wall mounting kit is the same hardware, sold on its own. It works on drywall, concrete, brick and wood.
Option 2: Ceiling cable suspension (the window look)
Thin steel cables drop from the ceiling and attach to the corners of the sign. From a few feet away the cables almost disappear, so the sign appears to hang in mid-air. This is the go-to for storefront windows.
Best for: shop windows, restaurant windows, trade show booths, open-ceiling offices and anywhere you cannot drill into the wall behind the sign.
- Plan the drop first. Decide how low the bottom of the sign should sit, then measure up to the ceiling.
- Fix the ceiling anchors into a joist or solid structure wherever you can.
- Attach the brackets to the sign, connect the cables, and adjust each cable until the sign is level. Each cable adjusts without tools, so you can fine-tune after it is up.
- For window signs, face the clean side of the sign out toward the street and route the power cable down the window frame.
Our cable suspension kit includes four adjustable cables up to 10 feet long. For large or heavy signs, or very high ceilings, we recommend a professional installer.
Option 3: Hanging chain (the quick, easy way)
A chain and two S-hooks are the fastest way to hang a lighter sign from a ceiling hook, beam or display rail. Every custom Meon Neon sign ships with a hanging kit, so you can try this right out of the box.
Best for: rentals where you would rather not drill much, events, pop-ups, and changing displays.
- Use a solid overhead point that can hold the sign plus the hardware.
- Close each S-hook fully around the mounting point.
- Adjust the chain so the sign hangs level, and check both ends before you let go.
Need replacement hardware? Grab the hanging chain kit (rated up to 15 lbs) or a spare S-hook 3-pack.
Option 4: Stand or lean it
Small signs can sit on a shelf, desk, bar back or dresser. Lean the sign against the wall with the front edge on a non-slip pad, or ask us about an acrylic stand when you order a custom sign. This is great for nurseries, desks and photo backdrops where you might move the sign around.
Which mount should you choose?
- Permanent wall spot: wall standoffs.
- Storefront or restaurant window: cable suspension.
- Light sign, quick setup, or a rental: hanging chain.
- Small sign you want to move around: shelf or stand.
Tools you will need
- Drill and screwdriver (an impact driver makes it faster)
- Level
- Measuring tape and a pencil
- Painter's tape for marking
- Cord clips or a paintable cord cover to hide the cable
Pro tips for a clean install
- Do the tape test. Tape the outline of the sign on the wall and look at it from across the room before you drill. If it feels too small, it is too small. Our sizing guide helps.
- Center on furniture, not the wall. Above a bed, sofa or desk, center the sign on the furniture. Leave a few inches between the bottom of the sign and the top of the headboard or sofa.
- Plan the cable path first. The neatest installs put the sign directly above an outlet, or run the cable inside a cord cover painted to match the wall.
- Add a remote or dimmer. If the outlet is behind furniture, a remote and receiver lets you switch it on and off and dim it from across the room. See our remote and wiring guide.
- Keep indoor signs indoors. Standard signs are made for indoor use. For patios and exterior walls, ask about our outdoor waterproof neon.
Want it installed for you?
Most people install their own sign, and it is very doable. For large business signs, high ceilings, or hard surfaces like concrete and metal, a pro saves time. We offer professional installation in Colorado, and we can point you in the right direction elsewhere. Contact us with a photo of the wall and we will tell you what we would do.
Still shopping for the right sign? Get a free mockup of your design on your wall, or browse our parts and hardware.
