Is Your Ceiling Fan Hideous?
Interior Designers don’t like ceiling fans. We know you like them in your master bedroom and in other rooms with vaulted ceilings. We humor you and your wishes, but we cringe at the site of most ceiling fans – especially the one you picked up at Lowes or Home Depot, or the one the builder picked up when he built the home. 95% of the time, site unseen, I guarantee the ceiling fan in your home needs updating.
I once surrendered otherwise beautiful rooms to ceiling fans that stick out like a sore thumb. I am a softy for my clients wishes, and I some REALLY wanted their ceiling fans for function. So we have embarked on finding lines and manufacturers with stylish ceiling fans that enhance the room’s style and the architecture of the room.
Below is a client’s home before we changed the ceiling fan. The ceiling fan is ho-hum and was in the space when the home was purchased. It is a basic ceiling fan similar to many available at box stores. To me, this ceiling fan screamed that it didn’t belong. It gave a less custom look to the space.
Below is an after photograph of a new ceiling fan in the same room. Notice how it goes well with the loft ceiling both making a statement with it’s transitional edge, and blending in with the surroundings. It allows the room’s furnishings and colors to take center stage.
Here is a ceiling fan with great transitional style. What I like about it most is that it doesn’t look like the standard ceiling fans. Its lines are fresh and interesting.
Some ceiling fans offer retractable fan blades, like this one. The blades extend out with centrical force. They come in a variety of finishes and blade types and offer an interesting conversation piece in your home.
This fan has a bit more traditional features like a light kit and also comes in a variety of styles and finishes.
Here is a list of things to consider when selecting a ceiling fan:
- Know the dimensions and square footage of your room. This way you will be able to select a fan of appropriate size for your needs.
- Measure the height from floor to ceiling. Ceiling around 8′ really generally need a “hugger” style fan close to the ceiling.
- Instead of using a light kit on your fan, consider other lighting in the room like recessed lighting.
- Fans can be operated on a switch, a pull cord, or a remote. Consider what is right for you. Your existing wiring may also limit your options especially if you don’t want additional wiring costs.
- Installation should be left to the professionals. Have you ever heard a ceiling fan make noise and clicks when operating? It wasn’t installed properly.
Angela Todd
Owner & Principal Designer
Angela is the principal designer at her boutique interior design firm in Portland, Oregon. She is known for creating memorable backdrops that tell the story of fascinating and intricate lives.
