Roundup : White Ceiling Fans
Love them or hate them, ceiling fans are often necessary in some homes and climates. We’re a pro ceiling fan household… mostly because I’m married to Emmett and Utah is HOT in the summertime. As a designer, I’ll be the first to tell you- I’d much rather install a beautiful light fixture, but ceilings fans are functional and I promise, you can make them blend in a way that feels aesthetically pleasing. Over the years, I’ve become accustomed to sleeping with our ceiling fan turned on (again thanks to Emmett), and I’ll admit- it’s really nice for air circulation. In the summer months, it pretty much stays on all the time. We’ve always had a ceiling fan in our master bedroom. My sister called me yesterday (nearly ready to move into her new home) and asked, “Is 2016 really the last ceiling fan roundup you’ve shared?!” … obviously that’s unacceptable. Haha! She is on the hunt for five(!) fans for her new home and I promised her a big, updated roundup today. Click through for my thoughts on ceiling fans, how to make them feel more “designerly” in your home, and of course that promised roundup of my favorites.
I figured this post was also fitting, given summer is right around the corner. As temperatures rise, there is nothing better than air circulation and a little breeze running throughout your home. Emmett has definitely brought me to the dark side, and I hate to admit it… but I do love having our ceiling fan this time of year.
My number one rule for choosing a ceiling fan is to match it to your ceiling color.
By keeping it consistent in color, the goal is to help it blend with your ceiling, with little to no contrast. This will make it feel less obtrusive and more intentional. It kind of blends with the ceiling and visually disappears. This is why you’ll only find white ceiling fans throughout our home (and past homes). I’m sharing a good example below… this is our current master bedroom. The fan on the left was here when we moved in. While the modern shape is ok, the brown color really made the fan stand out. We swapped it for a white fan and it looks much better! See how it visually blends?
If you’re going to have a ceiling fan instead of a pretty light fixture- take my advice and make it “disappear” the best you can. It’s also important to supplement the aesthetic with other light sources (sconces, table lamps, floor lamps, art lights, etc). This will provide better lighting AND more style.
Click directly on the fans to be redirected to the source- or use the numbered links below the collage to shop.
01: white ceiling fan // 02: three blade fan // 03: indoor outdoor fan // 04: fan with light kit // 05: white fan // 06: matte white fan // 07: modern fan // 08: hunter fan // 09: flush mount fan // 10: flat white fan // 11: sleek fan // 12: fan with light // 13: small fan // 14: ceiling fan // 15: fan with remote
My second ceiling fan rule is to source a fan that is sleek, simple, and modern… even if you have a traditional home (like ours). Believe me when I say there are no good “ornate” or traditional looking ceiling fans. It’s best to keep it clean and make it blend with the ceiling. That’s the name of the game! This style of fan will also age better and withstand the test of time.
There is another pro to installing a ceiling fan… and that’s the price. Unlike a beautiful light fixture, more money doesn’t necessarily mean better look or quality when it comes to ceiling fans. Most basic, white, modern ceiling fans are pretty similar and cost anywhere from $100-$500, which is typically a lot less than a light fixture (chandelier, pendant, or even a semi flush mount). You’ll get a nice breeze and you’ll save room in the budget for something else. They’re all pretty comparable.
I’m also a fan of outdoor fans (see what I did there?). If you have a pergola or a covered porch, they’re great for keeping the bugs away. Of course, you will need a wet-rated fan manufactured specifically for outdoor spaces, but it’s wonderful to have! All of that to say… ceiling fans get a bad rep for being ugly and dated, but I think it’s more about how you incorporate them into your existing home, design plan, and architecture.
If you are team ceiling fan… do you like having one in your bedroom for sleeping, or elsewhere in your home? Hopefully this roundup and post will help you find a fan replacement if needed! To my sister, Meg, who requested this post… hopefully you can find one you like from this giant roundup. Thanks for the blog idea! I hope you’re all having a wonderful week.
