Don’t sweat it with these stylish ceiling fans
It doesn’t matter how design-minded you are; when the temperature approaches 30 C and above — especially when factoring in humidity — you want to beat the heat.
But ceiling fans are a contentious topic. Blacklisted by designers for being noisy, tacky and outdated, they’re often the first thing to go in a home renovation and a cause for debate in divided households in which one party wants circulation and one wants style.
No sweating is necessary. Ceiling fans are smarter, sleeker and quieter than ever.
Here are some handy guidelines to picking the best one.
First, you’ll have to determine whether you need a flush-mount fan or one that uses a down rod. Flush-mount fans are best for low ceilings because they can be secured right to the ceiling, while down rods are designed for higher ceilings. The American Lighting Association recommends ceiling fans be hung between seven and nine feet from the floor to ensure safety and optimal airflow. Measuring down rods can be tricky, so check online buying guides for length recommendations.
Then you’ll have to decide what size fan you need. Fan blades generally range from 29 to 54 inches (74 to 137 cm), with most measuring 52 inches (132 cm). There are a few rules — for example, if the room’s longest wall is less than 12 feet (3.66 m), the fan shouldn’t be more than 36 inches (91.5 cm) wide — but if you are unsure, check the retailer’s website for sizing recommendations. Most ceiling fans have between three and five blades.
Amanda Carol, an interior designer in San Francisco, says designers will probably ditch their anti-ceiling-fan stance once the industry offers more attractive, high-tech options.
“It’s not the principle of fans that’s bothersome — it’s that they aren’t well-designed,” she said. “Until recently, they’ve been these wimpy, wobbly eyesores.”
Those who don’t want to invest in new fans can try making smaller cosmetic upgrades to their existing fan, such as switching out heavy, dark blades with white ones that blend into the ceiling or removing the light kit as a temporary fix.
Picking the right style of ceiling fan can be tough, but brands and retailers have made it easy to shop based on your taste and space. Hunter’s website lets you shop by look (casual, traditional, global and so on) and then narrow down the options by noting your hardware and flooring (hunter fan.com; visit site for where to buy in Canada).
Those who like extra oomph from their fans might consider Haiku Home (haikuhome.com), a brand that makes heavy-duty fans in highend finishes. The company makes only one fan, sold at four price points (starting at US$550), but it’s earned scores of awards for its design, stability, weight (13 pounds, or 5.9 kg) and energy-saving technology. The star feature: its occupancy sensor that stops the fan from running when the room is empty.