If you live in a tropical zone, you can’t stay without a ceiling fan! You might have air conditioning, but you’ll still need a fan for good airflow. But if you ask your designer to add one to your decor, you might get nothing but a dismayed grin!
So, why is that? Does a ceiling fan really ruin the decor? Why do interior designers hate ceiling fans? Today, I’ll tell you the reason, along with quick solutions for foolproof decor.
Key Takeaways
- Ceiling fans are huge, so they are likely to overpower the other elements in the decor and break the look.
- Old metal brackets and fan hardware might look odd in modern houses. So, spray paint them for a quick revamp!
- Designers often need help concealing the fan and its wiring within the ceiling. So, they are reluctant to add one!
- Ceiling fans are outdated and leave less space for lights and chandeliers.
8 Reasons Why Designers Hate Ceiling Fans
1. They Are Too Large!
Standard ceiling fans are 42 – 52 inches in diameter. So, they catch attention quickly and overpower other design elements. Plus, you’ll have less room for lights and chandeliers. And you’ll have a huge, unaesthetic piece right there in the center of your ceiling!
Moreover, if you use fans on small ceilings, it might clutter your decor. And this doesn’t fit your designer’s minimal design plan. So, they might ask you to use an air conditioner instead!
Ask your designer to use a Peregrine fan on your ceilings, as it consumes less space and blends well with industrial-style ceilings.
2. They Might Have Outdated Colors & Patterns
If you have a rusty, patterned fan, your designer might ask you to remove it. Floral or frosted fans were trendy in the 1800s. But today, they look naive and old-fashioned.
Even old faux wood fans with ornate carvings are a no-no! Designers might just ask you to remove their blades and spray paint them.
Use a solid-colored, glossy fan for a modern look. To conceal it better, match it with the ceiling color. Check out more fan color ideas for a white ceiling here!
3. They Have Mismatched Hardware!
Most interior designers hate ceiling fans because of their shiny brass blade brackets. And that makes sense, as brass is an old metal that misfits today’s modern decor! A shiny metal fan would look off in a neutral wood room, right?
Another thing that may put you off is the hardware finish! Gone are the days when aged bronze screws and handles were trendy! So, you better opt for steel fan handles that match your designer’s vision.
Spray paint the brass brackets with black or white paint. This will add a crisp matte finish and sync well with modern decor styles.
4. They Have Long Chains!
Imagine a thick chain jutting from the ceiling and striking your head now and then! Irritating, right? Most ceiling fans have such long chains even today! They overwhelm all the other elements and draw attention to the fan. That’s why they are a big no!
Ask your electrician to remove the chain and install a wall socket.
5. They Are Noisy!
Designers hate ceiling fans due to the noise. After all, they try so hard to insulate the ceiling and walls! And then, there’s this huge, noisy machine right in the middle! And not only that, but a vibrating fan might even peel off your ceiling paint.
Add 2-3 inch thick insulation to absorb the extra fan noise. Also, avoid using LED fans, as their bulbs may bang and create more noise.
6. They Make Your Ceiling Look Lower
Let’s have it! Ceiling fans protrude down the ceiling, making it look smaller. They might block the light from the ceiling LEDs. Plus, their down rods need a lot of space and may not let you open your upper cabinets if the fan is on!
All these small elements clutter the ceiling and shrink it visually. So, your designer will think twice before adding a fan to a small ceiling.
Use bracket-mounted hugger fans to save the blades from hanging too low.
7. You Just Cannot Conceal Them!
Let’s say you ask your designers to design a clean, villa-like ceiling. They begin work, hide all the sprinklers, and add diffused lights. But no matter what they do, the fan blade and down rods will always be visible!
So, your designer will need to tweak the space and ceiling panels accordingly.
You cannot really conceal a fan inside a ceiling. But the best you can do is paint it with a similar shade as the ceiling to make it more seamless.
8. They Have Exposed Electrical Conduits!
Ceiling fans run on electricity, so wires and conduits run all along the ceiling. And these red and green wires draw more attention than the ceiling panels themselves! So, your designer might struggle for the desired look to work on the services!
Pack all your wires in wooden molding and place them above the ceiling panels to conceal the wiring.
What Can You Use Instead of Ceiling Fans?
I understand that you’ll need high airflow in hot and coastal homes. But you don’t necessarily have to use a ceiling fan every time! Here’s what you can use instead:
- Tower Fans: These thin, vertical fans generate powerful wind currents in your house. Plus, they are portable. So you can place them closer to you.
- Air Conditioners: Air conditioners lower the ambient temperature of your room. And since they are mounted on the side walls, they won’t disturb your decor!
- Pedestal Fans: Pedestal fans are small but powerful fans with a floor stand and controller. They are very minimal and curate industrial decor.
- Air Multipliers: Air multipliers are just bladeless rings with proper exhaust. They are very polished and can be used on any modern ceiling.
3 Tips for Using a Ceiling Fan Correctly
- Add soft or diffused ceiling lights to tone down dark ceiling fans.
- If you plan to add a ceiling fan to your house, use a light and bright ceiling color. You can also use white gypsum panels for a textured backdrop to the fan.
- Choose a fan without any light kit or LEDs if you have enough lighting in the space.
Which Ceiling Fans Are in Style Now?
Thin and curved ceiling fans with a Wave and Flush mount design are a trend nowadays. Pair them with steel down rods and brackets for a unique style statement.
How Should You Design the Interior of a Room with a Ceiling Fan?
You should design light and industrial interiors with a ceiling fan. Try to use more steel accents, tables, and chairs in the room. Using large bay or box windows is also advisable for a bright look!
Are Ceiling Fans Outdated in Bedrooms?
Ceiling fans are not quite outdated but are not used much nowadays. Instead, people just add air conditioners and use an exhaust for ventilation. But you can still use wavy ceiling fans and conceal their wiring on top of the ceiling.
Ceiling fans are generally huge, noisy, and might have age-old designs and colors. Plus, they require extra effort to conceal their wiring. That’s why designers hate them!
One quick way to make fans less dominant is to match their colors with the walls and ceiling. So, if your house has neutral walls and ceilings, like white or gray, I have some trendy ceiling fan colors for gray walls and white ceilings for you!
