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Studio Blog

July 19th

Make Your Room ‘Fan’tastic

This fan practically disappears into the ceiling rather than being an obtrusion to the space.

This fan practically disappears into the ceiling rather than being an obtrusion to the space. (Photo courtesy Angela Todd Designs, www.nwinteriordesigner.com)

Our Mediterranean climate in San Diego is well suited to the benefits of ceiling fans. Often it might not be hot enough here for air conditioning, but the gentle breeze from a San Diego ceiling fan makes a room more comfortable. Or even with the air conditioning on, the fan helps circulate the air evenly. Plus it’s a cost-effective way to cool your home since it can reduce your energy usage by 40 percent!

Ceiling fans don’t have to be ugly monstrosities. If you prefer vintage or contemporary looks, for example, choose a fan that complements your style and serves as a design feature. But if you want a fan that is simply utilitarian, look for a less decorative model that can “disappear” into your ceiling. Omit the light kit that comes with the fan to draw even less attention to it (but be sure to install it far enough away from any existing ceiling lights to avoid a strobe light effect). Since ceiling fans create a breeze for cooling, install them in your home’s most-used rooms, such as the family room and bedrooms.

Modern fans become part of your room's design while providing efficient energy usage.

Modern fans can become part of your room’s design while providing efficient energy usage.

Select the fan’s size based on your room’s size. If your ceilings are around 8 feet, the flush mount “hugger” type will work best so the fan doesn’t intrude into your space. The fan should be hung at least 7 feet from the floor and 18 inches from any wall. If you have high ceilings, an extension rod will bring your fan to the ideal position in the room.

The most common fan size is 52 inches but here are suggested sizes based on room dimensions:

75 sq. ft. — 29”-36”

76-144 sq. ft. — 36”-42”

144-225 sq. ft. — 44”-50”

225-400 sq. ft. — 50-54”

If your fan will be at a height you can’t reach or you want more convenience, look for a fan with a remote control. This will allow you to quickly turn the fan on and off, change the speed, and change the blade direction to help warm air flow during winter too. Be sure to have your fan installed on a separate circuit from your overhead lights or it won’t be operable via remote when the light switch is off, which could be annoying.

We recommend a professional for ceiling fan installation. Have you ever heard a fan that clicked or made other noises when it was on? That was an improperly installed fan. Don’t be a victim to fan noise!

At Tracy Lynn Studio, we are committed to your home’s details — from furniture to flooring to, yes, ceiling fans. Please contact us for a complimentary consultation.