Ceiling fan sizes come in countless variations and provides numerous rewards if you choose it properly.
When I was young, I used to have a general myth that small ceiling fans are for small rooms and large ceiling fans are for large rooms. But I didn’t have the parameters and standard sizes where to fit in the ceiling fan properly.
I smashed the idea of changing the ceiling fans of my home and brought some wrong sizes that were not properly circulating the airflow. Expert advice is important while choosing the right ceiling fan size.
Del Mar Fans and Lighting states,
“As the saying goes, one should buy small ceiling fans for small rooms and large ceiling fans for large rooms. While this may sound like an ancient proverb, choosing the right size ceiling fan ensures maximum performance, style, and above all – comfort. The right size ceiling fan will do more than just keep you cool; it can also save you money.”
When you choose a ceiling fan, it should complement you with comfort, performance, and durability. A small ceiling fan in a large room will take much effort to give you comfort, while it hampers performance and durability. A large ceiling fan in a small room will create unnecessary airflow while giving you un-comfort and an extra charge to your pocket.
In this guide, I will try to give you the complete idea regarding ceiling fan sizes as under:
- Is ceiling fan size related to the size of the room?
- What problems will you face if you do not install a proper size ceiling fan?
- How to Choose the Right Size of Ceiling Fan for Your Room?
- Choosing Ceiling Fan Size for Different Rooms
Is Ceiling Fan Size Related to the Size of the Room?
The general myth that small ceiling fans are for small rooms and large ceiling fans are for large rooms was cleared when I started to research a little bit back in 2012. At that time, I dissected the procedure of choosing the right fan for the right room.
And, YES!
The ceiling fan size is completely related to the size of the room. You choose the ceiling fan size depending on the size of the room.
When determining the size of the room, you have to keep a record on the room length, width, and height.
What Problems Will You Face if You Do Not Install a Proper Size Ceiling Fan?
The very interesting fact is that many will never realize that they have installed a wrong ceiling fan size for their room. You may not realize the bad impacts sometimes.
- You may have to compromise on your comfort.
- Energy consumption and the bill will rise.
- The fan will face performance issues.
- Spare parts, mostly the motor can be in great danger.
- The fan will not serve its expected life.
How to Choose the Right Size of Ceiling Fan for Your Room?
Step 1: Determine blade span based on room square feet
i) How to measure a room size?
First measure the length of the room and then the width of the room (in Feet) by a measuring tape. Multiply the length of the room with the width of the room to determine the square footage of the room.
For example, if your room size is 8’ x 8’, the square footage will be 64 Sq. Ft. If your room size is 12’ x 12’, the square footage will be 144 Sq. Ft. and the like.
Also, keep a note of the height of the room.
ii) How to measure a blade span/size of a ceiling fan?
Blade span is the diameter of the circle created by the fan blades while rotating. The size of the blade span is usually mentioned in the ceiling fan’s feature list. Yet, it can be measured manually depending on the no. of ODD and EVEN blades of the fan.
a) If the fan has Odd no. of blades, then measure the distance from the center of the fan to the tip of the blade. And, then multiply it by 2.
b) If the fan has Even no. of blades, then measure the distance between two opposing blades (i.e. from the tip of one blade to the tip of another blade). Or, you can simply follow the method (a). The result will be the same.
Measuring the blade span size is important. It is a vital indicator of the fan’s Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) i.e. the measurement of how much air is moved. It will also help you determine the size of the room where you should put the ceiling fan in.
iii) Recommended blade span as per the room size
This ceiling fan size guide can help you choose the right size fan for your room. Depending on the room type and layout, this general guide for the best ceiling fan size can have some tweaks in it.
Ceiling Fan Size Guide
| Room Size (Sq. Ft.) | Fan Size | Room Type |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | 29” | Hall Way, Laundry Room, Walk-In Closet |
| 50 – 75 | 29” – 36” | Small Bathroom, Reading Room |
| 75 – 100 | 39” | Breakfast Nook, Large Bathroom |
| 100 – 144 | 42” | Medium Bedroom, Office, Kitchen |
| 144 – 225 | 44” – 52” | Master Bedrooms, Dining Room, Patio |
| 225 – 400 | 56” – Larger | Living Room, TV Room, Great Rooms |
If the room layout is long rectangular, you may consider using multiple ceiling fans.
Step 2: Determine how high to hang your ceiling fan
Mounting the ceiling fan at proper height ensures that your family members and guests don’t hit their head on it. Besides, it guarantees that the airflow will give them comfort. There should be a MINIMUM clearance of at least 7 feet distance between the ceiling fan and the floor. Depending on the ceiling height of your room, the following mounting options can be chosen.
i) Flush Mount / Hugger / Low Profile Ceiling Fan: If the ceiling height is between 8-9 Feet
ii) Ceiling Fan with Standard Downrod: If the ceiling height is 10 Feet.
iii) Ceiling Fan with Extended Downrod: If the ceiling height is more than 10 Feet.
iv) Sloping Ceiling Mount with Downrod: If you have a sloped ceiling with 35 Degree or more, you will need an angled mount adapter and an extended downrod.
Check out this short guide on Mounting System from the popular Hunter Company.
Step 3: Determine the size of downrod you need
To get the best performance from a ceiling fan, your ceiling needs to be a minimum of 2.1m-2.6m high depending on the model you buy, Choice says.
The length of the downrod will be determined by the height of your ceiling. There should be a MINIMUM clearance of at least 7 feet distance between the ceiling fan and the floor. Check the image below to get a visual idea of the downrod size:
Choosing Ceiling Fan Size for Different Rooms
Ceiling fans can be used for residential and business purposes. Whatsoever the location and space be, the size and layout of the room are important in choosing the right size of the ceiling fan.
As per all the observations stated in the above guide, you can have a primary idea on how to choose the right ceiling fan for your room. We can also contemplate the below factors.
Ceiling Fan Size for Bedroom
i) The bedroom is the most important place to have a ceiling fan. The night is spent on having the best sleep and a right ceiling fan can complement this to a great extent.
ii) If you have a standard medium size bedroom of 100 – 144, then you can choose 42”. If you have 144 – 225 Sq. Ft. master bedroom, 44” – 52” will suit the best for you.
Ceiling Fan Size for Living Room
i) Guests are the main interest group of this room. The style of the ceiling fan along with LED lighting can be a good choice. Better yet, keep an eye for comfort also.
ii) Depending on the size of the room, 56” or above can be chosen for the living room or great room spaces.
Ceiling Fan Size for Bathroom
i) The bathroom is the room where you begin your day to prepare yourself for the day out and where you close your day to prepare yourself for bed. Apart from that showering and grooming takes place for a long time.
ii) As bathroom ceilings are usually lower and space is narrow, the right size of the ceiling fan for this room is 29”-39”.
Ceiling Fan Size for Home Office
i) While choosing a ceiling fan for the home office, the single most important thing to remember is to have a noise-free ceiling fan. A lot of paperwork can be done at the home office, and the speed and proper ceiling height are considerable.
ii) as per the standard size of the room, you can 42” ceiling fans for a small home office.
Ceiling Fan Size for Outdoor Living Space
i) The outdoor ceiling fan will make your reading experience comprehensive and your enjoyment for the serene environment will be wonderful. Patio or gazebo outdoor ceiling fans will give you the same comfort just like the inside of the house.
ii) As the environment is free and full of air on the outside, you just need the right ceiling fan to circulate the air on you. You can choose the right size as per the dimension mentioned previously.
There are thousands of models and sizes combinations to choose from the ocean of ceiling fans. Hunter, Casablanca, Minka-Aire, Emerson, Quorum, Craftmade, Hugger are some very good brands along with a different range of other fans.
The ceiling fan is super energy saving, environment friendly, and you can use it throughout the year. The most important thing why we would recommend you to buy a ceiling fan is because at first, you have to remain healthy. Then you have to cope with the outer environment where you probably couldn’t find any air conditioner to keep yourself cold.
Regarding many circumstances, the ceiling fan will certainly be the best choice for you. These are now becoming very popular than ever before because of their innumerous benefits. They can understand the users’ demand, comfort, and monetary issues.
