Choosing the right lighting and ceiling fans for your home can be tricky. The options can feel overwhelming and purchase missteps can be costly and time-consuming. Whether you’re building a new home or updating your current space, knowing the common pitfalls to avoid will give you the confidence you need to create a space you’ll love.
Here are a few mistakes we have seen, along with recommendations to steer you in the right direction.
Avoid These Fan Faux Pas
- Dangling Pull Chains and Protruding Light Kits
Nobody wants a messy-looking fan. Ditch the dangling pull chains and opt for models with sleek wall or remote controls. Similarly, choose fans with light kits that are tucked away, keeping the focus on the design of the fan itself.
Check out these three fans our clients love:
52″ Minka Aire Light Wave Modern White Ceiling Fan with Remote Control
56″ Minka Aire Swept Flat White LED Ceiling Fan with Remote
MinkaAire Roto 52″ 3 Blade Indoor Ceiling Fan with Wall Control
- Inappropriate Ceiling Fan Height
A fan that’s too high won’t circulate air effectively. A fan that’s too low could be dangerous to people walking underneath it. Aim to have the lowest part of your fan approximately 7 feet from the floor. If your ceiling is tall, you can purchase extension rods to bring the fan to the correct height.
Additional Fan Shopping Tips
- Wet location fans can be used indoors or outdoors.
- It’s almost always best for the fan to be a similar color to the ceiling. Fans are not often something to highlight in a room, so let them blend in.
Keep These Lighting Lapses in the Dark
- Dinky Lamps Next to a King Bed
A big bed needs big lamps! For a king-sized bed, choose lamps that stand 24-30 inches tall. Avoid skinny lamp stems and opt for a wider base diameter to achieve a balanced look.
- Skipping Lamps or Not Having Enough
Lamps are essential for creating a layered lighting scheme. Whether you’re reading a book, entertaining, or relaxing, lamps provide a soft, cozy glow you simply can’t achieve with overhead lighting alone. Floor lamps, plug-in wall sconces, and table lamps are all great solutions. The size of each room in your home determines the number of lamps you need. - Itty-Bitty Pendants Over an Island or Peninsula
Small pendant lights can really dim your style. To achieve the appropriate scale and an elevated look, choose fewer, larger pendants. For an 8-foot island, two pendants 16-18 inches in diameter are ideal.
- Cool LED Bulbs
Not all bulbs are created equal. In fact, LED bulbs come in a variety of color temperatures that can dramatically affect the feel of your space. Cool LED bulbs can give your space a harsh, industrial feel – just say no! Opt for 2700-3000 Kelvin bulbs to achieve the most natural, welcoming glow. - Keeping Your “Boob” Lights
It’s time to say goodbye to those outdated “boob” lights. The good news is, you don’t need to spend a lot to replace them. There are many affordable and stylish alternatives available online and in stores that will give your space an instant upgrade.
Here are some of our favorites:Minka 12″ Wide LED Black Finish Modern Flushmount Ceiling Light
Lydia 10″ Wide Aged Brass Opal Glass Drum Ceiling Light
Titan 12″ Wide Matte Black Square Indoor-Outdoor Ceiling Light - Mismatched Bulbs
Mismatched bulbs can create a disjointed and chaotic look in your space. When replacing bulbs within a fixture (or even in a nearby fixture), always choose ones that match the others in both brightness and color temperature. A bright LED bulb next to a soft incandescent bulb can be a real eyesore. Matching bulbs will achieve the harmonious, unified look you want.
Skip this Shopping Slip Up
- Shopping Only at Your Local Big Box Store
This tip applies to both ceiling fans and lighting. Don’t limit yourself to the choices available at your nearby hardware store! Online stores offer a wider selection of stylish options at competitive prices. You can search for the exact size, color, and functional specifications you want without even leaving your house! Returns are generally easy too. Lamps Plus, Lumens.com, and even the big box stores’ websites have so much to offer and ship to you in just a few days.
The right ceiling fan and lights can transform any room. Follow these tips to create a space that’s functional and stylish or reach out if you need additional guidance to light the way!
