Creatively Cool: Maximizing Ceiling Fans for Your Decor

This summer, the thrill of the beach, barbecue and holidays sweep over Australia once more; except for one thing that goes with it: the heat. As temperatures peak, utility bills take their tolls. You're at the crossroad of either choosing to save, or maximizing comfort in your air-conditioned room. But why sacrifice both, if you can have an efficient way to cool your house down without the cost? That's right. We're thinking ceiling fans.

Interior designers used to shun ceiling fans because of its built—it's clunky, archaic, and interferes with the rest of the decor. But today's ceiling fans have been streamlined to fit the modern household, and you'd be surprised to see how finding the right design can make your interiors look and feel cool. Take a look at these guides and use them to select the right fan that will fit your décor.

In order to get the fullest efficacy of your ceiling fan, it's important to consider the scale. You want your fan to be proportional to the square footage of a space.

1. Smaller rooms under 90 sq. ft.—usually a small office—can make use of a fan with a blade sweep between 15 to 42 inches.
2. Average rooms spanning a 100-sq. ft. can work with a 46-inch blade sweep.
3. Bedrooms, dining rooms and kitchens should use a ceiling fan with a 54-inch blade sweep. Alternatively, you can install two fans for better circulation.
4. Outdoor spaces require fans with bigger blade sweeps that spans up to 70 inches. Installing a row of smaller fans will work as well.

Height also matters. Your fan should be installed at least 20 inches from the ceiling, and should be within 8 feet away from the floor.  For taller ceilings, adding a downrod can help maximize your fan's efficiency.

Now, here goes the fun part: selecting a style. Your ceiling fan can actually add more character in your space, provided that it fits the airflow and scale requirements for optimum comfort. Here are some of the styles we loved:

Blades with metallic shades add a futuristic touch to this white-themed interior. The ceiling fan harmonizes well with the rest of the colours, creating a pleasant, easy-on-the-eye canvass in this minimalist room.

Black is beautiful. Here, this handsome ceiling fan in deep kohl creates a contemporary flair in this creatively masculine room. We’ve got something similar: Altus Indoor Ceiling Fan

This wide and airy room exudes with a beach-side villa flair, thanks to the ceiling fans hovering above it. We’ve got something similar:  Fanimation Windpointe Ceiling Fan

We are loving the dark wood material on this chic modern ceiling fan that doubles up as a lighting fixture. That’s like hitting two birds with one stone. We’ve got something similar:  Torsion Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are your best friends to escape this summer heat. It only uses up to 30 watts; that's about a hundredth of the energy consumption of a normal air conditioner. When used together, you can maximize the air flow without sacrificing your budget—and what could be cooler than that?

Take a look at our collection of ceiling fans and discover creative ways of escaping the summer heat with style.

How do you like your ceiling fans? Sound off your thoughts below!

Looking for more lighting inspiration? Check out our range of Pendant Lighting, Wall Lights or Table Lamps.

Images via FSV and our Ceiling Fans