Organise + design your Reno with these resources

What size fan do I need in my room? - it’s a question we get asked all the time…

The one size fits all rule certainly doesn’t cut it. To create good airflow, you need to choose your fan based on several key factors, including your room size.

Don’t fret though, it’s not rocket science! Here’s what you need to consider and how to measure your space…

First Things First

Fan sizes are measured by the overall diameter, which is the length from blade tip to blade tip. Fans are excellent for cooling a room, but even more so, they cool your body by moving and circulating air.

Therefore a fan should be centred in the room or positioned over the space where you’ll be sitting, sleeping or wanting to feel its effects.

How high is too high?

For safety reasons, the blades of a ceiling fan should be a minimum of 2.1m above your floor level, but check your local building code in case they stipulate a differing minimum height.

So for 2.4m ceilings, you’ll want a fan that has no more than a 300mm drop from the ceiling. For lower ceilings, there’s a range of low-profile ceiling fans available.

The optimal height to the underside of your fan is between 2.1m to 2.5m above your floor. For extra high ceilings, most ceiling fans come with the option of extension rod accessories, which can be cut to the required size by your electrician.

A fan that’s too large in a space will make the ceiling appear lower visually and overpower the room, whilst a fan that’s too small won’t adequately cool and circulate the air.

The Colour Dilemma

It’s a common dilemma - should your fan be black, white or timber?

Generally white is the safest bet if you’re feeling overwhelmed or just want a minimal look. White fans disappear seamlessly on white ceilings and are the best option if you have low ceilings as they won’t be a focal point.

A fan that contrasts in colour or finish to your ceiling becomes more of a statement. You can match your fan with other finishes or accessories in your home, like flooring, window frames, lighting or hardware.

Now You’re Ready To Measure Your Room

Now you’re a bit of a fan know-it-all, it’s time to measure your room size and ceiling height.

Your room dimensions are calculated by measuring your room’s length by its width and then multiplying these together. This will give you your room’s m2 (square metre) or square feet dimensions.

Then measure your ceiling height from your floor level, so you know what drop is right.

The Right Fan Size For Your Room

Smaller bedrooms, or rooms such as an office space - less than 4m x 4m or 16m2 room size - 48” or 122cm ceiling fan (or even smaller).

Average size bedrooms or rooms - approximately 4m x 4m or 16m2 room size - 52” or 132cm ceiling fan. This is the most common fan size.

Larger bedrooms or living areas - approximately 5m x 5m or 25m2 room size - 60” or 152cm. This is a popular-sized fan in contemporary homes with well-proportioned rooms.

Extra large rooms or spaces - approximately 6m x 6m or 36m2 (or greater) room size - 60” or 142cm ceiling fan, or larger.

Of course, as with all things design, the fan size to the room size guide can be adapted to suit your needs. A larger fan can be installed in an average-sized room to create better airflow or aesthetics, or you might opt for two smaller fans to cool a larger, long room.

Use these as a guide and choose the fan that best suits you and your space.

Always use a licensed electrician for any electrical work and check your local building regulations for any electrical or installation requirements as they can differ.