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Should I replace my ceiling fan...on a budget

7 years ago

Hello! First time poster. I’m new to design and home decor. Short story - for the first time I have more time than money, if that makes any sense. I have decided to spend time refreshing my 1 BR condo, on a budget.
First thing I did was remove a floor to ceiling mirrored walls, that were original in the bldg from 1983! Not as hard as I thought but next time I will use more safety precautions.
Very next thing I thought was replacing what I always thought was “the god awful ceiling fan”. But I am now reconsidering. I am on a budget so I cannot spend too much on a fan, I was in the $200 range. But this fan has lasted for 37 years without a sign of aging! Motor is quiet, not a single wobble from this thing.
Also - the bronze look is one I’m now really loving. I’m not saying I have to keep this fan forever, but despite most of my friends best suggestions, I’m considering that without the mirrors, and with new decor, this fan really isn’t “hideous”. Am I fooling myself? Thanks

Comments (30)

  • 7 years ago

    Ditch the fan.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    You did an amazing job removing the mirrors! It's a nasty, not to mention very dangerous, undertaking...

    Do you want to keep the fan because of it's usefulness or because of the way it looks?

  • 7 years ago

    I’d take out the fan and put a nice chandelier

  • 7 years ago

    I would say (not a pro) that if you just cannot decide right now, then do nothing till you are finished with your refresh. However, if you are getting ceiling work done with your refresh you might want to decide prior to the ceiling work!

    Do you need a fan above your table? Is it a comfort issue? I agree you could get a pretty nice chandelier for under $200!

    What’s on the other side of your blades? We have a ceiling fan in our family room and on one side was a deep cherry burgundy color. I was ready to get rid of it till my husband flipped the blades and now the blades are an oak with the smallest amount of muted driftwood color, and I’m totally fine with it until the fan gives out. I think the fan is 22 years old lol! I was shocked that such a cool color was on the other side!

    Good luck!

  • 7 years ago

    dining tables and fans dont mix IMO stuff blowing on your food, you could get something on the pretty cheap from lowes/ home depo heck even on offer up or facebook market place. Put in something pretty. get something with chain so you can swag it over to center.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    What is your decor style? Hard to tell as everything is covered up : > )

    Once you decide what you want to spend for the redo, I think a couple of panels could be added to the sheers.




  • 7 years ago

    You can take the blades off and spray paint them. I would paint them white to blend in with the ceiling. The light globes are very easy and inexpensive to replace too.

  • 7 years ago

    IF you want the fan redo it as suggested. No wobble, no noise is amazing. Most new low-budget fans aren't worth the price paid.

  • 7 years ago

    Wow thanks everyone!! To answer the most relevant question - I don’t want to ditch the fan bc I have a small galley kitchen. No I cannot move any walls, all foundation. Sooo every now and then with my small condo, I’m cooking and i really feel like air circulation is must. Otherwise my house will smell like yesterday’s dinner into next week.
    The fan is for utility.
    Now I think the fan belongs in the middle of the room. But concrete ceilings (to withstand bombing? No sure). I cannot move it.

    I will take the fan off and see what the other side looks like. I have never done a single thing to keep this fan running. And I don’t know, I hate the idea of replacing it and then you know, shit breaks!
    Ok I will get back to you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  • 7 years ago
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Thanks Penny Design. To be honest I heard and saw so many horror stories. But everything came out without any damage to the walls.
    Did some research, they apparently used top of the line materials and construction on this bldg. It was a very swanky building, first high rise in this neighborhood in Arlington, VA. So as soon as we starting pulling the mirrors (oh god, thought we were in trouble a few times) we said let’s do it, banged them out. Very proud of myself though!
  • 7 years ago

    replace the light fixture in the kitchen with a small fan, they make them very powerful, with lights and a scale that would fit that room..... dont settle there are solutions. https://www.lampsplus.com/sfp/34X66/?cm_mmc=GOO-SH--NA--NA-_-34X66&sourceid=DFGPD34X66&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIofWjyLDL4wIVCtvACh3kWgnsEAQYAyABEgLU7fD_BwE

  • 7 years ago

    Oh!! I think that’s the answer!! Brilliant
    Thanks!

  • 7 years ago

    Id also check to see if there is a way to improve the exhaust fan

  • 7 years ago

    Be careful with this...you'll need one with a remote unless you automatically want both the light and fan on every time you flip the switch. You can go a bit larger, thereby saving your money (common sizes are cheaper). You'll need at least the same light output.


    In addition, if your current light fixture is the only one in the kitchen, then I recommend LED, battery operated puck lights that you stick under the upper cabinets. Of course, you need those with a remote, also. They're quite effective and the batteries will last a while unless you forget to switch them off when not in use.


    Of course, you can get your kitchen rewired, but I'm trying to think of budget friendly ideas.


    Just some things to be aware of before you go shopping :)

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    IMO no fans where there is food made or consumed. Get a proper hood for the stove or at least a good quality recirclating one it will take care of the smells better than a fan just blowing them around. I also would look at a nice chandeleir for the DR with maybe more that tiny little useless lights to help with overall lighting. A track light in the kitchen with LED bulbs would also bea good idea for better lighting.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Patricia, why do you recommend that? I've had a ceiling fan in the kitchen and found it to be wonderful.

    It provided necessary circulation when it was too hot to cook and I just turned it off when we ate...

  • 7 years ago

    Having lived in Northern Virginia, I can attest to the utility of fans. Nothing dictates that it ever has to be in use when having dinner. Replace it with whatever you want when it breaks. It’s very easy to paint or replace the blades and the the shades if you’d like to do that as another gratifying diy project.

  • 7 years ago

    I'm also in the area and ceiling fans are an absolute necessity, especially if you want to open your windows once in a while. When I updated the fans in each bedroom, I just stalked the LampsPlus Open Box site (I think I heard about it thru this forum) for deals. If you need something that doesn't take up too much physical/visual space, you can use the filters to narrow the options to 'hugger' style fans, like this: https://www.lampsplusopenbox.com/ceiling+fans-category/hugger+flush+mount-type/search.htm

  • 7 years ago

    Keep the fan and don't turn it on when people are eating.

  • 7 years ago

    Think the only beneficial fan in the kitchen is an exhaust fan...this tiny kitchen has no window ..only one door opening...so no air flow option....so ceiling fan will at best just blow the hot air down from the ceiling...I do however think if you keep the fan where it is ....the fact that it is mounted on the ceiling....no chain...and as a replacement for a chandelier ....I would get a very pretty..more streamlined modern one.....as ...in that location just function ....is not enough...

  • 7 years ago

    IMO -- no fan in the kitchen. Those blades accumulate SO much dust (at least mine do - I'm always SHOCKED at the amount of grime I clean off the blades) i feel like if i had one where I cook/eat I'd unknowingly ingest pounds of dust & who knows what else, yuck.

  • 7 years ago

    So you would rather have that "dust and grime' over the dining table? Clean you fan once a week with a swiffer..........

  • 7 years ago

    reverse functions on the fan pull the cool air up........

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks everyone for your comments. At least I know I am not CRAZY for not being able to decide as there are so many good opinions/reasons/options!
    For now, I decided to do nothing..ha! Well for the time anyways, I am making other changes and then will figure out what to do in regards to this fan. In fact, turns out I am using it way more than I had expected as I’m doing painting and other work in my condo through the HOTTEST July in DC! And this thing doesn’t quit, so it’s a blessing in disguise that I could not decide what to do with it!
    Maybe I will post an update later but for now, hooray to 1982 appliances!
    Thanks!

  • 7 years ago

    Good idea - no harm in leaving it be. You can reassess when that one finishes it’s life-cycle!

  • 7 years ago
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>I think I will just have to post more pics and then ask for idea b/c I really do appreciate everyone’s comments.
    And it’s hard to provide me with help w/o knowing key things like - yes, this is a “dining area” technically but I’m a single woman in this condo and so, let’s be honest, very little “dining” had happened on a real table under this fan.
  • 7 years ago

    I am in a condo and have a small galley kitchen. I had a small ceiling fan in my kitchen and LOVED it. It was ugly and cheap, but it worked really great to move the air it was warm and you're moving around in the kitchen, washing dishes etc. I didn't turn it on when cooking, it would mess with the flames. I have since replaced it with a plain light, but if run across a nice looking small ceiling fan, I definitely would consider putting one back in.

  • 6 years ago

    Hi all! Thanks for your help!! I posted an update and wld love anyone to chime in! Ditched the fan. My hood over the stove works just fine and I may add a Dyson or similar floor model to circulate air as needed.
    But I’m stuck now, ha! Thanks!