Gardening and Landscaping

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Landscape Design

Blow Past the Heat With an Outdoor Ceiling Fan

Drop some degrees on your porch or patio while boosting its style, with an energy-efficient ceiling fan

Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson July 31, 2012

We are the mother and daughter behind the blog Design Chic (www.mydesignchic.com).

We are the mother and daughter behind the blog Design Chic.... More

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Outdoor ceiling fans have been a practical way to cool outdoor spaces since the 1900s — particularly in the South, where they've been as obligatory as sweet tea when it comes to beating summer heat. Today, porch ceiling fans are a wonderful way to create a breeze, add light and contribute to a stylish decor. By introducing movement into otherwise still air, outdoor fans are an energy-efficient way to stay cool all summer long.

Here, a few tips on how to incorporate a fan into your outdoor room.

Tropical Porch by K2 Design Group, Inc.

K2 Design Group, Inc.

Ceiling fans create circulation, making the porch feel up to 8 degrees cooler. The drop in temperature makes outdoor lounging much more enjoyable in the summer.

Contemporary Patio by Cornerstone Architects

Cornerstone Architects

Placing ceiling fans 16 feet apart on the porch allows for maximum air movement and cooling potential.

Traditional Patio by Lake Country Builders

Lake Country Builders

Ceiling fans are available in styles and materials that can complement any outdoor decor. Natural materials hold up well in the weather and coordinate well with the surroundings.

Traditional Porch by Bountiful

A simple white fan blends beautifully with a white ceiling, creating an unobtrusive way to cool the outdoor space.

Modern Exterior by Webber + Studio, Architects

Webber + Studio, Architects

An industrial metal ceiling fan works nicely with a more modern decor, making the outside area seem as sleek and stylish as the inside.

Traditional Exterior Peter Dorcas

Ceiling fans are a great way to add more light to your porch, as well. A central diffusing light — like the one on this fan — is a simple way to provide general illumination. The larger the diffuser, the softer the light.

Ceiling fan lights generally do not provide as much light as a same-size pendant light, so keep that in mind when you're planning an outdoor lighting scheme.

Industrial Porch by Barn Light Electric Company

Barn Light Electric Company

A glass cluster is another element available for a ceiling fan. The cluster generally provides more light than a diffuser, but the multiple light canisters coming from the fan can create a glare. It's generally a good idea to include a dimmer on fans with glass clusters.

Contemporary Patio by Cornerstone Architects

Cornerstone Architects

Uplights are a new feature in fan lighting; they create a pool of light facing up toward the ceiling, instead of down toward the floor. Uplit fans work well when paired with can lights or lanterns for brighter light, or on their own in areas where only minimal light is desired.

Modern Ceiling Fans by Lumens

Mistral Ceiling Fan by Moooi - $1,108

Even if you don't love the look of a ceiling fan, you can still have the breeze. This ceiling fan has blades inside the fixture to keep the air moving out of sight.

Modern Ceiling Fans Modern Ceiling Fans

Modern Ceiling Fans - $895

This white ceiling fan is far from boring — it's a great choice for someone looking for a fan that's basic yet modern and stylish.

Tropical Ceiling Fans by Buildcom

Minka-Aire Gaugu" Ceiling Fan, Oil Rubbed Bronze - $469.95

This beautiful fan is great for coastal or tropical porches. The nature-inspired design looks like it could be a part of the landscape.

More:
Are Ceiling Fans the Kiss of Death for Design?

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Comments (11)

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thickskin

My verandah is 42ft x 12ft. the ceiling fans do not produce much breeze. They just move the hot air around. And yes, floor fans are a must at dusk and dawn to keep the mosquitoes off your ankles.

4 Likes August 2, 2012 at 4:31AM

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PRO

Design Freedom, inc.

also check the EnergyStar ratings for your ceiling fans. some are much more efficient than others at moving air - which means less electricity spent, and better air circulation at lower (less noisy) speeds. specifically, go to the EnergyStar website products list and compare the highest CFM per watt at the lowest speed rating for each fan.

2 Likes August 9, 2012 at 12:29PM

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kfceilingfan

I think industrial (not designer industrial) ceiling fans with aluminum or stainless steel blades would be ideal for a porch, as it gets very hot there and it isn't air-conditioned. For indoors, I like the brass ceiling fans with wood blades with cane inserts and stuff you'd find in a typical classic-style fan.

Like January 19, 2015 at 10:34PM

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