Placement Options for Ceiling Fans in Bedrooms

If you want to use a ceiling fan to create a more relaxed environment in your bedroom, its placement is important. A ceiling fan moves air around, rather than changing the temperature like an air conditioner does. This makes a ceiling fan a sound investment that helps you reduce energy bills year-round while keeping you cool in the summer and circulating warm air in the winter.

Ceiling Fan Sizes

Before you think about placement options, make sure you get the right size of ceiling fan for your space to ensure it is effective in cooling down or heating up your room. If you don't know the measurements of your bedroom, check your floorplan or take measurements.

For small rooms up to 64-square-feet, choose a 29-inch fan. For rooms up to 100-square-feet, choose a 42-inch fan. A room measuring up to 225-square-feet can accommodate a 52-inch fan. For large rooms up to 400-square-feet, you have three options: one 56-inch fan, one 60-inch fan or two 52-inch fans.

Ceiling Fan Placement Guidelines

Position your ceiling fan as close to the center of your bedroom as possible. If you don't have a square or rectangular space, try to imagine your ceiling as two separate but equal spaces, and hang two fans sized for each space.

Make sure your ceiling fan is at least 18 inches from each of the nearest walls.

If you hang your ceiling fan too high or too low, it can look too small or too large in the room and can also result in poor airflow, using more energy than is necessary.

The optimal height from the floor for your fan depends on the height of your ceiling. When you know the height of your room, hang your fan according to these guidelines:

• For a ceiling height of 15 feet or greater, hang your fan no lower than 60 inches from the ceiling.
  
• For a ceiling height of 14 feet, hang your fan no lower than 48 inches from the ceiling.
  
• For a ceiling height of 12 feet, hang your fan no lower than 24 inches from the ceiling.
  
• For a ceiling height of 10 feet, hang your fan no lower than 12 inches from the ceiling.
  
• For a ceiling height of 9 feet, hang your fan no lower than 6 inches from the ceiling. 
  

Ceiling fans should hang a minimum of 7 feet from the floor. If your room is lower than 8 feet, a ceiling fan may not be the best choice. Consider a low-profile venting fan that's mounted flush with the ceiling.

Ceiling Fan Styles

If you don't want the standard paddle ceiling fan, look for chandelier ceiling fans, linear ceiling fans and bladeless or concealed-blade ceiling fans. Some contemporary ceiling fans are so stylish, they are practically works of art.

Installing a Ceiling-Fan-Rated Box

Installing a ceiling fan is not particularly difficult if you have an existing light fixture since you don't have to run new wiring. The ceiling fan simply connects to the cable used for the old light. However, an electrical box used for a light isn't strong enough to support a ceiling fan. You must replace the existing electrical box with a ceiling-fan-rated box, which will attach directly to a ceiling joist.