A Spin on Design: Innovations in ceiling fan technology boost design versatility

If sophisticated design is not something you typically associate with ceiling fans, you might want to look up. Today’s ceiling fans offer far more than functionality. Significant advances in construction, materials and technology have paved the way for design-oriented styles as well as improved airflow and light output.

“Ceiling fans have become an extension of personal style, with customers increasingly opting for customizable finishes, blade styles and control options,” Nathan Frampton, President and CEO of Fanimation, said.

Fortunately, ceiling fan technology has come a long way and is able to deliver on the personal style consumers are looking for.

“Advances in motor and lighting technology are transforming ceiling fan design in exciting ways,” said Patrick O’Connell, Senior Brand Design Director at Hunter Fan Company. “Smaller, more efficient motors allow for sleek, modern silhouettes without compromising power, while integrated LED lighting is cooler, brighter and more compact than ever. This innovation paves the way for sophisticated designs that seamlessly enhance high-end interiors.”

Structural Integrity

Thanks to a move to DC motors, which are less than half the size of traditional 12-inch AC ceiling fan motors, housings for this key component can now be much smaller, giving product developers more design latitude. “Ceiling fans have morphed into a range of stylish options where consumers can choose blade sizes, pitch, finish, light source and style,” O’Connell continued.

Styles such as fandeliers, which cloak the fan blades within a light fixture, to modern minimalist designs with sleek curved blades offer options suitable in any room of the home, including walk-in closets, bathrooms and outdoor spaces. “Homeowners realize they don’t have to compromise their style for comfort,” O’Connell added. In this year’s releases, Hunter has collaborated with HGTV Designer Jasmine Roth on Brookside, a sleek fandelier in a matte casing that hides the fan mechanism, or the Downtown, with its minimalist aesthetic.

Craftmade Brand Manager Karen Johnson agreed that the shift from AC to DC motors has been a game changer in ceiling fan design. “We have seen a large increase in ceiling fans used in living rooms and bedrooms, especially within the multi-residential market, such as apartments, dorms and hospitality spaces,” she said.

This year, in addition to such decorative options as the Sofia and Alexis fandeliers, which hide clear acrylic blades, Craftmade has introduced minimalist options with its Amigo and Rafiki ceiling fans, which pair style with installation ease, using a two-wire wall control suitable for all types of construction, including older homes. “The motor and canopies are incredibly small and are the ideal minimalist functional design,” Johnson added about Craftmade’s latest introductions.

Modern Form’s Alex Ostrovsky, Director of Sales and Product Management, shared that the company unveiled the industry’s smallest fan motor at Lightovation, and rolled out new fan designs, such as Carve, a sculpted three-blade fan that comes in multiple finishes. “We want to keep growing the Carve line following the trends in furniture,” Ostrovsky said.

While the shifts in motor size and construction have expanded design options for ceiling fans, companies have been careful to maintain optimum functionality. DC motors, for example, provide as much power as the traditional AC motors but are more energy-efficient and quieter.

Let There Be LED

As fans often do double duty as a primary lighting fixture in a space, advances in LED technology have also been a game changer for ceiling fan design.

“One of the drawbacks of fans in the past is that they didn’t produce enough light,” Modern Forms Ostrovsky said. “With the improvement in LED technology, we have been able to increase light output about 25 percent from where it was before.” In addition, Modern Forms’ newer ceiling fans are incorporating Color Changing Technology (CCT), allowing consumers to adjust ceiling fan light at the flip of a switch, he added.

LED’s cooler nature and its ability to come in forms other than bulbs, has also created opportunities to light fans in unique ways. For Modern Forms, this year’s introductions include ceiling fans that produce uplight as well as downlight. “The ability to uplight creates more ambient light,” Ostrovsky noted.

Fanimation has also introduced ceiling fans that deliver uplight and downlight for ambient and functional lighting, respectively. “A key feature that customers prioritize is the ability to control these lights independently,” Frampton noted. The company’s Torchiere ceiling fan does just that. Fanimation is also focusing on customizable lighting options with the ability to go from a warm 2700K up to a cool 5000K with five color temperature options, as well as more powerful lighting options. “These brighter lights meet the dual demand for aesthetics and functionality, offering sufficient illumination for tasks while maintaining a stylish, integrated design,” Frampton added.

At Craftmade, LED lighting has allowed the company to offer fresh configurations, including Axel, which features lighting on the outside edge frame of the fan. Even traditional downlights have gotten upgrades in style and materials. Rather than the traditional four-bulb design — still available — newer fans are showcasing embedded lighting that can sit flush, eliminating bulky lighting elements. With LED’s longer lifespan, there is less need to replace light sources.

The cooler nature of LED also allows for higher-design materials in light fixtures. For example, Modern Forms introduced Pisces, which uses an alabaster light diffuser. “With LED, we can produce better light output,” Ostrovsky said. “We don’t have to worry about such things as hot spots.”

Designed for Take-Off

Gaining the most from material and construction advances, perhaps, are ceiling fan blades. New, lighter materials — such as polycarbonate and composites — provide more flexibility in design, from blade size to sculpted and curved designs. Even inconspicuous clear acrylic blades are being used on some fandeliers.

Matte black and fresh white continue to be “fan” favorites because they are timeless and versatile, Hunter’s O’Connell noted.

Craftmade’s Johnson agreed that black finishes continue to drive fan sales with white coming in a close second. “Flat — Matte — black is still the top finish in all categories of fans, with double-digit growth again this year,” she said. “White is seeing a resurgence now that more transitional and contemporary fans are being used in multi-residential spaces as well.”

For newer finishes, Johnson points to metallics such as the company’s new Modern Bronze, which was well-received at markets. O’Connell adds, “Fashion-forward finishes like Luxe Gold and White Oak add warmth and versatility, making these streamlined styles a perfect fit for both contemporary and updated traditional spaces.”

Frampton added that fans with tropical, coastal or boho aesthetics featuring natural materials and wide sweeping blades are trending. “These styles bring an inviting organic touch to interiors and outdoor spaces,” he said.

The key to good ceiling fans is optimal functionality. However, continued design elevation also needs to be in step with the latest design trends. “Designers want fans that complement their lighting plans rather than compete with them,” O’Connell noted.