With summer just beginning, Aussie homeowners are spinning their attention to upgrading their ceiling fans as they look to cool for the hot and humid months ahead.
Long valued for their practicality and efficiency, ceiling fans have been making a stylish comeback over recent years and are now viewed as must-have features in trendy, energy-conscious homes.
No longer just there for comfort, the right ceiling fan can cut through the air and your energy bills, playing a vital role in reducing costs, enhancing home aesthetics, and boosting overall comfort.
In fact research shows that pairing ceiling fans with air conditioning can significantly slash energy usage, making them a smart, stylish upgrade for homeowners keen to stay cool while lowering power bills.
To help you choose the perfect fan and integrate it seamlessly into your home design, Build-it has teamed up with TV presenter and interior designer James Treble.
Known for his work on Renovate or Rebuild and Open Homes Australia, James shares expert advice on selecting a fan that balances design, functionality, and style.
So before you grab the remote and turn on the AC, check out Build-it’s expert-approved fan-styling ideas that will keep your home cool and breezy all summer long.
Spin function with design
A key pillar of interior design is ensuring every element enhances a space’s look and feel.
James highlights this significance and argues ceiling fans can be used as a stylish way to improve comfort and complement your overall aesthetic, especially during Australia’s sizzling summers.
When shopping for a ceiling fan, consider both its style and performance to ensure it meets your practical and design needs.
Select a design that complements your space in terms of style and proportion, this could be subtle and understated or bold and eye-catching.
A cathedral ceiling in a large-scale room offers an opportunity to add something big and bold, making the fan a furnishing statement piece. Whereas adding a fan in your smallest bedroom may look best with a sleeker, more neutral design.
“When done well, a ceiling fan becomes more than just a feature—it’s a seamless part of the home’s overall atmosphere,” James says.
“It’s about finding the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality to create a space that is not only beautiful but also practical and sustainable.”
“The right fan can bring balance, tying together the natural elements and airy feel of a room while also providing comfort,” he explained.
Circulate your colours
The right fan should complement your decor and tie together a room’s overall look, whether it’s sleek and modern or warm and inviting.
Decide if you’d like your fan to blend in or have a presence. This can influence the colour and style you choose.
All white blades will blend in with white walls and ceiling, whereas a fan with wooden blades adds a sense of warmth, while bright colours become a room centrepiece.
James highlights the importance of choosing a shade that suits both the space and your lifestyle needs.
“Ceiling fans play a key role in enhancing both aesthetics and comfort, contributing to a home that feels harmonious and functional,” he says.
For homeowners seeking to create a relaxed, breezy coastal vibe, James suggests choosing fans in soft, neutral tones like white or beechwood.
These colours blend effortlessly with natural textures like timber and stone, allowing these elements to shine while maintaining an open, airy feel.
“Designing a modern coastal space is about creating a home that feels light, calm, and deeply connected to its surroundings,” he says.
“Neutral tones like these are essential in achieving that effortless, open coastal feel, as they allow other natural elements in the room, like timber and stone, to shine.”
Top ceiling fan tips
- Decide whether you want the fan to blend in or stand out as a feature piece.
- Ensure the fan’s size is proportionate to the room.
- Make sure your choice complements the room, not overwhelms.
- For outdoor spaces, pick a fan designed to handle the elements.
Save energy in style
Ceiling fans are not just about staying cool, they are also a smart choice for reducing energy costs.
Research from the University of Sydney shows that pairing ceiling fans with air conditioning can slash energy usage by up to 70 per cent.
This means you can keep your home comfortable while significantly cutting back on energy bills. Whether you are focused on savings or sustainability, ceiling fans are a practical and stylish addition to any home.
Modern models with energy-efficient DC motors and high airflow performance, such as the Fanco Horizon DC and Sanctuary DC, combine sustainability with sleek design.
“Choosing energy-efficient ceiling fans is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home, making it a win-win for both homeowners and the environment,” James says.
