The Complete Guide to Choosing Your Ceiling Fan Size |
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| Ceiling Fan Sizes | |||
| <36 inch | 42 inch | 44 inch | 48 inch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52 inch | 54 inch | 56 inch | >60 inch |
Most Important Things to Consider
The two most important things to consider when choosing from the available sizes are the blade span and the maximum airflow capacity of the fan. Most people only look at the blade span, which determines the length of each fan blade from one tip to the other.
This measures the overall diameter of the fan’s rotation. For you to enjoy just the right level of airflow, a fan should have enough space around it. However, even if you choose the right blade span for your room, if the fan has a low airflow capacity, you still won’t enjoy the air movement. Remember that your fan’s CFM capacity should also match the different ceiling fan sizes. Here’s a list you can refer to:
Take note, however, that the size of the room should be considered in terms of overall dimensions. If the room is large in terms of area measurement but is elongated rather than square, then you may want to consider using two smaller fans instead of one large fan. This is why each room should be tackled differently.
Most Common Sizes by Room Type
Hallways and closets. Hallways and closets are smaller rooms that could do with a bit of air. For these rooms, the ideal sizes are 30 to 31 inches for extremely small spaces up to a maximum size of 42 inches for slightly larger rooms.
Bathrooms. Bathrooms require damp rated fans. Since bathrooms also come in different sizes, you can choose from the smaller fans ranging from ceiling fan sizes of 42 inches to 50 inches, depending on the size of the room.
Bedrooms. Bedrooms require more power air movement to keep you comfortable and cozy. Depending on the size of the room, choose among 44-inch, 50-inch, 52-inch, and 60-inch fans. 52-inch fans are the safest choice.
Great rooms and large rooms. Spacious rooms should have large powerful fans. For these, you can choose from 54-inch, 60-inch, 62-inch, 72-inch, and 74-inch or even larger if the room is extremely spacious.
Kitchens. Kitchens should also be fitted with damp rated rooms, prefereably between 42-inch and 50-inch in size.
Offices. Offices should receive the same treatment as bedrooms, which narrows down your choices between the 44-inch to 60-inch size range.
Outdoor patio. Outdoor areas should have damp or wet rated fans of the larger sizes, starting with 52 inches and greater. For smaller spaces, 44-inch and 50-inch fans are ideal.
Recommendations on Installation Height
Aside from the blade span, CFM, and room size, always consider the height of the ceiling when choosing from the different ceiling fan sizes. This is not that important if you are buying a Hunter fan, since these fans can be installed in the standard manner (using a downrod), in angled ceilings, and in low ceilings (using the flush mount style). But if you’re buying from other brands, always check the installation height. There should be enough head clearance so you can comfortably walk underneath the fan.
The general rule is that ceiling-mount fans should be at least 7 feet above the floor, with 8 feet and 9 feet as the most ideal distance. However, you also have to make sure that there is enough space between the ceiling and the fan blades, especially in high-ceilinged and larger rooms. The lack of space will reduce the airflow. This is why sometimes downrods are necessary to extend the fan downwards.
Low ceilinged rooms require special treatment, though. Ceilings below 8 feet in height should be fitted with a hugger or flush mount fan. Sometimes, however, a hugger fan comes with a light kit, which still extends it further down. So if the ceiling is especially low, you may want a ceiling fan without a light fixture. Again, finding the right size can be tricky, but there’s one thing to remember: it’s always a case to case basis.
36 inch and below
36 inch fans and other fans with smaller ceiling fan sizes such as 24 inch and 29 to 32 inch fans should be used for small bedrooms such as dormitories, nurseries, or kid’s rooms, but they are also widely used in hallways, walk-in closets, pantries, small kitchens, and small bathrooms. These are appropriate for rooms around 8 x 10 feet. These fans should also have CFM of at least 4000 CFM to keep you comfortable. The advantage of using these ceiling fans is that you won’t have to use too much electricity unnecessarily.
Some of the most popular small models include the Westinghouse Petite Hugger and the Concept II from Minka Aire.
42 inch
Medium-sized 42-inch ceiling fans are specifically designed for rooms under 110 square feet in size. These are appropriate for rooms up to 10 x 10 feet, as long as the CFM rating is good since these fans have smaller motors. Among all ceiling fan sizes, this size is more recommended for smaller bedrooms than the 36-inch or smaller fans because they will keep you more comfortably cool. They can also be used in larger closets, larger bathrooms, and medium-sized kitchens.
This particular size size is exactly 10 inches smaller than the more common 52-inch size, making it the ultimate medium-size fan. This is why many people find it the safe choice if the 52-inch fan is too big.
The advantage of this size is that you have several options to choose from, especially from top brands Emerson Fans, Westinghouse, and Minka Aire. To maximize the benefit of a mid-sized fan, always look for the Energy Star label.
44 inch
A 44-inch fan is just right for a 110 to 225 square feet room, but it will not be sufficient for a 150 square feet room. This is still a medium-sized ceiling fan, and is a nice update if the 42-inch fans seem a bit small for you but you don’t want to go up to 48 inches. This should be used in bedrooms, offices, kitchens, offices, smaller patios, and larger bathrooms. This is not as common as the 42-inch models, but there are still plenty of options on the market.
48 inch
Among all ceiling fan sizes, the 48-inch size is most ideal for n rooms around 150 square feet in size. These are great for larger bathrooms, but are just the right choice for bedrooms, kitchens, and offices. Although this is not a popular size since it is usually not small enough and not big enough, some of the popular fans are in this size, including the Westinghouse Oasis and the Hunter Sea Wind.
52 inch
52-inch ceiling fans are the most common and most widely available, since it is the right size for most bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. Even Consumer Reports find that this is the most popular size of fans. These fans are ideal for use in rooms between 200 and 300 square feet in size. The larger the room, the higher the CFM should be.
You will enjoy searching for 52-inch fans because of the huge selection in the market, especially those from famous brands such as Hunter. The Hunter Summer Breeze is one of the most popular 52-inch ceiling fans on the market.
54 inch
Larger bedrooms should always have a fan size exceeding 52 inches, so 54 inches is ideal if you don’t want to go too large. This is too large for bathrooms and kitchens, though, but is ideal for dining rooms, offices, and outdoor patios. One popular example of a 54-inch fan is the Hunter Bayview and the Hunter Oasis. If you want less expensive 54-inch fans, check out some offers from Hampton Bay.
56 inch
56-inch ceiling fans are designed for great rooms, extra large rooms, and spacious dining rooms. Larger offices will also benefit from this size. 56-inch fans are also great for mid-range industrial applications, such as the Westinghouse Industrial, which is another top-rating product.
60 inch and up
Fans with larger ceiling fan sizes such as 60 inches or greater should be used in rooms over 300 square feet. If the room is already around 450 square feet or larger, best use an even larger size such as 72 inches or 74 inches. These fans are great for large bedrooms, living areas, dining rooms, and great rooms. Check out the Hunter Stockbridge for 70-inch fans or the Monte Carlo Birch Meadow for 66-inch fans. Best of all, there is a greater number of 60-inch ceiling fans to choose from.
But take note that the larger the fans, the slower the blades will be when they rotate, so 60-inch fans are sometimes more preferable than 70-inch ones.
Additional Reminders in Choosing the Right Size
Keep in mind that the right size for a ceiling fan does not depend solely on the size of the room, but also on the height of the ceiling, the furnishings of the room, the treatment of the walls and ceilings, and so on. Imagine having a large fan in a large room with a low ceiling.
This is just as bad a combination as an oversized fan in a small room or a miniature fan in a large room. Thus, despite the many recommendations, always take each room in consideration. Even if you have two rooms of the same size, that doesn’t always mean they can have the same ceiling fan sizes.
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