Indoors or outdoors?
There are different types of fans for both surroundings. Indoor fans are not very well insulated against the heat and waterproof as compared to outdoor fans. Even patio/verandah fans are different from your typical living room fans. Be sure to choose the correct kind for your space.
Size
Ceiling fans are measured by their diameter: from the tip of one blade to the tip of the other. A 52” ceiling fan is best for an average sized living room and bedroom. You don’t want to put a big fan in a small room for the fan will probably dominate as the focal point of the room and it might get too drafty.
Speed
Select a ceiling fan that has at least 3 speeds to choose from. This flexibility will be a godsend on cold or hot days. When buying the fans, ask the store to direct you to the fan with a high airflow for the best performance. Most fans typically list their high speed airflow on their models so you can double check and compare.
Lights
Some people don’t like ceiling fans that come with the light fixtures. It’s entirely up to you to go with them. While the lights are not the kind that can light up your entire living room, they’re good enough to act as a beacon on an overcast morning. Do keep in mind that fans that come with such light will require light bulb changes every once in a while.
Styles
Nowadays, there are more modern options to the ceiling fan as compared to the antique brass plated ones that had gilded bodies. You can choose almost any kind of ceiling fan body from many colored metals and new sturdy materials. The blades are also now popular in wood, metal and plastic among other finishes. Therefore, you’re free to adapt your fan to match the style of your room!
Accessories
A few years back, the only way to change the speed of the fan was to go up to the fan itself and pull the hanging cord to switch the speeds. Now, some fans offer the option of a electronic remote control that allows you to change speeds and the direction of the spinning blades at the press of a simple button.