Fandelier vs. Traditional Ceiling Fan and Chandelier: Pros and Cons

Ceiling fans were invented in the late 1800s and became popular soon after. They are a more affordable alternative to air conditioning systems and help cool homes all year round. While ceiling fan designs have advanced since their inception, they are typically focused more on functionality than style.

So, how can you get the functionality of a ceiling fan with the aesthetics of a chandelier? Enter the fandelier. 

Fandeliers add functionality and style to any home or company. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of fandeliers vs. traditional fans and chandeliers and show you how to incorporate a fandelier into your home. 

Love a Fan but Hate Its Design?

Ceiling fans generate a gentle breeze that makes a room feel cool and fresh, and they've come a long way from the two-bladed designs of the 1800s. Some have five blades, while others have big lights with high lumens that brighten every corner of a space. However, when it comes to designs, ceiling fans leave something to be desired. 

Unlike other light fixtures, most ceiling fans do not enhance a room's design or aesthetic. While useful, they often have an outdated look or plain look. And depending on your property's color scheme or theme, this could stop you from creating a cohesive or polished look. Additionally, their substantial size means that ceiling fans can overwhelm a room and make it appear smaller. 

Should You Consider a Chandelier?

If design and aesthetics are most important to you, a chandelier or modern light fixture could be an ideal choice for your property. However, chandeliers do not have the same functionality as ceiling fans, so even if they help you create a stunning look, you'll have to look for alternative cooling options. If you want the best of both worlds, a chandelier ceiling fan could be just what you need. 

What Is a Fandelier?

A fandelier is a hybrid between a chandelier and a ceiling fan. It circulates air and cools a room like a ceiling fan and comes in various designs and styles like a chandelier. Fandeliers have become more widely used in recent years and offer plenty of benefits to homeowners and designers:

• Enjoy the benefits of a fan and chandelier: There is no need to choose between a fan and a chandelier. A fandelier allows you to have the benefits of both!
• Stylish designs: Some fandeliers have hidden blades and lightbulbs, which keep the focus on the design without compromising functionality. 
• Various styles available: From traditional to contemporary, there is surely a fandelier design that will match your preferences. 
• Versatile materials: Different materials make fandeliers suitable for every room in your home. They can look professional in an office and add a comforting feel to your living room. 
• Statement piece: If you want one unique statement piece in your home, choose a fandelier. They are sure to stand out, especially in a room of limited size. 
• Added features: Fandeliers offer more than lighting and air circulation. Some designs have retractable fan blades and dimmable lights to suit your preferences. 

Fandeliers vs. Traditional Ceiling Fans

Your choice between a fandelier and a traditional ceiling fan depends on several factors, and there are high-quality options on both sides of the debate. Let's explore some of these considerations in greater depth.  

Length of Blades

Ceiling fans have long fan blades that extend from the device's center, while fandeliers have shorter blades. This means that ceiling fans provide slightly more airflow and a slightly bigger breeze. However, fandeliers often have a stronger motor, which helps optimize cooling. When choosing a device, double-check the cooling capacity of each product. 

Affordability

Ceiling fans and fandeliers vary in price depending on styles, features, material quality and light fixtures. There are affordable and higher-end options on either side. When determining your budget for a new fixture, consider the features you want, the cost of installation and whether you'll need additional wiring work to mount the fixture to your ceiling. These factors will help narrow the decision between a fandelier and a traditional ceiling fan.

Hidden Fan Blades

Some fandeliers and ceiling fans have retractable fan blades. At the push of a button on a remote control, the blades will extend from the center of the device. However, there is a difference in style. Retractable ceiling fans are typically simple, while a fandelier with retractable blades often has intricate designs and styles. Choosing between minimalism and bold styles will inform your decision. 

Improved Designs

Ceiling fans provide limited design choices, whereas fandeliers come in various designs to match different styles. Some ceiling fans offer an upgraded look with minimalist and sleek features. However, they may not complement traditional or rustic-style homes. Fandeliers offer designs with updated and classic looks, making them an ideal choice if you want to create a specific style or feel.

Small Spaces

When you have a small room with low ceilings, adding a large ceiling fan can become problematic, as it can fill up the space and make the room appear smaller. A smaller fandelier would be an excellent fit for an area with limited space. However, a small fandelier can become lost in an open space with high ceilings. When choosing a fan fixture, make sure to match its size to the size of your room. 

Sloped Ceilings

Adding a ceiling fan with large blades may not be viable if you have a sloped ceiling. A small fandelier offers a better fit due to its size and shorter blades. Sloped ceilings are often higher, so assess your room and ceiling before investing in a fandelier. Consider the specifications to ensure the device is compatible with your ceiling. 

Types and Sub-Styles of Fandeliers

There are two types of fandeliers: those with retractable fan blades and those with nonretractable fan blades. The fan blades on nonretractable fandeliers blend in well with the design. Lighting is another consideration. Some fandeliers can accommodate more bulbs to brighten a space, but more lights usually equal more electricity. If you want to add light while saving on energy costs, choose an energy-efficient fandelier.

You also have various styles to choose from: 

• Traditional: If you want a classic look, choose a fandelier with a traditional style. These fixtures may have ornate features made of crystal, aged brass or glass that add elegance to your room. 
• Modern: For a minimalist look, opt for a modern fandelier. Swap the timeless crystal for sleek designs with a matte black finish framework. 
• Farmhouse: If you have a farmhouse-style home, choose a brass or wooden-framed fandelier. It will enhance the natural and earthy features of your home. 
• Industrial: A caged fandelier is a fantastic addition to an industrial-style home. It complements design elements, such as exposed brick walls and modern fixtures.
• Contemporary: A caged white fandelier will complement the minimalist and natural style, brightening the space and making the area feel bigger. 
• Rustic: Incorporate a caged wooden or iron-finish fandelier when furnishing your rustic-style property. These fixtures elevate the natural features of exposed wood and interior stonework.
• Bohemian: For a bohemian home, choose a rattan shade fandelier to match your property's design without overwhelming the room. 

How to Incorporate a Fandelier Into Your Space

Before you buy a fandelier, you'll want to learn how to seamlessly add it to your home. Any lighting fixture should enhance your design while remaining completely functional. Here are a few things to consider and tips on choosing a fandelier. 

Match the Fandelier to the Style of Your Home

First, you'll want to choose a fandelier that matches the aesthetic you want to create in the room. You can base your purchase on your home's current design or gather inspiration online for what would look great in your home.

Your furniture and decor provide insight into what type of fandelier to pick. For example, sleek cupboards and slab cabinets in a kitchen pair well with modern fandeliers, while a rustic chandelier would better match wooden furniture. 

Consider the Dimensions of Your Room and Get the Right Size

The size of your room is crucial when choosing a fandelier. A too-big fandelier could make a small room — like a home office — appear cramped. However, large spaces could make a small fandelier get lost. 

You should also consider the height of the room. A large fandelier in a room with a low ceiling could become an obstacle for you and your furniture. If you want to install a fandelier in a room with a low ceiling, choose a smaller option. You can get a larger fixture for a room with high ceilings. 

To help you choose the right size fandelier, you'll want to calculate the measurements of your room in feet. The value you're left with would be the ideal light fixture diameter in inches. Here's the basic formula:

• Room width (feet) + room length (feet) = ideal diameter (inches)

Say your room is 10 feet long and 12 feet wide:

• 10 + 12 = 22 

Thus, your ideal fandelier diameter would be 22 inches. 

Choosing a fandelier this way will help ensure you don't choose a fixture that is too big or too small for your room. 

Determine Where You Will Use the Fandelier

Certain fandelier materials work better in certain rooms. For example, spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom are humid due to the steam from cooking and bathing. A rattan shade fandelier has higher moisture resistance, making it an excellent choice for high-moisture areas. 

You can also place fandeliers outdoors on a covered porch, but ensure that they can withstand humidity and rain. Opt for fandeliers with finishes that provide higher weather resistance.

Other locations that could benefit from a fandelier include:

• Above a coffee or breakfast nook.
• In a bedroom. 
• Above your desk in a home office. 
• In a home gym. 

Take a Look at Additional Features

Consider all the practical features and designs to choose a fandelier best suited for you and your property. Some fandeliers come with remote controls that allow ease of use, while others boast dimmable lights, reversible motors, fan speed settings and energy efficiency. Do you want top-tier durability? Ensure the fandelier includes galvanized fan blades and finishes with a robust framework. 

Make Sure It's Bright Enough

One of the main features of a fandelier is the lighting it provides your space, so as with any lighting fixture, you want to make sure you pick one that's bright enough. While your fandelier may come with dimmable features, the brightest setting should light up the far corners of the room. 

To make sure you choose a fan that offers sufficient light, you can use a simple formula that reveals the lumens needed to provide ambient light. Simply put, a lumen is a measure of the brightness of a lightbulb. The more lumens, the brighter the lightbulb. Some rooms require more lumens than others. Bedrooms, for example, likely do not need as many lumens as bathrooms or kitchens. 

Follow this formula to calculate the appropriate lumens for your fandelier based on the room:

• (Room length x room width) x 15 = correct amount of light in lumens 

Here's how to determine the proper lumens for a room that's 10 feet by 12 feet:

• (10 x 12) x 15 = 1800 lumens 

Make sure your fixture lights the room appropriately by completing this simple calculation before making a purchase. You'll avoid purchasing a fandelier that is too dim or too bright. 

Choose the Right Furnishings

If you find and fall in love with a fandelier during a remodel, you can choose your furniture and decorations based on the fandelier. You can use the same tips mentioned above, just in reverse. Choose wooden or natural furniture if you find a rustic fandelier, or install sleek cabinets if your dream fandelier is more modern. As you choose furniture, aim to create a cohesive space without cluttering the area. 

Assess Your Ceilings

Placing a fandelier on a flat ceiling is ideal, but you can absolutely install a fandelier on a sloped ceiling. It just takes some extra consideration. Consider the dimensions and specifications of your sloped ceiling, and choose a fandelier that is compatible with a sloped ceiling. 

Some fandeliers can accommodate a ceiling with a 30-degree angle. These fixtures have a downrod mount, providing an ideal cooling and airflow with minimal obstruction. The downrod allows the fandelier to hang lower than a semi- or flush-mounted fandelier.