What a Designer Wants You to Know About a ‘Famously Hideous’ but Sometimes-Necessary Home Essential

There’s one home item Lucy Condolora, founder and principal designer of Los Angeles-based interior design firm Miller James and Mary, can’t stand: Ceiling fans. But when you’re a renter or desperate for an A/C alternative, indoors and out, it’s a sometimes-necessary evil. 

“Ceiling fans are famously hideous,” she says. “At best, they’re invisible. At worst, they draw attention for all the wrong reasons! If you live in humidity, like spending time on your porch or are a lover of that famous ‘fan white noise,’ your fan is a must on a home list. As a designer, it’s my job to make sure your home works aesthetically and functionally, while also making sure it works for you.” 

Below, Condolora shares how to make the most of your ceiling fans, many of which have cooled down Californians during this record-breakingly humid summer in coastal Southern California.

1. Choose Function Over Form

Ceiling fans are technically approved by Condolora, though she notes that they make the most sense in two specific areas. “A porch (screened or not) can really benefit from a fan as a cooling mechanism and as a bug deterrent,” she says. “Basements, as well, are not known for having excellent airflow, so adding a fan can be beneficial.”

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2. Keep Colors Neutral and Cohesive

This is not the time to be decorative, Condolora says. “Simple really does win in this category,” she explains. “Unless you have a house in the Bahamas, you are not allowed to have a ceiling fan with tropical leaf blades.” If you’re purchasing a new ceiling fan, try to match the color of your ceiling to help it blend into your space.

3. Skip the Lights

Another no-no? A ceiling fan with lights. While this may be out of your control as a renter, ignore the light function entirely. “Invest in floor lamps and table lamps,” Condolora suggests as an alternative. “A fan is never a chandelier. Use it for its function, nothing more and nothing less!”

Based on Condolora’s tips, these ceiling fans are as cool (and concealed) as it gets.

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