The quiet revolution above: How ceiling fans evolved from functional to a design statement

Along the Coromandel Coast, where streets bear names such as Rue de la Campaigne and Rue Labourdonnais, Pondicherry is a palm-fringed town, graced with tree-lined boulevards and houses with long verandahs and elegant compound walls, reminiscent of French-colonial India.

Among them is a 230-year-old villa christened Résidence de l’Evêché – a once-upon-a-time home for an archbishop who lived here in the late 1700s. Recently restored by CGH Earth, it now opens up as a cosy Indo-French-style homestay, where the original architectural facets have been thoughtfully preserved, such as the hand-carved wooden wraparound balconies, floor-to-ceiling teak doors with privacy windows within them, and even a giant high bed, which needs a footstool to climb onto!

But curiously sticking out against this vintage charm is a tiny remote placed on the bedding. A single press starts the quiet hum of a heritage-style wood and iron ceiling fan above – a sudden modern addition that somehow feels surprisingly harmonious within this historical setting.

From bland to grand: The ceiling fan’s glow-up

Ceiling fans have a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. German-American inventor Philip Diehl first created a ceiling-mounted fan in 1882 by attaching a fan blade to a sewing machine motor.

His invention, patented in 1889, set the stage for the ceiling fan’s evolution, from water-powered designs to the introduction of alternating current in 1896. By the 1920s, these suspended staples became a mainstay in homes across the globe, and during the energy crisis in the 1970s, they were celebrated for their energy efficiency.

But for decades, ceiling fans have served a purely functional role, offering little to nothing to the design of a room. Typically limited to basic colours and minimal design variations, many designers were known to paint a room’s fan to subtly harmonise it with the decor, rather than detract from it.

ALSO READ: 6 types of ceiling fans to know about

Today, however, ceiling fans have evolved into distinct pieces of design, often serving as stunning focal points in a space, echoing the style of the room or quietly telling a story of the homeowner’s personal style.

While conventional ceiling fans have primarily been made with lightweight metals like stainless steel or plastic, the most well-designed fans are now crafted with a slew of unique materials ranging from solid or sustainable woods to polished chrome, and even handwoven bamboo or rattan.

These materials not only make fans more durable but also introduce a tactile richness that feels luxurious. Natural wood, with its rich, warm tones, complements grand heritage homes, while a leaf-shaped rattan fan finds its place in a tropical getaway; and a sleek metallic fan elevates the clean lines of a modern minimalist space.

Raising the roof: Fans as design statements

When Sham Salim and Aslam Karadan – principal architects at aslam.sham architects – were designing the tropical modern Balinese-style resort Maayaa along the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, every material for the place was chosen to quietly blend into the natural topography.

“Since the property boasted a tropical plantation, it was only fitting to follow the same theme and extend it further,” they share, pointing to the wooden fans hanging from the rafters on the breezy thatched roofs of each open-to-nature pavilion.

“When designing a space, we always start with the bigger picture – the overarching theme and vision for how the space will come together. Once that is clear, selecting the right type of fan becomes effortless, as it naturally aligns with the design story we’re creating,” explains Salim.

“In a tropical-themed interior like this, wood-finished fans are a natural choice, with their design – whether intricate or understated – reflecting the level of opulence in the space. In such settings, fans are not just functional but also sculptural, playing a key role in enhancing the overall design aesthetic.”

For modern Indian homes, many of which are largely located in the warmer tropics, the duo envisions ceiling fans with sleek brushed brass or copper finishes.

“These designs perfectly complement contemporary interiors, especially when the style has been inspired by the environment surrounding the space,” they advise.

“But for a more minimal space, we like sleek fans – mostly in matte black or a brushed steel finish – which lend a modern yet rustic charm. Ultimately, as with every element of design or piece going into a home, the key is to ensure that it echoes the overall theme and helps tie the entire room together.”

From Photoshop to focal point

“Fans are very important in any space, but as designers we’ve had a history of shying away from using them because of the lack of aesthetics…sometimes even being eye sores which we’ve had to Photoshop out of pictures,” confesses interior designer, Ali Baldiwala.

“We usually design a room, and then the fan that would complement the space’s style. If it’s a wooden ceiling in a den or study, we’d pair a rich wood or even black fan. A simple white one would be a big no here, because it would immediately stand out. You want the fan to seamlessly blend in and speak the same language as the rest of the interiors.”

Baldiwala goes on to share how, earlier, decorative fans were fuddy-duddy ones which were bulky and had lights in the centre for no particular reason. “The fans had more designs on them than the décor!” he bemoans.

Today, however, there’s so much to choose from, “with beautiful silhouettes. The wings or blades have softer edges and curves, often forgoing the conventional rectangular lines, the central disk which covers the motor has become simpler and sleeker. Many brands making these fans have understood the art of designing this, and the art of minimalism.”

Easy, breezy, tech-savvy!

From simple ceiling fans from Crompton such as the ‘Senorita’ to a range of luxury designer ones from Fanzart or Anemos, Baldiwala also turns to Atomberg often “for their remote-controlled technology, which many homeowners love!”

His go-to rule for the perfect fan? “Simple, clean, and well-finished, and always choose cream over stark white. If it’s wood-finished, it should look like real wood even if it’s made from another material. And the most important thing about a fan is that it should circulate enough breeze around a room. There are many decorative fans that don’t serve this simple purpose,” he warns.

Quick fan-tastic tips for choosing the perfect ceiling fan for any space

– Make sure your fan complements the room’s décor, and doesn’t stand out

– Off-white is perfect for most light-shaded walls. If you’re working with a grey wall, try a fan in black or a wood finish.

– Never forget a fan is a fan, even a decorative one. If it doesn’t ventilate a room, even the most beautiful design becomes pointless.

Ela Das is a Mumbai-based writer who writes about art, design and culture.