We recently moved into an historic home that needs some TLC. The bedrooms have 80s style ceiling fans -- the kind with 4 outward facing bulbs, faux wood or white blades and shiny yellow brass tones. We have already installed central air so we dont really need ceiling fans.
What kind of light fixtures would be neutral and classic? I have been in to some lighting shops and looked online at places like Rejuvenations but i get overwhelmed, dont see a style that makes sense. Also how much should I expect to spend per fixture? |
I would switch to a ceiling fan you like better but use lamps for light. A bedroom will never look cozy if the main light source is a center ceiling light. Keep that for “surgery” lighting, like when you need to see to clean or pull a splinter or something. Otherwise, use lamps. You can buy smart bulbs with a remote so you can still have a “wall switch.” The IKEA ones work well. |
Bump -- not OP, but have exactly the same dilemma. No problem finding good lighting for all other rooms, but I'm baffled for the bedrooms. Don't really need ceiling fans. If anyone has anything they love, please post! |
+1 We were going to get rid of the ceiling fan in the kids rooms but they actually like them so we updated the fans. Even with AC, we all use our bedroom fans - one room may be warmer than another or a personal preference to sleep under lots of covers but run the fan etc. Maybe look for a fan without lights or a style of bulbs you like better and use other type of lighting within the room. |
Having a fan is worth it for stretching the days you can have the a/c off and the windows open. Lamps for light in the bedroom with 3-way switches or dimmers. |
Ceiling fans? Not a fan. They tend to collect dust and and redistribute it when turned on. My historic home requires more frequent dusting so that would be a no go for me. My previous house didn't have any ceiling lights (but 1 fan w/o lights) and it annoyed me. I am so happy to have overhead lighting again.
Lighting choices seem infinite, and it feels like I reached the end of the internet looking for mine. Try to figure out a style works for your home... i.e. is it transitional or traditional? (Assuming "historic" is not modern). Search by style and material finish. I found that if I liked one fixture from a manufacturer, they also had other styles that I liked. Once you see something that could work, search by brand. I have spent as little as $50 (Amazon) and as much as $750 (Hinkley) for ceiling fixtures. The two that I have from Rejuventation fall in between and I didn't think the style or quality justified the price. |
I can't imagine taking out ceiling fans in bedrooms just because you have central air! That is crazy to me.
Our house had updated ceiling fans and lights put in and the corner owner had great taste. Yours sound really dated. I still get catalogs addressed to her from the lighting companies she must have used. I don't remember the names though. I would just replace with newer ceiling fans. |
What's your style? Do you need flushmounts or something that comes down a bit? |
We have this in our bedroom and I love it.
It is small scale and modern looking. The light has a dimmer. It is quiet. Looks good. Our ceilings are only 8ft high so I didn’t want something huge or bulky or like the typical ceiling fans. https://www.lumens.com/concept-ii-flushmount-44-in.-ceiling-fan-by-minka-aire-fans-PAAAAAEIIFHLCBCL.html It’s pricier but worth it. |
We live in a 115-year-old apartment and I changed out the 80s brass and nickel flushmounts in a couple rooms. For entry way, I went with a hanging hurricane bell fixture. For our bedroom, we went with a round drum fabric, technically flushmount but sits a couple inches below ceiling, in light beige and we love it, both for look and light quality. I wasn't going for period look, but just wanted things that felt more classic and timeless. |
I'm the PP here. Found my recpt for this from Lighting Direct for $120: Loft 3 Light Semi-Flush Ceiling Fixture It's still available. Also like this one: https://www.signaturehardware.com/bankloft-3-light-semi-flush-mount-drum-light-polished-nickel.html?g_acctid=7220359250&g_campaignid=6448924936&g_adgroupid=76728662866&g_adid=377718860877&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=pla-609017584228&g_adtype=pla&g_merchantid=387294&g_productchannel=online&g_productid=440803&g_partition=609017584228&g_network=g&g_ifproduct=product&g_ifcreative=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2or8BRCNARIsAC_ppyYlYx9LlZ1YrYHchKzI9CuNd2gjswpz1xA_fFTQTeVUxhxgBaRxfAMaAsLiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds |
A lot of lighting stores have someone that you can either hire to come to your home and help you pick out appropriate fixtures, or you can take pictures and dimensions with you to the store and they'll help you that way. We used Dominion Electric in Arlington and their lighting specialist was very helpful. |
Some people love ceiling fans, some people hate them. We had very modern fans installed when we moved into our home, but we are the kind of people who prefer to have the windows open during the in between seasons. I've noticed a lot of people in this area never have their windows open. |
To all the people who love ceiling fans- you know they make floor fans right? It’s not ceiling fan or nothing.
Drums are very neutral, particularly if you want a classic style that won’t break the bank. For more stylish ones I really like Ballard. My kids rooms all have super sweet chandeliers but they are childish. My master bedroom has a Serena and Lily chandelier but they’re $$$. Circa lighting is also a $$$ choice. So many options. Lighting is probably my favorite thing to pick out in rooms. I’m only held back by my husband’s cheapness and him not wanting to install tons of lights |