So what are the best ones on the market? Well that all depends on your budget, if you want a contemporary fan or a traditional one, and of course the size, which can be a big determining factor in the overall price. Here are a few lesser known manufacturers’ models you may not know about, that always seem to get good reviews:

Casablanca Isotope Contemporary Flush Mount Ceiling Fan (C30G45H) – this is a great looking fan that is perfect for most modern homes. It is 52 inches, so it will fit in a medium to large sized room of about 100-120 sq. feet. It comes with a one light system and remote control.

Minka Aire F519-MP Concept II Flush Mount Maple Ceiling Fan – this is a beautiful ceiling fan from one of my favourite manufacturers, Minka Aire. They really produce some eye catching ceiling fans, and this one is right at the top of the list. It is done in a rich maple finish and would be ideal for a kitchen or home office mount.

While you can go with a more well known brand such as Westinghouse or Hunter, the manufacturers above also produce some unique, high quality ceiling fans. I suggest at least checking them out to see what they have to offer. You may be pleasantly surprised by their selection and excellence, as I was.

The ceiling fans I have selected below will help stir some ideas for your home décor and give you a true sense of what is on the market. Many people are unaware such fans exists, which is what makes doing these types of posts so much fun. I love hearing your feedback, so don’t be afraid to let me know what you think about my choices. So without further ado here are my decorative ceiling fan choices:

Minka Flyte Ceiling Fan – this is a really elegant ceiling fan, but it is a simple and pleasing design that I feel most people can appreciate. It has a single light, 3 maple blades and a brushed nickel finish. The most unique aspect is the way the fan is mounted using the Downlink hanging system.

Palo Alto Possini Euro Design Ceiling Fan – this is anything but a simple design. It is extremely unique and the kind of centerpiece that makes visitors look up and take notice the moment they walk into the room. This has a low hanging design, so you need to have ceilings that are between 9.5-10 feet at least.

Casa Optima Black Stripe Ceiling Fan – just as it says, this fan is designed with sleek black stripes. It is the ideal ceiling fan for modern homes, and looks like it is something from the future (this could be good or bad depending on your tastes).

I have been doing some thorough research on this subject and have come across several bamboo ceiling fans that I think meet the needs of both traditional and modern homes. As I always preach on this site, the final decision should always come down to functionality over décor, but in cases like this, you can have the best of both worlds. Here are a few that I really liked:

Monte Carlo 5ML52TB Mandalay Ceiling Fan – this is a stunning fan that would look great in any beach house or a home with a more modern décor. It has a heavy duty motor that can really push some serious air around the room, and it is ideal for a medium to large size room. The downside is the price, as it will set you back around $550.

Westinghouse 72440 Oak Harbor Ceiling Fan – this is a 5 blade fan that is expertly crafted and has very sensual lines and an eye catching finish. This is an extremely big fan at 56 inches, so it can be used in a great room, family room, etc. It is an ideal centerpiece and can really take over the décor of any room.

Tommy Bahama Natural Bamboo Ceiling Fan Blades – while the ceiling fans above have blades made of bamboo, keep in mind they aren’t entirely made of bamboo and aren’t 100% natural, especially the stained finishes. These blades however are 100% bamboo and have a natural finish. If you are looking for pure bamboo blades, these are highly recommended.

“Can you tell me if there is a light ceiling fan that I can install, just using adhesives?”

This was the first time I had heard about such a thing, and after doing some research, there really isn’t anything like this on the market. While it seems like a great idea, it really isn’t practical.

Many lightweight ceiling fans still need to be mounted the traditional way to keep them stabilized as they are spinning. If you can imagine, the adhesive would surely give way eventually and send the ceiling fan crashing down on some poor soul’s head.

Furthermore, I doubt there is a manufacturer who is willing to make such a fan, unless they like lawsuits!

The best advice I can give is that a light ceiling fan can be found by determining the number of blades, material used to manufacture it, and ultimately the motor and size of the fan itself.

Ya, I know this sounds like a commercial, but when I find a brand I love, I am not afraid to heap praise on the manufacturer. Today, there are too many poorly made products, and when a company does it right, they need to be commended. With that out of the way, here are a few Hunter outdoor ceiling fan models I have recommended in the past:

Hunter 23970 Oasis 3 Light Ceiling Fan – this is both an outdoor and indoor rated ceiling fan. It is one of those unique fans that will blend in with both traditional or modern décor, but I would lean more toward traditional styles. This fan is 54in, so it is designed to cool a fairly large area. If this is your taste, you may want to look at their Palermo model as well.

Hunter 23566 Sea Air Outdoor White Ceiling Fan – this is rated for outdoor use and it definitely has more of a modern design to it. As with most Hunter fans, it is designed to help reduce your electric bill by using an efficient motor that pushes more air, than your standard fans.

Hunter 25522 Sanibel 1 Light Ceiling Fan – this is easily the most stylish of the three fans. It has sail cloth blades, but instead of 5, there are only three. It is from their Gallery Edition collection, which features some really beautiful and stylish fans. I suggest checking out more of this line if you like what you see.

Each of these styles has their pros and cons, as an example, the handheld fans usually run on batteries and don’t last very long. A desk fan is not going to be portable like a handheld, and a clip-on style fan in some cases can’t be placed on a flat surface (if it doesn’t include a base stand). I have posted an example of each kind of fan below as a reference:

Lasko Six inch Personal Fan – this is your standard desktop style fan. This fan packs a lot of wind blowing punch for such a little guy. Even on the lowest setting, it does a great job of keeping you nice and cool. It always gets very good reviews from anyone who buys it, and best of all, this fan isn’t noisy.

Holmes HACP7W-UC Seven inch Clip-On Personal Fan – this fan is produced by another trusted name in Holmes. This a great, powerful little fan that produces good airflow. It can be clipped to just about any hard surface you can find. The only drawback, is that it doesn’t have a base mount if you don’t want to clip it, and it has two speeds.

Handy Cooler Personal Air Cooler – this is a highly rated handheld fan that uses evaporative cooling, using a sponged water filter. The manufacturer claims it can help with allergies, but I can’t really attest to that as I don’t have any. This fan does a great job of keeping you cool and it can also be used on your desk or other hard surfaces as well.

There are various types of attic fans you can buy, including solar attic fans. Each of these fans has their own pros and cons, but I have listed an example of each below. Keep in mind that these fans can be quite difficult to install, so I highly recommend getting professional help to have it installed.

Natural Light Solar Attic Fan – this is easily one of the best solar fans you can buy for your attic. Since it doesn’t require any wiring, it is substantially easier to install than a whole house attic fan. This unit must be installed on a pitched roof, or it won’t work properly. If you live in a colder climate, I recommend buying their optional thermostat.

Dayton 7F667 Attic Exhaust Fan – this is a standard fan that has protective shutters that prevent debris and rain/snow from damaging the blade and getting into your attic. It has a flexible thermostat that ranges from 90 degrees up to 130.

Be sure to get the cubic measurement of your attic before heading out to the hardware store. Each fan is rated based upon the cubic feet of your attic, and the bigger the attic, the bigger sized fan you will need. You should also consult with a professional about how your attic can be ventilated before you buy any fan.

I have come across dozens of these fans and have listed what I feel are a few of the best ones you can buy below. These desk fans are powerful, yet they are reasonably priced as well. If you find any you would like to add to this list please drop me an email:

Caframo 797 Compact Desk Fan – this is a battery powered fan that has a lot of kick to it. It really can create a nice breeze on the higher settings, and the batteries seem to really last for a long time. If you wan to preserve the batteries, you can use the adapter plug that is included with the fan.

Atlantic Breeze 44552 Clip On Fan – this is a really handy fan that can clip to just about any piece of furniture, including your desk or even an exercise bike or similar equipment to keep yourself cool. It has a tilt feature and two variable speeds.

Hunt Desktop Personal Fan (HUN025970) – this is absolutely perfect for anyone who has a messy desk or very little room. It is about the size of a pencil sharpener, but it can really blast out some cold air. Best of all it is extremely quiet and rarely if ever makes any vibrating noises that we all hate.

When you work hard for your money, every little dime counts. Which is why I have compiled a list of several high quality, excellent small fans that you can buy, and not worry that they will fall apart in a few months, or break if you accidentally drop it. I tried to keep a modest budget of under $30, which is pretty reasonable for most people.

Vornado Zippi Desk Fan – this is a funky cool fan that once you see, you just gotta have it. It has cloth blades and is safe to touch, even while it is spinning. It comes in three stand out colors; black, green and orange. It is whisper quiet and really creates a nice, safe breeze that will cool you off on a hot summer day.

Air King 9145 Six In Clip-On Fan – this is a really great fan that can be clipped almost anywhere; on your bed post, desk, kitchen cabinets, etc. It is always very highly rated by most consumers who purchase it, and it is known to be quite durable (even if you are quite clumsy and drop it several times). Many people use this fan to cool off their laptops and other similar equipment.

Lasko Clip Stik Desk Fan – this is shaped like a compact tower fan, but it is much smaller. It can be clipped right on your desk, and can bend to 180 degrees. It has two speed settings, the highest being extremely powerful for such a small fan.

Since ventilation fans can help prevent mold and deterioration problems in your bathroom, I would encourage any homeowner to invest in these relatively inexpensive fans. The payoff is huge and more than worth your time and money.

Before heading to the hardware store, you will need to determine what size fan you will need to buy. First you will need to get the dimensions of the room in sq. feet. This simply means measuring the length and width of your bathroom, than multiplying those numbers together (simple and easy).

Also keep in mind that most fans are installed as close to the center of the room as possible, so be sure to determine how feasible this is and if you will want to replace the current light fixture with a ventilation fan/light combo, or not. If you opt for the all in one bathroom ventilation fan you will also need to determine if you want the fan and light to have separate controls switches, or if you want the fan to come on every time you turn on the light.

After this has been determined, I suggest having an electrician come in and determine how best to connect your fan and vent it outside. This is extremely critical and don’t hesitate to ask him about any questions or concerns you may have.

Finally, visit your local hardware store and seek assistance from a knowledgeable salesperson. You will want to give them the sq footage measurements of your bathroom and they will help you to determine which CFM rated fan is ideal for those particular measurements.