How to Update an Old Ceiling Fan on a Budget!

worstontheblockJune 15, 2021

Tired of that old, ugly fan with it’s brass hardware and outdated wood fan blades? Then follow along because this post will show you how to completely makeover that old fan without breaking the bank.

Every night when I lay in bed I think “I have to do something with that damn fan.”

Sound familiar?

Replacing the whole thing would be ideal, however the budget doesn’t always allow for fancy new lighting.

We did replace a “boob light” that did not have a fan. It was about a C cup and had ceiling paint all over the base. It was terrible. And the replacement was only about $30. Score!

But to get a new fan (one that I actually like and not another boob!) is in the ballpark of about $200.

After recently spending on the new floors, cabinet doors, paint, new rugs, DIY hairpin entryway table and over-the-window curtain rod shelf for our bedroom update, I was just not ready to spend another $200 on a fan.

One day.

So what’s a girl to do? Paint!

Paint always gives a quick and super easy facelift to those old, outdated items. In this case, the horrible fake wood on the fan blades.

This is such an easy and inexpensive DIY that can be done in no time. Literally. I was able to complete this project in probably a half hour one morning before work (plus dry time).

And it cost me nothing. With such a simple supply list, this project will bring huge impact without breaking the bank.

Supplies:

For the fan blades:

Paint
Paint Brush or Roller

For the hardware:

Spray paint for metal
drop cloths
painters tape

Gather all your supplies and let’s get started!

Paint the Fan Blades

1. Remove the fan blades

To paint the fan blades, first remove them.

You will have to assess how the blades come off on your particular fan. You may need a screw driver to free them.

For my basic Home Depot fan this part was super easy. There are 3 screws on each blade, but you don’t have to unscrew them. There’s a little “push” level that you push down and the whole blade is then able to slide forward and comes right off.

I had no idea that this fan’s blades were reversible. Unfortunately, I hated this lighter side even more than the one I initially hated 😂.

2. Paint

If your fan is reversible, choose which side you will paint. This should be the side you dislike the most (I painted over the lighter side). That way, if you ever want to go back to the fake wood, it’s still an option.

Choose a nice neutral color, a color you love, something bold, or maybe just go with a simple white to blend into the ceiling. The options are endless here. You can get creative or (as I usually do) just play it safe with something that will fit in with the rest of your decor.

I used Limousine Leather by BEHR in a satin finish. It’s the same paint that I used for our DIY MDF cabinet doors.

While it probably wouldn’t hurt to give your fan blades a quick sand to ensure the paint sticks well, I didn’t bother. I painted right on top without sanding and found that the paint stuck to the blades just fine.

You can use either a paint brush or a mini roller for this job. A roller will give you a smoother finish without the brush strokes, but a brush is easier to clean.

You guys know that I went with the paint brush 🤣.

Give it two coats and they’re good to go!

How to update the fan’s hardware

In addition to the fan blades, you can take it a step further and paint the fan’s hardware. You know that old brass that is horribly out of date? You can totally spray paint it.

Your local hardware store will have many different color options including spray that looks metallic, so you can change it to more of an antique brass, black, chrome, bronze, etc.

Or go bold with any bright color you love!

3. Remove the fan OR protect the surrounding area

First, you have to decide how you are going to spray your fan.

You could either take the whole fan down and spray it outside on cardboard, a tarp, garbage bag, etc (something to protect the ground from the paint), or you could leave it on the ceiling and protect the surrounding area.

Both options do have their challenges as you either must do some electric work or fumble with painter’s tape.

Brad and I have replaced a few light fixtures in the house (and when I say Brad and I, I mean Brad). It’s more doable than I thought, but still makes me nervous.

If you do decide to take the fan down be sure to research how to do it, safety first and SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICITY!!!!! Always, always protect yourself.

A new fan is not worth electric shock. Seriously.

If you’ve never removed and replaced light fixtures, go the second route of leaving the fan on the ceiling.

Spray paint will get everywhere, so you will have to protect the surrounding areas.

Completely cover the ceiling as well as the area underneath the fan using painter’s tape around the edges of the fixture, drop cloths, paper bags, plastic garbage bags or whatever else you may have to protect your surfaces.

You will have to tape some type of a drop cloth to the ceiling to protect the surrounding areas. You can do this with paper bags, plastic garbage bags, old plastic tablecloths, etc. There are several materials that will work for this. Just make sure you tape it completely so no paint can sneak through!

Also lay a drop cloth or old sheets on the ground underneath the area. This stuff can and will get everywhere, so make sure you protect your surfaces.

4. Paint

Now spray away, working in short bursts and light coats.

Look at the directions on the paint can for dry time. It usually takes about an hour for the paint to dry in between coats. Allow it that time and then go back in with extra coats as needed.

It’s better to do multiple light coats than one thick coat. Even though it seems like it will save you time, thick spray paint will cake up and you’ll be left with a very messy end result.

It’s worth the extra time to do multiple light coats.

When you get the complete coverage you desire, let the fan dry completely and then reinstall the fan blades.