The art of the home
One or two ceiling fans in the same room: the rule by area and shape
Published on ·5 min read
The question comes with large living rooms and long rooms: is a single ceiling fan enough, or are two needed? The answer is not only a matter of area. It depends on the room's shape, how it is used, and ceiling height.
This article gives the simple rule, explains why two compact fans often do better than one large model, shows where to place them, and deals with today's most frequent case: the open-plan living-kitchen.
The area rule, and its limit
A 107 cm diameter fan comfortably moves a room of 10 to 21 m². A 132 cm model goes to 20 to 30 m². Those figures assume a roughly square room and a ceiling around 2.50 m: the fan in the centre pushes a column of air that spreads on the floor and rises along the walls, and the whole room moves.
The limit appears with shape. In a 24 m² room measuring 8 m by 3 m, a fan in the centre leaves both ends, 4 m away, in nearly still air. The air column spreads over a circle 3 to 4 m across on the floor; beyond, movement weakens. A large model does not fix it: it pushes harder in the centre, not further. What is needed is a second point of air movement.
Why two compacts rather than one large
Two 107 cm fans each placed in the centre of half the room cover two circles instead of one, with no dead zone. Each runs at low speed, so at 30 dB, whereas a single large model would have to run faster to reach the ends, with the noise that goes with it. Two compact units also make two light points, which in a large living room is often better than a single central ceiling light.
The price argument goes the same way. Two Boréal 107 bought in the 2+1 pack come to 378 euros for three units, 126 euros each, with a third for a bedroom. A quality 132 cm model alone costs as much as the two compacts, without the third. And two independent units are set separately: one at speed 2 on the sofa side, the other off on the table side during the meal.
- ·Square room up to 21 m²: one Boréal 107 in the centre
- ·Square room 21 to 30 m²: one 132 cm model, or two 107 cm if the room is used in two zones
- ·Long room over 6 m: two 107 cm, one per half
- ·Over 30 m²: two units, whatever the diameter
The Boréal 107
Retractable blades · Ø 107 cm · LED ceiling light & silent fan
- ✓Retractable blades: invisible when off, nobody guesses it's a fan
- ✓Sleep with windows closed, 30 dB, quieter than a whisper
- ✓Integrated LED 2700K → 6000K, dimmable: replaces your ceiling light
Where to place two fans
The position rule holds in three distances. Each fan in the centre of its half of the room, so the two circles of air movement touch without overlapping too much. At least 1.5 m between blade tip and the nearest wall, so the air has room to come back down. At least 3 m between the two centres, so the two air columns do not interfere.
In practice, in an 8 m by 4 m room, the two fans go 2 m from each end on the central axis: they are then 4 m apart and 2 m from the side walls. If the existing light points are not there, an electrician moves a ceiling box in an hour; that is the only work to plan. The rest of the installation is done yourself, thirty minutes per unit.
The open-plan living-kitchen: one unit per zone
Today's most frequent case is the open living space of 30 to 45 m², with a sofa corner on one side and a kitchen or table on the other. Here the rule is no longer area but use: one fan above the zone where you sit, a second above the table or island. Each zone has its own air, light and setting.
In the evening, sofa side: speed 1 and LED at dimmed 2700 K for a film. Kitchen side: fan off while cooking so as not to spread smells, then speed 2 and 4000 K light for the meal. Two remotes, or a single one paired to both if you prefer to control the whole. And in winter, both in reverse mode even out a large volume that otherwise keeps all its heat at the ceiling.
One 107 cm fan in the centre is enough for a square room up to 21 m². Beyond 25 m², in a room over 6 m long or in a living space used in two zones, two compact units cover better than one large one, at 30 dB each, with two light points. The Boréal 107 2+1 pack at 378 euros equips the living room and a bedroom besides.
Frequently asked questions
From what area are two ceiling fans needed?+
Beyond about 25 m², or from 6 m in length for a rectangular room, or as soon as the room is used in two distinct zones like an open-plan living-kitchen. Below that, one Boréal 107 in the centre covers 10 to 21 m².
How far apart to place two ceiling fans?+
Each in the centre of its half of the room, at least 3 m from each other and at least 1.5 m from walls. In an 8 m by 4 m room, 2 m from each end on the central axis.
Is one large fan or two small ones better?+
Two compacts for a long room or one used in two zones: they cover two circles with no dead zone, each runs at low speed so at 30 dB, and they make two light points. A large model pushes harder in the centre, not further.
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