17 Ceiling Fan Ideas for Porches and Pergolas

Ceiling fans help make entertaining in covered outdoor spaces a breeze.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these affiliate links.

By: Lori Johnston

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Ashley Gilbreath

Photo By: Atlanta Decking and Fence

Photo By: Edward Andrews Homes

Photo By: Atlanta Decking and Fence

Photo By: Christopher Oquendo

Photo By: Innovative Construction

Photo By: The Concession

Photo By: Innovative Construction of Roswell

Photo By: The Home Depot

Photo By: Wayfair.com

Photo By: The Home Depot

Photo By: Wayfair.com

Choosing a Porch or Pergola Fan

A ceiling fan is a wonderful addition to a covered porch or patio with a pergola. This simple upgrade provides a cooling breeze and keeps pesky insects at bay so you can get even more enjoyment out of your outdoor living space.

When choosing a ceiling fan for your porch or pergola, be sure to select a model that’s designed for outdoor use. Damp-rated styles are suitable for covered porches where the fan will be exposed to humidity, while wet-rated options are ideal for pergolas where the fan may come in direct contact with rain or snow. Dry-rated fans are for indoor use only and should never be installed in an outdoor space.

Outdoor ceiling fans come in all sorts of styles and sizes to suit any type of outdoor space, and some even come with extra features like lighting, misting systems and smart controls. Browse through our gallery to find ceiling fan ideas for your porch or patio.

Also See: The Best Ceiling Fans for Every Style and Budget

From: Ashley Gilbreath

Delightful Pergola

Atlanta Decking and Fence offers a smart tip for adding a ceiling fan to a pergola. If the top of the pergola can be viewed from a second-floor window, route wires or conduit for a ceiling fan to hide them.

Also See: 36 Backyard Pergola and Gazebo Design Ideas

Dual Purpose

Outdoor living spaces and extra details such as ceiling fans are becoming even more important in home construction. This covered deck designed by Edward Andrews Homes in a new community in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, boasts a paneled ceiling with a ceiling fan, providing a breeze and illuminating the seating area.

Detailed Design

Dress up your deck or porch by paying attention to the ceiling. Fans are secured from points where the thick trim comes together on a tongue-and-groove ceiling with recessed lights by Atlanta Decking and Fence.

Paired Together

Ceiling fans on a paneled ceiling can be functional and complete the look of a screened-in porch. For this fireside porch, Atlanta Decking and Fence also added extra details such as recessed lighting, curtains and molding.

Also See: 40 Screened Porches We Wanna Chill On

Pretty Pergola

For an expansive pergola, Atlanta Decking and Fence used two ceiling fans, but chose versions with smaller blades and interesting cage globes.

Functional Fit

When you have porch lighting, such as recessed can lights and sconces, a ceiling fan may not need to have a globe with it.

For the Front Porch

Consider matching your ceiling fan to the color of the ceiling or the home. This white ceiling fan on a front porch seems to fade into the background, while still providing a breeze.

Also See: 30+ HGTV-Approved Front Porch Ideas that Welcome You Home

Casual and Cool

A hip roof design can still accommodate ceiling fans, such as these fans hanging from a cedar ceiling designed by Innovative Construction. The color of the fans matches the wicker furniture and contrasts with the lighter ceiling and walls.

In the Kitchen

When the cooking action in outdoor kitchens heats up, a ceiling fan can offer relief. A luxury covered outdoor space features an unadorned ceiling fan in a color tone that suits the table, chairs and cabinets.

Also See: 75 Outdoor Kitchen Designs for Ideas and Inspiration

Florida Cool

This luxury outdoor living space in The Concession, a gated community in Bradenton, Fla., has all the details, including ceiling fans that outfit the kitchen/dining space and a conversation area overlooking the pool.

Inspired by "Boardwalk Empire"

To add a unique architectural element to the screened porch designed and built by Innovative Construction, metro Atlanta homeowner Jonathan Berger was inspired by a fan he saw on the HBO series, "Boardwalk Empire." He found the Duplo-Dinamico rotational ceiling fan by Matthews Fan Co., and chose the black finish because it looked more authentically retro and matched his home's exterior accent color.

Classic Style

Copper ceiling fans can bring classical character to a covered porch. The Hampton Bay Metro Rustic Copper Ceiling Fan, sold by The Home Depot, has three speeds and all-weather blades.

Lantern Look

A lantern-style light can draw attention upward, when the indoor/outdoor Hampton Bay Veranda II Natural Iron Ceiling Fan from The Home Depot is attached to a pergola or porch roof. The walnut-finished blades of the fan are weather resistant.

Contemporary Touch

For a contemporary ceiling fan, look for finishes such as steel. The Eliza ceiling fan has three steel blades, by Matthews Fan Co., sold through Wayfair.com.

Nautical Theme

Whether or not your home is on the water, your ceiling fan selection can bring in a nautical design without going overboard. The Hampton Bay Seaport Natural Iron Ceiling Fan, sold by The Home Depot, has a bulkhead light kit with frosted glass, a natural iron finish and weather-resistant iron blades.

Vintage Vibe

A vintage-style option for a covered porch is by Home Decorators Collection. The Bentley II Tarnished Bronze Outdoor Oscillating Ceiling Fan from The Home Depot features a caged design and sways back and forth.

Fall-like Fixture

A leaf design is used for the blades of The Clinton 5 Blade Outdoor Ceiling Fan by Savoy House, sold through Wayfair.com. The fan has a English bronze finish and rosewood blades.