Mid-century modern is one of the biggest trends in home decor right now, and there’s no denying the charm and appeal of so many MCM pieces, which at their best have a delightful combination of highly useful form and function and beautiful style – nicely retro but fully up to date, sophisticated and yet sometimes almost disarmingly simple and unadorned.
Ceiling fans in particular can really capture this mid-century modern aesthetic so beautifully, and in this article we will look at some of the best mid-century modern ceiling fans on the market today.
If you want to cut right to the chase, here are our top two choices:
- Best Mid Century Ceiling Fan Overall: Matthews Patricia Indoor/Outdoor 52″ Ceiling Fan with LED Light and Remote
- Best Value Mid Century Ceiling Fan: Minka-Aire Orb 54 Inch Ceiling Fan with Integrated LED Light
What is Mid-Century Modern?
Midcentury modern is a design and decorating style based on the art, architecture, product design and general aesthetic in the middle of the twentieth century.
This delightful style is especially big in home decorating, and features some really beautiful pieces, which can be quite minimal and even utilitarian, and yet have a real flair and sophistication.
And again, it seems that ceiling fans in particular are especially well suited for this mid-century modern mode, which so beautifully combines simple form, subtle style, high usefulness and real elegance.
What Should You Look For in a Mid-Century Modern Ceiling Fan?
One of the most important aspects of midcentury modern design is quality – this is so often overlooked and neglected in the seemingly countless products out there that call themselves MIM, but is one of the cornerstones of the movement.
While a ceiling fan may look just beautiful, in that clean, elegant and fun MIM kind of way, it should also be well made, have a very high quality premium fit and finish, and be a product you can count on for many years.
While your sense of style, and correspondingly your home decor, may change and evolve over the years, the best midcentury modern pieces have a timeless quality, a simplicity and a utility that make them work wonderfully in any room or decor.
So wouldn’t it be great to get a ceiling fan that not only reflects the midcentury aesthetic in all the best ways, but will always look good no matter what happens in the room below, and will last and last though it all?
Who Makes the Best Mid-Century Modern Ceiling Fans?
This means that we will really focus on some of our favorite ceiling fan brands – Hunter, Matthews, Minka Aire, Casa Vieja and Prominence Home – companies that make products that are not just strikingly attractive, but the best quality on all levels.
And fortunately, these top-notch manufacturers make great ceiling fans at all price levels too, including everything from super-premium to amazingly affordable.
Please note that in most cases we are looking at 52 inch ceiling fans – a good medium to medium-large size that works in most rooms and spaces, and is probably overall the most popular choice. If the same fan is available in different sizes we’ll let you know whenever possible.
So let’s get into it, with this carefully selected list of the best looking and best quality mid century modern ceiling fans on the market today.
The 9 Best Midcentury Modern Ceiling Fans in 2023 Overview
The 9 Best Midcentury Modern Ceiling Fans in 2023
Prominence Home Journal Ceiling Fan 52 Inches Matte Black
- MODERN / FARMHOUSE: The Journal provides the...
- LARGE TO MEDIUM SPACES: Having a blade span...
- ETL DAMP RATED: This ceiling fan is damp...
- DUAL MOUNT COMPATIBLE: This fan can be hung...
- DUAL-FINISH REVERSIBLE BLADES: The style is...
At a Glance:
- Size: 52 Inches
- Air Flow: 4,200 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-350 Square Feet
- Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
A medium-large ceiling fan without lights, remote or any other add-ons, the Journal fan from Prominence Home is a great example of the mid century modern aesthetic – clean, simple lines, great balance and high quality finish.
The Journal is also a very well made fan, especially at this low price, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
With strong air movement, this is a great fan for even larger rooms, like family rooms or living rooms, and also good for open spaces. And with reverse airflow it will be just as welcome in cold weather as in hot, and can really help with your utility bills all year long!
The Prominence Home Journal is really a very basic fan, but a great one. No bells or whistles, just an excellent, effective and high quality reversible three speed ceiling fan that is easy to install, looks great in that unadorned and simply elegant MCM way, and will last and last.
Pros:
- Strong Air Movement
- Excellent Value
- Clean Lines and Great Finish
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons:
- No Light
Prominence Home Freyr Ceiling Fan, 52, Textured Black
- MISSION CRAFTSMAN: The Freyr features...
- EDISON BULBS & CLEAR SEEDED GLASS: This...
- ETL DAMP RATED: This ceiling fan is damp...
- REMOTE CONTROL INCLUDED: Controlling your fan...
- DUAL MOUNT COMPATIBLE: This fan can be hung...
At a Glance:
- Size: 52 Inches
- Air Flow: 4,228 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-350 Square Feet
- Indoor or Outdoor: Both
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
Another great basic retro ceiling fan from Providence Home, the Freyr 52 inch ceiling fan is also a lovely and inexpensive midcentury modern piece, with form and function coming together so beautifully and no extraneous lines or details – just a clean and attractive design.
The Freyr is a very quiet and stable fan, which not only makes it nicer when it’s running, but also tends to increase the life and the reliability of the fan. And given Providence Home’s famously high material and build quality – very rare at this budget price level – this is a fan that will really last.
The Providence Home Freyr moves a lot of air, even though it is not really that large, and is great for open spaces, large rooms and even big outdoor patios, porches and gazebos – it is damp rated, meaning it’s fine for both indoor and covered outdoor installations, and the motor is reversible for cold season use.
With a very nicely designed remote control, a fairly bright and dimmable LED light, reversible fan blades (dark maple on one side, silver oak on the other) and a mount that will work equally well on flat or sloped ceilings, this is all the fan most people will ever need.
But the Providence Home Freyr is more than that – it’s a pretty and simply sophisticated fan that’s very well made and very effective, and a great example of how even the best midcentury modern items don’t need to be expensive.
Pros:
- Great Performance
- Damp Rated for Covered Outdoor Installations
- Excellent Remote Control
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons:
- None at this price
Minka-Aire Orb 54 Inch Ceiling Fan with Integrated LED Light
- DESIGN: Vintage yet modern in design, the...
- BULB: The Orb ceiling fan includes an...
- INCLUDED: RCS213 - Three-speed hand-held...
- MOTOR: Conveniently quiet, 3 speed -...
- DIMENSIONS: Measures 16.75'' from the ceiling...
At a Glance:
- Size: 54 Inches
- Air Flow: 4,985 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-400 Square Feet
- Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
A strikingly unique and almost disarmingly simple ceiling fan with impeccable finish and superb material quality, the Minka Aire Orb beautifully exhibits all of the things we love so much about mid century modern.
In fact, it is hard to imagine such a well made, well finished mid century modern ceiling fan with light, that has such personality and style, but costs so little!
But it doesn’t just stop there – the Minka Aire Orb is also a very effective ceiling fan at circulating air, with higher flow than you’d expect for its size, and is reversible, and equally effective in keeping rooms warm and fresh as well. It is super-quiet and very stable, and you probably won’t notice it’s running – except for the delightful air flow, of course.
It also has a great remote control, and can be made compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant with the optional Bond Hub, and a nicely bright LED light that is at that perfect point between warm and cool, and is dimmable all the way down to ten percent.
All in all, the Minka Aire Orb is a fantastic value – in fact, an essentially premium quality fan at a low price – and one of our favorite midcentury modern fans from one of our favorite ceiling fan companies.
Pros:
- Superb Styling
- Excellent Power and Air Movement
- Superior Quality Overall
- Premium Fan at an Affordable Price
Cons:
- Bond Hub Not Included
Minka-Aire Light Wave 52″ Ceiling Fan, Distressed Koa with Remote and Additional Wall Control
- DESIGN: The Minka-Aire Light Wave ceiling fan...
- BULB: The Light Wave ceiling fan includes an...
- INCLUDED: One RCS213 - Three-speed hand-held...
- MOTOR: Conveniently quiet, 3 speed -...
- DIMENSIONS: Measures 13.75'' from the ceiling...
At a Glance:
- Size: 52 Inches
- Air Flow: 4,542 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-350
- Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
With the Minka Aire Light Wave we see again the company’s talent for making premium products at surprisingly low prices.
We also see sort of the prototypical mid century modern ceiling fan, or at least what so many of us picture when we think about it. The perfectly just-so lines, curves and balance of this gorgeous fan fit the aesthetic perfectly, as do the premium finish, the high material and build quality and the fan’s amazing effectiveness.
Because that’s another thing about Minka Aire – in addition to making really beautiful and beautifully finished fans, that are very high quality and not too expensive, they also make fans that typically clearly outperform other fans in their size and price categories.
And the Minka Light Wave is, in fact, a hugely effective fan for only being 52 inches in diameter – a medium-large size that doesn’t dominate the room, but a fan that will cool even large and open spaces quite effectively.
With a nice warm LED light kit, a remote control and a wall controller, smart integration, voice control and Alexa and Google assistant compatibility (with the optional Bond Hub), this is a complete and completely up to date ceiling fan.
But the Minka Aire Light Wave is also a beautiful piece, simple and elegant, well made and well finished, and a great choice for any midcentury modern room.
Please note that while the 52 inch Light Wave is exceptionally powerful for its size, they also make a 65” Light Wave for really large spaces, or a 44” Light Wave for bedrooms, small hallways or offices – especially if you ever have, and want to keep, paper on your desk!
Pros:
- Perfect Mid Century Modern Aesthetic
- Beautiful Fit and Finish
- Great LED Light Kit
- Overall Quality
Cons:
- Bond Hub Not Included
Casa Vieja 52 Inch Windspun Brushed Nickel Modern Ceiling Fan with Remote
- 52" blade span. 17.5-degree blade pitch....
- Brushed nickel finish hugger motor. Three...
- Windspun modern hugger ceiling fan. From the...
- Includes full-function 5-speed remote...
- Hugger ceiling fan. Height is only 9 1/2"...
At a Glance:
- Size: 52 Inches
- Air Flow: 6,194 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-400
- Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
With a more industrial, even utilitarian, look and feel than the graceful and flowing Minka Aire fans above, the Casa Vieja Windspun ceiling fan may work better in some rooms than in others, but make no mistake – this is still a beautifully finished and elegant ceiling fan.
In fact, the super-basic styling notwithstanding, the beauty of the Windspun is what we notice first and most – the surfaces, the grain of the hand-carved blades, the balance and complement of steel and wood, the lines and curves.
In this respect, the Casa Vieja Windspun is very much like the Minka fans above – it offers much better craftsmanship, fit and finish than you might possibly expect for this mid-range price. And this includes the internal components and the long term reliability.
The Windspun is also a great performer, with extremely high wind flow at high speed – in fact, the rated CFM seemed way too high for a fan this size, or for a low-profile mount, but when this baby gets going it really, really moves the air! Even in larger spaces, you might only use it on 3 or 4 (it has 5 speeds) – but it’s nice to know you have the power if you need it.
It’s also nice to know the fan is reversible, for effective air circulation in cold climates and colder weather as well, and that a nice full-function remote is also included.
What’s especially nice, though, and what makes the Casa Vieja Windspun one of our favorite ceiling fans (and companies) is knowing that all throughout the year, year after year, this will be a dependable and beautiful part of your home’s decor – last mid-century or the one to come.
Pros:
- Superb Fit and Finish
- Excellent Air Flow – especially for a low profile fan
- High Quality and Reliability
- Beautiful Style – if not for everybody!
Cons:
- No Smart Home Integration
Hunter Fan Company Melbourne 52 Inch Ceiling Fan with Wall Control
- MODERN CEILING FAN: The contemporary...
- MULTI-SPEED REVERSIBLE FAN MOTOR: DC motor...
- WALL CONTROL: Turn the matte black ceiling...
- ROOM PLACEMENT: Indoor fan is height...
At a Glance:
- Size: 52 Inches
- Air Flow: 4,535 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-300 Square Feet
- Indoor or Outdoor: Both
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
What’s especially nice about writing a buyer’s guide to the best midcentury modern ceiling fans is that one of the most important factors in MCM design is the sheer quality of the pieces, which must be beautiful, impeccably crafted and finished, highly useful and usable and made to last and last.
So this means that we get to really focus on the best products (not necessarily, though, the most expensive ones) and on a few of our favorite companies – and there are few ceiling fan companies that we like and respect as much as Hunter.
And while the Hunter Melbourne is impressive enough in terms of performance, with surprisingly strong (and reversible) airflow for its size and low profile, or for its material and build quality and long term reliability, the Hunter is also a strikingly lovely fan.
The rich glow and superb finish of he wood, the perfectly uniform and softly luminous metal surfaces, the stable and quiet casing and mounting hardware, the whisper-quiet motor, and the overall sheer beauty of the fan – this is a really impressive piece, which even the most discerning designer, decorator or homeowner would absolutely love.
The Melbourne is also damp rated, meaning you can use it as an indoor fan, or install it in a covered outdoor space, like a gazebo, patio or porch.
If you want a great performer that will last a lifetime, the Melbourne is a great choice, and if you want a really fantastic and impressive mid-century wood ceiling fan for your home, with all of the best qualities of that movement, it’s a great choice.
So, pretty much any way you look at it, the Hunter Melbourne is a great choice, and a great ceiling fan from a great company.
Pros:
- Wall Control Included
- Incredible Finish and Beautiful Style
- Great Value for the Money
- Damp Rated for Covered Outdoor Installations
Cons:
- No Smart Home Integration
Progress Lighting Vast 72 Inch 8 Blade Black Ceiling Fan
- MODERN CEILING FAN: Take in the breeze any...
- 8-BLADE DESIGN: Eight sweeping blades coated...
- REMOTE/CANOPY/MOTOR: A 6-speed full-function...
- DIMENSIONS/DOWNRODS/BULBS: Measures 72-inch...
- WARRANTY: Our Limited Lifetime warranty...
At a Glance:
- Size: 72 Inches
- Air Flow: 7.982 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 300-500+
- Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
We said in the introductory sections that we are mainly focusing on the most popular fan size – 52 inches – which does seem to be a great fit for most rooms in most homes.
But sometimes you just need a big, big fan!
And this splendid Vast ceiling fan from Progress Lighting is certainly big – a full 72 inches across, and able to move almost 8,000 square feet of air a minute.
So if you live in an airplane hangar, in Death Valley, or just in a house with large, stuffy spaces, this is one of the best large fans we’ve found – and especially if you are working with mid-century modern, or even Bauhaus, Danish modern or basic minimalist, decor.
A beautifully finished and highly attractive large, plain and simple fan, the Vast is a study in MCM craftsmanship, with long, unadorned black surfaces perfectly finished and glowing with an inner light. The proportions are remarkably apt, especially for a fan this size, and the balance of elements, angles, lines and curves is ideal.
But while this is an article on the best midcentury modern fans, and this is one of the best midcentury modern ceiling fans we’ve ever found, perhaps the real emphasis in describing the Progress Lighting Vast is in its tremendous power and effectiveness, in both normal and reverse air flow modes.
There’s also a bright and dimmable LED light kit and a remote control with which you can dim the lights and set the six running speeds. And it shouldn’t go without saying that not only is this a highly energy efficient fan, but with its size and power it can save you hugely on your utility bills.
A great, and great big, mid century modern ceiling fan, the Progress Lighting Vast is well made and extremely reliable, and should provide a lifetime of service – highly recommended!
Pros:
- Huge Air Movement
- Striking Design
- Superior Material and Build Quality
- Very Quiet for its Size and Performance
Cons:
- Too Big for Many Rooms
Matthews Patricia Indoor/Outdoor 52″ Ceiling Fan with LED Light and Remote
- PATRICIA CEILING FAN WITH LIGHT: 16 Watt...
- DIMENSIONS: Diameter 52"; Height 24"/22"...
- FAN BLADES: 3 Outdoor Approved Barn Wood Tone...
- FAN CONTROL: Includes Hand-Held,...
- INSTALLATION: Installable on Flat Ceiling...
At a Glance:
- Size: 52 Inches
- Air Flow: 6,076 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-400 Square Feet
- Indoor or Outdoor: Both
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
We should say right from the start that the Matthews Patricia is not just one of the most attractive and well made examples of mid century modern styling, but is also one of the finest ceiling fans you can buy period.
A damp rated fan that can be used both indoors and in covered outdoor settings – a gazebo, covered porch or patio, among others – the Patricia is extremely stable and quiet, which not only is nice when you are using the fan but is also one indicator of the quality of engineering, design and manufacture that go into this ceiling fan.
And there’s something about a truly premium fan, where it just seems to be more effective than the numbers would indicate, or than lesser fans with even the same specs – the Matthews Patricia does, in fact, have a large rated movement of air – over 6,000 cubic feet a minute – but this doesn’t fully explain how well the Patricia cools even larger and more open spaces.
With solid wood blades, cast aluminum and stamped steel, as well as top notch motor, electrics and electronics, this is a true investment in quality and long term reliability, and the visible materials in particular are of such high quality that they make this a really beautiful fan to look at.
This is carried through by the design, which in the true MCM sense is primarily about how well something works, and allows the style to be a natural extension of that effectiveness – mid-century design philosophy was, after all, heavily influenced by the Bauhaus.
So you end up with a fan that is disarmingly simple and stunningly beautiful, not because it was designed to be beautiful but because it was designed and built well – really, really well.
Everything else is in place as well – reversible air flow, nice dimmable LED light kit, six running speeds, and both a remote control and a wall mounted control panel.
So this is what it’s all about – the Matthews Patricia is a product that is beautiful as an extension of its excellence, and one of the best mid century modern ceiling fans on the market today at any price.
Please note that while we are featuring the most popular 52 inch size of the Patricia, Matthews also makes a 60 Inch Patricia, which is also highly recommended.
Pros:
- Superbly Finished Piece
- Big Air Flow for its Size
- Superior Quality and Reliability
- Includes Remote and Wall Control
- Extremely Stable and Quiet
Cons:
- None
Big Ass Fans Haiku L 52 Inch Smart Ceiling Fan
- FAN SETTINGS: 7 speeds, Sleep mode, Whoosh...
- BALANCED: factory-balanced and sound tested...
- LIGHT SETTINGS: integrated LED light kit...
- REMOTE: included slimline IR remote is wall...
- SMART: included WIFI module allows control...
At a Glance:
- Size: 52 Inches
- Air Flow: 5,604 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
- Recommended Room Size: 200-400 Square Feet
- Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
- Reversible Air Flow: Yes
Not everybody loves the company name, but everybody who has ever experienced them absolutely adores the company’s fans.
And the Big Ass Fans Haiku L is probably people’s favorite overall – positively dinky compared to the average gargantuan BAF product, the Haiku L still moves tons of air – especially for its size – and will not dominate a room in the process.
The Haiku L has 7 speeds, whoosh and eco modes, sleep timer, warm, bright, adjustable LED lighting and a fantastic remote control, and with the free Haiku downloadable app it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
But what’s really striking, beyond the performance and the advanced features, is the sheer beauty and the obvious quality of the Big Ass Fans Haiku L, which has a fit and finish that really set it apart from other mid-century styled fans, as well as from many other fans even at this higher price level.
One of the finest fans on the market today, from a company that has fast established itself as a leader in innovation, quality and value, the Big Ass Fans Haiku L is our choice for best mid-century fan on the market today.
The Haiku L is only available in one size, but the standard Haiku (no L = no light), also a beautifully styled and beautifully made product, comes in various sizes.
Pros:
- Very powerful for its size
- Simple, beautiful appearance
- Very sophisticated and advanced functionality
- Industry leading material quality and reliability
Cons:
- Slightly silly brand name?
Thanks for reading our article – Mid Century Modern Ceiling Fan: 9 Fans For Any Budget – and please check out our website – Know the Flo – for other informative articles, tutorials and buyer’s guides and a whole lot more!
