The Creative Box Fan DIY That Turns An Eyesore Into A Statement

Anyone dealing with a surging heat wave knows the value of keeping a box fan handy. They are easy to set up and get to work fast, providing generous relief when you need that extra boost to make a hot, stuffy room feel comfortable once more. If only they weren't such an eyesore! Being all function with zero fashion, a clunky box fan can ruin the decor as quickly as it chills the room. But what if your fan could elevate your space rather than drag it down, making your room feel and look cooler every time you pull it out? Well, if you get your hands on some spray paint, you absolutely can!

A DIY overhaul is a simple and fast way to make your box fan seamlessly suit the rest of your home's design. Color-matching to your room's scheme is the surest route to make it a fitting complement. For anyone following the 60-30-10 design rule, choosing the proper tones should be easy. Work with your core colors to integrate the fan into the room. If your fan has features around the frame, such as a handle or speed control dial, you can paint those in a flashy accent color. TikToker creator @thecochrancollective shows us a perfect example of how this can transform the effect, using gold highlights on a pink fan to add elegance and flair. With your colors picked out, you only have to apply them cleanly to make your box fan pop.

Before applying your spray paint, you'll have to disassemble your fan. The average box fan has tons of nooks and crannies to fill in, most of which are impossible to paint without taking it apart. Remove the front and back grills by unscrewing them with a Phillips head screwdriver or undoing the clips. Detach the motor and blades from the housing. Since you don't want to damage the motor, cover it in a plastic bag and seal the edges with painter's tape to protect it when you spray paint the blades.

With everything separated, clean the box fan to stop dust and soil from causing issues with your paint application. When you're ready to paint, consider the type of paint and surface you're using and prepare accordingly. If any parts have a glossy coating, you may improve your results by lightly roughing the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to give the paint a better grip. Many spray paints for plastic should hold well on the box fan's surfaces, but a primer will further help the paint hold better. A white primer application can also stop the fan's original color from peeking through, an issue you might have with dark-colored models. From there, you just have to use your imagination and have fun! Play with colors and patterns, and follow a few essential spray painting tips for a custom box fan you'll always look forward to bringing out when the temperatures rise.