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Decorate a Ceiling Fan with Mod Podge

Did you know you can decorate a ceiling fan with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge? It’s way easier than you think! Here’s how it’s done.

Skills Required: Intermediate. I recommend having some prior crafting skills for this project. You’ll have to remove the fan blades, cut fabric or paper to fit, and then apply with Mod Podge (avoiding wrinkles).

Decorate a Ceiling Fan with Mod Podge

Hi Podgers! Lynette from Get Your Craft On came up with this wonderful way to decorate a ceiling fan, and I wanted to let her tell you about it in her own words. I really think this decoupage idea is fabulous. So here she is!

decorate ceiling fan blades with paper or fabric

I can honestly say that, as far as I know, I came up with this idea to decorate a ceiling fan all on my own! That really is a lot to be said since most of the time I can’t take complete credit for anything!

Usually I see a cute idea and copy it and make it my own. But, THIS FAN!! I think maybe I might have, could have, hopefully did really come up with this all by myself (notice my still lacking confidence).

So, when we were finishing our basement and finishing up projects in my favorite room in the house, my hubby was installing a ceiling fan. As he was about to put the blades on the hole fan base part, a light bulb went off in my head!

I asked him “would it hurt the fan or start it on fire if I added some fabric or paper or something to those blades?”. He thought I was crazy, but couldn’t think of a reason why it should mess anything up.

So, I delayed him from finishing his installation so I could snazzy-up those fan blades. Here’s what I did.

DIY Ceiling Fan

Gather These Supplies

  • Paper (I used scrapbook paper and needed one 12″x12″ piece for each fan blade)
  • Mod Podge Gloss
  • Hole punch
  • Sponge brush (the cheap-o ones at Michaels)
  • X-Acto knife
Pack of foam brushes from Michaels

1.) If you are using scrapbook paper (12″x12″), cut in in half and tape it together end to end to make it long enough. Make sure whatever the print on the paper is, that you are able to match it up pretty good so you can’t see the line. Wrapping paper may work well b/c you won’t have to piece it together.

2.) Lay fan blade face-down on back of paper.

3.) Trace around fan blade and also trace inside the holes where it will be attached to the rest of the fan later.

4.) Cut out fan blade shape from paper. Check your ceiling fan and see if the edge is curved a little; if so, cut out shape a bit inside the lines.

5.) With paper punch, punch out holes that will be used to screw blades onto fan. I used this scrapbooking punch:

Small tool kit

6.) Wipe down surface of fan blade and spread on a thin layer of Mod Podge.

7.) Lay down paper on fan blade making sure to line up all edges and punched holes just right. Smooth out all bubbles or wrinkles (I did not do this well, you can learn from my mistake!) Let dry 20-30 mins.

8.) If needed, trim excess paper from around fan blade with X-Acto knife.

9.) Coat the top of the blade with the paper on it with decoupage. Make sure to do the edges and holes too.

10.) Let dry.

11.) Do a few more coats of Mod Podge, making sure to let dry thoroughly in between coats.

12.) Once they’re all dry, go attach the blades to your ceiling fan and see how it livens up the room…so fun!

ceiling fan decorated with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge

I can only imagine how fun this could be to tie in your ceiling fan with the room decor! It could be spunky or subdued, sparkly or subtle . . . so many possibilities!

Yield: 1 fan

Decorate a Ceiling Fan

decorate ceiling fan blades with paper or fabric

Learn how to decorate a ceiling fan using paper and Mod Podge! You can do this tutorial with fabric, wrapping paper, and more.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty Intermediate
Estimated Cost $10

Materials

  • Ceiling fan
  • Paper - one sheet per blade
  • Mod Podge Matte
  • Scotch tape

Tools

  • Hole punch
  • Screwdriver
  • Sponge brush
  • X-Acto knife
  • Scissors
  • Pencil or pen

Instructions

  1. Remove the fan blades with a screwdriver. Clean thoroughly with mild soap and water and dry off.
  2. Cut each sheet of scrapbook paper in half and tape together at one end (to cover the blade).
  3. Lay one fan blade face down on the back of the paper and trace with a pencil. Also trace the holes.
  4. Cut the fan blade shape from the paper using scissors or a craft knife. Use the hole punch to create the holes where the screws attach.
  5. Add a medium layer of Mod Podge to the fan blade and smooth down the paper, matching up the holes. Smooth thoroughly and wipe away any Mod Podge that comes out the side with the brush. Let dry for 20 minutes.
  6. Trim the excess paper from around the fan blade with the craft knife or scissors.
  7. Coat the top of the paper with Mod Podge and let dry. Repeat once more and let dry. Repeat with all the blades.
  8. Reattach the blades to the ceiling fan to complete.

Notes

You can also use wrapping paper or fabric as well for this project - that allows you to complete this project for larger blades with no paper matching.

Did You Make This Project?

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Did you enjoy this craft idea? I hope you’ll check out these other great ideas to make at home:

Elsie

Sunday 15th of January 2023

I’m going to do this and I am going to try the iron on method,,,,,do you think it would work just as well?

Amy

Monday 16th of January 2023

Hi Elsie! Yes, the iron on method works on wood. Having said that, I don't know what the ceiling fan is made out of, so be careful with the iron. Sometimes irons warp some wood.

Angela Gibson

Sunday 23rd of October 2022

I have been thinking about doing this with love letters from my Grandprants they date back to 1899- to early 1900 done in old hand writing.

Amy

Wednesday 26th of October 2022

That's awesome! Definitely make laserjet copies and save the originals :)

Kristin

Saturday 26th of September 2009

I can't wait to try this!!

S

Friday 25th of September 2009

I'm seriously impressed! If only we weren't renting...

Valerie

Friday 25th of September 2009

You're so clever! We have a plain white fan in the livingroom that could totally use some livening up. Thanks for posting this! I think I may have to attempt this project. :)

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