How to Make Your Own Bamboo Ceiling Fan Blade Covers

You can create ceiling fan blade covers to give your old ceiling fan new life and make it an interesting topic for conversation. You may have seen those palm or bamboo tree blade covers used in themed restaurants. They help to provide a tropical type atmosphere and are much more interesting than most classic blade designs. However, if you want to create something that will really impress friends and visitors, create your own ceiling fan blade covers out of attractive, lightweight bamboo poles. This easy to follow guide will show you how.

Step 1 - Purchase Materials

Visit your local home improvement store and purchase bamboo poles and other materials you will need for the project. Many home improvement stores now carry bamboo in the garden and nursery department. Alternatively, you could order the bamboo poles online; however, many shipping companies will not deliver poles that are greater than 8 feet in length.

Step 2 - Remove Ceiling Fan Blades

Power off the ceiling fan and remove the blades from the motor of the unit with a screwdriver or wrench. Rather than removing only the 'fin' part of the blade, you will find that it is much easier to remove the entire blade assembly. Remove the base pole of the blade that is attached directly to the motor unit.

Step 3 - Measure and Cut Bamboo

Measure the length of the 'fin' of the ceiling fan blade. Then transfer the measurement to a piece of bamboo pole and add an additional two inches. Cut the measured section of bamboo and use it as a guide to cut the remaining pieces to the same length. Once you have cut four or five pieces of bamboo, place the sections side-by-side and see if the width of the combined pieces is equal to the with of the blade 'fin'. Cut enough pieces to cover all the blades on the ceiling fan.

Step 4 - Assemble Blade Covers

Once you finish cutting all the pieces of bamboo, divide the pieces that will be used to cover each blade. Then, place the sections of bamboo side by side and make sure that they are all aligned evenly. Use the black metal wire to attach the sections to one another. Wrap the sections tightly, while making sure that they remain flat (like a small raft). Do this for all the blades to be covered.

Step 5 - Stain or Finish the Bamboo Covers

After you have finished creating all of the blade covers, apply a stain or a clear coat to them. This will help to keep them from becoming too dry or brittle.

Step 6 - Attach Covers to Fan Blades

Use the metal wire to attach the blade covers to the 'fins' of the blades. You don't need to wrap the wire around the blades; however, you should loop the wire a couple of times on the rear of the blade cover and make sure that the wire is taut.

Step 6 - Re-Attach Ceiling Fan Blades

Use the screwdriver or wrench to re-attach the ceiling fan blades to the motor unit.