The Viral Hack That Adds A Bright Rainbow To Your Boring Box Fan

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Box fans have become a staple to help keep homes comfy through summer heatwaves. However, the cool air comes with a tradeoff, namely their style. Typically coming in white or black, these utilitarian fans are something most homeowners just deal with until it's finally cool enough to tuck them away again. But what if your fan could bring a little color into your space while cooling it down? With the viral rainbow box fan DIY that's taking over TikTok, it can! 

This DIY is the perfect way to add a pop of color to any room. Plus, it's simple, inexpensive — you can make it happen for under $50 — and can be done over a long, lazy summer afternoon. All you need is a little paint and a few hours to transform your box fan from boring to a rainbow full of fun.

Lay the fan down on some newspaper or a drop cloth, and remove the top grill. Then, make sure to give it a deep clean. The best way to clean a filthy box fan is to use compressed air to blow away dust and gunk, and then use your favorite cleaner to wipe it clean. Let it dry before getting ready to paint.

Since fan blades are commonly made out of plastic or metal, it can be tricky for paint to adhere properly. For extra grip, sand the surfaces lightly and wipe them clean. If possible, remove the fan blades and lay them on some drop cloths. If not, tuck another drop cloth or scrap paper on the bottom to keep paint off the back grill, and then apply a light coat of white primer, such as Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover Primer Spray. This helps the paint last longer and makes the rainbow colors look brighter. 

Next, decide how wide you want each rainbow stripe to be. Measure how long the blade is, divide by the number of colors you want on your rainbow, and mark the length. For example, if the box fan blade is 7 inches long and you want to use the seven common colors of the rainbow, mark 1-inch sections. Apply a light layer of red acrylic paint, like Apple Barrel Acrylic Craft Paint, starting closest to the blade and working your way out, color by color. Let each section dry completely to prevent smudging. Once all the paint is applied, add a light coat of clear sealant, like Mod Podge Spray Acrylic Sealer, to keep the colors intact.

Rainbow may not fit with everyone's home decor, but that doesn't mean you're just stuck with boring box fans. Replace bright rainbow colors with more muted or pastel colors. Or take a cue from your current decor and paint the blades an accent color already featured in the room. For a touch of glitz, apply a metallic paint, like FolkArt Metallic Acrylic Craft Paint Set, to the inner or outer third of the fan blade. Just remember to keep the coats of paint light as some DIYers have noted heavier layers of paint can make it harder for the fan to work efficiently.

Dreaming of more of a patterned look? Try peel-and-stick wallpaper to instantly add a little style. Make sure to wipe down the fan blades thoroughly so the paper will stick. Use a spare piece of paper to make a stencil of the fan blade, and then cut each piece out and apply. Or for a complete DIY makeover that turns your box fan from eyesore to statement piece, spray paint the entire unit, and use a little metallic paint on the knobs for a clean, classy look.