Looking for a cheap and inexpensive way to change the look of a room in your home or apartment? I got the perfect for suggestion for you. Try going with a ceiling fan. They are cheap and easy to install. You can do it yourself on any given Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Those aren't the only reasons why I'm recommending a ceiling fan. Any major appliance or hardware store offers an endless variety of ceiling fan designs which can change the whole atmosphere of the room. Plus they are practical since they serve a function as a fan on those warm summer days.

For those of you out there who may wonder how simple it really is to install one of these or you are doubtful that you can do it by yourself, here is a list of the steps you will need to do in order to install a ceiling fan.

1. Turn off the Power - Believe it or not but this first step is probably the most important if you don't want to electrocute yourself. Start by turning off the power to the light's circuit breaker or fuse. Only then should you remove the light fixture.

2. Determine the Center - If there isn't a central light fixture, snap diagonal chalk lines from opposite corners of the room to find its center. Determine whether the lines cross exactly below a ceiling joist. If it does, move aside between the joists to fasten the side of the fan's new junction box directly to the joist.

3. Install Junction Box

• Cut a hole large enough for the junction box to be slipped in. If it's next to the joist, drill holes in its side and screw it to the joist. Installation between joists is OK. Fasten the box to a 2" x 4" header nailed between the joists. You can insert a 2" x 4" header through the junction box's hole, nailing it to each joist if need be. If not, you will need to open a larger access hole. Then, patch the hole to close it again. View the image for a typical fan mounting where there's access above the joists for header-nailing.

• You may choose to use a patented fan support unit designed to be inserted through the normal junction box hole to save you from opening a hole in the ceiling. These can be easier to install and mount.

• Use only a metal junction box to support a ceiling fan. Never hang the fan from a plastic box. Depending on the brand, style, and size of your ceiling fan, you may use a 4" or 3" octagonal junction box.

• Caution: The heaviest fan that should be supported by an outlet/junction box is 35 pounds. If it weighs more, the building structure must support it. Also, your mounting must be able to withstand vibration while the fan is running. Even a well-balanced fan creates some vibration when it runs.

4. Mounting to a Beamed Ceiling - You'll use a special beam mount when mounting a fan to a beamed ceiling. Use one kind for a horizontal beam, another for a pitched beam. You may need an extender to lower the fan to the proper level.

The key to a successful and well executed project is a great design. It is up to you to make the initial decision about the way you want your walkway to look and feel.