In flashed photography, in order to make the flash more natural, one will point the flash else where like the ceiling so that the light from the flash will be bounced from a bigger surface.
Similar technique could be used for an electric fan. Of course, it's not for photography, but you know, direct blowing is quite uncomfortable like direct flash. Therefore, you can point the fan some where else so that direct wind will be blowing to other direction but then the reflected wind which is more diffused and comfortable.
For most cases, a fan is good to keep the air moving around the room and that could be good enough for warm night.