Decorating
9 Surprisingly Creative Wall Clock Ideas
There’s more than one way to display your timepiece. Make a statement with one of these stylish ideas
You might think, in the era of the smartphone and tablet with their ever-active glowing time displays, that the humble wall clock would be dead. Not so. If anything, these timepieces are more on-trend than ever. Beyond being mere devices to help you know if you’re running late for work, they’re fabulous interiors accessories that add style, attitude and character. Take a look at these ideas for original ways to hang a clock on the wall.
Go back to black
A blackboard wall with a pared-back clock mechanism in the centre looks super-cool in this cookspace. It also makes perfect sense – the kitchen is probably where you drain your coffee and munch your toast before you run for the train, so you’ll need to keep track of time.
If you prefer a minimal design like this, there are plenty of hands-only clocks out there for a similar look. What’s great is there’s no defining line where your clock ends and your wall begins.
A blackboard wall with a pared-back clock mechanism in the centre looks super-cool in this cookspace. It also makes perfect sense – the kitchen is probably where you drain your coffee and munch your toast before you run for the train, so you’ll need to keep track of time.
If you prefer a minimal design like this, there are plenty of hands-only clocks out there for a similar look. What’s great is there’s no defining line where your clock ends and your wall begins.
Hit the big time
An oversized clock will make a fabulous statement in any room. Don’t be scared to play with scale. In this elegant reading room, the black and white timepiece takes up the whole width of the chimney breast and looks all the better for it.
When you’re hanging a clock on the wall, choosing a design without numbers adds a graphic touch. This clock was bought at an auction, but there are companies online that specialise in oversized clocks, so shop around and be bold.
An oversized clock will make a fabulous statement in any room. Don’t be scared to play with scale. In this elegant reading room, the black and white timepiece takes up the whole width of the chimney breast and looks all the better for it.
When you’re hanging a clock on the wall, choosing a design without numbers adds a graphic touch. This clock was bought at an auction, but there are companies online that specialise in oversized clocks, so shop around and be bold.
Hang loose
Your clock doesn’t have to be big or fancy to make a statement – or even hang on a wall. This simple device has been suspended from the ceiling instead, in the manner of those traditionally found in railway stations or on shop floors.
It’s been positioned so the owners can clearly peep at it as they look down the corridor for an easy ‘time-checking’ win when they’re in a hurry.
Your clock doesn’t have to be big or fancy to make a statement – or even hang on a wall. This simple device has been suspended from the ceiling instead, in the manner of those traditionally found in railway stations or on shop floors.
It’s been positioned so the owners can clearly peep at it as they look down the corridor for an easy ‘time-checking’ win when they’re in a hurry.
Create a rustic original
How about making your own, nature-inspired clock? You can buy clock kits and mechanisms inexpensively from craft and hardware stores, or look online. It could be a great project to try with the kids.
This one has been attached to a slice of tree trunk for a rustic original that adds country charm to a bathroom.
Discover home accessories for nature nerds
How about making your own, nature-inspired clock? You can buy clock kits and mechanisms inexpensively from craft and hardware stores, or look online. It could be a great project to try with the kids.
This one has been attached to a slice of tree trunk for a rustic original that adds country charm to a bathroom.
Discover home accessories for nature nerds
Max out
There are supersized clocks – and then there’s this impressive floor-to-ceiling number, which is in a whole new category. The design doubles as a mirror for a luxury touch, and takes up an entire wall.
Be imaginative when choosing your clock design – use it as an excuse to fill up dead space, or try a different material. There are no rules when it comes to timepieces.
Find out how to max your space with a mirror
There are supersized clocks – and then there’s this impressive floor-to-ceiling number, which is in a whole new category. The design doubles as a mirror for a luxury touch, and takes up an entire wall.
Be imaginative when choosing your clock design – use it as an excuse to fill up dead space, or try a different material. There are no rules when it comes to timepieces.
Find out how to max your space with a mirror
Opt for vintage
This amazing wooden clock featuring Roman numerals is an antique sourced by its owners, and brings this dining area to life.
There are some glorious vintage and antique clocks around, so it’s always worth hunting for something special. Look on eBay or in second-hand stores, but check the mechanism is still serviceable. Visit your local clock repair shop if you’d like to bring an old beauty back to life.
This amazing wooden clock featuring Roman numerals is an antique sourced by its owners, and brings this dining area to life.
There are some glorious vintage and antique clocks around, so it’s always worth hunting for something special. Look on eBay or in second-hand stores, but check the mechanism is still serviceable. Visit your local clock repair shop if you’d like to bring an old beauty back to life.
Think outside the living spaces
You might not think about placing a clock above your toilet, but in this room it somehow works. The square shape neatly lines up with the loo below, and the style chimes with the rest of the room.
The vanity unit could resemble a living room sideboard, and this piece and the clock are a quirky way of repurposing items you’d usually find in other areas of the home.
You might not think about placing a clock above your toilet, but in this room it somehow works. The square shape neatly lines up with the loo below, and the style chimes with the rest of the room.
The vanity unit could resemble a living room sideboard, and this piece and the clock are a quirky way of repurposing items you’d usually find in other areas of the home.
Tie it in with your scheme
When you’re choosing a wall clock, don’t forget to consider your overall decorating style.
In this midcentury scheme, a contemporary or old-fashioned clock might not have worked. Instead, the owners have chosen a Sunburst clock, designed in the 1950s by George Nelson. It also adds a dash of colour, echoing the unusual pendant light.
How have you displayed your wall clock? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
When you’re choosing a wall clock, don’t forget to consider your overall decorating style.
In this midcentury scheme, a contemporary or old-fashioned clock might not have worked. Instead, the owners have chosen a Sunburst clock, designed in the 1950s by George Nelson. It also adds a dash of colour, echoing the unusual pendant light.
How have you displayed your wall clock? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Make a feature of your sleepspace by hanging a clock above your bed. If you don’t like to have anything heavy above your head, go for one of the many timepieces that blend in with the wall.
This clever design has a central mechanism for the hands, then separate wall stickers for the numbers. It looks fabulous on a dark background, and makes a real statement in the bedroom.
If you’re a light sleeper, always check whether a clock has a loud tick before buying it for your bedroom.