What Wall Clock Style Fits My Home? Tips From 25 Years of Making Wall Clocks
Choosing a wall clock might seem simple until you start looking at all the different styles, colors, and sizes. Should you choose modern or traditional? Something neutral that blends in, or a statement clock that catches everyone's attention?
After more than 25 years of designing and manufacturing wall clocks at The Big Clock Store, I've learned something about decorating: The best clock for your home isn't necessarily the one that matches everything. It's the one you love, in a size that really works for your space.
Here are a few things I've learned over the years that might help you find the perfect wall clock for your home.
Start With a Clock You Really Love
I think people sometimes worry too much about decorating rules. They look at their furniture and decide they need a particular style of clock because that's what they're supposed to have.
I look at it a little differently.
My advice is to find a clock that makes you happy. Something that catches your eye, feels like your personality, or simply makes you smile when you walk into the room.
I remember hearing a successful talk show host talk about decorating her home. She said she chose individual pieces that she genuinely loved, and somehow they all worked together. I've always thought that was wonderful decorating advice.
Your home doesn't need to look like a furniture showroom. It should look like you!
Does Your Wall Clock Have to Match Your Decorating Style?
Not necessarily. In fact, I think mixing styles can make a room more interesting.
Over the years, I've tried to design clocks that aren't so specific to one decorating style that they can only work in a certain type of home.
For example, I really love the look of a warm, wood-toned clock in a very modern home. It brings a little warmth and texture into a room that might otherwise feel too sleek. On the other hand, some of our modern metal-look clocks look fantastic in contemporary spaces.
Most homes, though, tend to fall somewhere in the middle. They're not completely modern or strictly traditional. And that's where I think you have a lot of freedom.
A vintage-inspired clock can look beautiful in a fairly modern room. A clean, simple clock can look great surrounded by traditional furniture.
I'd pay more attention to whether the colors and overall feeling complement your room than whether the clock fits a specific decorating category.
Don't Worry About Matching Every Color Exactly
I'm not a big fan of everything being too matchy-matchy.
If your room has blue in it, for example, I don't think your clock needs to be the exact same shade of blue as your pillows or curtains. In fact, I think different shades of the same color often make a room much more interesting.
You might have a navy sofa, softer blue accents, and a clock with a slightly different blue tone. Those variations can give your room more depth and personality.
It's also worth deciding whether you want your clock to blend into the wall or stand out against it.
A light-colored clock against a light wall can create a softer, more subtle look. A dark clock against that same wall will have more contrast and become a stronger focal point.
Neither is right or wrong. It just depends on the feeling you're trying to create.
The Biggest Wall Clock Mistake? Choosing the Wrong Size
If there's one mistake I've seen people make over the years, it's choosing a clock size without really visualizing how it will look on their wall.
And I think most people tend to choose a clock that's too small.
Sometimes a clock that's just a little larger can completely change the impact it has on a room. Instead of looking like a small accessory hanging on a big wall, it becomes something that helps bring the entire space together.
That doesn't mean everyone needs a giant clock. It means the clock needs to fit the proportions of the wall, the furniture, and the room.
My Favorite Trick for Choosing the Right Clock Size
Before you order a clock, take a few minutes to visualize its actual size.
Here's what I recommend:
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Start with a tape measure. Measure the diameter you're considering and hold the tape measure against the wall where the clock will hang.
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Try the paper-circle trick. Cut a rough circle from paper, or tape pieces of paper together to represent the diameter of the clock you're considering.
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Tape it to the wall. Stand back and look at it from different places in the room.
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Try another size. Sometimes moving up just one size makes a surprising difference.
The paper doesn't have to be perfect. You're simply trying to get a feel for how much space the clock will occupy.
At The Big Clock Store, we also have a clock-size visualization tool that lets you compare different clock sizes on a wall or above furniture, including different-sized couches. It's a great way to see how a clock might look before you buy it.
I would much rather have someone spend an extra few minutes choosing the right size than end up with a clock that's too small for the space.
Should You Choose a Neutral Clock or a Statement Clock?
This is one of my favorite decorating decisions because both choices can look wonderful.
Over the years, neutral clocks have consistently been some of our most popular designs. And I understand why.
A neutral clock can work with almost any room. If you repaint, change your furniture, or update your decorating colors, chances are your clock will still look great.
But there's also something to be said for a clock that makes a statement.
I have a large black-and-white clock in my own stairwell. It's a pretty strong design, and it helps set the tone for the space. If I decided to change that area to something like dark blue, I might want a different clock because the one I have makes such a visual impact.
That's something worth thinking about.
Do you want a clock that quietly works with your room for years, even as your decorating changes? Or do you want something that helps establish the personality of the space right now?
There's no wrong answer. I love both approaches.
Are Rustic and Vintage Wall Clocks Still in Style?
One thing I've noticed after 25 years in the clock business is that colors seem to change more frequently than the basic styles people love.
For example, red clocks used to be incredibly popular. Then, for quite a few years, I hardly had any red designs in our collection. Now I'm seeing renewed interest in red again.
I've also noticed a change in rustic designs.
Years ago, I designed quite a few clocks with a heavily distressed, rustic appearance. Today, I tend to make those designs a little less rustic.
I still think people love the texture and character of something that looks like it has a little history. It's that comfortable, lived-in appearance. But I think many people are leaning toward a more refined version of rustic rather than something that looks heavily weathered.
That's one reason I like designing clocks that fall somewhere between modern and antique. They have some character and warmth without looking like they belong to one particular decorating era.
And because decorating trends change, I wouldn't choose a clock based entirely on what's popular this year. Choose something you'll still enjoy looking at several years from now.
A Wall Clock Can Tell Your Story
One of the things I enjoy most about making clocks is helping customers create something personal.
Recently, I worked with a woman who coaches figure skating. We created a clock using a beautiful, old-fashioned image of children skating on a river.
It wasn't just another clock to hang on her wall. It reflected something she loved and something that was meaningful in her life.
To me, that's what makes decorating interesting.
A room can have beautiful furniture and perfectly coordinated colors, but it's often the personal things that make it feel like home.
Consider Adding a Family Name or Meaningful Quote
One of my favorite things to do is put a meaningful quote on a clock.
Think about it. How many times a day do you look at a clock?
I love the idea of seeing a few words that remind me of something important every time I check the time.
It might be:
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A favorite quote that inspires you.
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Your family name or a meaningful family date.
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A phrase that reminds you of your priorities.
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Something connected to a favorite hobby, memory, or place.
A personalized clock doesn't have to be elaborate. Sometimes just a few words are enough to make it feel special.
And because we make our clocks to order, we can often change the colors of an existing design or add personal wording. So if you find a clock style you love but wish it came in a different color, don't assume you're out of luck.
You may be able to have the design you love in the colors that work best for your home.
How to Choose the Best Wall Clock for Each Room
Although I don't believe in strict decorating rules, I do think it's helpful to consider how a clock will look and feel in the space where you're putting it.
Living Room Wall Clocks
In a living room, I would pay particular attention to size and visual impact.
If your clock is going above a couch or on a large open wall, don't automatically choose a small clock. Try visualizing a few larger sizes.
Think about whether you want the clock to be a focal point or simply complement the other decorations.
A larger clock with an interesting design can sometimes be the one piece that really brings a room together.
Kitchen Wall Clocks
For a kitchen, I'd look for something you enjoy seeing every day that also makes it easy to tell the time.
A simple traditional clock, a vintage-inspired design, or something with a fun pop of color can all work beautifully.
And don't be afraid to choose a color that complements your kitchen without matching your cabinets or backsplash exactly.
Bedroom Wall Clocks
For a bedroom, I tend to think about the overall feeling you want.
If you want a peaceful, relaxing room, a neutral clock with soft colors or warm wood tones might be perfect.
But if you love a bold design or a particular color, there's no reason you can't use it in a bedroom.
Again, I would choose something that makes you happy when you see it.
Entryway and Stairwell Clocks
These are wonderful places for a statement clock.
An entryway or stairwell often has wall space that can accommodate a larger design. And because these are areas you pass through frequently, a clock can have a real presence.
My own large black-and-white stairwell clock is a good example. It's functional, but it's also an important part of the decorating.
What If You Can't Find the Perfect Wall Clock?
This is something I've thought about a lot as a clock manufacturer.
Traditional clock companies often offer just a handful of designs in a limited number of sizes. So you might find a clock you love, but it's not available in the size you need. Or perhaps the size is right, but you wish it had different colors.
That's one of the reasons we've built such a large collection at The Big Clock Store.
We have approximately 600 clock designs available in multiple sizes, with options to personalize many of them.
clock designs available in multiple sizes
And if you have an idea that you can't find anywhere, you can even create your own clock design using an AI image generator or another design tool and send it to us to make into a clock.
I think decorating should be about finding what works for you, rather than settling for whatever happens to be available.
My Final Advice: Choose What Makes Your House Feel Like Home
After 25 years of making wall clocks, I really believe choosing the right clock comes down to three things.
First, find a design you genuinely love. Don't feel like you have to follow every decorating trend or match every piece of furniture.
Second, make sure you get the size right. Take a few minutes to measure, visualize, or tape a paper circle to your wall. You'll be glad you did.
And third, don't underestimate the value of choosing something personal. Whether it's a color you love, an image that brings back memories, or a few words that inspire you, those little details can turn an ordinary clock into something special.
Your clock doesn't have to match everything perfectly. It just needs to feel right in your home.
And sometimes, the right wall clock is that one finishing touch that makes the whole room feel complete.
Explore the collection at The Big Clock Store and find a style, size, and color that feels like you.
