How to Decorate Around a Wall Clock

Your décor is a matter of your own personal taste, and everything you put on your walls is a good reflection of that. You can use your clock to determine what kind of aesthetic you want to go for—modern, antique, chic? Whatever your style, here are some ideas for decorating around your wall clock.

1. Shelf Full of Meaning 

This is a great idea for a large wall clock, since anything you add will be accents rather than competing for attention with the clock. A shelf just below the clock can hold pictures or vases with fresh flowers. Or if your taste is more specific, you can try things that mean a lot to you like souvenirs from your favourite places or DIY candles that you’ve crafted. If it can go on a shelf, you’ve got décor.

2. Aesthetic Wall

Rather than passé wallpaper, one trend is to put up things on a wall that make you happy or give you inspiration. With the clock in the center, you can surround it with images, photographs, paintings, frames or abstract wall art. It gives the eye a lot to bounce around between and can be very interesting to look at even if you’re not trying to tell the time.

3. Pure Minimalism

If you’re a fan of the clean and simplistic style, then consider small, significant items that you can put around the clock. With a large clock, it’s easy to keep the clock as the main focus. A good idea is a small mirror on either side, or pictures of loved ones framing the corners around the clock. That way, when you look for the time, you aren’t distracted and you can catch a glimpse of something dear to your heart.

4. Green Thumb

If you’re handy with plants and have a favourite vine, a potted plant or two can be great natural accents to a clock. It can be a reminder for yourself to make time to connect back to nature. Perennial flowers are also a nice touch and can give the space some delicate colour. Depending on hook placing, you can even run a vine up and around a clock if you’re so inclined.

5. Leave it Bare

This is super if your timepiece is a stand-out on its own. If it can tell the time and everyone your ideal aesthetic, you may have your decorating all done for you. Unique clocks that are shaped like windmills or globes, or use neon lights or forks and spoons are pieces that can shine all on their own.

6. Clock Accent Wall

An accent wall full of clocks can be a huge statement and might make a great solution for those who love clocks and can’t decide on a single timepiece for a specific room. If you tend to fall in love with charming clocks and are torn on having to decide which ones to get and which to leave, the clock accent wall is a way to enjoy all of them at once. Perhaps it’s more about the style of the clock than the actual function, and if that’s the case, decorating around a larger centrepiece clock with smaller ones that you love can really make the wall pop!

7. Dual Shelves

If you’ve got a fairly big clock and a significant amount of space to fill, consider two single-level shelves on either side of the clock. You might even want to use “floating” shelves that conceal the attaching brackets and instead end up looking like your decor just magically adheres to the wall. However, these shelves work best with books, and if you’re planning on using the shelves for other decor, you’ll likely want to go with something standard and strong. Ideas for the shelves include pictures, initials of the residents or fun trinkets that you’ve picked up.

8. Continue the Theme

For example, if you have a nautical-themed clock, you can continue the coastal theme with an anchor or decor of boats, water and docks. The clock doesn’t need to be the focal piece in the decor either, as you can have it off-center on the wall as other paintings, metalwork or artisanal decor take the stage. It’s a wonderful way to work with the initial aesthetic that you evoked with the clock to continue with decor that fits the style.

9. Gallery Wall

Turn your wall into a mood board of things that inspire you, calm you or make you feel at home. This can be pretty much anything that will go on a wall and stay there. Think of glass, metal or wood decor to incorporate different mediums and add visual texture. Use pictures of people, places or scenes that excite you and take you on an emotional adventure. Shelves with objects that thrill you can also work well here, like a vintage camera or a globe.

10. Chalkboard, Whiteboard or Corkboard

Using decor that isn’t static can be a wonderful way to express yourself or keep on top of important tasks and events. A chalkboard next to a clock is a sweet way of offering guests a chance to draw and play on the chalkboard like when they were in school. You just need to be mindful of the dust from the board, especially if you have allergies. A whiteboard is ideal for keeping track of appointments and writing down reminders for yourself. A corkboard lets you pin up pictures, photos, tickets and important papers and keep things in a safe, visible place.

You can even try a combination of boards like one on either side of the clock, or a dual board that is both a chalkboard and a corkboard. Consider the size of the boards relative to the clock and try to stay within the same range. A board much bigger than the clock can overshadow it.

11. Console or Entryway Chaise

If you’re tight on space, you might want to decorate with a console table underneath the clock. Depending on the size and style of your console, it can hold a lot of decor and other items. Seasonal decor that you need to store can fit well in a hallway console. Try to match the size to the clock, so pick something triple the circumference of the clock to start.

A chaise works as well, especially if the clock is close to the entrance. It serves as a spot to sit to put on shoes, jackets and temporarily rest everything that you need before you go out. The wall clock right above can help you keep on time and it’s a fantastic first visual when guests enter your home.

Decorating around your clock is all about finding a balance between your style and what the clock already offers you. Try out a few ideas and see what sticks; you might just be surprised at what your clock gives you to work with.

A fantastic addition to any room: take a look at our Weather Clocks