Where Should Clocks be Placed in the Home?

Time is one of the most precious gifts that we have, and as our daily lives get increasingly busy, clocks play an important role in helping us to stay on track.  Clocks are particularly useful when planning and organising our busy schedules, as they help us to tell the time. They can also serve as an artistic statement piece, no matter what size space you are working with.

In today’s world, there are many ways to keep track of time digitally; however, adding a traditional clock to your home is both functional and stylish and will help improve the flow of your living space. Fortunately, clocks come in a variety of contrasting shapes and sizes, so you will have loads to choose from when selecting the perfect one to suit your space.

In this blog, we will look at the many ways to showcase clocks in your home and discuss how best to integrate them as part of your overall interior design plan.

Clocks in the living room

The living room is one of the most relaxing and sociable spaces in the home, where family and friends spend a lot of time enjoying lounging, socialising, chatting, and watching TV. Adding a clock to the living room will add an air of sophistication to the space and it will also help you keep track of time.

Placement Tips:

• Hang the clock on a wall where you can easily glance at it, but do not hang it as the main focal point of the living room, as it may overshadow the space. For example, do not hang the clock where it can distract you from the TV; instead, hang it on the door side of the room.
• Select a clock that matches the overall décor of the room.
• Make sure your clock is working so that there is no static energy in the living space.
• Place a freestanding clock on a bookshelf or side table to enhance the space. Clocks also look great when placed on a table next to a plant or a lamp, as they complement each other.

Hanging clocks in the kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and as one of the busiest rooms in the house, it is the ideal place to hang a clock. Clocks will help to keep you on track when cooking your favourite recipes or when keeping an eye on timelines for school runs and scheduled meetings. Depending on the design you choose, a clock can also add a real splash of personality to the space.

Placement tips:

• Position the clock where you can easily glance at it no matter where you are in the kitchen. Place it opposite primary work areas, such as kitchen counter tops or the kitchen table.
• Freestanding smaller clocks will look great on kitchen shelves, an island, an alcove, or a windowsill.
• You may opt to hang a clock as a main feature in the kitchen. Let your creativity flow when selecting the colour, shape, and structure to suit your décor.

Clocks for your home office

Remote working is on the rise, which means that people are increasingly working from the comfort of their homes. As effective timing is a key element of working life, a home office would not be complete without a strategically placed clock.

Placement tips:

• Place your clock where you can easily see it from the comfort of your office desk. You can place a freestanding clock on your desk or hang a larger clock on the wall opposite your desk.
• Feng Shui teachings believe that round clocks work best in an office space, as the circular shape attracts prosperity.
• Choose a slick design that is in keeping with the theme of a professional office space.
• Select a clock with an alarm or a timer to help you keep track of work schedules and timelines.

Clocks in the bedroom

Feng Shui teachings recommend that you should not have any clocks in the bedroom, as the ticking noise will interrupt your sleep. They do permit the use of alarm clocks in bedrooms, but only ones that do not produce any noise or glaring light. This is to enhance the space as a haven of rest and relaxation.

Placement tips:

• A small, stylish alarm clock will work well on a bedside table.
• Choose a clock with a non-illuminated display at eye level.
• Position a hanging clock parallel to the bed for easy visibility, but never place it at the head or foot of the bed, as this will create unrest.
• Choose clocks with a gentle alarm to preserve the sanctuary of your bedroom.

Bathroom Clocks

There are many moisture-resistant clocks that are specifically designed for use in the bathroom. Hanging a clock in the bathroom is particularly efficient in recent times as the cost of living is rising, and people are consciously monitoring their energy usage.

Placement tips:

• Hang a moisture-resistant clock on a wall that is visible from the shower or bath.
• Choose a sleek design that is easy to clean and in keeping with the décor of your bathroom.

A Grand Entrance—clocks for Hallways

You can set the tone of your home by styling your hallway with a strategically placed clock. Whether you have a traditional home featuring an antique grandfather clock, or a modern home with a contemporary feel, clocks will add a touch of style and functionality to the space.

Placement tips:

• Position the clock at eye level or slightly above eye level.
• Use the clock as a main statement piece or to showcase other items in your hallway. For example, display a clock of similar size alongside decorative items such as artwork, mirrors, or photos.
• Highlight your clock by adding accent lighting or by placing it where it can get the most natural light.

Feng Shui teaching on the placement of clocks

According to Feng Shui theory, hanging clocks in certain areas of your home will promote positivity and good energy flow, while hanging them in other areas may interrupt the flow of chi.

Feng Shui tips on how to hang clocks in your home:

• Number of clocks: You should have one master clock in the home and only one alarm clock for each bedroom, so as not to interrupt the energy of the home. A clock is believed to drive away evil spirits, but it is still best to hang it in any room in the house bar the bedroom.
• Placement: The face of your clock should face a window or balcony, as this will help to drive away any negative energy. A moving pendulum will boost and refresh the energy in your home, and the rhythm of a ticking clock will help to make your family life more regular and rhythmic.
• Hanging clocks: Hang clocks in the north of your home for wealth, the northeast zone for prosperity, and the east for good health. Never place or hang a clock on the south, southeast or southwest, as this is believed to bring ill health and bad luck.
• Height: The clock should be hung between your chest and eye level so that you don’t have to look up or down to see it.
• Shape of clocks: The best shape of clocks for your home is square; this symbolises steadiness and peacefulness, and this will be reflected in your life. Do not hang a clock that is triangular, octangular, or hexagonal, as it is a symbol that your family will be prone to disagreements and conflict.
• Size: Clocks should not be oversized, as it is believed to make your family restless and nervous.
• Sound: The ding-dong of chiming clocks may make you ill at ease and agitated. It also symbolises that the children in your family may be disobedient and that the elders in the home have no authority.
• Taboos of clocks: The word ‘clock’ in Chinese is synonymous with ‘death’. For this reason, you should always buy your clock yourself and never give a clock as a gift as it is unlucky. Do not hang a clock above your sofa or desk, as this will make you feel ill at ease, and never hang a clock above a door that you enter and exit from, as it will bring you bad fortune.

Clocks are a fantastic addition to any home. They tell the time, they help to keep you punctual, and they can be used as a stylish and attractive design feature. As clocks represent time in your life, you should aim to invest in one made of the highest quality; after all, there is little as valuable as time itself.