If you’re looking for a statement piece for your home decor, this DIY Mid Century Wall clock is it!
Well, we’re finally back to our regularly scheduled programming after last week’s blog birthday madness.
And we’re really excited about this DIY!
We’ve been on the hunt for the perfect retro clock for our living room (which we’re doing a room makeover we’re sharing soon)!
But we wanted to make it a bit bigger than the rest, so this one is jumbo-sized my friends!
Needless to say, this not-so-little DIY Mid Century Wall clock is the perfect statement decor piece!
Surprisingly, it’s actually pretty simple to make and will cost you a lot less than most home decor stores to create…
Mid-century furniture can be pricey.
But we’ve managed to make affordable pieces like a DIY Mid Century Modern Side Table, DIY Mid Century Plant Stands, and even a Mid Century DIY Day Bed that mimics the look.
Materials and Tools Needed to Make a DIY Mid Century Wall Clock
Wood round — Ours is a 1″ x 2′ x 2′ unfinished pine wood round.
Wood stain — Ours is Early American.
3-D clock hands time movement – A similar one is available here.
Metallic gold spray paint — Optional: Our clock hands were originally a silver brush. The gold look feels more mid-century.
Foam brush for stain
Dowel caps — To represent the hours.
D-ring hangers — To properly hang and secure your clock to the wall.
Drill, screws, and drill bit
How to Make a DIY Mid Century Wall Clock
1 — Stain the wood round the color of your choice, and let it dry completely.
We only stained the front and the side since no one will see the back.
2 — Optional: Apply a coat of clear shellac spray paint to protect your wood stain, and let it dry completely.
3 — Optional: While that’s drying, spray paint the clock hands movement and wooden dowel caps with the metallic gold and let dry.
4 — Flip the wood round over to install the hangers.
You want to install the clock hands last since they are delicate and you don’t want to scratch the mechanisms.
Attach the D-ring picture hangers to the back of the board with a drill.
5 — Then, string the picture wire between the two so that the clock is ready to hang once the front is assembled.
6 — Now flip the wood round over to assemble the front face of the clock.
Our particular 3-D clock hands movement simply rests on the face.
Measure and mark out the exact center of your wood round and drill a screw about 1/2″ below that so that once the mechanism is hanging it will be in the middle.
7 — Now all you have to do is glue the wooden dowel caps in place to represent the hours, and you’re all set!
Living Room Furniture Sources
Double table lamp from Rejuvenation
Check out our living room reveal for more sources and decor ideas.
More Easy DIY Wall Hangs
We also feel inclined to admit that we never use actual clocks or watches to tell time (blame Apple for my iPhone).
But they make the cutest statements, don’t you think?! We love them so much as functional decor items that we’ve also made a DIY Mini Hexagon Marble Wall Clock and DIY Plate Clock.
We really love the idea of skipping the gold dots and just doing the metallic movement and wood round for an even simpler DIY version!
For more easy DIY clock projects, check out some of our others below —
DIY Mid Century Wall Clock
Equipment
- Drill, screws, and drill bit
- Foam brush for stain
- Super glue
Materials
- 1 wood round
- 1 wood stain any color of your choice
- 1 3D clock hands movement time
- 1 metallic gold spray paint optional
- 1 clear shellac spray paint optional
- 12 dowel cap
- 3 D-ring hanger
- 1 picture wire
Instructions
- Stain the wood round and let it dry completely.
- Optional: Spray a coat of the clear shellac paint over the wood round to protect the wood stain.
- Optional: While the wood round is drying, spray paint the clock movement and wooden dowel caps with the metallic gold and let dry.
- Attach the d-ring picture hangers to the back of the wood circle with a drill.
- String the picture wire between the two so that the clock is ready to hang once the front is assembled.
- Flip the board over to assemble 3D clock hands to the front face of the clock. The clock movement we used only needs to rest on the front. So we measured out the exact center of wood round. Then we drilled a screw about 1/2" below the center so that once the mechanism is hanging it will sit in the middle of the wood round.
- Glue the 12 wooden dowel caps in place to represent the 12 hours.
Be sure to share your DIY Mid Century Wall Clock with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves, so we can follow along, too! We always love seeing all of your creations!
More DIY Recommendations For You!
Hi! I love this. where is that accent table from?
Where di you get the clock movement?
THIS IS LOVELY! I’M GOING TO TRY MAKING ONE. WHAT IS THE DIAMETER OF THE CLOCK YOU MADE?
Also – where did you find the wood you used? THanks!!!
From our local Lowe’s store, but you can also find them on Amazon :)
24 inches
Hi, I am a new follower of your site, love all your d.i.y. ! I love how you put the whole setting together and especially the cobalt blue chair. May I know where can I get it? Thanks a lot!
This is perfect! I’ve been looking for the perfect mcm clock for my in-progress mcm-inspired bath reno – this is exactly what I need. Okay, time to just make it :)
Love this! Did you end up using the shellac spray?
Hey so I’m making this clock right now and I’m wondering when I spray the shellac on it
Thank you!
It’s seriously perfect, along with the chair, end table and the whole setup. I could just place the whole thing in my living room and be satisfied. The colors will match perfectly.
This wall clock is so pretty! I love the size, and the color of the wood! I want one in our Master Bedroom!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Such a cute idea, thanks! And may I ask, where is that awesome table lamp from?
Thanks so much Darby! The table lamp is from Rejuvenation
Y’all are just too clever. :)))
Carrie
www.wearwherewell.com
Love it Ash. That modern clock movement makes all the difference. Nailed it.