When choosing clocks for your home, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about utility. The clocks that you hang on your walls will either add to – or take away from – the overall decor. Choosing the wrong clock can create a glaring blemish in an otherwise pulled together room.

There are several factors to consider when shopping for a clock. These include size of the room, theme, color palette and focus wall. Some rooms lend themselves to whimsical clocks, while others require more elegant choices. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect clock for your space.

Style There is no limit to the styles of clocks that are available. So, how do you know which style is right for your room? The first obvious step would be to figure out what you like. Browse through an online site that has a large selection of clocks and see which ones catch your fancy.

Of course, that is just the first step, and not every clock that catches your eye is going to be a good fit for your room. Once you have found some favorable options, you will need to think about the clock in relation to your room.

That fabulous retro 50’s clock may look great in your kitchen, but not so great in your living room. You’re not trying to match an exact theme with your clock, but you don’t want it to stick out like a sore thumb either.

What is the overall style of your room? Is it retro, elegant, whimsical or casual? You will want to choose a clock that falls into the same broad category. You don’t need to necessarily match colors, but you’ll still want to be careful not to make choices that will clash.

Some people choose to make a focus wall with the primary element being the clock. Some clocks, such as grandfather clocks and fine cuckoo clocks, deserve that kind of attention. But even less extravagant clocks can be used on a focal wall. Another option is to create a focus wall around your clock by using metal wall hangings, mirrors and shelves to create a put together look that includes the clock.

Size The size of your room is an important consideration when selecting what size clock to purchase. If the clock is too small, it will get lost in the room and will really look out of place. If it’s too large, you run the risk of the clock looking cartoonish. There are some rooms where a clock that is too large for the scale of the room could work. These would be the more whimsical rooms such as a playroom or child’s room. In general, though, you will want the size of the clock to fit in will with the scale of the room.

There are thousands of timekeeping options to choose from, and shopping for one is the best part!