Why It's Time To Welcome A Big Statement Clock Into Your Kitchen (And Where To Hang It)

Kitchens are the hub of many homes, functioning both as transient spaces family members pass through on the way to something else and as a comfortable gathering space to reconnect with loved ones. Whether you're just snagging a delicious dairy-free breakfast parfait on your way out the door or watching over your spouse's favorite souffle as it bakes in preparation for a birthday party, knowing what time it is when you pop into the kitchen isn't just convenient — it can be crucial to helping your daily schedule or meal preparation go smoothly.

These reasons, along with kitchens being notoriously difficult to decorate, are why you may want to invest in an oversized statement clock for this space. Vintage clocks come in a range of styles and colors to complement pretty much any decor style, quickly and easily adding beauty and interest to the room. They also serve as functional art pieces that help you time holiday dinners down to the second or remember to attend that appointment tacked to your sophisticated DIY linen board message center.

Oversized clocks, especially, can be a godsend when it comes to filling up that accent wall you just decorated with a beautiful vintage sheet or reviving the dead space between large windows. They take up lots of empty wall space, eliminating the need to meticulously plan a fussy gallery wall, and they're easy to rotate out if your current piece doesn't go with a planned renovation or simply no longer suits your personal taste.

The key to choosing a clock for your kitchen that feels effortlessly aesthetic rather than overbearingly utilitarian is to look for a piece that's the right size for your wall. For instance, "oversized" in a kitchen with 11-foot ceilings and huge swaths of empty space could be the perfect showcase for a clock 3 feet in diameter — a size that would completely overwhelm an apartment kitchen. Similarly, an 18-inch diameter clock that looks oversized in a smaller space will get lost on a big wall in a huge, airy room.

A good way to decide what size you need is by cutting parchment paper into circles and taping it to the wall to help you visualize what will work best. Once you've determined the right diameter for your clock, you can decide whether you'd like a mid-century modern starburst style, a classic piece with Roman numeral numbers, or even something with exposed brass clockwork gears for an interesting cozy-industrial steampunk look.

There are even styles that do double-duty as picture frames, allowing you to display family photos or your favorite vacation snapshots. Regardless of the style you choose, matching the color or finish of your clock to the color of your hardware or cabinets is a good way to ensure it coordinates. A silver clock might clash with brass hardware, while a bright yellow clock could fight with dark blue cabinets. Matching metallics and hues helps a space feel cohesive.