Better than any store bought clock is a DIY clock! Why? Personality! Like most home decor DIY’s, it’s always more fun to create your own version of what could be a utility item. And yes, we still need clocks! I know, you can look at your phone, or glance at the microwave, or ask Alexa. But clocks represent the passage of time, so even if your DIY clock is for pure decor value, that’s ok. So learn how to make a clock, and try these classy DIY clock ideas to dress up your walls with something more fun than just a painting!
Clocks are easy and inexpensive to make, and simply require a base and a purchased clock kit. Here are three easy steps on how to make a DIY wall clock, and some terrific amazing tutorials as well.
How to Make a Clock
DIY Clocks Step One:
Buy your supplies. First, choose a base. This can be anything, and any shape…it doesn’t have to be round. Think outside the box. (I know, I said it…) If you can drill a hole in it, you can make a clock out of it. Next, and most important, choose your clock mechanism. This is where you really add a custom and personal stamp to your DIY clock. There are clock makings that are large and small, black or white, metallic, bright colored, modern and traditional. Choose what speaks to you. Amazon has tons of clock mechanisms you can order, and a larger selection than what you would find at the local craft store.
DIY Clocks Step Two:
Drill a hole in your base large enough for your clock makings “shaft” to pass through. How hard is that?
Decorate your clock base, if necessary. Paint is a good basic choice. Be creative as to what you choose to use as “numbers”. Or, use none at all!
DIY Clocks Step Three:
Assemble your clock mechanism kit according to manufacturers directions. Hang your clock! It’s that easy!
Of course, that is just the basics. But no worries, these DIY clock tutorials will teach you step by step how to make a clock in no time. And these awesome clocks rock!
DIY Clock Ideas & Tutorials
Make this modern DIY clock with just plain plywood! From ‘Hunker‘, this clock would fit into any home, but would be a great fit with Boho or MCM design.
This mid-century DIY clock is perfect! I love how clever they got making the “hours”. You have to go see how simple this tutorial is. From ‘Sugar & Cloth‘.
Want something a bit more fun for your home? Learn how to make a clock that looks like a sliced cake! This is so simple, it’s not funny. (No pun intended, really!) From ‘Dream Green DIY‘, this DIY clock idea is simply a wood round from the craft store, a clock mechanism and paint.
If you love the organic look of concrete the way we do, then you will adore this concrete DIY clock from ‘Remodelaholic‘! Go check out their step by step instructions and find out just how simple this clock idea really is.
This beautiful DIY clock from ‘HomeDIT‘ looks like a high end piece of quality wood. But, they made it with simple plywood and veneer! Go check out how gorgeously updating this clock would look at your place.
Oh me, oh my. This DIY floral clock from ‘Lovely Indeed‘, is lovely, indeed! This Boho style art piece is a cinch to make and such a creative idea. Loving this!
Ok, so can you tell we have a thing here at OhMeOhMy for Mid Century Modern design? No apologies here. This starburst style DIY clock from ‘Reality Daydream‘ is an easy DIY. And you will never guess what her “spokes” are made of!
Want to make a fresh and fun DIY clock for under $10? Then jump on over to ‘Curbly‘ and learn how to make a clock with color and pizzaz!
K, I’m not even going to make another cute comment about our love for MCM design. Thinking you guys got it about now…;) So, this Mid Century Modern ball clock from ‘Nalle’s House‘ is the perfect example of rethinking an existing piece. This looks like a higher end clock I saw in a recent catalog for over $300!
So, let’s take a break from the modern for a bit, and try something that might fit a home with farmhouse style. This rustic DIY clock by ‘Home Made Lovely‘ is oversized, and really fun. Easy to follow instructions on how to make this clock!
So here is another homemade clock made from wood that is more in the contemporary modern style. This clock is more like a piece of art than a time piece! From ‘Creativity Hero‘.
Ok, as a nature lover, I love this live edge DIY clock from ‘Crafted Workshop‘. You do need to find a piece of live edge wood, but most specialty lumber shops can help you with that.
Love, love, LOVE this color blocked DIY wall clock from ‘Sarah Hearts‘. That coral color is amazing, and this whole project feels happy and fresh! Follow her easy tutorial.
So finally we have this two tone modern clock from ‘Woodshop Diaries‘. This is totally sophisticated, and made from two types of wood. Such a pretty clock!
So now you should be an expert on how to make a clock, right? Have any other great DIY clock ideas? Share them in comments! We think you will also want to check out our posts on DIY Area Rugs and 22 Easy DIY Floating Shelves!
Note : This post has been updated with fresh projects.
Image Credits: Homedit, Hunker, Sugar & Cloth, Dream Green DIY, Remodelaholic, Lovely Indeed, Reality Daydream, Curbly, Nalles House, Home Made Lovely, Creativity Hero, Crafted Workshop, Sarah Hearts, Workshop Diaries
Help
I loved the bike clock, but how do you attach and still change the battery????
Thanks
I’d like to know. I have a small bike spoke wheel and want to make a clock. I has a metal, round spoke center (don’t know the actual name of part !). I can figure it out, maybe, but your site really helps !
Was wondering what is the diameter of this clock? &, where would one get the roman numerals that big? Thanks in advance.
Author
Im sorry, it isn’t our project do I can’t help with dimensions! I would suggest doing an online smash for the numerals, you probably won’t find anything that large locally.
You can get the clock kits with different shafts lengths, so they will go through different thicknesses of materials.
Excellent ideas… I think I will try turning some of those old pallets in to a nice rustic clock for my basement! xx Ari xx
I bought a clock kit from hobby lobby. But my pallet wood is about 3/4on an inch thick and the clock piece isn’t long enough to go all the way through from back to front and have room for the hands to attach.! What can I do? Help I’ve already put a lot of work into this project.
Author
Hi Erica… I don’t know what the solution would be other than to order another clock piece online, so you don’t have to reorder the whole kit… You could drill a larger hole part way through the wood to “countersink” the clock mechanism, so it doesn’t have as far to go… If that makes sense! Anyone have ideas for her?
u may want to put the mechanism on the wooden clok on the outer and then place a thin decorated plate over it upside down to cover the mechanism and at the same time to be able to pass thru the thin plate (crockery)
I wanted to see how to make the #2 clock in the 2nd pic above (2 – Meridian Road has this tutorial on how to make this gorgeous clock using house #’s.) but it says you have to be invited to see the blog! I’m bummed! I wanted to make this clock and was trying to find the easiest way to cut the wood to make a circle.
Author
We have noticed a few bloggers doing this lately, and it makes no sense to us! We will try to find a replacement tutorial for this project!
I found a simple way.. to make the round clock..
I laid 12 slats of redwood (for 8ft fence) flat on the ground. Place a nail, with a thin wire, conected to a sharpie pen, and made a circle.
Then i labled each slat 1-12(so I knew where each one belonged)
The cut each one with my scroll saw. Once all were cut, i lined the up faced down, then placed 2×2 wood to join them together. If you have any other questions feel free to ask!
Mari
You can also use an old wooden tabletop and a router to make the faux lines as if it were pallet wood.
I have an old wooden hat form..derby hat shape. Plus a wooden ring that can go around it for hat rim…cowboy hat? Any way I thought maybe making it into a clock..numbers on the ring and the hands on the top of rounded derby shaped wood..underside of derby piece has a hole already drilled almost all the way through. It must have sat on a pole. I have not had much luck in finding type of numbers and hands I like.. My husband wants me to make it into a lamp…easier ..any ideas
The very large white clock, looks to be 5″diameter. Does it actually work, and if so, where would you acquire the clock parts?
Author
Not sure of the source of that particular clock, but you should be able to find the clock parts at any online clock supply store. There is quite a few of them.
Clock parts can be purchased at any craft store. They may even be able to be purchased at Walmart.
You can buy high torque (for long hands) clock works and extra long hands at Klockit on line. Also I think some Etsy sellers sell them. I have yet to find the ornate extra long beautiful hands that actually work Hope that helps!