As much as any popular item that consumers buy, there’s a wide range of different choices in clocks. Size, shape, colour, theme, design – There’s a wall clock to suit everyone’s needs and personal preferences these days. That’s all well and good, but unfortunately the only time we ever find out just how much choice there is, is when we actually need to choose one to suit our home or office.

Antique wall clocks

Wall clocks with an antique style are still popular purchases, possibly because of the nostalgia-factor.  Antique styled clocks have very recognizable characteristics, such as the Roman numerals on the face of the clock and the curvy and sharply pointed hands. More elaborate versions have a long case underneath the clock with a pendulum swinging from side to side. Modern day antique wall clocks, however, aren’t built with the pins and gears of days gone by, and the pendulum swing is driven by battery power (as is the rest of the clock)

Contemporary wall clocks

The more contemporary models are the most commonly purchased versions and are pretty straightforward. Although still mostly analog clocks, some feature a digital display as an addition. Some contemporary clocks also feature Roman numerals, but with a more modern font face that give the clock an upgraded look.

Modern wall clocks

Although modern is the correct term for these models, with some designs the term that comes to mind is futuristic. Many modern wall clocks have been designed with the deliberate intention to step away from the perceptions we have of what a clock is supposed to look like. Whether it’s chaotic graphic designs or cutlery-styled arms, these clocks are the choice for people who look for alternative options. They’re also right for people who are pretty confident in their time reading abilities (since some designs make it hard to read the actual time).

Decorative wall clocks

The sole purpose of decorative clocks is to complement the existing array of decorations a room may already have. Functionality or specific styles don’t really matter. From brushed steel to stained wood, these clocks are built to please the eye and are a popular choice. Although on the high end price range, some decorative wall clocks feature elaborate designs on the face, with mechanisms visibly churning away and fancy melodies played on the hour.

Retro wall clocks

As if wall clocks were a fashion accessory, the retro designs represent some of the most famous clock designs, as featured in movies or scenes of a few decades ago. Clocks like the Black Kit Kat, styled to look like a cat with a pendulum tail and eyes moving from side to side as the seconds tick away.

Whatever your taste, whatever the purpose, there’s a wide choice in wall clocks and choosing the right model and style can be a tough decision to make.

Many different variations of wall clocks are available nowadays and designs and choosing the right one is a matter of weighing in the major deciding factors. These factors depend mostly on the current interior design of your home or office and individual rooms.

The first deciding factor is the type of room your new clock will be hung in. A kitchen clock would definitely look out of place in a living room, home office or study. Choosing the wrong type of  for a room can have a big impact on its overall style. This is valid the opposite way as well, since a nice neon wall clock would be a great feature to have in a games room, for example. Certain types come with a particular theme, such as sports, which might also give you the touch of detail you’re looking for to compliment other decorative items in the room.

Another important factor to keep in mind is the best size to go for. The easiest way is to make a note of the measurements of the size of the area of wall space you have available for your new wall clock. With these measurements in hand you’ll be able to avoid buying the wrong size based on estimates or best guesses. Keep in mind that it’s not necessarily the wall space that’s available which is important. Also consider the impact of a relatively large wall clock will have on whatever else is hung on the wall.

Now that the aesthetics of the wall clock, namely design/style and size, are out of the way, the next deciding factor is usually whether you prefer a digital or an analog clock to hang on your wall. The preference of numerical digits or hands indicating the time is personal, but a clock with hands usually looks better if you’re buying one for decorative purposes. Although digital variants can look really sleek, in some cases it just doesn’t look right and the old-fashioned hands of time will be a wiser choice. A plus for digital clocks, however, is that sometimes they display additional information, such as humidity, temperature and weather conditions in general.

Perhaps one of the more important deciding factors for a lot of people is, of course, the cost. For the clock shoppers on a budget there’s good news, however. Wall clock prices can be found in a large range and don’t necessarily break the bank. Wall clocks range from inexpensive to more exclusive and premium priced models with all sorts of bells and whistles (literally speaking). It obviously pays to shop around online to get a good price comparison for the model of your choice.