Explore our collection of 26 innovative DIY clock ideas to creatively transform everyday items into stunning timepieces. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, this guide offers inspiration to repurpose materials and add a unique touch to your decor.
Upcycling isn’t just good for the planet – it’s also a fun and rewarding way to express your creativity and make something unique. When you upcycle, you can experiment with different materials, colours, and designs and create something that reflects your style and tastes.
A fun beginner upcycling project is a DIY clock. You can either upcycle an old existing clock or repurpose other materials to make one.
How To Make An Upcycled Clock
Making clocks from repurposed everyday items can be surprisingly easy, especially using a modern battery clock mechanism. These mechanisms are widely available and easily found online or at craft stores.
Once you have a clock mechanism, you only need a base or backing to attach it to and something to use as the clock face. This could be anything from an old record or a piece of wood to a vintage game board or a collection of keys. The key is to find a visually exciting item that will make for an attractive clock face.
Next, you’ll want to drill a hole in the centre of your base or backing to accommodate the clock mechanism. Then, attach the mechanism to the base using the screws provided, and add the clock hands.
Now it’s time to attach the clock face. Depending on what you’re using, you may need to drill additional holes or use adhesive to secure it to the base. Once the clock face is in place, your clock is ready to hang!
26 Of The Best DIY Upcycled Clocks
The best part about making clocks from upcycled everyday items is that you can create something unique and personalized. You are giving new life to old or unwanted items and making something functional, decorative, and special. So go ahead and get creative with your repurposing and see what kind of clocks you can come up with!
Create a DIY clock from a vintage book
The key to this upcycled clock is finding the perfect book to repurpose. Thick hardcover books work best as the depth is essential to hide the working clock inside. This would make a lovely handmade gift for any bookworm.
Upcycled Clock Into A Stunning Mantle Piece
A battered old wooden mantle clock has been given a modern makeover with clever fabric decoupage and paint. This DIY upcycled clock would brighten up any mantle.
Easy IKEA Clock Hack With A World Map
Upcycle cheap plain IKEA wall clocks into something much more enjoyable. The world maps clock is a fantastic hack for those that like to decorate with maps.
Faux farmhouse clock with sign
If you love salvaging junk, this is the upcycled wall clock for you. It would be fun to make, and a great way to showcase your favourite junk finds.
Bicycle Wheel Clock DIY Project
Make a giant upcycled clock from an old bicycle wheel. The vintage ruler hands are an excellent addition to the design.
Ornate Frame to Wall Clock
Often I buy old pictures just for their frames. This is a fun way to upcycle a picture frame. The clock face is stencilled onto the backboard.
Retro Board Game Clock
What a fun way to repurpose vintage board games. We are big Monopoly fans, and I fancy making a Monopoly version of this clock.
Leather + Teak Clock
A stylish wall clock that wouldn't look out of place in trendy interiors store like West Elm. It's simple and made from an old wooden bowl and leather belt.
How to Make a Pallet Wood Clock
If you're looking for a big wall clock, how about making one from an old pallet? You can stencil or wood burn the clock face numbers. A large wooden table top could also be upcycled into a clock.
How to Make a Wood Slice Clock
The oval shape of this wood slice clock makes a nice change from the usual round. The wood-burned pattern adds to the rustic touch.
DIY Chrysanthemum Clock from Plastic Spoons
Brighten up your home with this upcycled plastic spoon clock. It looks like a giant chrysanthemum flower on the wall.
Upcycled Cuckoo Clock Made From a Cereal Box
Make a fun Swiss-style upcycled cuckoo clock by using cereal boxes. I love the fun red tassels decorations used instead of traditional pendulums.
DIY Upcycled Wrapping Paper Clock
Upcycle any flat round base into a clock to match your home decor simply by decoupaging it with pretty patterned gift wrap paper.
How to Make a Clock with Driftwood
The perfect upcycled clock for a beach hut or seaside home. You only need to comb the beach for a large piece of driftwood. Check out these other summer craft ideas for adults.
Make a Doily Plate Clock
The hardest part of this clock upcycle is to drill a hole into the plate. But if you use a diamond drill bit and masking tape, it should work. The vintage doily look would be suitable for a country kitchen.
Vinyl wall Clock
Old vinyl records can be repurposed into clocks, and you can even cut shapes into them. Special edition coloured and picture disks would make fun clocks, but make sure they aren't valuable ones!
DIY Paint Poured Marble Clock
Acrylic paint pouring is a fun craft and an excellent idea for making a colourful wall clock.
Drum Clock
Some friends have a music studio in their garden, and I know they would love one of these repurposed drum clocks!
Tea Tin Clock DIY
I have a collection of vintage tin tea caddies, and I can't wait to turn one of them into a cute clock for the kitchen.
How to make an embroidery clock
This is a unique way to display some embroidered cloth by upcycling it into a large wall clock. It would also work well with any decorative fabric.
Toy Car and Clay Clock
A fun wall clock for the playroom, the base is made from air-dry clay and the numbers old toy cars.
Domino Clock as Playroom Wall Decor
Another game-inspired wall clock, this time old dominos are used for the clock face numbers.
Fat Quarter Hexagon Clock || Tutorial
If you have a favourite fabric or some scraps, this hexagon clock is fun to make.
Make a DIY Embroidered Basket Clock
Add to the bamboo and wicker trend by embroidering an old basket and upcycling it into a Boho wall clock.
Upcycled Teacup Clock
This would look fabulous in a kitchen or cafe. It's also a fun and unique way to craft with old teacups by making an unusual wall clock, which will be a talking point.
Under-the-Sea Collage: Transforming an Old Wall Clock into a Nautical Masterpiece
Turn an old clock into a stunning porthole collage. Dive into the depths of creativity using vintage sea life images from the Public Domain.
Other Upcycled Home Crafts To Check Out
If you want more beginner-upcycled home projects, check out these upcycled vase ideas and DIY pencil holders for your desk.
Maps are fun when upcycling; check out these map lighting ideas.
Michelle
Monday 8th of May 2023
OMW, I would never in a million years have thought there were so many different ways to make a clock. Neither my husband nor I wear watches, but we have clocks all over the house. I bet I can make space for a few more.
Claire Armstrong
Tuesday 9th of May 2023
Yes, upcycled clocks are a fun way to use old objects. I'm going to make one myself now I know it's so easy with one of those battery mechanisms to turn anything into a clock.