IMO they were never good design I think we all have phones, kitchens have clocks on appliances and I think bad manners to have a clock in a space where you entertain to keep reminding people of the time. I think the only place clocks belong is the old idea of the grandfather clock in the hall and in the bedroom maybe/ Art is what belongs on walls and clocks are not art IMHO

^^^must be younger than me since I need to put on my glasses to see my phone or watch correctly. And if your guests are offended by a clock get new friends. No one should visit someone with the expectation that they can stay until they feel like leaving.

I would never think my friends decorations have ulterior motives.

Those big craft store looking clocks? Yes. Over, for years.

I like big wall clocks, and there are many designs, not just that kind, which is rather bare bones. I have a lovely one with a wood frame, and the starburst ones are great too. I am time challenged, so I love wall clocks and I don't want to have to carry my phone around the house with me all the time, especially when I am busy doing housework and I don't want to pull out and mess with my phone. As for guests, they might like to know what time it is at a glance too, rather than interrupting the party to check their phones. A lot more subtle even than glancing at your wristwatch, another old school quick time device.

What was never a good idea was a huge wall clock that had a small clock face with small fade-into-the-background, obscurely designed numbers, so it was almost impossible to read from any distance. Like dots for numbers, for example. I don't want to have to translate code to read the time.

I love it when a design item is declared "out of style." Means I can pick up nice examples for pennies on the dollar at my local thrift store!

The one pictured might be too big for indoors (it would be well suited to go by the pool).

Clocks are made to be decorative as well as functional. That makes them perfect things.

Brb, need to hide my great-grandparents’ 1917 mantel clock I have on the top of my dining room hutch. I learned today it is rude to guests and makes everyone feel anxious.

Ok, back to reality … just like with anything else, it’s subjective and depends on other factors. I’ve seen wall clocks I thought were attractive, some not, some I felt were useful, some not, and on and on.

FTR, I find people looking at their cell phones in company annoying.

(ETA: On a side note, I think some people need to learn self-control. No one is forced to look at a wall clock. No one is forced to look at someone’s family photographs in the living room. No one is forced to gaze at themselves eating if there’s a mirror in the dining room. Three things I see warned about ad nauseam here.)

As with many mass produced accessories, which have a decorative lifespan, these stood out due to over-saturation and people tired of sooner than later.

“FTR, I find people looking at their cell phones in company annoying.”

Beyond annoying!

By its very definition, a trend peaks and wanes. It's a separate question as to whether you like wall clocks.

I think it’s a given that the Hobby Lobby, et al, ones were a trend at one time, and that’s what the OP means. I rarely see them anymore.

But these threads always turn into a bizarre platform for, ”All wall clocks are rude to guests” mantra.

It would be nice to have more ”Let’s brainstorm on works best in your situation” and less ”I hate that, so that’s the reason you shouldn’t do it” on Houzz.

I like having a clock in the main living space, but I have always thought the oversized clocks to be a bit much. I want to be able to check the time, not have it yelled in my face. I also would never want a clock positioned in front of a desk like that. That seems like a sure fire way to make the work from home day miserable.

Who told you they were ever 'in'??!!!

Although one is not forced to look at oneself if there is a wall mirror exactly at head height directly across from them in the dining room, it's rather hard not to, since you have to then avert your gaze. We eat in the dining room every day and I have a nice dressing table with mirror that I use as a credenza, but I had to put some items at face height to remove the distraction. Now when I gaze directly across the table, which I am prone to do, I see a platter and a collection of porcelain bird statues my cousin left me.

I love little desk clocks! No, I would not want to stare at a giant one from my seat at my desk. I have a real issue with desks facing walls as it is. It makes me feel hemmed in and I don't work well facing a wall, even if something interesting is on the wall.

One problem with the giant wall clock trend I saw was it takes up an awful lot of real estate which I would love to use for other types of art . . . Seems like nowdays there are few in betweens in the clock world. Either utilitarian or artsy and rather impractical . . .

I sort of collect clocks. Well, I should say I inherited a lot of impractical and broken ones from my father who collected them from garage sales. He's still living so I can't get rid of them. And yes, he does check and he does notice and he does pitch a fit if I get rid of any of them . . .

But I do think I have some of his clock loving genes in me, just not his taste in garage sale bargains, which aren't always that great, someone was getting rid of the stuff usually for a good reason . . .

We have a Nelson ball clock in our kitchen centered over the sink in our previous and new houses. As @Fori said, decorative and functional - what could be better?

I’d actually like to have a large clock in my bathroom, for getting ready and such, because I prefer not having my phone in there. I don’t like the one in the OP, that numeral style, I want it to be easier to read.

Hmm. Putting it on my list for our next antique mall visit. A vintage one would be great.

Or should I go full-on cheesy?

I’m kidding! 😄

Glad you started this thread, OP, it’s motivated me to find a cool clock. :)

ETA: I like these old school style ones in kitchens:

This is an oversized wall clock I love:

This is the yelling kind prickly spoke of. :D

(I think that’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen. It was in Country Living mag — the homeowners made it themselves.)

I feel this way too, @mcarroll16. And I’m okay with mirrors used in decor because the mirror itself is pretty or to help bounce some light into a space. To me, it’s all about how an entire space is put together, with a careful mix of old and new. I respect the differences of opinion here. Personally, if I’m going to put a stake in the ground somewhere, It is no family photos in the main living spaces and especially on a dining room wall. Family photos are too intimate for more “public” rooms. Dens, home offices, hallways…places where you as the homeowner can have a private moment’s connection with images of those you love are great places for family photos. But of course, in the end, do what you want in your own home, giant ugly Holly Lobby clocks and all. If you ask about it here though, just know you’ll get the full range of input. My 2 cents worth exactly that.

Hobby Lobby, not Holly ;-)

Totally with you on the family photos in public rooms! It's not just the intimacy. It's that no matter how attractive your family is, your family photos are not visually interesting. It's bad decor.

I think Holly Lobby flows better! Or Holly Lolly. :D

@Jinx I f*cking love this wall clock for kitchens

Jinx, your examples are perfect. Big clock, but not assertive clock face. Go grandfather style like yours, or abstract like Nelson clocks.

I've never thought of clocks as rude, but I do think a lot of the huge ones that were a trend for about 5 minutes are just uninteresting.  I exclude from this statement antique wall and grandfather clocks that have actual clockworks inside. I do have clocks in my house, including one on the open space kitchen wall, which guests can see (horrors) but which I look at all the time, especially when getting meals ready.  It's as basic a clock as you can get.

Some, not all. An oversized wall clock that shows the wall color (as your post photo) still works for me. I'd rather it than a lot of the oversized horrors available when you search for "large wall decor".

I think some people like to use clocks because it's easier than choosing a piece of wall art, especially if you have to get your partner to agree. Same reason a mirror is easier.

Some people like landscapes, others like works of art with people etc. And the bright red art you love may not look good with your furniture from a decor standpoint. A clock doesn't need to match, colour-wise so it's easier.

And today on Houzz I learned ... that apparently some people are offended by family photos in other people's homes. Like maybe don't enter those homes if the site of family photos is offensive. Weirdest thing ever. Homes should be filled with personal objects - they aren't museums. Sometimes I think staged real estate listing photos are the downfall of our civilization. And HGTV. Sigh.

Hmm, some people think visible wall clocks are rude because guests will feel rushed. Other people need to know the time, but don't want to rudely check their cell phone. A true dilemma!

If only there was a way to wear a small timepiece on your body, maybe on a strap on your wrist...

Or, like my parents, have a grandfather clock that chimes the quarter hours, with the Westminster Chimes on the hour. Loudly.

Yes, I think the ’no family photos in public rooms‘ thing is silly. I’ve seen beautiful photo gallery walls in an OP’s room, and they’re always encouraged to replace them with generic hotel lobby art from Great Big Canvas — when they weren’t asking about that. I sometimes think it’s one of those, ”If it’s said enough times, it must be true” things here. Because seriously, who and why would think loving photos should be hidden? It was never even noticed or spoken of when I was growing up. People had framed family photos out. It was a given.

Unless they’re nud-es. I don’t want to see y’all nak-ed! 😄

That said, before anyone is offended … I understand. It is a decor board, and we’re all passionate about it or we wouldn’t be here. And most of us have very strong opinions. :)

.

(FTR, I don’t have family photos out myself. But enjoy others.)

What I like about clocks is the tick/tock and the chime at 15, 30, 45 and on the hour. Big battery operated ones tend not to do that. I have my great grandfather's mantel clock and it suits my likes on all counts, and chimes them out.

I’m really enjoying this discussion. We need more of this!

Well to be clear, I'm not offended by your family photos. I just think the display is unattractive. A couple of small framed pictures on the piano or mantel is charming. The big wall collages of photos are just overwhelming and shouty. But again, that's a decor belief, not a criticism of anyone's manners or morals.

If anyone is on Facebook there’s a Moody Maximalism group you can join. I’ve gotten so much color inspiration, arranging art and personal objects ideas, and it’s the PERFECT eye candy if you’re sick of grey walls, generic mass produced decor, and the stuffy rules repeated here constantly. I say buy all the kitchsy stuff you like and display it proudly. Heck, go crazy and wear white after Labor Day while you’re at it.

Ooo, Marie, thank you! I’ll check it out!

Ahhh…how fondly I remember the chime from my grandparents’ clock.

I love kitchs!

I drove through town the other day and the big clock atop the court house began to chime out noon. Took me back to childhood in my great grands' home where that clock woke us every morning, and then the doves in the back pasture began to coo. Such a peaceful time.

When I was very young and the world was safer, our neighborhood gang of kids would play games outside until dark. We summered in a small village on Cape Cod, (where we live now in retirement) and when the Baptist church bells rang 8 times, we all scurried home.

It's really a matter of personal preference. If you want a big clock in your home - have one. My preference is to not but everyone is different and you should make your home a place of comfort for you. If that includes having an oversized clock then you should.