The Best Chrome Wall Clocks for a Retro 70s Look

The chrome wall clocks that suit a retro 70s look are those with bold, geometric shapes: sunbursts, starbursts, oversized rounds with thick bezels, and space age designs with domed or orb details. Pair polished chrome with warm seventies colours such as burnt orange, mustard, chocolate brown and avocado, and set it against wood panelling, cork or textured wallpaper. Chrome brings the shine that defined the decade, while the warm palette stops it feeling cold.

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The 1970s interior was confident and tactile. It combined deep colours, shaggy rugs, smoked glass and polished metal in a way that felt both cosy and futuristic. Chrome was central to that mix, appearing on lamps, coffee tables, bar trolleys and, of course, clocks. If you are recreating the look today, our modern wall clocks UK sale include chrome and silver finishes with distinctly retro silhouettes.

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Why Chrome Defines the Seventies

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The seventies inherited the optimism of the space race and the sleek lines of earlier modernism. Chrome represented progress and glamour. Tubular chrome chairs, arc floor lamps and glass topped tables with polished frames were common in fashionable homes.

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At the same time, the decade embraced warmth. Brown, orange and gold dominated soft furnishings, and natural materials like wicker, cork and teak were everywhere. The tension between shiny chrome and earthy textures is what gives the seventies its character, and a chrome clock is an easy way to capture it.

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Chrome Clock Styles With a Retro Feel

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The Sunburst

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Sunburst clocks peaked in popularity in the fifties and sixties but remained a fixture into the seventies. In chrome, the radiating rays catch light dramatically and suit a feature wall above a sofa or sideboard.

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The Starburst

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Starburst designs use thinner rods tipped with small balls or discs. They feel lighter and more playful than sunbursts and work well in smaller rooms where a solid sunburst might dominate.

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The Space Age Round

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A large round clock with a thick polished chrome bezel and a bold, simple dial recalls the space age optimism of the period. Look for chunky numerals or oversized baton markers.

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The Orb or Domed Clock

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Clocks with domed faces or spherical cases echo the pod chairs and globe lamps of the era. They are less common but make a strong retro statement.

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The Station Clock

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For a more restrained nod to the decade, a chrome station style clock with a clean white face and black markers brings a touch of industrial retro without full commitment to the look.

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Building the Colour Palette

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Chrome needs warm colours around it to feel authentically seventies. Without them, it can look clinical.

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• Burnt orange and rust: on cushions, throws or a single painted wall.

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• Mustard and gold: on upholstery, curtains or a velvet armchair.

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• Chocolate and caramel brown: on leather or corduroy sofas, wood panelling and rugs.

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• Avocado and olive: in plants, ceramics or kitchen accents.

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• Cream: as a calming base for walls and larger surfaces.

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A chrome clock against a mustard or brown wall becomes a bright focal point. Against cream, it reads as a crisp accent.

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Where to Hang a Chrome Clock

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Above the Sofa

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The wall above the sofa is often the largest blank space in the living room. A wide chrome sunburst centred above a low, long sofa creates a strong horizontal composition typical of the era. Pair it with living room furniture UK sale in warm leathers, velvets and wood tones to keep the scheme grounded.

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Above a Sideboard or Drinks Cabinet

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Seventies homes loved a drinks cabinet. A chrome clock above a teak style sideboard or bar cabinet evokes the cocktail hour culture of the time. Add a decanter, a few glasses and a lamp with a smoked glass shade.

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In the Kitchen

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Retro kitchens often featured orange or brown tiles, laminate surfaces and bold patterned floors. A chrome station clock or space age round suits this setting and is practical too.

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On a Wood Panelled Wall

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Wood panelling was a seventies hallmark. A chrome clock stands out beautifully against warm timber and highlights the contrast between natural and industrial materials.

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Pairing With Retro Furniture

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Coffee Tables

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Glass and chrome coffee tables were a signature of the decade. Our metal coffee tables UK include chrome and polished steel designs that echo a chrome clock on the wall. Smoked or bronze tinted glass adds an extra retro touch.

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Lighting

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Arc floor lamps with chrome stems and large domed shades are among the most recognisable seventies pieces. One placed beside the sofa creates a link to the clock above. Our modern floor lamps UK sale include arc designs and globe shades that complement this style.

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Seating

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Low slung sofas in leather or velvet, rounded armchairs and modular seating all fit the era. Choose warm colours and plump cushions to balance the hard shine of chrome.

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Media Furniture

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The midcentury and seventies aesthetics overlap in their love of low, long furniture. If you are looking for a TV unit with the right proportions, our article on midcentury modern TV units for UK homes covers designs that sit well alongside retro accessories.

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Keeping It Liveable

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A full seventies revival can be overwhelming in a modern home. The most liveable approach blends a few strong retro pieces with contemporary basics.

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• Choose one hero piece: let the chrome clock be the statement on its wall and keep other wall decoration modest.

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• Limit pattern: one patterned rug or a single wallpapered wall is enough. Bold geometrics everywhere can feel dated rather than retro.

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• Mix old and new: a chrome clock and arc lamp alongside a modern sofa in a warm colour feels current and considered.

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• Use texture: shaggy rugs, velvet and corduroy recall the era without needing literal reproductions.

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Caring for Chrome

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Chrome looks its best when polished. Wipe the clock regularly with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and fingerprints. For smears, use a slightly damp microfibre cloth and dry immediately. Avoid abrasive cleaners, which can scratch the surface.

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In kitchens, steam and grease can dull chrome quickly. Hang the clock away from the hob, and clean it more often.

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Vintage Originals or New Designs

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Original seventies clocks turn up at house clearances and vintage fairs, and they carry real character. They also come with drawbacks. Older mechanisms may be noisy or unreliable, chrome plating can be pitted or flaking, and replacement parts can be hard to find. If you buy an original, check the plating closely and budget for a modern quartz movement to be fitted.

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New designs inspired by the period avoid these issues. They offer accurate, quiet movements and fresh plating while keeping the shapes that make the decade so recognisable. Many people find a mix works well: a new chrome clock as the reliable centrepiece, with one or two vintage ceramics or glass pieces nearby for authenticity.

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Mixing Chrome With Other Metals

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Seventies interiors were not purist about metal. Chrome sat beside brass, smoked bronze glass and copper cookware. You can follow that lead, as long as one metal clearly leads the room.

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Let chrome dominate on the larger pieces, such as the clock, the coffee table frame and the floor lamp. Introduce brass or copper in small doses: a picture frame, a candle holder or a planter. This keeps the scheme feeling collected rather than confused.

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Avoid mixing chrome with brushed nickel or satin steel in the same eyeline. The finishes are similar enough to look like a mismatch rather than a deliberate contrast.

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Bringing the Look Into Other Rooms

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The retro look need not stop at the living room. A chrome clock in a hallway with a patterned runner and a smoked glass mirror sets the tone at the front door. In a home office, a space age round above a teak style desk recalls the design studios of the era. Keep each room to one or two strong references, so the house feels connected without becoming a period set.

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Sizing a Chrome Clock

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Retro clocks often look best slightly oversized. A sunburst of 60cm to 90cm across can hold a large wall above a sofa. Above a sideboard, aim for roughly half the sideboard’s width. In a smaller room, a starburst offers visual impact with a lighter footprint.

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Leave clear space around the clock. Chrome designs, especially sunbursts, need room to radiate. Crowding them with other artwork diminishes the effect.

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Explore the rest of our modern furniture and accessories at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What colours go with a chrome clock in a retro room?

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Burnt orange, mustard, chocolate brown, avocado and cream all pair well with chrome and give a room a distinctly seventies feel.

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Are chrome sunburst clocks from the seventies?

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Sunburst clocks first became popular in the fifties and sixties, but they remained common in seventies homes and suit retro schemes from both periods.

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Can a chrome clock work in a modern home?

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Yes. A single chrome clock can add a retro accent to a contemporary room without committing to a full seventies look.

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How do I keep a chrome clock shiny?

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Dust it regularly with a soft cloth, wipe smears with a damp microfibre cloth and dry it straight away. Avoid abrasive cleaners.