Interior designers place double sided station clocks where they can be read from two directions at once, which in a kitchen usually means a wall or beam at the junction between zones: the opening from the kitchen to the dining area, the end of a run of units facing an island, or a structural pier in an open plan extension. The clock should project at a height that clears heads comfortably, sit away from heat and steam, and be large enough to read from the furthest seat. Fixed securely into solid masonry or a timber beam, a two faced station clock becomes both a practical timepiece and a strong architectural detail.
You can find bracket mounted and two faced designs in our range of station wall clocks UK sale. Below are the tips designers rely on when bringing this distinctive style into a working kitchen.
A double sided clock has two faces back to back, mounted on a bracket that projects at a right angle from the wall. The design comes from railway platforms, where passengers approached from both directions and needed to see the time quickly. In a home, that same principle solves a real problem: a flat wall clock can only be seen from the front, while a two faced clock can be read from either side of a room.
That makes it particularly useful in open plan kitchens, where people move between cooking, eating and relaxing, often with their backs to the main walls.
Designers start by watching how a kitchen is used. Where do people walk, stand and sit? The ideal spot for a double sided clock is often a threshold, such as the opening between kitchen and dining room, or a point where two zones meet.
In a kitchen extension, this might be the remaining section of the original rear wall, now a pier or nib between two openings. A clock projecting from that pier can be seen from the kitchen side and the living side at once. It also gives the pier a purpose, turning what can look like a leftover piece of wall into a feature.
Because the clock projects from the wall, height is about safety as well as visibility. The bottom of the clock should sit comfortably above head height for the tallest person in the household, generally at least 200 centimetres from the floor where people walk beneath it. In very tall rooms, it can go higher, but it must remain easy to read.
If the clock projects over a worktop or island where people do not walk directly underneath, it can be a little lower. Just make sure it does not obstruct wall cupboard doors or the view of anyone working at the counter.
Each face of a double sided clock is usually smaller than a typical flat wall clock, because two faces and a bracket add weight and projection. For most kitchens, faces of around 25 to 35 centimetres work well. In a large open plan space, look for faces at the upper end of that range so the time is still clear from the far end of the room.
A good test is to stand in the furthest spot where you would want to check the time, perhaps the sofa or the end of the dining table, and hold up a paper circle at the intended height. If you can read a large marker on it, the size is right.
A station clock has a strong personality, so the rest of the kitchen should give it context. Industrial kitchens with metal shelving, exposed bulbs and concrete or dark worktops suit black or gunmetal clocks. Classic Shaker kitchens suit cream faces and dark green or brass cases. Contemporary handleless kitchens suit slim, minimal versions in matte black or white.
In open plan homes, the kitchen flows directly into the living space, so the clock should also relate to the modern living room furniture UK on the other side of the opening. A clock that is visible from the sofa as well as the hob needs to feel at home in both settings.
Kitchen islands have become the social centre of many UK homes. A double sided clock positioned so one face looks over the island creates a clear connection between the two features. The stools along the island are worth considering in the same breath, since they are often the most visible pieces of furniture in the kitchen. Our collection of modern bar stools UK sale includes industrial and contemporary designs with metal frames that pair naturally with a station clock.
Where there is no room for an island, a compact high table can create a similar perch. Our range of modern bar tables UK includes slim designs suited to smaller kitchens.
A projecting clock places more strain on its fixings than a flat clock, because its weight acts as a lever against the wall. Designers always check the wall construction first.
Check for hidden pipes and cables before drilling, especially in kitchens, where services are common behind walls.
Placing a clock above or close to the hob, the oven or the kettle exposes it to heat, steam and grease. Over time, this can damage the movement, cloud the glass and dull the finish. Position the clock well away from cooking zones, ideally on the opposite side of the room or at the edge of the kitchen area.
Some double sided station clocks can be suspended from the ceiling rather than fixed to a wall. In a long kitchen with no suitable pier, a ceiling mounted clock above the island can work beautifully. The same height rules apply, and the fixing must go into a joist rather than plasterboard alone.
A station clock near pendant lights can become part of a striking composition. Designers often align the clock with a row of pendants above an island, or offset it so the eye moves from one to the other. Keep enough distance between the clock and the lights so neither feels crowded, and make sure the faces are not in shadow when the lights are on.
Station clocks work best when people can see them comfortably from where they sit. At an island, that depends partly on stool height and the height of the worktop. Our guide on stool heights explained for UK kitchens is a useful reference when planning a seating area beneath or opposite a clock. If you are still choosing stools, our article on questions to ask before buying a bar stool in the UK covers comfort, materials and spacing.
Kitchens produce a fine film of grease and moisture that settles on every surface, including clocks hung well away from the hob. Wipe the faces and case every few weeks with a soft, dry cloth, and use a barely damp cloth with a drop of mild washing up liquid if needed. Avoid spraying cleaner directly onto the clock, as liquid can seep behind the glass or into the movement. Check the bracket fixings occasionally, particularly in the first few months, as a projecting clock can loosen slightly over time.
A double sided station clock brings a little of the railway platform into the heart of the home. Placed at a natural crossing point, fixed securely and sized to read across the room, it is as useful as it is characterful. To explore clocks, stools and kitchen seating together, browse our range at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Where people walk beneath it, the bottom of the clock should sit at least 200 centimetres from the floor. Over an island, it can be slightly lower.
Not on its own. Locate a stud or add a timber pattress, as a projecting clock puts extra strain on its fixings.
Faces of around 25 to 35 centimetres suit most kitchens. Larger open plan spaces benefit from the upper end of that range.
Often, yes, as many designs have a separate movement for each face. Check the product details and keep both faces synchronised.
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