A double sided station clock is a clock with two dials, back to back, mounted on a bracket that projects at a right angle from the wall. Because each face points in an opposite direction, the time can be read from either end of a corridor or from both sides of a room. Originally designed for railway platforms, these clocks now appear in homes as decorative statement pieces, and they work best in long hallways, wide landings, open plan kitchens and any space where people approach from two directions.<\/p>\n
If you are considering one for your home, the main things to check are the projection from the wall, the head height clearance beneath it, the strength of the wall fixing and whether the style suits your interior. We cover each of these below, along with design advice for different rooms. You will find station style and traditional designs among our station style wall clocks UK<\/a>, alongside more conventional options if a projecting clock does not suit your space.<\/p>\n Railway stations needed clocks that passengers could read at a glance, from a distance and from any direction along the platform. Mounting a pair of dials on a bracket solved the problem neatly. The clocks became symbols of punctuality and of the Victorian railway age, and their bold dials, contrasting hands and sturdy cases are still instantly recognisable.<\/p>\n The same idea was used in shops, banks and public buildings. Today, reproduction and contemporary versions bring that heritage into domestic interiors, often with a slightly softened finish to suit a home. They sit as comfortably beside our modern living room furniture UK<\/a> as they once did above a busy platform.<\/p>\n A standard clock sits flat against the wall and can be read only from the front. A double sided clock stands out from the wall, often by 30cm to 50cm including the bracket. That projection is the defining feature, and it has practical consequences.<\/p>\n First, it takes up space in the air rather than on the wall. This makes it useful in narrow areas where you cannot fit furniture, but it also means you must think about who might walk into it. Second, it is visible side on, so the depth of the case and the design of the bracket matter as much as the dials themselves. Third, it usually needs two movements, one for each face, so both must be set and kept in time.<\/p>\n This is the most natural home for a station clock. In a long Victorian or Edwardian hallway, a clock mounted halfway along one wall can be seen as you come through the front door and again as you walk back from the kitchen. It also breaks up a long, plain run of wall. If you are planning the rest of the space, our collection of modern hallway furniture UK<\/a> includes storage that sits comfortably beneath a projecting clock, and a shallow piece from our modern console tables UK sale<\/a> range keeps the walkway clear.<\/p>\n A wide landing or the wall at the turn of a staircase can carry a double sided clock well, especially in homes with high ceilings. It becomes visible from the stairs and from the landing itself. Make sure it sits well clear of the stair line, and never place one where it could be knocked on the way down.<\/p>\n In an open plan room, a station clock mounted on a pillar, a structural wall or the end of a run of units can be read from the kitchen and the sofa at the same time. This is particularly helpful in a busy family space. Industrial and loft style interiors suit the look especially well.<\/p>\n Mounted beside a wide archway between two rooms, a double sided clock can serve both spaces. This works well in through lounges, where a knocked through wall has created one long room.<\/p>\n Careful measuring prevents most problems with projecting clocks. Start with the width of your hallway or room. Subtract the total projection of the clock and bracket. The remaining width is the clear passage beneath the clock if it were hung low, but height is the more important figure.<\/p>\n The bottom of the clock should sit comfortably above head height. In most homes that means at least 200cm from the floor to the underside of the case. Standard British ceiling heights in many modern homes are around 240cm, so a clock with a 30cm diameter dial will fit, but only just. Period properties with taller ceilings give you more freedom. If your ceiling is low, a smaller clock or a flat wall clock may be the more sensible choice.<\/p>\n Our article on average UK hallway sizes by property type<\/a> is a useful reference when you are working out whether a projecting clock will suit your hallway. If your hallway is on the narrow side, it is also worth reading about UK corridor clearance for hallway furniture<\/a> before choosing anything that projects from the wall.<\/p>\n A double sided clock places leverage on the wall, because its weight is held some distance away from the fixing point. Even a moderately light clock exerts more pull on the screws than the same weight hung flat. For this reason, the bracket should always be fixed into solid masonry or directly into a timber stud or noggin.<\/p>\n On solid brick or block walls, use good quality plugs and screws of the length and gauge recommended by the manufacturer. On plasterboard, standard plugs are not suitable for a projecting bracket. Locate a stud with a detector, or fit a timber batten between studs and fix the bracket to that. If you are unsure, ask a qualified tradesperson to fit it. Always check for hidden cables and pipes before drilling.<\/p>\n Station clocks come in a broader range of styles than you might expect.<\/p>\n Traditional railway:<\/strong> black or dark green cases, white dials with bold black numerals and ornate cast brackets. These suit period homes, especially those with original tiles, cornicing and painted panelling.<\/p>\n Industrial:<\/strong> raw or distressed metal, exposed rivets and simple scroll brackets. These work in loft apartments, converted warehouses and modern homes with exposed brick or concrete finishes.<\/p>\n Contemporary:<\/strong> slim profiles, brushed or matt finishes and minimal dials. These suit cleaner modern schemes and can feel surprisingly light despite the projection.<\/p>\n Distressed and vintage:<\/strong> aged paint, crackled dials and softened edges. These sit well in farmhouse and country interiors, where a little patina feels at home.<\/p>\n Because a double sided clock is a strong piece, the area around it benefits from restraint. In a hallway, a slim console beneath it, with a lamp and a bowl for keys, creates a simple welcome. A runner rug along the floor will echo the linear shape of the corridor and soften the sound of footsteps.<\/p>\n For a cohesive look, repeat the metal finish of the clock in one or two other places, such as a light fitting, door furniture or a picture rail. In a period hallway, painting the walls in a heritage shade such as deep green, oxblood or a soft grey blue will complement a traditional railway clock beautifully.<\/p>\n If the clock is the main feature on a wall, a slim console beneath it keeps the floor clear while giving you somewhere to put things down. Choose a shallow depth so it does not narrow the walkway.<\/p>\n Both faces will need their batteries changed, ideally at the same time so they stay in step. Make a note of the battery type when the clock arrives. When the clocks change in spring and autumn, remember to adjust both dials.<\/p>\n Dust the case and bracket with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners on painted or distressed finishes. If the clock is near a front door, check the fixing occasionally, as frequent door slamming can loosen screws over time.<\/p>\n A double sided station clock suits homes with good ceiling height, long sightlines and walls that can take a secure fixing. It is a characterful choice that adds a sense of heritage and practicality at the same time. If your hallway or ceiling is low, a flat wall clock in a station style may give you the look without the projection. Either way, you can explore clocks and hallway pieces across our collections at Furniture in Fashion<\/a>.<\/p>\n The underside of the clock should be at least 200cm from the floor, so people can walk beneath it comfortably. In homes with lower ceilings, check that this still leaves space above the clock.<\/p>\n Only if the bracket is fixed into a timber stud or a batten secured to the studs. Standard plasterboard plugs are not suitable for a projecting clock because of the leverage it places on the wall.<\/p>\n Each face usually has its own movement, so they are set separately. Changing both batteries at the same time and checking them together helps keep them in step.<\/p>\n Long hallways, landings, open plan kitchens and wide archways between rooms suit them best, as these are spaces where people approach from more than one direction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A double sided station clock has two dials mounted back to back on a bracket that projects from the wall, so the time can be read from either direction. First designed for railway platforms, these characterful clocks now bring heritage and practicality to long hallways,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":86173,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[2522,8917,8],"class_list":["post-86171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hallway-storage-furniture","tag-hallway-ideas","tag-station-clocks","tag-wall-clocks"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86171"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86171\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}A Short History of the Station Clock<\/h3>\n
How a Double Sided Clock Differs from a Standard Wall Clock<\/h3>\n
Where Double Sided Clocks Work at Home<\/h3>\n
Long Hallways<\/h3>\n
Landings and Stairwells<\/h3>\n
Open Plan Kitchens and Living Spaces<\/h3>\n
Archways and Room Openings<\/h3>\n
Measuring Before You Buy<\/h3>\n
Wall Fixings and Safety<\/h3>\n
Choosing a Style That Suits Your Home<\/h3>\n
Styling Around a Station Clock<\/h3>\n
Looking After Your Clock<\/h3>\n
Is a Double Sided Clock Right for You?<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n
How high should a double sided station clock be hung?<\/h3>\n
Can I hang a double sided clock on a plasterboard wall?<\/h3>\n
Do both faces of a double sided clock keep the same time?<\/h3>\n
Which rooms suit a double sided clock?<\/h3>\n