I am totally in love with the oversized wall clock in my new kitchen. It’s an IKEA hack and super easy to make using the free printable clock face I designed. Quite a few of my friends want to make their own clock, and I figured all of you cyber buddies might be interested as well. I created a step-by-step tutorial and shared it over on Classy Clutter last week, but I wanted to be sure you saw it.
I spent literally hours online trying to hunt down a 24-inch wall clock that I loved. The only clock I found that I liked was this one that costs roughly $300. I was pretty exhausted after all the other projects for the kitchen, so I actually considered just purchasing the clock. However our kitchen clock HAD to be yellow, and I just couldn’t convince my husband that it was a good idea to spray paint a new, $300 clock.
I’m so glad I didn’t settle. I was able to create the EXACT clock face I wanted, and it looks so good. I made this clock for less than $65 (including the $50 IKEA Bravur clock). You’re going to be so excited when you see how easy it is to customize your own Ikea clock.
Free Printable Custom Clock Face
Seriously the hardest part was designing the custom schoolhouse clock face, and I’ve already done that for you, and of course I’m sharing the free printable template. Did you notice the “Tick Tock” message on my clock? We had so much fun thinking of possible messages, and the download file includes 10 clock faces with different messages to choose from. Of course I’m sharing a free printable template of the clock face. Download the whole bundle with all the fun clock faces for you to choose from.
How to Customize a Clock
After I decided to give Ikea’s Bravur clock a makeover, the first thing I had to do was figure out how to take it apart!
To begin, I removed the four screws on the back of the silver metal rim. I put the parts in a safe place so I’d have them when I was ready to put the clock back together.
Next I pulled off the clock hands — this was the part I was most nervous about because I didn’t know if removing the hands would damage the timepiece, and I really hoped that I wouldn’t end up with a beautiful clock that didn’t actually tell time. After reading this article about replacing clock hands, and with a little encouragement from my Dad, who had actually removed clock hands before, I went to work.
How to Remove Clock Hands
First, pull up the black cap at the tip, and you’ll encounter the minute hand. Remove the minute hand by pulling straight up. You’ll need to be firm but take care not to bend it. Next pull off the hour hand and then remove the small washer and metal ring that you’ll find underneath. Put all these pieces somewhere safe as well.
I knew I could fix the color, easy enough, with spray paint. I traced the clock’s metal rim onto scrap paper, and then I cut out a circle to tape into place, covering the clock’s face while I spray painted using Rust-oleum’s Sunburst Yellow. I wasn’t sure how to go about changing the clock face. After mulling the problem over for a few days, I decided to design and print my own clock face. I printed it as a 20×24-inch enlargement at a local photo print center (like Costco), and then carefully cut it out following the light gray cutting guide on the template.
Of course I’m sharing a free printable template of the clock face. Did you notice the “Tick Tock” message on my clock face? We had so much fun thinking of possible messages that we’ve included a whole bundle for you to choose from. Go download the file to see them all.
Now you’ll need to make a hole at the center of the new face so it can fit over the clock’s workings. Use a ruler to measure side to side and top to bottom, marking the precise center. Then make a hole using a craft knife.
I used double-sided tape to attach the new face. If you look closely in the photo below, you might be able to see that I used four pieces of tape, placed below the 12, above the 6, and beside the 3 and 9.
Putting the Clock Back TOgether
Then I put the hands back on. Begin with the metal washer, then the hour hand, metal nut, minute hand and finally press back on the black, plastic cap.
Now you’re ready to reassemble the clock — put the glass and rim into place and reattach the four screws. One of the screw plates has the hole for hanging the clock, make sure this one is used for the screw that goes at the top of the clock by the 12.
Bettijo Bridges
Administrator at Paging Supermom
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The PARTY TIME face is perfect for our Noon Year’s Eve party craft. Thanks for this!!! Love your ideas.
Set design for a unique wall clock minimalist living room. Wall clock is a thing that you need to decorate the walls of the room in your home that has a very important function. visit antique clock collection gudemeis.com
Help! I’ve followed the link to Classy Clutter but no matter how I try I can’t get the whole article or the free printable to show up. I know the post is a couple years old, but I LOVE this and would love to use your fantastic printable for my project! Am I missing something?!
Sorry i didn’t see this sooner. my comments often get buried in my inbox. I’ve updated the post with the link to the template here on my site. Sorry again. XOXO –bettijo
What size do you print this when you send to a printer please?
Sorry I missed your question initially. I printed the clock face as a 20×24-inch photo enlargement at costco’s photo center.
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