EltoBert Journal · Design & craftsmanship
Should your clock belong quietly in the room, or become the artwork you notice first?
Choose a resin wall clock by considering the wall, the effect you want and the colours around it. Compare sizes in the actual space, then decide on the resin pattern, hands and numerals. Check the result in daylight and evening light.
This guide brings together our approach to handmade resin wall clocks at EltoBert in Malta, from choosing between 60, 80 and 100 cm to the small finishing details that give a piece its character.
01 · Decide the effect
Complement the room, or make a statement?
Before choosing individual colours, decide what you want the clock to contribute. A piece that connects with the surroundings and a piece that becomes the focal point can both feel right. They simply ask for different decisions.
To complement the room
Pick up a colour or undertone already present in the flooring, furniture or fabrics. Soft beige may relate to warm stone; charcoal may echo dark cabinetry. The clock can feel connected without matching every object.
To become the statement
Use contrast, scale or more expressive resin movement to draw the eye. That could be blue against a pale wall, a dark face in a light room, or a large neutral piece with a striking pattern.
You can do both. Repeat one colour from the room and let another provide contrast. A statement piece does not have to be brightly coloured, and a blue clock can feel understated in a room that already uses blue.
Here, “complement” means working well with the room. It does not mean you must use opposite colours from the colour wheel.
02 · Find the proportion
What size resin wall clock suits your wall?
Measure the clear area where the clock will hang, together with the furniture beneath it. The usable wall width, nearby doors, curtains and shelves matter more than the room’s floor area alone.
A clock above a sofa or sideboard is read together with that furniture. Check the space above and beside the face, and the distance from which you will usually see it. A piece needs room around it to look intentional.
These circles compare diameter at the same scale. They are a diagram, not measurements of the photographed clocks or a formula for room size.
| Diameter | Visual effect and what to check |
|---|---|
| 60 cm | A more contained presence. Check that it still feels substantial against a wide wall or the furniture below. |
| 80 cm | A stronger feature with more room for the pattern to be seen. Compare its outline with lamps, shelves and nearby artwork. |
| 100 cm | A major visual element. Leave enough clear wall around it so the clock feels composed rather than squeezed in. |
The change is larger than the extra centimetres suggest: a 100 cm circle has about 2.8 times the face area of a 60 cm circle. This helps explain why the larger size can have a much stronger presence.
There is no universal clock-to-sofa ratio or hanging height that suits every space. Start with the composition and check the view from the places you actually use.
03 · Try it in your space
The cardboard circle test
- Make the outline. Draw a circle on paper or cardboard at the diameter you are considering. The distance from the centre to the edge is 30 cm for a 60 cm clock, 40 cm for an 80 cm clock and 50 cm for a 100 cm clock.
- Place it on the wall. Position the lightweight outline where you imagine the clock. Use a fixing method suitable for your wall finish; test any removable tape on an inconspicuous spot first.
- Step back and compare. Look from the doorway, sofa and dining area. Try the next size if you are uncertain, and leave the outline in place long enough to see it during the day and evening.
A useful question: does the clock still have space to breathe when you include the furniture, lighting and neighbouring objects in the view?
04 · Build a considered palette
How do you choose the colours and resin pattern?
Start with finishes that are likely to stay: the floor, stone, timber, cabinetry and larger furniture. Choose a main colour direction, then supporting tones that connect the clock to those materials.
For example, if your room in Malta has warm limestone tones and oak furniture, cream and muted earthy colours could create continuity. A deeper contrasting colour could give the same room a focal point. These are starting points to test against your own wall.
Look beyond colour names. Two whites can have different undertones, and the same grey may look warmer beside one material and cooler beside another. Compare references together instead of selecting each colour separately.
Subtle marble effect or dramatic movement?
The pattern changes the character as much as the palette. Fine, gently flowing veins can feel quiet; broad contrasting bands can be much more expressive. If the room already has strongly patterned flooring or textiles, consider whether the clock should continue that energy or provide a calmer area.
A reference photo helps explain the colour balance and movement you like. Each resin pour develops its own pattern, so the aim is a shared direction rather than a line-for-line copy.
For wider interior inspiration, Sherwin-Williams explores how colour palettes relate to different design styles. The clock examples and design suggestions here are EltoBert’s application of those ideas.
05 · Look in the right light
How will lighting change the appearance?
Look at the intended wall in natural daylight and under your usual evening lights. The apparent warmth of colours can change, while reflections on a glossy surface may make parts of the pattern or hands more prominent.
Check from the sofa or doorway as well as directly in front of the wall. A metallic detail that stands out at one angle may blend into a reflection at another. This is why contrast should be assessed in the room, not only in a close-up photograph.
Use screen images to communicate a direction rather than as an exact colour standard. Your display and the lighting in the photograph can both affect what you see.
Benjamin Moore’s guide to warm and cool colours explains how lighting affects perceived undertones. It is an interior-colour reference, not a specification for resin pigments.
06 · Consider the finishing details
Hands, numbers and the art of readability
The hands and numerals complete the composition and help you tell the time. Choose them with the face, rather than treating them as a separate decoration.
Black, gold or another finish?
Black can create clear definition on a pale face. Lighter or metallic details can stand out on a dark face, but their visibility depends on the pattern and reflections. Look at the contrast across the areas the hands travel over.
Roman numerals, Arabic numbers or markers?
Roman numerals can give a decorative rhythm. Arabic numbers offer a familiar way to read the dial. Simple hour markers leave more of the resin pattern visible. The size and weight of the details matter as much as the style.
A busy face may benefit from simpler, more visible details. A quieter face can give elaborate numerals room to be noticed. Check the design at your normal viewing distance.
07 · At the workbench
The small decisions behind a finished clock
Our workshop photograph shows the stage that is easy to overlook in a finished image: positioning the numerals around the face.
The transparent radial template provides reference lines from the centre, while temporary tape marks the positions. The resin movement flows freely through the face; the time markings need a clear, considered arrangement around it.
When choosing your own clock, look at the relationship between the numeral size, the edge of the face and the pattern beneath. Those small relationships help the finished design feel coherent.
Read how EltoBert began in Malta for more of the story behind the work.
Questions, answered
Choosing a resin wall clock: common questions
Is a 60 cm wall clock too small?
Not necessarily. It can have plenty of presence on a more contained wall. Compare it with the furniture and the clear wall area, especially if the sofa or sideboard below it is wide.
When should I consider an 80 cm clock?
Consider 80 cm when you want a stronger feature and more room for the pattern to be seen. Test an outline on the wall to check its balance with nearby objects.
Does a 100 cm resin clock need a very large room?
Room size alone does not decide this. A clear wall in a smaller room can accommodate a strong focal point, while a busy wall in a larger room may feel crowded. Check the actual outline and surrounding space.
Should the clock match the furniture exactly?
No. It can repeat an undertone or accent colour while introducing its own character. Decide whether you want continuity, contrast or a combination of the two.
Can you copy an exact resin pattern from a photo?
A photograph can guide the colours, movement and overall character. The organic movement of a pour means the finished pattern will be individual rather than an exact reproduction.
How do I know whether to choose black or gold details?
Compare each finish against the face, then consider the room lighting. Dark details can be clear on a pale face; metallic details can add warmth and contrast, but reflections affect their visibility.
What if I still cannot decide between two sizes?
Use the cardboard circle test for both and view them from your usual seat and the doorway. A straight-on wall photo and measurements also help us discuss the proportions with you.
Should I choose Roman numerals, Arabic numbers or simple markers?
Choose the style you enjoy looking at and can read comfortably from a distance. Compare the weight of the numbers or markers with the amount of pattern in the resin face.
Does a statement clock have to be brightly coloured?
No. Scale, a dark face, a dramatic pattern or strong contrast can make a neutral clock the focal point. Give it clear space so the design can be appreciated.
What should you send us if you are unsure?
You do not need a complete design before starting the conversation. These details help us understand the space and the effect you have in mind:
- A straight-on photograph showing the wall and surrounding furniture.
- The available wall width and height, plus the width of the furniture below.
- Your usual viewing distance and, if useful, a photograph of the room in evening light.
- Colour or pattern references, with a note about what you like in each.
- Whether you want the clock to complement the room or become the statement artwork.
Let’s find the right direction for your wall.
Share your wall photograph, measurements and the feeling you would like to create. We can use them to discuss size, colour and the finishing details together.
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