How High To Hang A Wall Clock

Before hanging a wall clock, you need to determine the ideal clock height from the floor. When hanging pictures on a wall, art galleries hang each piece so that the artwork's center is 57 inches above the floor. However, there's no standard height for wall clocks. How high to hang a wall clock depends on the size of the clock, the room where you want to hang it, the arrangement of the room, and whether you are hanging it near other objects on the wall.

In some living rooms, the wall clock is a focal point of the room. Even smaller wall clocks in hallways and bathrooms are used daily. Thus, the wall clock needs to be hung at a height that makes sense for the residents of the home while also fitting into the room's overall aesthetics.

There is no ideal clock height from the floor. Instead of keeping a specific measurement in mind, ask yourself these questions:

• Is the clock hung on a wall where anyone in the room can easily see it?
• Is the clock hung at a height that's at or above the eye level of those who use the room most?
• Is the clock hung higher than any potential obstructions (large furniture, for instance)?

Make sure that you can see the wall clock from the places in the room where you sit or stand most. Hanging the wall clock so low that you can't see it defeats the purpose of having it in the room.

Once you've decided on the ideal clock height from the floor, it's time to hang your wall clock. You'll need a stud finder, screw, and drill to safely hang a heavy wall clock. If there is no stud in the desired location for your clock, you can use a heavy-duty hollow-wall anchor, such as a toggle bolt. Make sure any anchor you use has a sufficient weight rating for the clock.

Lightweight wall clocks usually can be hung simply with a nail, but a screw is more secure and is less likely to loosen over time as you periodically remove and replace the clock to reset it or change its battery. A screw driven into a wall anchor is even more secure.

Follow these basic steps to hang a heavy clock:

1. Place the stud finder flush on the wall; then move it slowly along the wall (parallel to the floor). When the stud finder beeps or lights up to indicate solid wood behind the drywall, you've found a stud, which is strong enough to hold a heavy clock.
2. Mark both side edges of the stud (the stud finder will tell you when you're over the stud and when you've moved off it) so you can drive your fastener into the stud's center.
3. Measure up from the floor and mark the height of the clock — accounting for the position of the hanging tab or bracket on the back — over the stud location.
4. Drill a pilot hole through the drywall and into the stud, using a bit that is slightly smaller in diameter than the mounting screw you will use.
5. Drive the screw (or other hanger, as applicable) into the pilot hole, using the drill.
6. Leave enough of the screw protruding from the wall so the head of the screw will catch the bracket securely.
7. Hang the clock, and start making time!

If you're still wondering how high to hang your wall clock, consider these ideas:

• Hang the wall clock opposite the couch so that you can see it when sitting down to watch television.
• Incorporate the wall clock into a gallery wall arrangement. The height will be determined by the art around it.
• Visually anchor your living room wall clock by hanging it above a large piece of furniture, such as an armchair or credenza.