UPDATE: All new featured RV tours will be posted on my other website, Wanderful RV Interiors. Existing tours will slowly be moved to the new website, and anything already moved will automatically redirect.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase we (or those featured in this post) may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. View our full-disclosure here.

Today I will be sharing how to upcycle a table into a clock. So if you have one of those 70s tables hanging around your garage or basement collecting dust, this may just be the project for you!

A chalkboard clock wasn’t my first intention for this $4 thrift store find I purchased nearly a year ago, but I couldn’t be happier with the results.

How to Upcycle a Table Into a Clock

Here is the before photo:

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

However, being that only parts of the table were made of real wood, I decided to paint it with primer, followed by paint, not realizing that the primer needed more time to cure. The end result? Paint that peeled right off. Woops. At least it stuck to the tabletop.

I also later realized that there was damage to the bottom of the table. So I moved the table onto its side to see if I could fix it, only when I looked straight at the tabletop I saw something else… a clock! I immediately dismantled the table with a screwdriver and set the top aside.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

Of course, I went back and forth as to what kind of clock I wanted before I did anything to it. French, nautical, vintage? Being indecisive actually led me to my final decision, to make it a chalkboard clock!  This way I can change it whenever I want.

After I had removed the top from the table there were holes in the back where the screws were. No one will see the back since it will be facing the wall, but I filled those in with putty and then sanded over them anyway.

I already had a small clock kit on hand but purchased a high torque clock kit from Hobby Lobby since I wanted larger clock hands. I did end up using the “second” hand from my smaller clock kit though since the larger one didn’t come with it.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

I painted the clock with 3 coats of chalkboard spray paint, letting it dry in between coats.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

Afterwards I measured out the center point and drilled a hole for the clock kit to go through. However, drilling first would be much smarter and you won’t have to worry about touch-ups.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

I then added a frame hanger to the back, which I already had on hand.How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

The clock kit tells you what size your clock needs to be for it to fit through. I realized I needed to sand the back of the tabletop down a bit to make the clock kit fit properly.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

Afterward, I painted one more coat of chalkboard paint to the front of the clock to clean it up a bit.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

Once it was dry, I seasoned it with chalk to avoid “ghost marks”. So I essentially rubbed chalk all over the clock, and then wiped it off with a rag.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

While working on this project I actually came across this Pottery Barn Clock which instantly inspired me. I wanted to embrace the indented circle that goes around the entire tabletop, and felt that double circles would do the trick. To create the inner circle I used a lampshade {thrift store find for a future project and I already removed the “shade” part}, placed it in the center and traced around it with chalk.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

I then went over the indented circle with chalk.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

Since I needed more contrast with my clock hands I painted them with some Paris Grey chalk paint.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

I then measured out and marked where to place my numbers. You could simply draw your numbers on with chalk, but I decided to use the chalk transfer method, which you can read more about here. I used a small, dry paintbrush to clean up the chalk a bit.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

I then re-traced my circles.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

I knew I wanted to add something to the center of the clock, so I went with a deer silhouette using the chalkboard transfer method again.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

This is what it looked like before I cleaned it up with a small, dry paintbrush.

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

To avoid the chalk smearing once I was all finished I sprayed it with a couple light coats of Aqua-net hairspray. I originally tested out some other hairspray I had but it came out in spritz and left marks on the chalkboard. So be sure to test your hairspray first! I stood about 12-15 inches away from the clock and sprayed a couple very light coats.

And here she is all finished and hung up, woo-hoo!

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

Here is the before and after of how to upcycle a table into a clock:

How to Upcycle a Table into a Clock! See how to transform an outdated thrift shop table into something new for a gallery wall! UpcycledTreasures.com

Here is an updated photo of it on our massive gallery wall nearly 2 years later.

creating-a gallery-wall-in-the-living-room-with-high-ceilings-upcycledtreasures

gallery-wall-filled-with-DIY-projects-upcycledtreasures.png

So what do you think of how to upcycle a table into a clock? Have you upcycled something unusual into a clock?

36 Comments

  1. My husband loves clocks. He will love this project. We had to compromise…he’s not allowed to buy any more clocks with a second hand, hahaha.

  2. I swear I already commented on this but now I’m not sure… At the risk of looking stupid, I’ll just say it again. I think this is amazing. I keep coming back to look at it. I’m SO inspired to make one of my own!

    1. Hahaha, well a month ago I had posted one photo and a link to the guest post I originally wrote so that’s why it looks familiar. You didn’t leave a comment before though so thank you!

  3. Pinned! SO COOL! What a fantastic idea Katie! I’m definitely going to need one of these 🙂 Off to find a table to upcycle! Thanks for sharing. I would so love for you to link up with us this week at Thursday STYLE too. We really appreciate your support of our party! I absolutely love linking up at The Makers each week! So many fabulous ideas. Have a great weekend.
    http://upcycledtreasures.com/2014/02/how-to-upcycle-a-table-into-a-clock/

    1. Thanks Angela! Oh my gosh I have finally had time to start working on new projects and keep forgetting what day it is, lol. Where does the freakin’ time go? I just linked up, thanks for the reminder! I love linking up to your party every week too 🙂

  4. Totally Awesome Project!!! I’m featuring you as my personal fave tonight at Monday Funday! Thanks for linking!

Comments are closed.