Upcycle An Old Pot Lid Into The Prettiest Wall Clock With A Clever DIY

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Disposing of old pots and pans can feel slightly heartbreaking, especially if they have been a part of countless kitchen adventures. Before you throw away an old pot, however, check if the lid is still in good condition, as it might just be the star of your next DIY project. With its shape and build, your old pot lid can be upcycled and transformed into a pretty wall clock — and you can make it happen with some craft materials and one inexpensive device.

Designing and decorating the pot lid won't require much effort, so you may be wondering how you'll turn it into a functional, ticking clock. Here, you will need a quartz clock movement kit; a battery-powered mechanism that powers most traditional, analog clocks. Products like this Toughwild Clock Mechanism Kit are widely available online for around $10, and they typically include the clock hands and mounting hardware for assembly. Batteries may or may not be included in the kit, so make sure you have spares ready.

Once you have the kit on hand, choose the craft materials you'd want to use for this DIY project. Acrylic paints and paint markers work best since they mark on metal, glass, wood, and other lid materials. You can also prepare decorative items like stickers, small charms, or stones. Have some cleaning materials ready, such as soap and cleaning cloths, just in case you need to remove stains or little mistakes.

Once your pot lid is clean and dry, unscrew or remove the handle from the center. Before installing the clock movement kit, get creative and design your clock however you desire. You can look for the best colors to incorporate into your interior, or you can find a design aesthetic or artistic inspiration that will make your handmade clock stand out wherever you put it. Try painting a pattern around the lid before placing clock numbers neatly, then finish with some stones or charms across the surface — just make sure any of the embellishments won't get in the way of the clock hands' movement. 

Once the clock design has fully dried, affix the quartz clock movement kit. The center hole from the pot lid's handle will serve as the mounting point of the device, and from there you will connect the clock hands to the kit itself. Once the entire mechanism is securely in place, insert the battery and check if the kit functions properly before adjusting the hands accordingly. Finally, place your upcycled clock on the wall using a nail or a hook; then feel free to decorate around your clock with some framed photos or greenery. Regardless if it is placed in your bedroom, living room, or kitchen, it will certainly become a treasured, statement decor piece you can share with your loved ones or fellow members of your local craft club.