Perfect timing

Shoparound: The clocks go back this Saturday night, which means an extra hour in bed. It's also a good time to review the type of timepiece you choose to use in your home. Does yours stand the test of time or is it dating your interior?

"The trend now is backwards, towards old-fashioned timepieces, like those featured in railway stations, without any frame and a face that is slightly domed," says Bobby Lardner of Raglan Lane Interiors.

The kitchen is where most families have their main clock. Why? "Most people don't want to be watching the clock while trying to relax in their living spaces," says Lardner.

Newgate's 'Greenwich' keeps mean time and is of a classic-looking style within an aluminium frame (€150), from both Brown Thomas and Yesterday Once More in Blackrock.

Stock's black, white or red wall clocks come with a timer fitted beneath their faces, adding a splash of colour and practicality, (€18.95). Uber modern environments will suit the simplicity of the Rosle clock (€103) at Kitchen Complements. In stainless steel timepiece, this has black minute and hour hands and a flash of colour, but only on its red second hand.

"Whatever type you choose what is striking is that Arabic numerals, rather than Roman or batons, are what people now want," says Noel Wall, MD of Timemark.

These days the selling point of a hall clock is also its ability to keep quiet during the night. Modern-designs are fitted with light sensors so they don't go off after the lights in their location are switched off. No more being woken by rogue chimes on-the-hour.

Pascal Tarbay's cuckoo clock (€199) is also light sensitive so its bird doesn't venture out either under cover of darkness. It's deliciously decorative - an ornate and modern take on the traditional model. Available in white or gold from Inreda.

Mobile phones have not sounded the death knell for the traditional alarm clock. "Its functionality and snooze button capabilities are important aspects of its design," says Wall.

Many homes often have one for each side of the master bed. But what type should the clockwise choose? Go getters might be inspired by boxer Lennox Lewis' recent digital design for Habitat's VIP Range (€45). "In my sport, time is of the essence. I hope the ring of the alarm will send the people using this clock into action."

Sadly, it doesn't come with instructions on how to extract oneself from the comfort of bed on dark mornings.