How to Style a Piano

I've been wanting to write this post for years, but honestly I couldn't quite figure out how to style my piano. But now I'm ready for you! I was given this lovely black piano from my mother. My Dad, who is an interior designer was gifted this piano (or got a major discount on it) when he did some work for a piano company, and then I inherited it. Having played for years, I was thrilled. And this piano has followed me from house to house. (Ask my husband how much he has loved moving it each time?) So today I wanted to talk about how to style a piano to fit your design aesthetic.

How to Style a Piano:

1. Think lighting. While one light is good, two are better. Think sofa console. It has the same shape. So go with two lights. Match the lighting style to your room. These square lampshades from Target fit perfectly on top of my piano. You will likely have to go with a smaller profile shade because piano tops are so narrow.

2. A mirror or a print. This is a big piece of furniture and it can overwhelm the space and stand out if you don't have something equally large to help marry it to the space. I chose a mirror from Pier 1. It's a beautiful wooden mirror I've had for years. I love the texture of this piece, but how it's a bit "beachy." A mirror will bounce light around the room. My piano is across from a large window. But a colorful print or awesome photo would also work.

3. Feeling fake? This is the one place to which I would be cautious about adding a real plant. You do NOT want water on your piano. If you're super good at wiping up all the moisture after watering plants, then a traditional plant will be great here. If not, go with something fake. I went with some succulents from Hobby Lobby placed inside these gorgeous coral pieces from Target. I like how they also add texture to the space.

4. Personality. What is your space about? It is modern, traditional, colorful, subdued? Add a piece or two that matches the rest of the design in the room. My space is coastal so thus the blue fan (which is vintage), and the coral pieces. This helps the piano become part of the space instead of an afterthought in the room.

5. Meaningful mementos. A piano is a perfect place to share photos. Here I just have one small photo in a white linen matted frame from Target. But you could do an entire row of different sizes frames to anchor the piano even more.

Because a piano is a large piece of furniture you'll need to treat it like an entertainment center, or a couch. It typically needs its own wall, preferably an interior wall for preservation. I've moved it around several times until the balance in the space feels right. You may have to eliminate other pieces of furniture in the piano area to accommodate it. You'll know when there's too much going on in the room.

How to Clean a Piano:

(The following links are affiliate links to products I use on  Amazon.)

To keep my piano clean, I use a microfiber cleaning cloth and this spray. It takes off fingerprints, smudges, and also cuts down on dust. Make sure you get the right spray for your piano finish. I use a high gloss spray, but if you need a satin finish then I recommend this one HERE.

Have questions about styling a piano? Leave them in the comments section below.

Sources:
Piano
Blanket, Lamps, Lampshades, Frame, Coral Bowls: Target
Fan, White Stool: Vintage
Mirror: Pier 1
Succulents: Hobby Lobby
Plant and Planter: Lowe's