Where to place a piano in your home?

Where to place a piano in your home?
There are 4 main factors to consider when deciding on a placement for your piano – Acoustics, Stabiltity/Maintenance and Aesthetics. The time to think about where to put your piano is BEFORE the piano movers arrive.  Obtain the dimensions of your piano, and check that the piano will physically fit into the spot you select for it. Placing your piano in an appropriate location will provide a more enjoyable listening and playing experience, save money on maintenance and improve the piano’s lifespan.

Acoustics
For the best sound, the piano should be placed in a room where the size of the piano matches the size of the room. In general, larger pianos produce a more powerful sound and may overwhelm in a small room. For grand pianos, the treble side (where the lid opens) will sound better when not up against a wall.  The sound from upright pianos is omitted mainly out of the back of the piano. When placed up against a wall, the sound will vary depending on whether the wall reflects or absorbs the sound. Adjusting the distance between the back of the piano and the wall can have quite a dramatic affect. The amount of soft furnishings in the room such as carpet, rugs, sofas and curtains will also affect the sound. Placing rugs underneath the piano can significantly improve rooms which suffer from too much reverberance.

Stability/Maintenance
Keeping the piano in an environment that is as stable as possible and not extreme will create the best results. The longevity of the instrument will be improved, as well as tuning and component alignment. Sources of humidity and temperature changes such as heating and cooling vents, windows, underfloor heating, fireplaces, plants, fish tanks, kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, clothes horses, draughty areas and passageways are best located as far away as possible. Direct sunlight will not only cause your piano to heat up, but also ruin the external finish. Keep in mind that the angle at which sunlight enters your windows will change with the seasons, so try to find a position where the piano will receive as little sunlight as possible all year round, and especially in summer.
 

For a grand piano, there also needs to be sufficient room behind the keyboard not only for the player, but also for your Piano Tuners and Technicians Guild of Victoria member piano technician to remove the internal piano action for adjustment and maintenance.

Aesthetics
Lastly, other furniture and uses for the room should be taken into account. For further advice on piano placement contact your nearest Piano Tuners and Technicians Guild of Victoria member piano technician.