Room Considerations for Piano Placement
Your piano’s placement can impact its sound and maintenance requirements
If you’re thinking about buying a piano, you’re likely also thinking about where to put it. Maybe you already have a spot in mind, or perhaps you’re debating a few options. The placement of your piano in your home shouldn’t be an afterthought. Where it’s placed can impact how it sounds and what maintenance is required. There are several essential aspects to consider.
Since pianos are made primarily of wood, they expand and contract with humidity. The air in our homes is less humid in the winter and more humid in the summer. This contraction is one of the reasons pianos need to be tuned and why they’re so sensitive to temperature and airflow.
Windows
Avoid placing a piano in front of a window
Direct sunlight and exposure to temperature fluctuations or wind can damage your piano’s finish, dry out the soundboard, and cause it to go out of tune more quickly. Modern double-pane windows alleviate some of the direct sunlight concerns, but regardless, it’s wise to avoid windows entirely if you have other options.
Wall placement
Is less of an issue than it used to be
The longstanding recommendation has been to avoid placing a piano against external walls since the temperature fluctuations will make it go out of tune. In today’s modern, well-insulated homes, this is less of an issue. However, if you live in an area that experiences extreme high or low temperatures, you may want to avoid exterior walls, just to be safe.
Vents
Affect the tuning
Ensure your piano isn’t close to a heating or air conditioning vent. A piano will go out of tune much more quickly if it’s the direct path of this airflow.
Flooring
Casters are a good idea
No matter if your piano is going to be on a wooden floor or carpet, caster cups are a valuable way to protect your piano and your home. Caster cups prevent a piano from rolling, ensuring that your valuable piano doesn’t move, which could damage the instrument or the walls of your home. Additionally, since pianos are so heavy, with time, they can create permanent indentations or even holes in your carpet or flooring. Casters protect your floor from a piano’s weight and available in a variety of materials, colors, and sizes.
Envision a Grand Piano in Your Home
Dreaming of a grand piano but unsure how you’d position it in your space? We can help.
Our team of piano professionals can help assess your space and determine the best placement for a statement-making grand piano in your home.