Decorating a piano area

13 years ago

Originally a tall aquarium was sitting in this spot, but I sold it because I wanted to move my piano into the living room. Now I'm really struggling with decorating this area and would love some suggestions.

The picture and hanging lamp were there when I had the aquarium set up and I would really prefer to leave them there. Although I can move the picture down some if it's too high when everything is arranged on the piano. The hanging lamp was a gift from my mother which is why I'd like to leave it if I can make it work in this area.

What I'm trying to work with on top of the piano are two brass candelabrum, 2 antique piano babies and a fall arrangment. I've tried arranging them with a candelabrum on each end, a piano baby next to each one and the arrangment in the center...but this just looks too predictable to me. I've tried some other arrangments, but nothing really appealed to me.

I also have two brass lyre sconces that I'd like to use. I do have another picture that I could hang on the wall next to the side of the piano. Maybe the sconces could go on either side of this picture.

I've really gotten frustrated with this, so any suggestions would be great. How would you arrange this stuff? Anything you would add to it?

Here's a photo of the area I'm working with.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

graywings123
13 years ago
The piano top is too narrow to allow you to put the items in front of one another, so any arrangement ends up as a straight row. These items don't lend themselves to that look, IMO. The hanging lamp seems fine to me and I would lower the picture.

Alternate ideas:

Two candelabras by themselves with candles in them - nothing else
OR
Two babies and the floral arrangement.
teacats
13 years ago
I would love to see those pretty lyres hung on each side of a tall gold-framed mirror above the piano.

Just a thought!

Do consider moving the artwork down a bit more to create a better visual relation with the piano.

Yes -- excellent thoughts above. I would add that if you try the two statues -- and the urn -- then consider painting the urn in that rich dark leafy green shade that is the color and focal point of both the artwork and the lamp. THEN simply add a mass of cream and white silk roses and small-leafed ivy anchored in green-mossy-covered floral foam in the urn. Sit this arrangement under the lamp -- and the two statues on the right-hand side.

For another arrangement -- keep it simple by adding white, gold or even dark green tall taper candles to the candleholders at each end of the length of the piano. Then keep the middle section empty -- or perhaps add a long low china container with simple faux dark green ivy. Or sit a pretty piece of piano music (maybe a vintage one?) on the music holder.
Related Discussions
Decorating around a baby grand piano in a small living room
Q
Comments (24)
We also turned our small living room into a music room. I think formal living rooms are a waste of space. Over the years, I have had the piano either half-way open or closed w/ photos on top. Fully open seems too much for the size of the room. I have a big chair in one corner and a 5'? potted silk plant in another. Our room opens up to the foyer/stairs and the dining room. In our last house, the piano was in a great room and we had a round, skirted ottoman in the curve ( a designer recommended that). The top was kind of pleated w/ one button in the center. Good luck!
...See More
What do you do with piano sheet music in the living room? and pianos?
Q
Comments (23)
Renee, I look for old sheet music to frame! Found a song with the name of our street in the title, and I picked up some seasonal/holiday music that I change out during the year. So fun! Fori, As for the music "library", I bought an old sheet music cabinet from a neighbor. The condition isn't great, but a word of caution: I think they are intended to hold SHEET music, not books. The shallow drawer bottoms are not solid but slatted, and don't feel super strong. It's cool, but not as easy to use unless you are very organized and know what you keep where. I also have a small metal Bisley 5-drawer unit (from the scratch-and-dent corner at a The Container Store, it's missing the bottom drawer, which leaves an open slot for music) Each drawer has one of those little slots that hold a label, so the jazz goes in one, the video game music printouts in another, etc. and we can find them, and put things away easily. The books are in two large "boxes" beside the piano: one is a sturdy basket, the other used to be a deep kitchen drawer. One sits on the floor under a small table, the basket sits on too of the table, which is just the right size to hold them. The music stands upright and it's easy to flip through. The whole set-up is not that attractive lol! My friend and here husband are both musicians, and they installed cabinetry in the living room for the music. Shelves close together to hold loose paper flat, and shelves spaced for books and binders, as well drawers for metronomes, pens and pencils, instrument tools, etc. The shelves are also attractively labeled to suit their needs; I think it's a removable/movable label. Our piano came after we'd lived here for a couple of years, it is in a corner but it is a great spot! In this living room, only a buffet or console type piece of furniture would work, because it's where you enter the LR from the foyer, so our console piano is perfect.
...See More
Decorating a piano room
Q
Comments (38)
I’m also wanting some ideas for a narrow sculpture, to place on a pedestal in the right corner of thepiano room by the back wall, something elegant and slender looking, I’m having a hard time finding an elegant pedestal and glass sculpture or anything that looks elegant and sleek and color I’m not sure, maybe black ? Or?
...See More
how do I decorate this area as a sitting /reading area?
Q
Comments (15)
Once the futon is gone and then I would remove the shelf and plant from the corners and your room will seem larger. I would suggest 4 chairs around a low table. That makes for a great conversation area and for company while prep is going on in the kitchen. Maybe the table I’m seeing there now could be pushed to the island with the 3 chairs around it? Or if 4 chairs won’t fit maybe 2 larger chairs with ottomans in the corners next to the window.
...See More
dreamgoddess
Original Author
13 years ago
Graywings, you're right...the piano top is very narrow. I think this is why I've been having so much trouble with it. I'm glad to see you think the lamp is fine where it is. One question though - do you think I need to lower the lamp also? Thank you for the suggestions on how to decorate the piano!

Teacats, now that you've mentioned a mirror, I do have one that I could put over the piano and use the lyres with it. I hadn't thought about that! Then I could move the picture to the other wall and make an arrangement there. Thank you for the decorating suggestions for the urn! I do like the idea of painting it. I'll have to see if I can find the perfect dark green paint. Oh, and I do have a vintage piece of sheet music that I'd like to put on the holder. It's called "Fairy Kisses" and has a Victorian lady pictured on the cover.

Here's a copy of it listed on ebay so you can see what it looks like.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fairy Kisses
les917
13 years ago
The piano babies, as you call them, are too pastel to work with the dark colors in everything else, at least right on top of the piano.

I would move the pix elsewhere. Get the mirror you say you have, hang it vertically if you can for height, starting just a few inches above the piano.

Then mount the lyres on either side, but directly below them, place a small, wall-hung shelf. Hang them close enough to the bottom of the lyres that they appear to be one unit. Place one piano baby on each shelf.

The floral arrangement in the vase is nice for fall, very country in feeling. But on the piano, you need something more elegant, with florals that pick up the colors in the piano babies and the lamp your mom gave you.

I would look for a low, dark green or creamy white planter, and fill with roses in shades of pinks and burgundies, soft whites and sage greens.

The candelabra would be lovely on a sideboard or on a dining room table atop a pretty runner. Be sure you place candles in them!

Decorating a piano area

Comments (4)

graywings123

teacats

Related Discussions

dreamgoddess
Original Author

les917

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Decorating a piano area

Comments (4)

graywings123

teacats

Related Discussions

dreamgoddessOriginal Author

les917

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

dreamgoddess
Original Author