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Smaller Homes Design Dilemma living room

How to Style Piano next to Mantle

6 years ago

Hi! I'm having difficulty with styling a piano in my home. It is next to the fireplace (not in use) and mantle. I don't want the styling to conflict with the mantle/be too busy. Sidenote: the mantle design is in transition for Christmas. I plan on putting a coat tree of some kind next to the piano so it will not be centered on the wall. Does anyone have any suggestions for styling the piano and wall above the piano? I was thinking two framed neutral prints on the wall but I'm stuck. Thanks in advance for any advice! I appreciate it.

Featured Answer

acm

6 years ago

No to the line-up -- it's too much so close to the mantel. kjoy1 didn't understand the question. ;)

I think I'd do a single picture, maybe something different enough from the living room decor to help define a separate space, or go with the dining area, or just be on its own.

The only other consideration is practical -- if somebody wants to play this with any regularity, you'll probably want a proper light on top, which might mean that you don't put anything else up there, or just a single smaller thing.

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Comments (12)

mmmegan1112
Original Author
6 years ago
Looks great!! I love it independently but do you think it could be too much next to the mantle?
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It has to be your decision whether you keep it or let it go, but that is not what your original question was. You are buying new furniture, new coffee table, new wood flooring, and more than likely will be using an area rug. All these elements are going to change the look and style of your room entirely. The piano appears to be a nice, rich looking wood, and looks nice as is. The black painted pictures that folks have posted look great also. I would wait until everything else is done in the room before I made the decision. The fabrics you use, the finish on the table, etc may help you decide whether you want black or stain. This is not a criticism, just a fact - I notice you don't have grand architectural features such as a fireplace, built-in shelving, high-end trims, etc. I feel comfortable saying this because I DON'T EITHER (LOL). Something as simple as a piano can become a nice focal point - something to put a pretty lamp on or a unique piece of pottery or any type of pretty vignette. Or a spot to do some gorgeous Christmas decorating. I personally strugle with this issue, so I would probably embrace the piano, if it were in my home, and I had room for it. I sometimes envy the rooms that have a mantel or buffet or built-in or grandma's old secretary to be decorated. Hope this makes sense! Again, I do encourage you to wait before you make your decision and let the room tell you what to do. Tuesday
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paintergirl94 - yep, way too contemporary for us. I mean, we live in a not old house but we not fans of contemporary at all. justgottabe me - what's that the say about the shoemaker's kids go barefoot? :) I hope you get your cabinets soon. curyly - yes, I think I'll need a rug too, once I get the paint picked and can figure out if I want a couple more chairs in there. Wow, Joann, your home is lovely and I am in awe that you made all those mantles and that beautiful furniture. What I love about your pieces is that it doesn't look like something newly made, but something that has been in the house for years and blends with antiques. Wish we had those skills but alas, ours run in a different direction. I really appreciate all the info that I can pass to the handyman. I sent him one email last night and he sounded very up for the challenge. I'm thinking though, that I will go ahead and get the room painted and everything else mostly arranged so then we can focus on the mantle. And Joann, gardener me is over the moon at your beautiful pond pics. I had those bookmarked a few years ago when we were looking for houses and had hoped to be able to put in a pond. Alas we have too small of a yard for one (just several water pondless features instead.) but your pond pages are still some of my favorites. Oh, and paintergil, here's the picture over the fireplace. I know the other things on the mantle are out of scale and can be moved around though the bronze figurine will likely stay there. Jan - love that you noticed that dark bowl on top of the other cabinet and my blue and white! I can't wait to get to tablescaping....my favorite part of decorating! Now back to the paint store for more samples to slap on some boards. I am almost sold on Baby Turtle in this room but since it gets very little natural light, I worry that it will be too dark. I can't seem to find another green/brown that has as much depth or interest or whatever you call it. :) Flowering Herbs, the next one up from Baby Turtle, seems too light. Thank you, again, all. So many wonderful things to think about.
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I would remove the scarf from the piano and just have a real piano light there with nothing else. The scarf looks very dated. Try moving the piano away from the center of the wall. I think the sofa should be removed and replaced with a console of some sort to store sheet music and you could add some framed photos. To the left of the piano, I would put a floor plant to catch the light from the doors. Art to the right of the piano should be eye level. No art above the piano -- it's the focus of the room!
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suzyq53
6 years ago
It looks very nice without nothing on it. The piano is fancy enough an its own.
mmmegan1112 thanked suzyq53
chloebud
6 years ago
I agree you don't want anything lined up on the piano. acm's suggestions are nice...just the art or a light.
mmmegan1112 thanked chloebud
Judy Mishkin
6 years ago
pianos don't need to be styled. all you need is a good light.
mmmegan1112
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks everyone!
Ed(Edwina) and Stephen Ci
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Do I understand that you do not use the piano?? If anyone wants to play- then it needs to be brought out significantly from the wall. When playing it should be in an open area with some sound absorption to minimize harsh prolongation of a sound; resonance-... I am so jealous that you have a piano!! I miss mine and hope to have another with next house- but living in Florida is very difficult- the high humidity alters the tuning FAST! I will need a dedicated humidifier in a closed off room but you do not want to play in a small room- too confining for the note-sound. Hmmmm why did my print style change in the middle of my text??? Anyway- even if you do not playb plesse put the piano off the wall- looks too much like a train lined up on the tracks. Imo oh- yes- you need a piano light! A must have if anyone wants to play!
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
A better place, if it is not an exterior wall, would be opposite the FP to serve as a visual counter balance to it. If the front door is close enough to the piano to justify a coat tree, then the piano is in too drafty an area for its health. Stuck between a heat device and an exterior door, it will be ruined with temp variations, dryness and then humidity.
summersrhythm_z6a
6 years ago
We have a couple pianos, one XL upright, one baby grand, I have candelabra lamps on both of them ( 2 on each).
faftris
6 years ago
I have a piano of a similar vintage, and I have an antique bankers/piano type lamp in the center, for playing. Also, I have few old family photos of my grandparents and my parents when they were all young, in frames that look antique, although they are not. I think your piano is just lovely!
PRO
Nandina Home & Design
6 years ago
Here is what we did in a design for a client of ours, perhaps it will help?
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Luxe Property Staging
6 years ago
Could do a family photo collage in different size pictures. Another idea is a picture you love that inspires music...such as scenery...water view etc. I have seen abstract art either made out of wood piece in color tones of piano as well. Or a four piece art in color of piano. Picture shown here is white piano...white arts...brown piano..brown art idea. Not my pictures just found some on google images for ideas.

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