Where you put a piano can dramatically affect how often it goes out of tune or develops issues. Here are the key guidelines:
Temperature & Humidity Control
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Avoid exterior walls: These fluctuate with outdoor weather, which stresses the wood and strings. Use an interior wall instead.
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Stay away from windows and doors: Drafts, direct sunlight, and sudden temperature changes cause instability.
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Consistent humidity: Pianos like about 40–50% relative humidity. Too dry = cracks in the soundboard; too damp = sticky keys and swelling.
Light & Heat
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No direct sunlight: UV light fades the finish and heats the wood unevenly, leading to warping.
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Avoid heat sources: Don’t place near radiators, fireplaces, or heating vents. The constant hot/cold cycle is a tuning nightmare.
Upright Piano Placement
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Best against an interior wall, with a few inches of space for airflow.
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Keep it away from kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms—moisture and steam are enemies.
Grand Piano Placement
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Place the bass side (the long straight edge) near an interior wall, with the lid projecting sound into the room.
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Leave at least 2–3 feet of space around it for air circulation.
Maintenance Benefits
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Proper placement reduces how often you’ll need tuning (instead of every 2–3 months, you might stretch to 6–12 months).
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Protects the finish and prevents mechanical issues like sluggish action or cracked soundboards.
In short: interior wall, no direct sun, no drafts, no heat sources, stable humidity. That’s the recipe for a piano that stays in tune longer and needs TLC.
Reference:
Where Should You Not Put a Piano? Avoiding Acoustic Disasters in Your Home Layout – https://joshuarosspiano.com/where-should-you-not-put-a-piano/
Piano Room Placement – https://www.total-piano-care.com/piano-room-placement.html
TLC is shorthand for “tender loving care.”
When people say a piano (or any instrument, or even furniture, cars, etc.) needs some TLC, they mean it needs regular, attentive maintenance and gentle handling to keep it in good condition. For a piano, that usually includes:
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Tuning – keeping the strings at the right pitch, usually minimum 2 times a year.
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Regulation – adjusting the action (the 10,000+ moving parts) so the keys respond evenly.
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Voicing – making sure the tone is balanced and not too bright or too dull.
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Care – protecting it from dust, sunlight, humidity swings, and rough treatment.
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