Piano Organization

Guest Post from Professional Organizer, Jen Heim:

My daughter is currently taking online piano lessons, from a wonderful instructor Sarah Collins at Portland Piano Lessons. To facilitate her musical learning, I set up a Piano Station in our house so she could quickly and easily access everything she needed. 

Here are a few of the things I considered to keep the station organized and make music lessons effortless:

Organizing Baskets: My first step was to add accessible storage right next to the piano. Vertical storage tends to work best for paperwork (so nothing ends up at the bottom of the pile), so I added baskets to the wall where she could reach them.  If you have multiple musicians in the house, each family member can have their own basket. Alternatively, categorize baskets for technology, sheet music, and notebooks. The key to effective organization is to place items where you instinctively seek them and takes the least amount of effort to put away.

Note, my daughter practices in the same location she takes her lessons.  If that is not the case for you, I would recommend having a dedicated bag that can bring the necessary books and papers/binder back and forth. 

Corralling Loose Songs: One of the amazing things about Sarah Collins at Portland Piano Lessons is that she encourages her students to play the songs they enjoy as well as compose their own music.  (My daughter also likes to choreograph dances to the songs she writes and it is so fun to watch!)  As a result, we have a whole pile of miscellaneous printed songs or other miscellaneous musical notes.  A binder has worked as an excellent tool for organizing these compositions.  

Device Setup & Accessibility: Keep all necessary equipment within reach.  In our case, the instructor has us utilize a piano app and lessons are done virtually, so it is essential to have a device handy.  We have this eyesore of a plug right next to the basket, which actually comes in super handy as it allows us to charge the device right where we keep it.

In addition, we have a drawer close by that keeps all of our various chargers. This does not need to be fancy (we used some cardboard as dividers) but it does need dividers to prevent cords from tangling.  Labeling is also key to prevent the typical “Where’s the charger?” panic!  If you have to spend more than a second looking for something then distraction and lack of motivation can quickly interfere.  Luckily for us the drawer where we keep our chargers was already right next to Piano Station, but if not feel free to keep the charger right in the bin. 

Essential Accessories: Make the most of your lessons and make sure that everything needed is nearby.  Keep a reliable writing instrument and a dedicated notebook nearby for jotting down notes and tracking progress. 

Daily Reminders - Even the most accomplished musicians benefit from a gentle nudge now and then.  Consider setting up a schedule that includes short, focused practice sessions. Make daily reminders to practice until it become routine. Consistency can work wonders, and it ensures that piano practice becomes a delightful part of the daily routine.

A valuable tip: make it a habit to declutter every few months. For those with children, you're likely familiar with how quickly a tidy space can transform into chaos. One moment, everything is neatly organized, and the next, it resembles a whirlwind! Therefore, it’s essential to retain only the necessities in the activity area. Consider relocating outgrown music and books to a storage box for future nostalgia—after all, who doesn’t enjoy revisiting a classic tune?

Creating an environment that encourages creativity and learning is key. Celebrate small victories to keep motivated. Whether it’s mastering a tricky piece or completing a lesson, acknowledging progress can boost confidence immensely. Remember, the goal is to make learning piano a joyful journey, full of discovery and fun!

~ Jen Heim is a Professional Organizer in Portland, Oregon at Sustainable Simplicity Organizing.  Sustainable Simplicity Organizing's goal is to help you feel peaceful and calm through the process of decluttering and implementing practical organizing solutions.   If your space is stressing you out, Sustainable Simplicity Organizing can help you take a personalized step by step approach at decluttering the excess. Experience the joy of getting organized and taking the time to enjoy what matters most……like piano!  ~