Good Bones' Karen Laine Shows You How To Repurpose A Piano Into A Stunning Bar

The trills and arpeggios of a Mozart piano piece are some of the best sounds you can experience. That is, if they are created on a well-tuned piano that's been lovingly maintained. But sadly, pianos in unfortunate states probably clutter up more homes than beautifully tuned ones do. Karen Laine and her team on HGTV's "Good Bones" found a dilapidated piano in one of their reno houses; rather than chucking the instrument, they took the opportunity to convert the seemingly un-usable piano into a bar. Complete with a marble countertop, exposed strings, and newly polished wood, the piano morphed from a pain into a party staple.

This upcycle turns a bland room into a music-lover's escape. Don't post that piano on Facebook Marketplace! Instead, swap the keyboard out for a stone or wood counter, set out some drink fixings and highball glasses, and get the party started. If you have no need for a home bar, there are plenty of functional ways to upcycle your worn out piano. Nothing's stopping you from borrowing Laine's idea to use it as a plant stand or bookshelf, or even try leaning a mirror against the body for a quirky vanity.

You don't need many supplies to pull off this upgrade. The only required elements are a piano, a cut of material to make into a counter, some silicone caulk, and wood polish. If you're out of wood polisher, the solution might be in your fridge. Depending on the state of the piano's wood, you might also want a stain or paint to treat faded or damaged surfaces. Although they didn't share the exact dimensions of the stone countertop, the slab appears to be between 12 and 18 inches wide. This size is large enough to project over the edge of the keyboard base and provide a generous surface for shaking and stirring cocktails.

Laine's team struggled with moving the extremely heavy piano; they decided to shift it to its permanent spot in the room before attaching the stone countertop in order to save weight. The crew dismantled the keyboard, lid, and sill (the part that supports the lid when it's open) before attaching the stone counter. If you need to paint or re-stain the wood, complete that step before installing the counter. To add your counter to your future piano bar, apply a generous coating of silicone caulk over the surface where you'll be setting the marble slab. Set the stone in place, and let the caulk cure. Give the wood a little polish, and you're ready to entertain.