Alright, so I wanted to make a portable dance floor for home practice, you know, something I could move around easily. I didn’t want to mess up my floors, and I needed something with a bit of give for practicing turns and stuff. I looked around online, and most pre-made options were crazy expensive, so DIY it was!

First, I gathered my materials. I decided to go with a simple batten system. Here’s what I ended up using:

• Some plywood sheets. I got two sheets to be precise. Cheaper the better, as long it not too flimsy.
• A bunch of 1×2 inch wooden battens. A pack with many of it.
• Wood screws. Make sure you get enough.
• Some kind of padding. I actually used some old yoga mats I wasn’t using anymore.
• Heavy-duty adhesive. I don’t want it falling.
• Tools: a drill, a saw (or you can get the wood cut at the store), measuring tape, and a pencil.

The first step was to cut the plywood to the size I wanted. I decided on two 4×4 foot sections, so it would be easy to store. If you don’t have a saw, you can usually get the hardware store to cut the wood for you when you buy it. That’s what I did, saved me a ton of time!

Next, I laid out the battens on the underside of the plywood. I spaced them about 6-8 inches apart, running parallel to each other. This is what gives the floor its “spring.” I made sure to leave a bit of space around the edges of the plywood, maybe an inch or so.

Then, I screwed the battens to the plywood. I used plenty of screws to make sure they were really secure. I pre-drilled the holes to avoid splitting the wood, which is something I learned the hard way in the past! Don’t skip that step, trust me.

Once the battens were attached, it was time for the padding. I cut my old yoga mats into strips and glued them onto the battens, in between the spaces. You could use foam padding, carpet padding, whatever you can find. The idea is to provide a bit of cushion.

I repeated the process for the second sheet of plywood, creating two identical panels.

And that’s pretty much it! I placed the two panels side-by-side, and boom, instant dance floor! It’s not perfectly smooth on top, but it’s got enough give for practicing, and I can easily move it and store it when I’m not using it.

The finish Line

It’s surprisingly sturdy, and it definitely beats practicing on hard floors. Plus, I saved a bunch of money by doing it myself. It is so cool, try to do your own!