Man, this whole dancing rubber tree setup started because I got tired of dragging furniture around every time I wanted to practice moves in my living room. That potted rubber tree just sits there by the window, and I kept almost kicking it over. Plus, dancing on carpet feels terrible for spins. Grabbed my tape measure one Tuesday morning – measured about a six-foot circle around that tree where I normally move.

Ran down to the lumber yard and picked up four sheets of half-inch plywood. Guy at the counter looked at me funny when I said “Need something smooth enough to dance on but light enough to move”. He suggested birch ply, bit pricier but way smoother than regular stuff. Cut ’em all into two-foot squares right there in the parking lot with my circular saw. Made thirty-six squares total, which is way more than six feet diameter needs, but figured better too many than too few.

Next day in the garage, sanded every piece like crazy with 120 grit. My arms were killing me! Still found splinters for days afterward. Did three passes per board – once to rough up the surface, twice more to smooth it. Wiped ’em down with a damp rag between sandings. Important part? Sealing the edges real good with wood glue so they wouldn’t chip apart.

Big realization: Needed locking edges or the whole floor would slide apart mid-spin. Grabbed some wooden trim pieces and cut little tongues and grooves into the edges. Measured about fifty times before cutting – didn’t want gaps where my heels could catch. Had to redo a couple boards when I got the angle wrong, but eventually figured out the pattern. Made sure all corners interlocked like puzzle pieces.

Here’s where it got interesting:

• Arranged boards around tree trunk in expanding circles
• Tested each connection by jumping on the joints
• Marked underside with letters matching neighbor boards
• Stained only the top surfaces with walnut finish
• Added anti-slip rug pads under each tile

Final step was the best part – took it all apart and stacked it next to the closet. When I want to dance now? Just spread the tiles around the tree in five minutes. The rubber tree stays put while the floor comes to me. When friends come over, we disassemble it fast and pile it against the wall. That stupid pot hasn’t been kicked over since February!