Okay, so yesterday I decided to tackle that pile of wooden flooring I had sitting in the garage. The plan? Finally get that cozy, warm look in the living room I’ve been dreaming about. I’m calling it “cushions dancing, soft maple assembling” because, well, that’s the vibe I’m going for!

Getting Started

First things first, I cleared out the living room. Everything. Couches, rugs, the cat’s favorite scratching post – all of it went into the spare bedroom. It looked like a furniture bomb had exploded in there, but hey, sacrifices must be made for beauty, right?

Then came the prep work. I swept the concrete subfloor like a madman, twice, just to be sure. Then I rolled out this underlayment – it’s like a thin, foamy layer that’s supposed to help with sound and give the floor a little extra cushion. I felt pro.

Laying the Boards

• I started in one corner, picking out the straightest boards I could find. The instructions (yes, I actually read them… mostly) said to leave a little gap around the edges for expansion.
• The first few rows were the trickiest. Getting everything lined up perfectly, making sure the seams were staggered… it took some patience, I’ll admit. My knees were not happy.
• But then, I got into a rhythm. Click, tap, click, tap. The boards have these little grooves that lock together, and it’s oddly satisfying when they snap into place.

The Tricky Bits

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I hit a snag when I got to the doorway. I had to cut some boards to fit around the frame, and let’s just say my sawing skills are… not professional. It took a few tries (and a few choice words) to get it right.

Also and my back was screaming, I found it hard work.

The Finish Line!

But finally, after many hours, and maybe a couple of small mistakes that I artfully hid with furniture placement, I was done! I stood back, a little sore but very proud and I looked at my new floor. It looked… amazing! The soft maple color is so warm, and it feels great underfoot.

The cushions will truly dance, once I bring back the furniture, that is.