How to make a dance room in your house
How to Set Up Your At-Home Dance Studio
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If you’re an avid dancer and your house has extra space, you could benefit from creating an at-home dance studio. It will be an especially easy project i you already have a home gym or a rec room (recreation room, but I think these are only common in the US). Here are a few practical steps to transform a room, or part of a room, into a functional dance space. Our range of home dance studio ideas covers the basics, technology set ups and useful dance accessories.
Home Dance Studio BasicsThese are more or less the essentials for the dance studio in your home. Most dance schools highly invest in this essential equipment because it’s the most important.
1. Clear a space.There’s no way around it; you need some free space to dance. Otherwise, you’re destined to accidentally kick, trip over or break some standard household object when you’re dancing at home.
Determine where you will have enough room to dance – even if it’s just 8’ by 8’. Sure, you won’t be able to perform large traveling movements; but otherwise, you will be able to move quite freely.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to maintain a permanent studio set up. Otherwise, you may need to prepare your home dance space every time you wish to dance by pushing your furniture to the room’s peripheries, etc.
2.
Lay your home dance studio flooring.Yes, you can dance on any floor, but it’s not easy to spin on carpet – and a concrete floor will be especially hard on your joints. The breakdancers’ solution was to practice on sheets of cardboard, but if you’ve got a budget for your dance studio flooring, wouldn’t you rather have wood floors? You can follow this DIY article from the Swungover blog (about swing dancing), which details how to make a wooden practice dance floor for your home.
You need a little know-how to assemble the aforementioned flooring. However, if you’re willing to forego wood, you can find interlocking tiles to create your dance floor. Models vary, but you just snap them into place, then fix the sloped border pieces around the edges. For instance, Soft Floor sells kits that cover 1 square meter, 1.8 square meters and 3 square meters.
If you want to upgrade to a professional grade studio, you’ll want a sprung floor. This type of floor helps to protect the joints during jumps and other high impact moves. The renowned dance flooring brand, Harlequin Floors, sells home studio kits with Harlequin Liberty sprung floor panels covered with either Harlequin Cascade or Harlequin Reversible vinyl. (Vinyl flooring, sometimes referred to as marley, is less slippery than polished wood and can often be found in ballet studios and covering professional stages.)
Once you finish your home dance floor, you still have a few more home dance studio flooring options.
Other alternatives include purchasing a tap dance pad to protect your new dance floor – and purchasing an inflatable tumble track or acropad to safely practice acrobatic dance tricks.
As Nelly’s Hot in Here single alludes, you need to dance in front of a mirror to be “checkin’ your reflection”– and it’s even important when you’re not just dancing in the mirror while you’re on the phone. Mirrors offer useful visual cues for dance learners. When you glance in the dance mirror, you may notice that you haven’t completely straightened your leg or that your arm positions are slightly off. This feedback can help you to improve your dance technique.
You can either mount multiple floor-to-ceiling dance studio mirrors on the wall to reflect your every movement – or install a single, large dance mirror panel. Specific dance mirrors aren’t necessary, either; you can get a skinny full-length mirror to to the job.
Depending on your home dance studio arrangement, you can even get this over-the-door mirror, which hangs from the top of a door – or opt for a portable standing mirror. And if you want an artsy look, you can create a mirror wall with these sticky reflective mirror-like decals.
4.
Raise the barre.When you’re warming up with your own barre class – or a free online ballet barre video, you can use the back of a chair for support. It’s okay, but not ideal. A longer ballet barre would give you more room to stretch and could be shared with multiple dancers.
To set the barre, affix either a single barre or a double barre to the wall. (Pun intended.) Otherwise, select a transportable barre, which allows dancers to stand on either side of the barre and practice at the same time. You can either pick a barre with adjustable height – or choose a barre with two rungs at different heights.
You’ll enjoy trying these free online ballet barre classes even more when you dance with a real barre.
If you want to play music on a quality sound system, follow along with an online dance class or record a video of you nailing a dance challenge (inspired by Covid-19), you’ll need to arrange your dance studio at home appropriately. This tech may not be necessary, but it can definitely enhance your dance space.
5. It may be time for a telly.A television in a dance studio could be counterproductive, but only if you let it lull you into a movie marathon instead of a dance session. However, if you mount a flatscreen television to the wall in your home dance space, you can stream online dance classes and follow along without craning your neck to watch them on your phone or laptop. You can also cast YouTube dance tutorials to your smart TV, in addition to online dance fitness workouts (like DanceBody).
6.
Listen, you want a good sound system.It’s your space, your music when you’re at home in your dance studio.
You don’t need to pop in wireless earbuds, like you would at a communal gym space. Gone is the heyday of boomboxes that blasted cassette tapes and CDs.Unless you’re feeling nostalgic, you can use a small portable speaker to amplify songs from your phone. Apple fans will naturally gravitate towards the iHome, while others may be tempted by JBL’s wireless speaker. If you want to go full out, shop for a surround sound speaker set, which will give you a more intense, immersive experience.
7.
Get camera friendly gadgets.Give your family and friends a break. With certain tools, you no longer need them to film all of your dance videos. You can simply prop your laptop or tablet on a small table to capture your sweet moves. I recently did this for the #danceitoutchallenge; however, I was disappointed with the video quality in the slightly low light.
You may want to record on your phone, instead. To do this, get a mini version of a tripod, called a GorillaPod which can stand on tables and wrap around other objects for optimum height placement.
Or purchase a large standing tripod to mount your digital camera. (But do make sure your camera has a tripod mount.) While these devices will keep your recording device static, you’ll want this nifty Pivo device for automatic motion tracking. It’s pretty cool.
These small accessories aren’t necessary for dancing, but if you have the space, this is a good place to put them.
8.
Collect your dance equipment for home here.A home studio space is a great place for your dance training accessories. Sure, a foot stretcher to enhance your arches may not be your thing – but there are a couple of other dance accessories to improve your technique and physique. Instead of stretching your feet, you can use a pulley-based leg stretcher to perfect your arabesque. To better your turns, you can either try a turn board or a turn disc. They help you become accustomed the sensation of turning multiple revolutions.
You don’t need to be in relevé on the turn board, but you will improve your balance in relevé on a small turn disc.
9.
Bring in your home gym kit, too.Your open studio space can function equally well for cross-training. While you might not have room for large pieces of exercise equipment, like cross trainers, treadmills, exercise bikes and rowing machines, you can probably squeeze in a weightlifting bench, small hand weights and a set of kettlebells. Resistance bands, gliders, ab wheels and TRX-type suspension trainers can come in handy, too.
A yoga mat is good for stretching, even if you don’t practice yoga, because it’s soft and keeps your warm body from cooling off too quickly on the floor. You would also enjoy a foam roller, massage stick, and/or massage balls to release the muscles after intense dance sessions.
10.
Add your dance decor.Last, but not least, you can decorate your studio with inspirational dance posters or your own gorgeous dance photos.
You can proudly display your trophies and hang your old pointe shoes or ghillies. (What else are you going to do with old, worn out dance shoes?) You won’t want to overcrowd your special dance space, but it’s nice to add a few personal touches. For a bit of flash, you can even add some fun disco dance lighting.
Where are you going to place your dance studio? And what are you most excited to add to your dance studio at home? We look forward to hearing about your home dance project in the comments below!
How To Build A Dance Studio At Home
Is it your dream to be able to wake up, brush your teeth, and go dance in your own private studio?
To be able to choreograph or take STEEZY Studio classes in the comfort of your own home?
Well, with a bit of sweat and money, you can totally build a dance studio at home! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
When you’re choosing an area in your house to build a studio, pick somewhere that’s further away from bedrooms.
You don't wanna disrupt your parents or roommates when they’re trying to sleep!
It’s also best to keep it on the first floor so you don’t have to worry about how much noise your feet are making.
Even if you feel like you don't have lots of options, you really don’t need a ton of space to make it work.
I’ve seen dancers use a corner in their garage, a hallway, bathroom, and even laundry rooms as their at-home dance studios.
Once you have your space figured out, you can...
2. Install mirrors
There are lots of different ways you can do this. I personally got 2 mirrored closet doors off of Craigslist for $50 total.
All I did was search “sliding closet mirror,” and found this family that was trying to get rid of them because they were remodeling their house.
You can find them at home improvement stores, too:
These are nice because you can move them around, but a bit less secure if you’re just leaning them against your wall.
You can also use vanity mirrors to build your own dance studio.
Piece them together on your wall depending on how much space you have and how big you want your mirror to be.
A super economical version of this is to get these sticky wall mirrors
and piece them together.
Downside is, you will able to see lines in between them, and they might be difficult to remove from your walls.
If you’re renting a place and don’t wanna risk peeling off the paint, then you can also get a huge cardboard box and stick it onto that and lean it against a wall.
WalMart has these 36” x 60” “Activity Mirrors” for less than $250 that you can install relatively easily.
MiraSafe mirrors can be quite pricey, but they’re amazing for makeshift dance studios.
If you’re the only person using your at-home dance studio, then one of them will be enough.
Check out this article for a step-by-step DIY guide to build your dance studio at home using MiraSafe.
This Fab Glass and Mirror kit is another investment that’d be worth it if you’re building your own dance studio for the long haul.
STEEZY actually uses Glassless Mirrors at our studio / office. They’re also pricey, but an option if you have a lot of space and want to be able to move them around.
3. Install floors
This isn’t absolutely necessary, but if you don’t like dancing on carpet or cement (in your garage), consider getting some wood or laminate floors for your dance studio at home.
There are some portable ones that you can lay down anywhere, like mats.
As well as interlocking ones you can piece together according to how much space you have.
Getting laminate flooring by square foot from a home improvement store is another option.
Dancing on wood is better for your knees and joints than dancing on cement is.
It can also give you a better idea for how your dancing will feel and look when you do it on other wood floors (at a studio, on stage…)
4.
Speakers and sound systemsIt’s probably not necessary to deck out your dance studio at home with surround-sound system.
A nice speaker does the job just fine, and you can move it around for different occasions. We use this one at STEEZY:
This one’s nice too:
If you're on a budget, just use your iHome or Echo or whatever speaker you have.
And if your at-home dance studio is just for you, you can also get away with just using headphones.
Dancers are lucky – we don't need a bunch of expensive equipment to be able to do what we love!
With mirrors, a floor, and some music, our at-home dance studio is complete.
Whether you live too far from a real dance studio, or just want extra dance practice on top of taking classes...
Building your own dance studio at home will give you the freedom to dance comfortably, whenever you want!
Use it to choreograph, freestyle, and of course – take classes on STEEZY Studio.
Check these posts out next:
Famous American Dance Studios You Should Know!
5 Famous American Ballet Schools You Should Know
Top 10 colors for decorating your home dance studio
Are you wondering what color is best for your home dance studio? If YES, here are the top 10 colors for a home dance studio. For those who have a basement or free space around the house, you can do and achieve a lot when designing a dance studio in your home.
Please note that turning your basement into a dance studio or dance space is a great idea, but the right question is where to start such a project and what are the best features you should implement in your project?
Basements are basically large spaces underneath the house and are ideal for a home dance studio. However, most basements do not have access to natural light, and others are too large to accommodate not only a dance studio, but perhaps a dance section.
To choose the right fitness color palette, you will need to consider the number, age, and gender of people using the home studio.
Please Note: When you decorate your dance studio with the right colors, you will feel inspired to dance and stretch, and it will help create a private space to unwind after a long day or unwind over the weekend. The right color scheme of the dance studio will also have the right emotional impact. However, here are some of the best color combinations for home dance studios.
1. Red
Indeed, the perfect place to start decorating your home dance studio is to look at paint schemes. For a home dance studio, it's absolutely essential to choose a color that will keep you motivated, whether it's an early Saturday morning or right after a long day at work.
Remarkably, red is an ideal choice, especially as it is known as a motivating color associated with strength and resilience.
If painting all the walls red is too bold for you, you might consider creating just one wall as an accent wall. However, warm red is a great option as it pairs easily with the silver and black that tend to stand out in most studio equipment.
2. Chic Lime
According to experts, colors in the yellow-green category evoke energy and excitement, just like bright red or orange. This more relaxed yellow-green tone crosses the line of energy and calmness. This is perfect if you're going to mix dance studio days with some workout days and then switch to yoga or Pilates. This color accentuates natural wood finishes or hardwood floors and accentuates grey, beige or white. You can easily spice up this shade by brightly lighting up the room.
3. Green
For your home dance studio, you need soothing colors. Green and white are wonderful options for relaxing energy.
Please note that to keep the space unique and energized, lighter tones such as sage green and creamy white are recommended.
Inspired by nature, green brings your deep feelings down to earth and adds grounding energy to your daily practice. However, to brighten it up or add some depth to your space, consider adding some tall mirrors. Apart from the mirrors that make the room look bigger, she will also offer you a platform to check her shape.
4. Brushed aluminum
Dancing is much more than just physical activity; it is also a mental and psychological aspect. Therefore, to ensure that you are in a serious and relaxed mood, choose gray colors for your walls, such as Benjamin Moore's brushed aluminum.
Note that this shade and other gray paint colors are weighty neutrals with a "let's get down to business" appeal. Moore's Brushed Aluminum pairs well with white finishes and cool color accents to keep the room in harmony.
Also note that this color is the perfect choice for a dance space that can also be used as a home office.
5. Neon
If you're planning to update your space to make an impact on your dancing, then there's no better alternative to a neon color scheme. While this may sound unusual, there was a reason why early dance culture focused mostly on bright blues, pinks, and greens.
Neon colors invigorate and give you the boost you need to de-stress while dancing. Also note the accent wall with a bright blue tint - you are sure to see and witness the energy breaking through the roof.
6. Silver Mist
For those who want to dance without being distracted, a rich gray like Silver Mist can be the perfect color for a home dance studio. Keep in mind that a simple cool gray with a hint of blue helps to focus on the dance while still being an attractive alternative to white.
Silver Mist also showcases a certain beach vibe that is perfect for a dance studio or yoga studio space equipped with a massage table.
7. Orange
Orange is a great option because it combines the power of red with the soothing elements of white and yellow. It will keep you in a positive and warm mood until next year's New Year resolution! Orange is definitely a more energetic color choice.
It can add energy to a room without overwhelming you. However, be careful using the entire room in orange. A lovely color, it can make your room look young and playful rather than a room with a serious purpose.
8. Nautilus Shell
For a dancer with a passion for ballet, barre or other styles, choosing a hearty, eye-catching color that isn't too overpowering is key. Note that a rich pink-peach paint color like Nautilus Shell brings energy to a room with its warm reddish hue while maintaining a fabulous softness.
If your dance style is more energetic, like Latin ballroom, hip hop, or zumba, then consider adding hot accent colors for energetic pops.
9. Classic
If you're planning on creating a more minimalist space, consider choosing warm white walls and a black chalkboard. Note that these walls are the perfect choice for a home dance studio, especially since they give you the opportunity to write your schedule, instructions, and motivational phrases on the wall, as well as leave room to change things up. Also note that white walls leave room for you to add different accents to the space, such as parquet flooring or wood trellis.
10. Harbor Haze
Indeed, dancing can warm you up pretty quickly, especially if your home studio gets a lot of natural light. Therefore, using cool colors such as Benjamin Moore's Harbor Haze can help create a relaxed and fresh atmosphere easily.
Try to find colors for your dance room that are relaxing but don't make you sleepy.
By choosing attractive schemes, you will be more likely to spend time in your home dance room. Keep in mind that you can paint the walls any color you like. However, think of connecting earthy colors rather than pink and lavender, which can be physically strengthening. You can also hang pictures of lakes, mountains, or places you want to visit on the walls to give you a pleasant experience.
The best online dance games on PC
Tired of endless battles and monotonous grind? Want to relax and try something completely new? Online dance games are what you need: we present a list of the best representatives of one of the most socially oriented genres.
Just Dance 2017
A former console exclusive that made its first appearance on PC. Unlike other games on the list where virtual characters dance, Just Dance 2017 invites players to personally wave their arms and legs, trying to imitate the movements of the dancer on the screen.
Just Dance does not require special controllers: just download the assistant application to your smartphone, connect it to the same Wi-Fi network with your computer, and you can dance until you drop, either alone or with partners (or rivals) in one mode screen or online.
Alas, this pleasure cannot be called cheap: in addition to buying the game, you will have to pay for a Just Dance Unlimited subscription, otherwise you will be content with a miserable 40 music tracks. A subscription gives you access to 300+ licensed songs, so that the money spent will be more than recouped by the received emotions and calories burned. The game will help you regularly stretch your limbs after many hours of gaming sessions, and will also be the perfect entertainment for a noisy party.
buy
MStar
An online game that uses the Unreal Engine 3, which makes it look much more beautiful and modern than competitors. The power of the engine allowed developers to implement colorful locations and detailed characters, realistic animation and modern effects, and an advanced hero editor, combined with an extensive wardrobe, gave players the opportunity to create completely unique conquerors of the dance floors.
As far as gameplay is concerned, MStar is fine with that too. The game is friendly to beginners and able to challenge hardcore gamers, so there is entertainment here for every taste. In addition to actually participating in dance competitions (in which, by the way, licensed foreign and domestic musical compositions are used), users can equip their virtual apartments, go to parties, visit bars and cafes, make acquaintances, arrange dates and weddings.
Earlier in the CIS the game was published by 101XP and was available entirely in Russian. But as of the end of autumn 2021, one server remained operational - fortunately, a detailed guide on registration and Russification is available in the VKontakte game group.
Play
Soul Dance Party
Soul Dance Party from domestic developers combines two genres - dance and social. On the one hand, hot dances with bright outfits and pleasant music await you, on the other hand, the opportunity to create a unique character and just live by attending parties, building relationships with the inhabitants of the virtual world and completing quests. Everything is possible in this game.
The game was released in 2021, so it will please you with excellent graphics.
Yes, and it's nice to realize that the dance genre does not cease to interest developers.
Play
Dance Collider
This game will literally make you dance, because it was made for virtual reality glasses. The gameplay offers to compete with 9 virtual dancers - you have to catch flying spheres, thus reproducing various movements. You will do this under one of the 75 songs written by the legendary composer F-777. If this is not enough, then try out the in-game editor.
We advise you to warm up properly, because you will have to move a lot and quickly here.
Buy Now
Space Dance Harmony
Another dance rhythm game for VR, but with a focus on learning. She suggests repeating the movements of a virtual assistant, and for this you will have to use the whole body.
It is interesting that the dance numbers were worked out by professionals in their field, and there are modes in the game for both wooden beginners and flexible professionals.
Enjoy different styles of music, leaderboards and nice graphics with various decorations.
Buy Now
Dance Magic
It would be strange to see a dance game in the track record of the creators of the furious action game Crossout, if you do not know its content. In fact, Dance Magic also offers to clash in hot fights, but the attacks of the duelists are activated by their smooth movements.
The formula of the game is simple - dance to defeat the enemy.
To do this, you have to press various buttons in time and link them into spectacular combos, thus activating various abilities of the hero. You can choose from 7 dance styles, 30 music tracks and a rich wardrobe of star costumes.
Buy Now
Audition
A series of dance games on PC from Korea, with anime style, a large selection of dance styles, an advanced character editor and impressive customization options - the variety of clothes available in the wardrobe will give odds to many fashion houses.
Some editions of the Audition series failed to attract an audience and were closed, others are still afloat. Among them is Audition Online, which can be played for free on Steam: the project allows you to gather in a large crowd and arrange a group dance battle, gaining points and receiving rewards.
Other aspects of the social genre - communication, dates, weddings - are also present, so you can safely go into the game for new acquaintances.
Play
Para Pa
A dance arcade game of Chinese origin, localized in the Russian market by Mail.ru and very popular among fans of the genre. All thanks to a well-developed social component: Para Pa is not only dancing, but also parties, weddings, shopping and even showdowns between groups.
However, there is also a lot of dancing here: dozens of dance floors, clubs and stadiums, rattling with famous musical compositions, are waiting for the inhabitants of the virtual world. Movements are performed through QTE: players must press certain keys, trying to get into the rhythm and score the maximum number of points.
You can show your skills both alone and in a group with other users, including participating in the above-mentioned battles (no massacre - only dance competitions).
Play
Crypt of the Necrodancer
Crypt of the Necrodancer is a mix of roguelike RPG and dance simulator. Behind such an intricate definition lies a very exciting gameplay: here you need to explore the dungeons in rhythm with the music, trying to dance enemies.
In Crypt of the Necrodancer, everyone dances - enemies, bosses and, of course, player-controlled (co-op supported) characters, turning the battlefield into a strange but fun disco. It is not easy to master the local rhythm mechanics, but when it nevertheless lends itself, the gameplay of the project begins to bring genuine pleasure.
For more immersive atmosphere, you can connect a real dance mat to Crypt of the Necrodancer and beat the rhythm with your feet, while getting rid of both enemies and extra calories.
Buy now
LoveBeat
A free to play casual game dedicated exclusively to dancing, featuring a variety of songs and dance moves that you can learn to hone your skills and then show off to your opponents in online competitions.
LoveBeat boasts an impressive amount of content. Over ten game modes, including individual, couple and group dances, over five hundred music tracks in various genres, a giant wardrobe with which to decorate your avatar, and many social features that allow you to communicate with players, make new friends and even have virtual weddings.
And most importantly - the atmosphere of an ongoing party: perhaps the most important thing to expect from a dance rhythm game.
Play
Super Dancer Online Extreme
An MMO dance game with tons of modes and dances, plus tons of additional activities, including decorating your own home, taking care of your pets, updating your wardrobe, chatting with other players, and even crafting items. Another distinctive feature of the game is the ability to get married, have a child and take him to dance battles.
The name of the game, Super Dancer Online Extreme, hints that some of the challenges here can be extreme. And it's true: new levels of difficulty and hardcore modes are gradually opening up here, and in order to master them all, you need to have a good reaction and a sense of rhythm.
The best of the best can join guilds and organize guild wars - no sieges and battles, only dances, dances, dances.
Play
Avatar
One of the most popular social games where, in addition to other entertainments like home improvement, going to cafes and shops, completing various quests and communicating with the inhabitants of the town, there is also dancing.
In Avatar, you can go to the club and challenge the players to a dance duel. Or start a relationship with another avatar and merge in a pair dance. There are tons of possibilities, and dancing mini-games are exciting, so you definitely won't be bored.
Play
Club Cooee
Another social game, in fact - a three-dimensional chat in which the avatars of the players get to know each other, communicate and perform various joint actions.
For example, they dance - a separate dance room is available here, where you can show your skills by performing a couple of intricate steps.
In addition, the project is interesting in other activities. Here you can dress up your character, get a magical pet, arrange a virtual room - in general, have fun from the heart!
Play
Dancing Angel
An anime-themed MMO dance project that lets you choose and customize your character, then hit the dance floor to compete with other players, make friends, chat, and even celebrate weddings!
Dancing Angel contains many customization items, including wings, jackets, boots, dresses, pants, and so on.
