Ballet is a rewarding art form that requires much dedication and practice. Bring the dance studio home with you by creating your own PVC freestanding ballet barre. PVC is strong and durable, allowing this barre to withstand hours of practice while holding steady. Check out how to make a single and double ballet barre below.
Building a Single Ballet Barre
Ballet barres in studios come built to fit the average adult (or child) height, but by building your own ballet barre you can customize it to fit you!
The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out how tall your home barre will be. Barre’s are usually waist height. You will also need to decide how long you want your barre to be based on the space you have. Once you have both of those decided, you’re set to start building your barre.
Supplies
- 1.25” PVC Pipe
- (6) 1.25” 90-degree elbows
- (2) 1.25” tee
- Rubber or foam
Steps for the Single Ballet Barre
Step 1: Cut your PVC pipe. You’ll need (4) 10” sections, (2) sections that are waist height, and (1) section the length you want your barre to be.
Step 2: Make the feet. Connect two of your 10” sections together with a tee facing upwards and place an elbow on each end so that the opening faces downward. Repeat a second time. At this point, you’ll have the bottom or feet of your barre.
Step 3: Make the legs. Place the waist high PVC pipes into the open slip of the tee then place an elbow on the top end, with the opening of the elbows pointing inwards.
Step 4: Make the barre. Connect the two elbows together using your final piece of PVC for the top of your barre.
Step 5: Optional. Using either rubber or foam, cut out circles the same size as the diameter of the elbows that touch the floor and attach to the elbow to help your barre not move as you use it.
Building a Double Ballet Barre
Take your at-home practice to the next level by building a double ballet barre. This plan makes a ballet barre that is 5’ in length. You can adjust that as needed to fit your space.
Materials
- 20 feet of 1.25” PVC Pipe
- (6) 1.25” 90-degree elbows
- (4) 1.25” tees
- Rubber or foam
Steps for the Double Ballet Barre
Step 1: Cut your PVC. You’ll need:
- (6) 10” sections
- (2) 26” sections
- (2) 5’ sections
Step 2: Make the feet. Take two of your 10” sections and connect them with a tee facing upward, and then place elbows on each end with the opening facing downwards. Repeat a second time.
Step 3: Make the legs. Take your 26” sections and insert them into the open slip of the tee. Place a tee on the end with the middle opening facing inwards.
Step 4: Make the lower barre. Connect the tees with a 5’ section of PVC.
Step 5: Begin to make the top barre. In the open top slip of the tees, place your remaining 10” sections. Place an elbow on top with the opening facing inwards.
Step 6: Finish the top barre. Connect the elbows using your final 5’ section of PVC.
Step 7: Optional. Using either rubber or foam cut out circles the same size as the diameter of the elbows making the feet of the barre and attach the circles to the elbows to help your barre not move as you use it.
Ballet at Home (or Anywhere!)
Upgrade your home ballet practice with these easy to make PVC ballet barres. With the ability to customize them to fit your needs and your space, these barres are a great fit for any one at any skill level. Need help ordering? Contact one of our product specialists at (866) 777-7990.