Golden Trees

By Amanda Miller
Jeff City First Church | jeffcityfirstchurch.com

This month’s stage design was all about warmth, texture, and intentional simplicity—without stretching the budget or the team. The goal was to create a visually rich backdrop using gold textured trees, built and installed by a one-person crew with a $50 total budget.

The Vision

Gold represents value, reverence, and celebration, making it a perfect visual element for worship. Instead of relying on expensive materials or elaborate builds, this design focused on layering texture and light to create depth and interest from a distance.

Materials & Structure

The trees were built using 4 x 8 foam sheets as the main structure for each tree frame. Foam sheets are lightweight, easy to cut, and simple to move—perfect for a solo build and quick installation.

To define each tree and give it a finished look:

• The edges were painted gold, which helped the shapes stand out under stage lighting.

• Each tree was then filled with a different gold surface treatment to add variety while keeping the color palette cohesive.

Texture Techniques

Instead of buying specialty materials, everyday items were used creatively:

• Two trees were wrapped in gold tablecloths, allowing the natural folds to create soft texture and light reflection.

• The other trees used different shades of gold wrapping paper, applied with varied techniques—some smooth, some crinkled—to catch light differently and add contrast.

Using multiple gold tones and textures kept the design from feeling flat, even though the color palette stayed very focused.

Budget Breakdown

This entire stage look came together for $50, proving that thoughtful design matters more than expensive materials. Foam sheets, wrapping paper, and tablecloths are affordable, easy to find, and incredibly versatile.

Why It Works

• High visual impact from simple materials

• Lightweight and reusable components

• Easy to scale up or down for different stage sizes

• Achievable by a single volunteer or staff member

Final Thoughts

This project is a great reminder that stage design doesn’t require a large team or a big budget—just creativity, planning, and a willingness to experiment with texture. Gold textured trees brought warmth and elegance to the stage while staying practical and accessible for any church environment.

If you’re looking for a fresh, budget-friendly way to update your stage this season, textured foam builds like these are a great place to start.