Pallet Canvas

Jordan Christie from Hillcrest Baptist Church Spanish Trail Campus in Pensacola, FL brings us this cool pallet design that becomes versatile with the way they change out the lighting above.

From Jordan: We wanted a very simple and warm stage design using wood and Edison bulbs. We rolled it out in three phases. First, we had just the pallet wall and piano on stage. Next, we added the star shaped paper lanterns to give the stage a more Christmas / Winter vibe. Finally, we removed the paper lanterns and put the Edison bulbs in their place. This was a relatively cheap and easy design. It is also easily scaled to any size stage.

Using 2x4s, recycled from previous stage designs, we built a frame that was 10 feet tall and roughly 30 feet wide. Next we collected 40 pallets from Lowes and had a team of college students cut them apart to salvage the planks. Then using a nail gun we tacked all the planks to the frame using small brads. In total the collection, deconstruction of the pallets and building the wall took 4 hours with 10 people.

Then we built a 22 foot wide x 8 foot deep frame that we would hang the Edison bulbs from using dark gray PVC pipe and fittings. This frame just rests on our lighting truss. We lost count of how many wire splices and wire nuts we used doing this but it was in the ballpark of 1 million. Wiring the bulbs and 22 sockets through the frame took roughly 12 hours by myself. The bulbs were hung at various heights and depths. We also wired the bulbs into an existing dimmer circuit so we would have control over their brightness. For the paper-lantern phase, we used small 5watt night light bulbs to illuminate the star lanterns. For the Edison-bulb phase, we simply removed the lanterns and replaced the bulbs with various shaped and size Edison Bulbs.

Here is a video from our Night of Worship using this stage design.

[tentblogger-vimeo 253534485]

Materials Used…
2x4s – FREE
40 pallets – FREE
22 Star shaped Paper Lanterns – $225
22 Edison Bulbs, sockets & electrical wire- $300
PVC pipe and fittings – $200
TOTAL COST – $725
TOTAL TIME – 16 hours.

How to Adapt a Pallet Wall for Your Church Stage

A pallet backdrop works best when the wall is treated as a reusable scenic surface instead of a one-service decoration. Start by measuring the usable width behind the worship team, then divide the structure into manageable modules. Sections that are four to eight feet wide are easier for volunteers to build, carry, store, and reconfigure. Stagger the reclaimed boards across the seams so the finished wall reads as one continuous texture while still allowing the modules to separate after the event.

Sort pallet boards before installation rather than attaching them in the order they are dismantled. Mixing narrow and wide planks creates rhythm, while alternating light, medium, and dark boards keeps one area from looking visually heavy. A quick dry layout on the floor lets the team balance color and texture before anyone reaches for the nail gun. If reclaimed wood is difficult to source, new fence pickets can create a similar look; use two or three diluted stain colors to introduce natural variation.

The biggest advantage of this design is that lighting can change its mood without rebuilding the wall. Warm Edison lamps emphasize the grain and create an intimate atmosphere. Paper lanterns soften the scene and add shape, while colored uplights can make the same wood feel energetic or reflective. Keep several lighting looks saved on the console so the backdrop can support worship, teaching, prayer, and special services with quick cue changes.

Build and Light the Backdrop Safely

Inspect every pallet before bringing it indoors. Reject boards with chemical odors, oily residue, heavy mold, protruding fasteners, or questionable markings. Remove nails, sand splintered edges, and keep untreated wood away from hot fixtures. Every scenic module should have a stable base and a secondary restraint to approved structural points; never depend on a freestanding wall or lighting truss as an improvised attachment point without review from a qualified person.

For the hanging lamps, calculate the total electrical load before connecting the sockets to a circuit. Use listed lamp holders, cable, connectors, and strain relief, and have a qualified electrician or experienced electrical lead review the system. Modern dimmable LED filament bulbs preserve the warm Edison appearance while drawing less power and producing less heat. Label each cable run and test every lamp at full output before rehearsal so failed connections can be corrected while the room is empty.

Pro Tips for a Pallet and Edison Bulb Stage

Build in modules: Smaller framed sections are safer to move and make it possible to reuse only part of the wall on a narrower stage.

Control the glow: Start the Edison bulbs at a low intensity on camera, then raise them only until the filaments read clearly without becoming distracting bright spots.

Protect the texture: Aim side light across the boards instead of directly at them. The shallow angle reveals the wood grain and creates depth between uneven planks.

Plan the changeover: Photograph and label every suspension point so volunteers can swap lanterns and bulbs consistently without guessing at cable lengths.

Related Designs

• Pallet Wings – See another modular way to turn reclaimed pallet wood into a dramatic stage shape.
• Game of Pallets – Explore a layered pallet treatment with a different silhouette and visual rhythm.
• PVC Poles Over Pallets – Combine rustic wood texture with inexpensive vertical scenic elements.
• Glowing Woods – Find inspiration for pairing dimensional wood with luminous accents.
• Weathered – Discover another warm, aged-wood backdrop enhanced by practical lighting.