Simple Set Design Ideas
Simple Set Design ideas That Won’t Break the Bank (or Your Spirit). Drama teachers and directors - use this as your guide to simple, yet amazing theatrical sets!
Katie Zakkak
6/30/20252 min read


When I first stepped into the role of drama director, I thought my job would revolve around coaching performers and blocking scenes. Then came the unexpected twist: I inherited the responsibility for set design.
Let’s just say… I was never the artsy kid. In sixth grade, I boldly listed “Art” as my least favorite class. And now? I was supposed to create visual magic. If this sounds familiar, keep reading. Here are real-life, drama-director-tested tips for designing sets that are practical, budget-conscious, and time-saving—without sacrificing elegance.
🎭 Start With a Strong Anchor: Your Main Unit
Design one main unit that stays onstage for most of the show.
Think of it as your set’s “home base.”
Platforming systems are perfect for this—usable in multiple scenes with minor adjustments.
💡 Example:
In Beauty and the Beast, I used a cobblestone-textured platform with stairs. It served both the town and castle scenes. The only thing that changed? The backdrops!
🔁 Use Set Pieces That Do Double Duty
Look for versatile pieces you can repurpose throughout the show.
Periaktoi (three-sided flats) are a lifesaver—paint them on each side and rotate them for scene changes.
💡 Example:
One side could be a bookshelf, another a forest, the third a tavern wall—endless combinations, one structure.
Bonus: Build periaktoi with flaps that open on each side. Then you have six possible set locations!
🧻 Get Creative With Backdrops and Coverings
Try “Better Than Paper” bulletin board rolls—they come in rich textures like wood grain or stone and are a breeze to hang.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper can add instant polish, especially for smaller stage areas or inset walls.
💡 Tip:
You don’t always need muslin and paint. These easy solutions shine for scenes that only need to “suggest” a space (like a hallway, study, or general outdoor location).
🕐 Time-Saving = Stress-Saving
Prioritize elements that are reusable across shows or easily stored.
Skip overly elaborate moving parts unless they’re absolutely central to the story.
Use simple, iconic design to suggest space rather than recreate it.
✅ Your Set Doesn’t Have to Be Complex to Be Beautiful
You don’t need a massive construction team or a fine arts degree. What you do need is a thoughtful plan, a flexible mindset, and maybe a roll of stone-texture bulletin paper.
You’ve got this. Break a leg—and may your set strike quickly and your platform be stable!
Want Support? I've Got Resources for You.
If you’re on this journey too, I’ve got tools that can help:
🎭 Download my free Drama Program Growth Toolkit – a planning guide to help you set goals, recruit students, and map out your year.
🧰 Check out my Audition & Rehearsal Resource Bundle on my TPT store – with everything you need to prep students and run smooth auditions.
Coming soon: Student leadership guides for stage managers, designers, and more—so your students feel equipped to truly take the lead.