How to make a decorative false fireplace with your own hands

You can make a false fireplace in your house or apartment with your own hands. Decorative models are easy to make from cardboard boxes, old furniture, plasterboard sheets or chipboard. Imitation of a fireplace with the ability to heat is built from brick. The design of the finished structure should harmoniously fit into the interior of the room.

What is a fake fireplace?

This is a decorative interior element that imitates a working fireplace.

It is designed to create a feeling of coziness in a house or apartment, but is not suitable for full heating.

Classification

All types of such foci are divided into groups according to different criteria.

Based on functionality and practicality, the following are distinguished:

From a realism point of view, there are 3 types of fake fireplaces:

Standard and realistic models can carry a functional load.

All false fireplaces are divided by shape and size into:

Corner false fireplaces are attached to 2 walls at the same time. This makes the structure strong and stable.

Straight models have the most picturesque appearance and are well suited for photo shoots.

Depending on durability and transportability, false fireplaces are:

Styles

The style of the fireplace should match the design of the entire interior.

This could be:

1. The classic version is an imitation of a fireplace made of natural stone or wood. The models are distinguished by a laconic design without frills. You can hang a picture, a mirror, a clock above the shelf. The walls around are decorated with marble, mosaic tiles, decorative plaster. It is appropriate to lay parquet with a suitable pattern on the floor in front of the portal.

2. 

   Sublime classics – the design is complicated by plaster moldings, stone carvings or Venetian plaster. The side projections are decorated with semi-columns. Such models are made in light colors.

3. Baroque – a false fireplace is distinguished by some pretentiousness, richness of details and elements. It is decorated with mosaics or carvings in the form of flowers, leaves, birds. The optimal material for the facade is tiles imitating white marble. The room should be light and spacious.
4. Modern – designs are distinguished by the quirkiness of lines. Models are made to order. Colored stained glass is used as decoration.
5. Laconism – is distinguished by minimalist design and unusual materials. An interesting solution is a combination of stone with metal and heat-resistant glass.
6. Country – models with a deliberately primitive and rough design. The fireplace area is decorated with forged elements, hunting trophies, weapons. A wide wooden beam can be used instead of a shelf. The portal is decorated with natural roughly hewn stone.

Advantages

It is possible to arrange a burning hearth in spacious country mansions. Apartments in megacities and cottages with small living rooms do not provide such an opportunity, and therefore imitation fireplaces are of increasing interest to designers and owners of premises.

The advantages of such solutions include:

Design features

An important feature of a quality false fireplace is its architectural elements. The classic model should have an imitation of an air duct. For this purpose, a special protrusion is formed on the wall - a risolite.

This element gives the apartment interior a ceremonial look. It acts as a compositional center not only of the fireplace area, but of the entire room. The recess can be decorated with a painting, a shelf with books, or a wall mirror in a beautiful frame.

To make the false fireplace look natural, it is important to arrange a niche for the firebox. The back wall of the fireplace should not be at the same level as the side projections. Candles can be placed inside the recess. Without such a niche, the fireplace will look more like a console.

The floor in front of the “classic” fireplace is designed as if it has protection from falling embers and sparks.

This gives the structure more naturalness and credibility.

Materials and manufacturing subtleties

To create a special atmosphere of warmth and celebration, you can order a ready-made false fireplace or build it yourself.

Different materials are suitable for this:

To assemble the parts, buy suitable glue and putty. The packaging will indicate what materials they are intended for.

Styrofoam

To make a lightweight foam model, it is more convenient to use large smooth sheets. Packaging from household appliances has a complex shape, and it is more difficult to work with it. It is better to cut the material with a hacksaw for metal - small teeth will not crumble the edges of the sheet, the cut will be even.

Since polystyrene foam releases toxins when heated, it is not suitable for use in fireplaces with heating elements.

Do not place candles, radiators or other elements that increase the air temperature in the niche. To create a fire effect, you can use an LED strip.

Drywall and chipboard

Stationary models of false fireplaces are made from plasterboard. Working with the material requires experience and skills.

The finished frame is covered with plasterboard parts. They are cut with a jigsaw according to the pattern and fixed with self-tapping screws with hidden heads. If there is no electric tool, you can use a wallpaper knife. The distance between the self-tapping screws is from 10 to 15 cm.

A budget option for making a false fireplace with your own hands is sheets of plywood or chipboard. The dimensions of the parts of the future structure are applied to them. You can cut the blanks yourself or order the service upon purchase.

Gypsum

Plaster models have been in demand for many years. This material allows you to create not only imitations, but also full-fledged fireplaces. The disadvantages of the material include its large weight and labor-intensive process.

There are two types of plaster false fireplaces: monolithic and frame.

The first option is durable and reliable, but more expensive and labor-intensive. To manufacture the parts, you will need a separate room with good ventilation and a stove for drying.

When working with plaster, you need to follow several rules:

1. Large volumetric parts are poured into the mold in layers no more than 1 cm thick. A new portion can be added after the previous one has hardened.
2. There should be no voids left in the parts during pouring. To remove air, you can shake the mold with the plaster mixture or use a needle roller.
3. Soft silicone molds can bend under the weight of the plaster, causing the part to lose its shape. To prevent this, you need to create an external support.
4. Dry the parts in an oven at +160°C for at least 1 hour. If this is not possible, leave the blanks at room temperature for 1-2 days.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is used the least often to make false fireplaces. The material is sold in sheets. The assembly technology is largely the same as the process of creating a model from plasterboard and chipboard. Such a product can only be a decorative element.

To make the fireplace more durable and long-lasting, you can assemble it on a frame.

The following are suitable for the base:

Old furniture

A budget option for creating a false fireplace is to use old furniture. Chests of drawers, cabinets or bedside tables are suitable for this purpose.

This method has several advantages:

1. Save money and time when choosing materials.
2. Environmentally friendly and minimal waste during assembly.

An old chest of drawers with even walls is best suited for making a fireplace. If there is decor on the facade, it can be hidden under moldings or tiles. A more complex option is to select the details so that a harmonious pattern is obtained.

From cardboard

An imitation of a burning fireplace will help create a festive atmosphere for Christmas, New Year, etc. To decorate the living room for a short time, you can make a fake fireplace from cardboard or very thick paper.

To work you need to prepare:

First, think over the design, draw a pattern and take the necessary measurements. On a sheet of cardboard, draw the details and cut them out with a stationery knife. The structure is fixed with glue and reinforced with tape. To add strength to the joints, you can glue several layers of cardboard or use thin wooden slats.

A budget version of a false fireplace can be made from cardboard boxes. Packaging from TVs, refrigerators or other household appliances will come in handy.

You can assemble a base from many small boxes – from shoes, food, etc.

Manufacturing stages

Those who are making a fireplace imitation for the first time should start with simple models. A drawing is made in advance indicating the dimensions and joint locations. Small boxes are numbered to avoid confusion during assembly.

Procedure:

1. Making the side walls. You can take 2 long or narrow boxes. If you don't have any, glue the side columns together from several small boxes. The parts must be strong, as they serve as the basis for the entire structure. If there are heavy objects (flower pots, books or figurines) on the mantelpiece, the side walls are reinforced with wooden slats or an aluminum profile.
2. Making the base. One large flat box (for example, from under a TV) or many small ones will do. Sometimes they use foam plastic with a thickness of 10 cm. You can add stability to the structure by placing a load inside the base box - a bag of sand or several old books.
3. Connecting the base and side columns. The parts are glued with PVA and the joints are reinforced with wide tape. It is important to ensure that the base and columns are vertical. Use a building level for control. To ensure that the base and side columns are held firmly and do not deform when drying, you can put a heavy object in the boxes. It will firmly press the parts and prevent them from coming apart.
4. Assembling the back wall. A large flat box or a sheet of thick cardboard will do. The side columns are glued to the back wall with PVA or a glue gun, then secured with tape.
5. Making the front part of the fireplace. It can be made flat or in the form of an arch. In the first case, you will need a narrow long box or several connected to each other. The lower part of the fireplace can be decorated in the same way. To make the front in the form of an arch, you will need a solid sheet of cardboard or the wall of a TV or refrigerator box. Draw an arc on the sheet, mark the lower parts of the front with a ruler. Cut out the hole with a knife. The finished front is attached to the side columns with glue and tape.
6. Making the top plate. It is made based on the functionality of the false fireplace. If candles, baskets with flowers and fruits and other heavy objects will be on the lid, it is better to make the top lid from a sheet of plywood or thick foam. For a decorative fireplace, the top part of empty boxes is enough.
7. Decorating the finished structure. Wallpaper, light moldings or false bricks, ceiling tiles are suitable for decoration. You can cover the product with acrylic paint.

Features of the corner design

A large-sized box can be used to construct a corner false fireplace.

The base and top cover are made in the same way as in the case of the rectangular model. Two boards are glued together from small boxes according to the shape and size of the corner. For the frame, you will need packaging from a refrigerator, washing machine or dishwasher. Cut out 1 wall from the box, fold the remaining parts into a triangle. Fix the joints of the cardboard with a glue gun and tape.

An arch-shaped opening is cut out in the front wall of the base. To add realism and volume, small flat boxes are glued in from the inside. The finished structure is fixed to the base, and a lid is attached on top.

The finished product is covered with spray or acrylic paint, giving it the appearance of natural stone or brick. By applying a little black pigment, it is easy to create a soot effect on the walls.

You can put several logs, fir branches or pine cones, or New Year's toys inside the portal.

Exterior finishing and imitation of fire

Once the structure is assembled, all that remains is to decorate the fireplace.

The following are used as finishing materials:

To create a functional fireplace with a heating element, you will need heat-resistant finishing materials.

You can create an imitation of a fire in a fireplace using a fan and pieces of fabric.

To do this you will need:

1. Place a cooler from a PC system unit or a small fan on the bottom of a wide cardboard box.
2. Fix the orange, red and blue LEDs above.
3. Place pieces of mirror under the diodes.
4. Cut and glue on scraps of white silk - they will imitate flickering tongues of flame.

The finished box is decorated and installed in the niche. The fan is connected to the electrical network.

Brick false fireplace

A brick imitation of a fireplace looks the most natural, but its creation will require more effort and time.

At the initial stage, it is necessary to determine the shape and size of the future interior decoration. The convenience of brick is that it does not limit the master's flight of fantasy. You can give the fireplace any shape and size - the main thing is that it fits harmoniously into the interior.

A structure that is too large in a small city apartment will look bulky and cause discomfort. A small fireplace in a spacious living room of a country house will also look out of place.

You should not make the firebox too large and deep - this will make the structure heavier.

Standard dimensions of a stationary stone false fireplace:

The finished structure will be very heavy, so it is important to assess the condition of the floor and ceilings in the room. If they are able to withstand such a load, you can start building the fireplace.

What you will need

Materials and tools that need to be prepared:

Algorithm of work

Mix the cement mortar according to the instructions on the package. Before starting work, be sure to check how long the mixture retains the required properties. To make the mortar homogeneous, use a drill with a whisk.

The depth of the firebox depends on the functions of the craft. If you plan to build a heating element inside, it should be at least 40 cm. In this case, an electrical outlet is built inside right away. If the false fireplace is created as a decoration, a depth of 25 cm is enough.

To create a mantelpiece, a wide wooden board or strip of plasterboard is placed on top of the bricks. Its edges should protrude slightly beyond the brickwork. The finished frame is allowed to dry.

To build a corner fireplace, first apply markings to the walls and floor of the room. The construction of such models is a more complex process that requires experience and skills. Some of the bricks will need to be cut with a grinder with a diamond disc.

Exterior finishing

If facing bricks were used for construction, the fireplace does not require additional finishing.

Products made from other materials can be decorated:

• 

  ceramic tiles;

• gypsum facing elements;
• plastic or polyurethane tiles;
• artificial stone;
• acrylic paint.

To make the finished false fireplace look natural and attractive, each part is faced separately. The design of the structure should be in harmony in color and style with the interior of the entire room.

There are several ways to decorate the portal and side walls:

1. Paint with acrylic paint. This method is the fastest and does not require large financial costs. With the help of paints, you can give the finished product any desired shade and apply thematic patterns.
2. Decorative facade tiles made of sandstone or artificial stone. They are glued using a special mixture. To ensure that the elements lie flat, plastic crosspieces for ceramic tiles are used.
3. Foam or gypsum tiles imitating brick. The larger the portal opening, the wider the decorative elements should be.
4. Wooden panels. They can be artificially aged by covering them with dark varnish.
5. Plaster or polyurethane moldings. These decorations look best on a plain, even portal. After gluing the elements, you can cover them with a layer of paint of the desired color.
6. Small sized mosaic or ceramic tiles.

The mantelpiece can be decorated to match the entire fireplace or made contrasting. The wooden board is varnished. The plasterboard element is painted, finished with porcelain tiles or laminate.

An original design can be created using small pebbles. They are glued to the surface of a sheet of plywood or chipboard and covered with varnish.

You can put books, vases with flowers, figurines, and clocks on the top shelf.

Interior design

An electric heating device or decorative elements can be placed inside the firebox:

1. Candles of different heights, colors and diameters. Lit flames will create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
2. Wooden logs, stacked neatly. It looks like the fireplace will soon be lit.
3. Large sea pebbles, beautiful multi-colored stones.
4. Vases or pots with flowers.
5. Figurines of appropriate size, color and theme.

High temperature protection

A functional fireplace with a heating element can be supplemented with a fireplace grate or screen.

This part performs several tasks:

1. Protects against contact with a hot radiator. Especially relevant in homes with small children and animals.
2. Increases heating efficiency. The metal grille improves convection, resulting in more uniform heating of the air in the room.
3. Complements the design and gives the structure a finished look.

A transparent screen made of ceramic or organic glass can be installed in front of the decorative false fireplace.

Drawings of false fireplaces

Photos of decorative fireplaces