DIY decorative fireplace: how to build it

Unfortunately, it is impossible to lay out a fully working fireplace in the apartment. In this aspect, the owners of private houses are more fortunate. It is quite possible to build a fireplace there, especially if it is foreseen at the design stage of the structure itself. But the inhabitants of apartments in modern multi-storey buildings have a worthy alternative: they can make a decorative fireplace with their own hands. This will create a relaxing and cozy atmosphere in the interior of the room.

 

Do-it-yourself decorative fireplace imitation options

Decorative fireplaces are divided into the following groups:

• symbolic. Any material can be used to create them. A feature of such a decorative fireplace in an apartment is the dissimilarity with the usual fireplace. An example is his image on the wall, decorated with decorative attributes;

• conditional. Thanks to a self-made portal protruding from the wall, this type of fireplace is very similar to a real one. At the same time, you can decorate it at will, for example, by placing firewood or candles in the firebox;
• reliable. This is an option for the most complete imitation of a fireplace in an apartment, in compliance with the design principles and the corresponding dimensions of the structure. To create the effect of a real flame, the inner part of the pseudo-furnace is equipped with a bio-burner. The impressive price of this option is offset by its extreme realism.

You can make a decorative fireplace with your own hands from a variety of materials. Moreover, any such design is simple to implement. The materials that are required can be purchased at any hardware or hardware store, and a number of them can even be found at home.

Making a fireplace with your own hands from boxes

It is noteworthy that from this material it is possible to create a portal for an electric fireplace with your own hands, and not just a purely decorative design. Of course, this option excludes the installation of a gas burner due to the presence of an open flame, which could cause a fire.It is impossible to place a heat exchange fireplace with a casing and a water boiler in it, due to the fact that the cardboard can catch fire from overheating, and because of the bulkiness of the final structure. For the same reasons, it is unacceptable to install an electric fireplace with a built-in heating function and with an open firebox with your own hands.

 

From the above, we can draw the following conclusion: it is allowed to install only an electric fireplace with an imitation of a flame using a backlight or on an LCD screen in a structure created from boxes.

Useful advice! To give it more resemblance to a real fireplace, decorate the product from the boxes with decorative plaster or paint with acrylic paint.

The only drawback of such designs is their lightness. Therefore, the fastening of a homemade fireplace from boxes must be carried out to the floor or wall.

This material allows you to implement a wide variety of design ideas. There are several style directions of a fireplace made from boxes made by hand in an apartment today.

 

Modern. The design of the fireplace portal in this style presupposes a variety of colors and textures, a combination of old decor elements (rosettes, stucco moldings, etc.) and modern forms. Such a fireplace will be in perfect harmony with almost any interior.

High tech. This style suggests a certain futurism. Therefore, in this case, to create a fireplace in an apartment with your own hands, such ultra-modern materials as plexiglass, steel are used. It would seem, what does cardboard boxes have to do with it? However, even from them you can make a fireplace in a modern style. It is enough to give it an interesting geometric shape and paint it in steel or black, and simply insert a mirror into the firebox. Laying glass on the mantel is also allowed.

Classic. This style is always in fashion. A minimum of additional decorations, strict lines - you can put such a fireplace in absolutely any apartment.

Country. The rustic style is preferred by many of our contemporaries. Such fireplaces differ in that they are made of natural stone. To give a product from boxes such a look, it is enough to glue it over with self-adhesive wallpaper or a film with a stone print, and be sure to place firewood in the firebox.

What materials and tools will be needed for making a cardboard fireplace with your own hands

It is clear that the first step is to have a few large cardboard boxes. In addition, in this case, you will need to buy to create an imitation of a fireplace:

• glue for connecting boxes to each other;
• polymer-based glue;
• paint suitable for use with cardboard "building materials" (usually water-based);
• paint "gold" in a spray can;
• colorless varnish option;
• ceiling molding;

• brushes and sponges;
• masking tape and tape;
• ruler, level, measuring instruments.

Let's briefly consider the question of how to make a decorative fireplace with your own hands. The length of the base is about 120, and the height is 50 mm. The main part is constructed from a cardboard box and pasted over with adhesive tape. As a result, you need to get a blank that looks like a dollhouse. The portal is also created from cardboard. For ease of use, opt for an option with a solid back panel.

On a note! When drawing cutting lines for the cardboard box, do not use felt-tip pens and markers. They will show through the paint and ruin the whole look.

The front part of the portal is made of a piece of cardboard in the form of a strip. Then the combustion part is cut out. Scotch tape is used to connect all the parts together.

Next, the top shelf is created. It is necessary to understand that the strength of a self-made artificial fireplace is determined by the quality of this particular element. To prevent the installation of heavy objects on the top shelf from deforming it, it is necessary to glue several layers of cardboard together. And to give this part rigidity, subject it to pressing until it dries completely. The upper shelf is fixed to the portal with polymer-based glue. Then the joints between all parts of the fireplace are sealed using masking tape.

The process of decorating a do-it-yourself decorative fireplace made of cardboard is the most pleasant and easiest of all the work on its manufacture. One of the most attractive options is the use of stucco molding. But most often moldings or baguettes made of polystyrene are used to frame the fireplace.

Making a brick fireplace with your own hands

This material is used to ensure that the appearance of the structure is similar to a traditional fireplace. Usually decorative or facing bricks are used. Masonry must be done according to a previously drawn up drawing or sketched order. This type of construction can only be performed by a master with experience in masonry work.

A decorative brick fireplace does not need additional finishing. This material itself looks very original. Wooden shelves and real logs are suitable for decorating this type of structure. A special romantic atmosphere will reign in the apartment during the construction of a brick false fireplace with candles in it.

Features of the construction of a decorative brick portal for a fireplace with your own hands

You can use any kind of brick for this purpose:

• silicate;
• facing;
• hollow;
• decorative;
• color.

Experts identify several features of creating a brick portal for a decorative fireplace at home with their own hands.

Due to the rather large dead weight of the structure, it is advisable to create a small brick pillow that acts as a support for the walls of the fireplace.

For those who do not know how a fireplace is made in a house, and is carrying out such a construction for the first time, let's say that, first of all, it is necessary to control the quality of the brick. Each unit of this building material must be free of at least visible defects. The fact that the firing procedure was carried out correctly is indicated by a fairly flat surface and a uniform brick color.

The next important point, already specifically related to the question of how to make a fireplace portal of this type yourself. Laying should start with corner bricks. Check the verticality of the walls periodically using a plumb line. Try to keep the seams narrow. Fill them with a special building mixture - sand, clay, cement - with a small content of the last component. Be sure to remove excess mixture.

Related article:

 Electric fireplaces with the effect of live fire: an elegant interior decoration

What is live fire? Types of fireplaces with 3D fire effect. Features of the choice of electric fireplaces. Rules for the installation of an electric fireplace.

The laying of bricks for the fireplace is regular. Before moving on to the next row, it is advisable to give the previous one time to dry. Be sure to wipe the front side of the brick.

Leave a gap of 5 millimeters between all metal components and bricks. Put an asbestos cord of the same width in it.The gap is left in order to prevent damage to the structure of the fake fireplace caused by different coefficients of linear expansion of metal and brick.

Note! Sewing the masonry joints should be done immediately. Then there will be no need for additional finishing.

To decorate the structure, it will be enough to install a hardwood mantel on it. As a budget option - a foamed concrete shelf. An electronic portal with the functions of simulating live fire and sound accompaniment can be installed inside the furnace hole. Of course, using such a handmade brick fireplace for heating is impossible, but the visual perception of "dancing" tongues of flame will bring notes of real warmth to the room.

Creation of decorative plaster fireplaces

Gypsum is one of the most practical and at the same time the cheapest materials for building and decorating false fireplaces. It is safe for health because it is environmentally friendly. Gypsum is able to absorb excess moisture in a room and, conversely, give it away if the air there is very dry. The plasticity of this material makes it easy to decorate the surface of the product.

A plaster fireplace portal can be decorated with elements that match the interior style of a particular room. A wide range of options for artistic processing of such a structure available for selection is the main advantage of this material in terms of the implementation of design ideas. For example, its surface can be decorated with alfrey painting or covered with gilding, imitation marble or wood, tinted with acrylic or water-based paint in any color.

The answer to the question of how to make a decorative fireplace portal out of plaster depends on which type of the home owner prefers. According to the criterion "manufacturing method" experts distinguish two main types of such structures:

• profiled. Separate elements of decorative framing are attached to the profile: cuts, pilasters, moldings, friezes, rods;
• sculptural. It is supposed to use such sculptural elements as Atlanteans, bas-reliefs and caryatids.

Studying a photo of imitation of fireplaces with a plaster portal will be a good help in choosing.

Features of the manufacture of a corner false fireplace made of plasterboard

As the name suggests, such a decorative fireplace is placed in the corner of the room. Thus, the floor and two adjoining walls serve as structural supports. The use of plasterboard sheets allows you to give the fireplace smooth and curved shapes and perfectly fit into the interior of your apartment.

And in this version, the final product is often equipped with an upper shelf. By placing decorative items on it, the owner will bring notes of sophistication and originality to the home.

The following advantages of such a design solution can be distinguished:

• saving indoor space;
• in almost any room you can find a free corner and place a false fireplace in it;
• this arrangement allows you to increase the size of the corner fireplace. Thanks to this, the decorative component of the home interior will increase;
• installing a false fireplace in the corner does not create obstacles to moving around the room;
• any home craftsman will be able to assemble the design of a corner decorative fireplace with his own hands. A photo of this product will be the best assistant in carrying out such work. To increase the level of visual appeal, decorate the false corner oven with natural or artificial stone, ceramic tiles, etc. In addition, polyurethane and plaster elements can be used for decoration, for example, in the form of columns.

Note! One of the most common design solutions is to install a false stove in the corner opposite the front door. Then the decorative fireplace will become the central accent of the interior.

What tools and materials will be needed for making a false fireplace from drywall

Beginners who do not know how to make an artificial fireplace portal from drywall should heed the recommendations of professionals. The main advice is formulated as follows: before starting work, you need to decide on the design of the product and create a drawing. It is this scheme that will allow you to calculate the approximate amount of materials.

Typically, a case will require:

• drywall. It is sold in sheets with different sizes;
• metallic profile. A frame is created from it;
• self-tapping screws;
• putty and primer;
• cladding material.

A metal profile made of galvanized sheet serves as a basis for fastening elements of the fireplace portal. During installation, several types of such products are used: arched, guide, rack, corner profiles.

To build a frame, you should have the following tools at hand:

• grinder - angle grinder;
• level, better laser;
• drill;
• jigsaw;
• long ruler and tape measure;
• square.

The beginning of the installation of a corner false fireplace made of plasterboard

The choice of the installation site is made taking into account the following factors:

• distance from other objects. Placing a structure close to cabinets and other furniture is not the best solution. The fireplace won't look here;

• the presence of free space - in it the fireplace more attracts the attention of others;
• away from windows. Even a decorative fireplace always evokes warmth. And near the window opening, such an association may be violated.

Having chosen a place, we draw a drawing. It should display the parameters of each element of the false oven. There are two options here: choose a ready-made plan from the Web or create a drawing yourself. In favor of the first, he says that you will definitely be sure of the correctness of the indicated numbers characterizing the dimensions of all structural details.

Having made a drawing, we apply markings on the floor and walls. Having done this, check all the lines by level. Even the slightest irregularities must be avoided.

On a note! Before you go to a building materials store to buy elements of the future frame, you should calculate the optimal thickness of the metal profile, taking into account the magnitude of the load. Evaluation by eye is not acceptable.

How is the installation of a decorative plasterboard corner fireplace

The appearance of certain nuances is due to the angular arrangement of the false oven. To assemble a frame from metal profiles, the following sequence of actions is performed:

• install the starting profile along the walls on the floor. It should converge in the corner;
• then we erect the base of the fireplace on the floor. We assemble it according to the standard scheme using guide profiles;
• along the lines in the corner and along the walls, we fasten the guide profile that is included in the starting profile fixed to the floor;
• all fastenings between profiles and walls, as well as the floor, are carried out using dowels.

Remember that a stable and strong base is the key to the strength of the entire structure. After its installation, we proceed to assembling the frame and niche of the fireplace portal. First, we insert the guide profiles into the base and bring out the box. After that, we fix the lintels between the guide profiles. We connect the profiles to each other using metal screws.The final stage of installing the frame is laying wires through which power will be supplied to devices that simulate a real flame.

Covering the frame and decorating a false fireplace

Plasterboard sheets are used for cladding. Meanwhile, in the context of the question of how to make a fireplace in an apartment from this material, this procedure has the following features:

• to sheathe the inside of the portal and the base, you will have to cut the drywall sheets into small pieces;
• at this stage, you will need a lot more perforated corners than at the previous ones. Only with them will the created structure have perfect right angles.

In all other respects, sheathing of the frame with plasterboard sheets is performed according to the standard scheme. Upon its completion, proceed to decorate the fireplace with your own hands. When choosing a finishing option, you need to focus, first of all, on the design features of the living space.

Most often, ceramic tiles, decorative bricks and artificial stone are used for external coating. To fix the finishing components, liquid nails or tile glue are used. If the cladding is done with tiles of the correct shape, they must be laid so that the gaps are the same. This result will be achieved using special plastic crosses.

However, for the finishing design of a decorative fireplace in an apartment of a multi-storey building, a less expensive option is allowed. For example, using paint or decorative plaster. In this case, the surface should be carefully treated with a putty, all irregularities should be eliminated and the joints between the sheathing components should be repaired.

Important! Even neatly cut drywall will have jagged edges at the edges. Before puttingtying, they must be removed with sandpaper.

In the end, it remains to place an electric fireplace in the opening of the “firebox”. However, you can trim the free space according to your taste preferences. So, one of the excellent options for a classic interior is the arrangement of warm and soft lighting in the "firebox".

In general, today there are many ideas for decorating a decorative fireplace. You can implement the proposed solutions, or come up with your own, unique.