How to make a decorative fireplace with your own hands

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Spend half an hour and create a real holiday atmosphere.

Why do you need a decorative fireplace

One glance at the hearth of the fireplace is enough to cheer up and warm up - even if it is not real, but decorative. In addition, a fireplace removed for the holiday creates a New Year's mood no worse than a Christmas tree: you can hang socks for gifts on its shelf, sit next to a book or take cool New Year selfies.

How to make a decorative fireplace: general principles

Device

The false fireplace does not have a chimney and other functional parts, so its design is by no means simpler. It consists of a portal with a niche-shaped firebox and a mantelpiece on top. It is advisable, but not necessary, to make a foundation on which all this will stand.

You can also add a lattice to add authenticity. And you can simulate the hearth with the help of logs, garlands or candles. And, of course, it would be superfluous to add decor in the form of socks hanging on the shelf for gifts, tinsel and other trifles.

Dimensions (edit)

The sizes can be taken completely arbitrary, based on the available free space and your own preferences. Use the dimensions shown in the illustration as an example and adjust them for yourself.

Materials (edit)

Materials can also be of any kind. The fireplace serves only as a decorative function, so cardboard, boxes, expanded polystyrene will do. If stationary installation and permanent use is assumed, you can take plywood or drywall on a frame made of profiles.

Finishing

Finishing methods are limited only by your imagination and possibilities. The most popular options are putty followed by painting or pasting with cardboard bricks, gypsum tiles and other materials to give the look of masonry.

Mantel shelf

For its manufacture, most often they use a purchased furniture board, a wooden step or a ready-made shelf made of laminated chipboard. If you do not plan to put books and other heavy things on top, in order to save money, you can make a shelf from several layers of cardboard. From below, it is also often framed with a ceiling plinth and polyurethane stucco molding.

Hearth

There are many options for simulating fire. The most realistic of these is the use of a small bio fireplace with a real flame. Also, candles, garlands, lamps with imitation of fire are used. Another interesting way is a tablet, laptop or monitor hidden inside the hearth with the included video of a burning fireplace.

How to make a decorative fireplace from pieces of cardboard

Such a fireplace can be built from a large box by cutting several panels of the required size. The sheets of cardboard are thin, so a different material must be used as a shelf and base. Well, or glue several cardboard boxes together.

What is needed

• 2 sheets of extruded polystyrene foam;
• cardboard;
• universal glue;
• PVA glue;
• paper napkins;
• putty;
• ceiling plinth;
• decorative corners for skirting boards;
• wire;
• ribbon;
• masking tape;
• matt white acrylic paint;
• matt black acrylic paint;
• knife;
• ruler;
• marker;
• putty knife;
• brush.

How to do

Cut the correct size fireplace base from the EPSS. Make two columns from cardboard: bend at the corners, and connect the edges with hot glue or all-purpose glue. Glue the columns to the base. If the expanded polystyrene sheet is thin, glue the legs of 3-4 EPS blocks from below.

Apply glue to the top of the uprights and attach a sheet of styrofoam to act as a mantel. Place a few books, stools or other weight on top and let sit for 30-40 minutes until dry.

Cut out two semicircular arches from cardboard and fix them with glue under the mantelpiece and near the columns: one in front, the other in the back. For greater rigidity, select the size so that the part fits snugly between the side posts.

Cut a rectangle out of a piece of cardboard along the width of the fireplace insert and make transverse cuts along the entire length. This detail will serve as the vault of the arch.

Carefully bend the arch and fix it with glue, pressing it against the arches of the firebox. Smear all joints well and cut off the protruding parts after drying.

Use a knife to cut a long strip of cardboard and glue it around the edges of the base around the perimeter to hide the legs of the stand and make the bottom more massive. Frame the mantel in the same way.

Cut out rectangles from cardboard to simulate bricks and glue them over the entire surface of the fireplace. You will need a lot of such details. At the corners, use halves of bricks or wrap whole pieces from one side to the other to make the masonry look more realistic.

Seal all joints between the mantel and the base with putty. Take your time and properly fill the gaps: the surface should be flat and smooth.

Apply napkins to the bricks, press between the joints and coat on top with a brush dipped in PVA glue.

Paste over the entire surface of the portal in this way. After the paper dries, the "masonry" will become embossed and more realistic.

Cut the skirting board into pieces of the required length to frame the bottom of the mantel around the perimeter. Apply all-purpose adhesive to the skirting board and secure.

Glue decorative corners under the mantel, which will imitate its stops.

Use a brush to paint the entire fireplace including the shelf and base with matte acrylic paint. If the paint shows through, apply an additional coat until you are satisfied with the result.

Paint a few bricks and then glue them along the outline of the vault.

Bend the wire S-shaped parts with curls and assemble the fireplace grate: connect them together with masking tape. Then tape the wire around the wire to make it thicker and more like forged metal.

Use a brush to paint the grille with glossy black acrylic paint for an even more wrought look.

Replace the grate and decorate the fireplace as you like.

What other options are there

Mini fireplace made of cardboard with a tablet as a hearth. The dimensions can be changed and made larger - however, then to simulate fire, you will have to look for a screen with a larger diagonal or use something else.

Instead of gluing cardboard bricks, the masonry can be imitated with plaster applied according to a template.

How to make a decorative fireplace out of cardboard boxes

The simplest design of a decorative fireplace. It doesn't look as realistic as more complex options, but it is assembled very quickly and without unnecessary troubles.

What is needed

• Carton boxes;
• black cardboard;
• Scotch;
• wallpaper with a brick pattern;
• knife.

How to do

Pick up several identical boxes to assemble two columns from them. Seal the lids and glue the boxes together, wrapping them well with duct tape.

Cover the resulting columns with wallpaper with a brickwork pattern.

Take another box and wrap it with wallpaper.

Use duct tape to attach the last box on top between the columns.

Glue the back of dark cardboard, cloth or other material so that the wall behind the fireplace is not visible. Do the same at the bottom of the firebox.

Decorate your fireplace with tinsel, garlands, and other decor.

What other options are there

If you have paints at hand, you can not bother with wallpaper, but simply draw bricks directly on the cardboard.

Also, the fireplace from the boxes can be pasted over with expanded polystyrene. Next, bricks are cut out on it and painted.

How to make a decorative fireplace from expanded polystyrene

A fireplace made of expanded polystyrene, or polystyrene, as it is called in everyday life, is good because it is assembled as easily as a cardboard one, but it has a higher rigidity and does not need additional reinforcement or a frame.

What is needed

• Expanded polystyrene;
• universal glue;
• PVA glue;
• matt white acrylic paint;
• ceiling plinth;
• 3 lamps with flame effect;
• 3 lamp holders;
• cable;
• fork;
• napkins;
• paper;
• polyurethane foam;
• packing tape;
• gouache;
• roulette;
• knife;
• brush.

How to do

Use a knife to cut two G-shaped pieces of styrofoam with a knife. Turn them towards each other and fasten with all-purpose glue. Together, all this forms the front panel of the fireplace.

Next, cut two rectangles out of polystyrene foam and glue to the workpiece to form the side parts.

Make another rectangle the width of the fireplace and attach it to the top of the structure - this will be a shelf.

Cut the base using the same principle. Place the fireplace on it and glue it with all-purpose glue.

To form the walls of the firebox, make three rectangles and fasten them around the perimeter of the niche.

On the front side, frame the hearth with a thin skirting board glued with universal glue.

Cut whole bricks and halves out of cardboard. Paste them over the surface of the portal.

For a fire in the hearth, glue a pyramid of three strips of polystyrene foam, make holes in the steps and insert lamp holders there. Connect the cables. If you do not know how, it is better to skip this step and use a ready-made garland.

Cover the entire surface of the fireplace with 1–2 layers of paper towels. Lubricate the cardboard with a brush dipped in PVA glue, apply an unfolded napkin and smooth it.

After drying, paint the fireplace with matt white acrylic paint in several coats until you are satisfied with the result.

To make the logs, apply a thick strip of polyurethane foam to the wrapping film, and when it's completely dry, cut it into pieces. Paste them over with paper dipped in PVA glue and paint them red with gouache.

Cut cavities inside the logs and insert a garland there to create a shimmering effect of burning wood.

What other options are there

Without any cladding, you can give a polystyrene fireplace a realistic look by forming a relief with a heated fork and then painting it.

Alternatively, you can make the base of the fireplace from expanded polystyrene, and use basement siding panels to imitate brickwork.

How to make a decorative plasterboard fireplace

A plasterboard fireplace is more solid. To install it, you will need additional tools and some skills. However, the look of such a fireplace will be much more attractive. If you have not dealt with drywall before, check out the assembly technology in our instructions.

What is needed

• Post or guide profile;
• drywall;
• screws for profiles;
• drywall screws;
• ceiling plinth;
• brush;
• roller;
• primer;
• dye;
• putty;
• putty knife;
• scissors for metal;
• screwdriver.

How to do

First, cut two pieces of profile for the front and back of the base frame. From the remnants, form two more segments that will go to the side parts of the frame.

Insert the profiles one into the other so that they form a rectangle, and fasten the structure by twisting two self-tapping screws in all corners on both sides.

Make small indents from the corners of the frame and use scissors to cut grooves along the width of the profile - then the racks will be attached to them.

Cut four posts of the desired length from the profile and set them aside for now.

In the same way as in the first step, cut off two long and two short profiles to assemble the mantel from them. It should be a little narrower than the foundation.

Attach the resulting frame to the base and mark on it the location of the grooves for the profiles. Cut out the same grooves in the upper frame.

Place the uprights into the base, slide the frame of the mantel on top, and then secure all the joints. Install two profile screws at each attachment point.

Cut a piece of drywall to the correct size and attach it with self-tapping screws to the back of the frame every 25-30 cm.

Cut with a knife, gently break and finally cut off the protruding parts of the sheet.

Cover all fireplace surfaces in the same way. Do not forget to chamfer the edges of the sheets that meet above the firebox, so that you can then fill the seam with putty.

Primer all fireplace surfaces with a roller. Use a brush in corners and hard-to-reach places.

After the primer has dried, seal all joints, irregularities and screw holes with putty. Apply the composition with a spatula and smooth over the surface.

While the putty dries, frame the mantel with a skirting board. Cut three pieces for the front and sides, and then glue them onto the same filler.

Paint the fireplace with white water-based paint.

All that remains is to add the decor, and everything is ready for the holiday.

What other options are there

Minimalistic design of the fireplace, which is decorated with decorative stucco moldings and moldings around the firebox.

Fireplace made of plasterboard with a solid base and subsequent facing with gypsum tiles.