home materials

Do-it-yourself plasterboard fireplace or how to make a dream come true. How to make an artificial fake fireplace with your own hands Do-it-yourself fireplace from panels

In pre-revolutionary Russia and other countries of the current CIS, fireplaces have always been popular as an interior detail and a functional element for heating homes. The twentieth century, due to the total gasification and development of electrical networks, pushed fireplaces and other heating structures into the background - open fire in the room became a rarity. A century later, the fashion for fireplaces returned to the expanses of the Motherland, which became a trend in the design of comfortable housing. It is difficult and expensive to equip a full-fledged fireplace in a city apartment, so inquisitive minds have come up with an alternative - decorative fireplace made do it yourself.

As you may have guessed, the word "decorative" in this case means that such interior items are not heated with firewood, but, unambiguously, the matter in terms of comfort is performed 100%. The advantages of a decorative fireplace are the relative ease of manufacture, the possibility of using improvised materials and excellent aesthetic characteristics.

With the seeming simplicity of such a solution, you may naturally have a question: “how to replace a live fire in a false fireplace?”. The first part of the article will tell about the methods for solving the problem.

Option one: genius in simplicity!

One obvious solution is to use Dec. candle fireplace. Firstly, they are smokeless, which means they do not require an exhaust hood. Secondly, they are practically safe.

Advice: Equip the back, side walls of the false fireplace with mirrors - the visual effect of similarity will increase.

Option two: a tree without a flame creates comfort

Logs are another flame substitute: lay out firewood in a picturesque mess or “hut” - this will create the impression that the fireplace is working and a fire can blaze in it at any moment.

Option three: "Papa Carlo's closet"

Remember, in the fairy tale "The Golden Key" Papa Carlo has a painted fireplace instead of a hearth? Use this idea for your own interior! There are many variations in the implementation of this idea - from a blackboard (as at school) to printing on fabric, canvas.

If you choose a plane for drawing with chalk, you can update the drawing as much as you want, draw not only the fire itself, but everything that comes to mind. Such a choice is relevant especially for children - the slate plane within reach will open up great opportunities for kids to be creative and develop artistic skills.

Option four: put up bookshelves

An option for using the interior space that may seem unexpected: install shelves in a false fireplace and place books on them! This solution has its advantages - the release of space, originality and convenience. The ideal option is to place a children's library in a false fireplace so that young readers have access to their favorite fairy tales.

Option five, original: souvenir shelves

As you have already seen, the design of a decorative fireplace opens up a lot of opportunities for creativity. Another way out is to place a small “museum” inside the fireplace portal. Here everything is limited only by your imagination and the presence of interesting interior elements. Anything you want can be used - from a collection of antique alarm clocks and figurines, to pictures and crafts.

Option six, festive: Hollywood will tell you!

This option is combined with each of the above. On New Year's holidays, you can quite turn a false fireplace into a festive symbol - free the inner space of the hearth from the contents, fill it with New Year's toys, garlands and balls, "snow" from cotton wool, Christmas tree needles, etc. Don't forget to hang red socks for Santa Claus to put gifts in!

Option Seven, Realistic: Use an Electric Heater

If you want to not only admire the fireplace, but also feel the warmth emanating from it, install an electric heater inside. Many "antediluvian" models, even Soviet era(for example, "Ugolyok 3M"), are equipped with special flickering bulbs that imitate the light of fire in the hearth.

In the description of the creation of a decorative fireplace, which you will read below, we describe just the version with an electric fireplace, but in the same interior item you can equip everything that is described above.

Of course, there are many more possibilities for decorating a fake fireplace. We did not have a goal to describe everything in the article - we wanted to direct your creative energy in the right direction. We hope we succeeded, and you will come up with something original.

In the meantime, we will move on to the main message of the article - the process of making a fake fireplace with our own hands.

Let's start creating a decorative fireplace with your own hands

To create the same false fireplace as we did, you will need:

Sheets or cuttings of MDF sheets
Pine board
Skirting board trims
Old picture frames
Wallpaper clippings of any color

Stage 1: design

First of all, it is required to create a project for a future decorative fireplace - to “draw” it on a computer in order to determine all the dimensions from which we will “dance”.

Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the processing of the opening of the hearth, in which you place a slate board, shelves with books or an electric fireplace.

So let's get started. Although MDF is not the most durable and suitable building material, it will fulfill its function in any case, and at a cost it is simply unrealistic to find something cheaper.

First of all, the base for the portal is cut out of MDF sheets according to the dimensions already known to us. It is advisable to fasten large parts with bolts or screws, it is better to glue smaller parts - here we do not go deep, this stage is easy enough to figure out on your own. After the base is ready, we move on to the next step - decorating the fireplace.

We will make a reservation right away - we found materials for making a fireplace in the pantry, you can use other elements that match your taste.

Stage 2: trying on the first decor details

We used pine board to make the top panel. To move from the front wall of the fireplace to the top panel from below under the board, after a preliminary fitting, we set a cut wooden plinth- the more delicate, the better.

As you can see, the length of the pieces of the picture frame was not enough for us to cover the surface of the portal horizontally. However, there is nothing critical in this - if you have the same situation, do not worry, later this gap will be covered by a piece of another element, the main thing is that it matches the frame (or whatever you have instead) in style.

Stage 3: we select decor details further

Below the line of the top panel, we initially planned the placement of various decorative details, which will create the main design of the fireplace. Anything can be used, just experiment. In our case, these were mosaic details, old broken frames and just different wooden trimmings.

Don't be embarrassed if you don't imagine the final result - initially, and we didn't imagine exactly what would come out in the end. We advise you to just turn on your imagination and simply lay out the elements in various compositions until you see what turns out beautifully.

In the image on the right, you can already see the last stage of decorating: the details are adjusted in size and put into place, although so far it still does not look very clear to a beginner in this matter.

Stage 4: we complete the installation of decor details

After the details have “found their place”, we stick them on paper (wood glue) - any textured thick paper or wallpaper with a three-dimensional pattern will do: the texture is important to us, and the color is unimportant, because in the end everything will be hidden by paint.

Stage 5: painting

When all the details are glued, it remains to paint the almost finished product. 1 liter of paint was enough for us to paint the entire surface (painted in 2 layers). And the portal immediately becomes like a real fireplace!

Finishing the lid in our case is a different story. You can make things easier and paint it the same color as the entire portal; we decided to diversify color scheme- make a country-style cover.

To achieve the effect of antiquity, we treated the pine board with vinegar plus strong tea leaves using metal wool.

Stage 6: Installation

Well, the final step is the installation of the finished product in the house. Just bring it into the room and place it against the wall anywhere - voila, your fireplace is ready! If there is a desire to make the structure stationary and more durable, you can tie it to the wall with anchors or liquid nails. But our practice has shown that this is not necessary, especially since a mobile fireplace opens up a lot of opportunities for frequent change of scenery: if you want, you put a fireplace in the living room, if you want - in the nursery or the hall.

Be that as it may, now you can give it a “lived-in” look by placing souvenirs on the lid, and firewood, candles, books, a heater (as we have done) or whatever you come up with yourself in the opening.

As you can see, making a decorative fireplace at home with your own hands is a fairly simple matter and does not require any special skills and knowledge. There would be a desire, a tool and time - and everything will work out for you no worse than with us. So go ahead, try and create beauty for home comfort yourself!

And we wish you and your family a comfortable home stay in front of a brand new decorative fireplace made with your own hands!

It is not difficult to give a room additional charm and comfort if you build a decorative fireplace, applying the skills of using ordinary tools and turning on your own imagination. Such an impromptu hearth does not require a large amount of materials, often leftovers after repair are used.

Varieties

Ready-made portals for indoor fireplaces are easy to pick up in the store, but if you wish, you can build a decorative fireplace with your own hands using different materials. The most common are portals made of brick, drywall, wood and chipboard or MDF boards.

If we consider the classification of decorative fireplaces by functionality, then the following varieties are distinguished:

imitation of a classic fireplace in the form of a portal with decoration and an empty niche;
reproduction of the exact image of fire with the help of electrical appliances;
in some models of decorative fireplaces, an option is provided to create an auditory imitation of logs crackling during combustion;
Availability additional function heating.

Depending on the method of placement, several types are classified:

wall-mounted;
corner;
hinged;
built-in;
island.

Construction steps

The algorithm for constructing artificial fireplaces for a home from any materials is identical, and consists of several stages.

The choice of the portal shape, the calculation of the dimensions of each part, drawing up a drawing. Transferring the main lines in an exact scale to the wall, near which a decorative fireplace will be installed with constant control of exact horizontals and verticals.

The choice of material for the base. A reliable and stable frame is obtained from a metal profile, but it is easier to make it from a wooden beam.

Fastening to the wall of an aluminum profile (beam) using dowels. The assembly of the frame is carried out with the implementation of stiffeners, if the subsequent finishing will be carried out with heavy materials.

Sheathing of the upper surface and side planes

Preparation of drywall for finishing consists in applying a thin layer of putty, followed by priming after drying. You will need to apply another finishing putty and primed.

Flame imitation appliances are installed after the decorative fireplace is finally decorated with finishing materials. Fire safety measures must be observed if a model with heating elements is chosen for the house. In this case, the walls of the niche are protected by basalt thermal insulation, which has high refractory qualities.

Home made from traditional materials

Drywall

Refers to the material widely used by home craftsmen. It is easily cut with a sharp knife or electric jigsaw, allows you to make curved parts, for which it is enough just to wet it.

When designing decorative fireplaces using drywall, special attention must be paid to the selection of finishes and sizing, if a decision is made to install a device with combined functions. In this case, the fireplace will not only please with a magnificent imitation of the flame, but also heat the room.

For such models, the gap between the rear plane of the apparatus and the wall is maintained at least 50 mm. Based on this, the dimensions of the future fireplace portal are calculated. For cladding, you can take ceramic tiles, textured porcelain tiles. Gypsum stucco looks great.

Wood

Do-it-yourself decorative false fireplace in 1 day

The solid wood for the portal is not a mandatory material if you want to get the natural texture of the hearth. You can even make a decorative fireplace from construction residues of plywood, MDF, chipboard. It can be a board - parquet, not edged or edged.

It is more convenient to start work if an electric fireplace with the desired options has already been purchased. In this case, its dimensions and shape are known, so it is easier to calculate the niche when constructing the portal. The structure can be assembled separately using self-tapping screws, and only then attached to the wall. A bright decorative effect with the preservation of the wood texture is given by staining with subsequent varnishing. You can apply tinted varnish.

Brick

To make a decorative fireplace with your own hands, using a brick - silicate, hollow, facing, decorative, it must be borne in mind that its weight will be quite impressive. For this reason, it is impractical to correctly assess the strength of the floors. Such a retro hearth of the house looks great, without requiring additional finishing.

Using improvised means

For the home, you can make original decorative fireplaces from a variety of improvised means:

place inside an empty aquarium or a beautiful glass candle vase. You can use a miniature biofuel burner;
make a semi-volumetric decorative fireplace by gluing its configuration of polyurethane parts directly onto the wall and painting it in the desired color;
create a fireplace portal from a large cardboard box, decorating its surfaces for any texture using a self-adhesive film;
bring into the interior a sense of comfort from the presence of a bewitching flame with the help of photo wallpapers, which capture the most different types fireplaces.

If you have the skills to work with metal, you can create a unique image of a fireplace portal from this material at home.

Finishing methods

There are many ways to decorate a decorative fireplace. If desired, the portal is painted or artistic painting is performed. fireplace surfaces with decorative plaster bring a touch of aristocracy to the interior.

The use of finishing materials stylized as a stone - balanced status granite, mysterious refined marble or malachite, fascinating with its beauty, gives the fireplace facade a special sophistication. The original composition is laid out if mosaic elements are used for facing.

When designing decorative fireplaces for an apartment designed with elements of a classic style, you should pay attention to special tiles made with a textured surface resembling tiles. The fireplace portal created with their help allows you to reproduce the unique atmosphere of ancient estates.

Video: Decorative panels and an aged fireplace

The article is intended to help the reader figure out how to make a decorative fireplace. Below, various types of materials are analyzed, two step-by-step master classes are offered.

For ease of reading, the article is divided into several chapters:

review of materials;
finishing tips;
two master classes on creating a decorative false fireplace with your own hands from drywall and plywood;

In conclusion, a short overview of the most popular models of finished fireplaces is given.

In a classic interior

Purpose of decorative fireplaces

A few decades ago, the fireplace served as a source of heating in the house; for a long time, firewood and coal were burned in it to heat the room. Now the need for it has disappeared - more modern and ergonomic heating systems have not left him a chance to compete, making him a relic of the past.

decorative fireplace in the interior of the living room

The need for such visualization of heat still exists in humans. Not every house and apartment allows the installation of a fireplace, therefore, decorative false fireplaces came to the rescue. It will not give a completely natural smell and fire, but it is able to create a pleasant atmosphere of comfort in the room.

Important: False fireplaces have no restrictions on use - they are installed in absolutely any room. shop the lineup has a huge number of proposals that are used indoors and on verandas or in gazebos.

In the big house

What to make a decorative portal for a fireplace with your own hands - advantages and disadvantages of materials

A decorative portal for a fireplace is made from a wide list of materials:

drywall;
brick;
Styrofoam;
chipboard;
polyurethane

In black

Drywall

Drywall is pressed sheets of gypsum, fastened with durable cardboard on the sides. The material is used in construction, it is perfect for making a decorative plasterboard fireplace with your own hands (false fireplace). It is used in the construction of partitions in apartments and private houses, in the installation of ceilings.

In a painted room

The main advantages of a decorative portal for a plasterboard fireplace include:

ease of work;
light weight;
low price.

Drywall is cut with an ordinary clerical knife, fixed with screws. The surface is puttied and painted with any paint, and with proper handling, the structures made of it are almost eternal.

In the bedroom

Important: Light weight will allow you to make a fireplace without weight restrictions. The drywall frame is lightweight and will not create any pressure on the supporting elements of the floor and walls. Low cost is obtained from the low cost of the sheet - 1 square meter costs 300-400 rubles, and consumables for construction are cheap.

The disadvantages include:

fragility;
low resistance to moisture;
"disposable" material.

Drywall, if the surface protective layer is damaged, quickly crumbles. Easily punched by hand or foot. You can get rid of this by tightly fastening sheets and more frequent placement of profiles, but this greatly spoils the fireplace. Moisture quickly destroys the gypsum. Sheets protect from any damp places.

Gypsum fireplace

Important: If the cut is incorrect or broken, the drywall will have to be completely replaced. It cannot be glued or twisted, therefore, errors in calculations are costly.

Brick

Brick is a classic material for conventional fireplaces - it is resistant to temperature, durable and has a very noble appearance. For false fireplaces, such properties do not matter, but a decorative element from it allows you to decorate the room. Brick:

durable;
resistant to moisture, temperature and mechanical damage;
relatively easy to work with.

With decorative trim

Inside the building, the brick is almost eternal. In rare cases, when the selected brick was of extremely poor quality, it begins to crumble, but, in Lately this kind of thing is rare. High-quality masonry does not let water through and will not fall apart even from the strongest blows.

Brick is quite convenient to lay - for this it is enough to have a little experience and fairly cheap tools. An ordinary decorative portal rarely requires any major structural changes and is made in one day. Difficulties arise when working with used bricks, but for decorative elements we recommend using a new one.

The cons include:

high weight;
exactingness to support;
high cost.

Decorative firewood for the fireplace

High weight is the main negative property - the finished structure has a large mass, which puts pressure on the surrounding supports. From the same quality and the second minus - you need a solid floor that can withstand the future decoration.

Important: The cost is relatively higher than other materials, given that the walls of the structure are completely laid out of brick.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam is a foamed plastic that is excellent material to make a decorative fireplace with your own hands. Styrofoam has a large number of applications - from the insulation of houses due to its low thermal conductivity to the packaging of equipment due to its softness. As a decor, it is used in any area - it is plastic and easy to use.

The pluses include:

easy handling;
very light weight;
moisture resistance.

Styrofoam

The foam sheet can be given any shape. It is processed with a knife and a hacksaw. Using a grained sheet, similar imitations of stucco or other decorative effects are created. The low weight is due to the peculiarity of the material - more than half of the volume is pores, due to which low weight is achieved with a large size.

Important: The foam does not get wet - it repels water perfectly. In rare cases, granular foam collapses under the influence of water - this happens due to the use of weak glue to hold individual grains together.

In the red room

Main disadvantages:

decomposes under the influence of various chemicals;
brittle;
ignites easily.

Most adhesives and paints melt it - the foam structure is rapidly destroyed by aerosols, nitrates and solvents. Paint foam with water or acrylic paints, fasten - with special glue.

The brittleness is due to the structure. A small amount of pressure is enough to break it. A decorative fireplace made of it will be quite brittle, which requires special care in handling. The small mass of the finished product will lead to the need for additional reinforcement.

decorative portal

Important: We must remember - the foam, like other materials made of combustible plastic, ignites quite easily. Its combustion temperature is much lower than that of wood, which can lead to a fire at a low temperature of a candle or heating elements.

chipboard

Laminated chipboard is a pressed mass of wood with an additional protective coating. It is processed wood chips that are pressed and glued under high pressure. Lamination gives any appearance.

The main advantages of portals for a fireplace made of chipboard include:

high strength;
durability;
convenience in work.

False fireplace in the interior of chipboard

Chipboard is similar to a tree, therefore, all the main advantages come from it. It is quite difficult to break it, and it is quite convenient to place the plates - just cut them into pieces. the right dimensions and twist together. The mass depends on the specific plate and its thickness, but to make a decorative fireplace with your own hands, use plates of small thickness.

The main disadvantages are:

low resistance of cuts to water;
complex surface treatment with various paints.

The adhesive that is used in the process of gluing the boards is quite easily destroyed by water. Moisture destroys the bonds between the chips extremely quickly, which becomes a big problem for the finished structure. Water enters through cuts or chips, which makes them additionally protected from environmental conditions.

In the interior of the room

Laminate coating is difficult to paint. It represents a polymer layer that is difficult to paint with alkyd, acrylic and water-based paints - they do not fix on it, peeling off the film. Chipboard requires additional coating for decoration.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane contains a large number of materials - from liquid and viscous mixtures to completely solid plastics. The material is used in any construction process - a huge number of shapes and textures contribute to this. To make a fake fireplace with your own hands, polyurethane is the best fit.

Polyurethane

The advantages of decorative portals for a false fireplace made of polyurethane include:

moisture resistance;
undemanding care;
unlike polystyrene - greater resistance to various solvents.

Polyurethane is not afraid of water - it does not get wet from it and does not lose its properties. It is used as a waterproofing for various pipes that constantly emit condensate. It does not require maintenance - in extremely rare cases, the surface becomes dirty.

A different structure allows you to paint it with absolutely any paint and not be limited in use. various adhesives and aerosols. Polyurethane is resistant, its use is also acceptable on the street.

In a private house

Main negative aspects are:

easy flammability;
light weight of the material.

Polyurethane only needs the fire of a match or cigarette to fuse - it is not much different from polyethylene in this. Special reinforced sheets are commercially available, but their use is comparable in cost to more natural materials. For some types of false fireplaces, this is important - an accidental spark from the wiring can burn half the property.

Polyurethane fireplace option

Light weight requires additional fixing of the structure, which is not always convenient, especially when the room already has a ready repair. This is offset by a heavier filling.

Do-it-yourself fireplace imitation in an apartment - portal finishing options

Finishing is an individual decision. The fireplace is pasted over with decorative brick tiles or painted to look like lime or marble - the absence of a real fire leaves a lot of room for imagination.

Idea: For brick fireplaces, it is permissible not to use decoration - the brick itself has a natural look, but it is not difficult to supplement it with painting or decorative elements.

From white brick

Most materials require additional processing before decorating - chipboard or foam. Otherwise, various surface defects are extremely noticeable, which will spoil the appearance of the product.

Do-it-yourself decorative fireplace made of plasterboard - photo, step by step instructions

In the master class, it was dismantled how to properly create a false fireplace with your own hands from drywall. Step-by-step instructions and photos are presented later in the article.

The main idea of a decorative fireplace is to create a kind of shelf for equipment and disguise various wires. Since there are no special requirements for it, ordinary drywall is used, which will be attached to the frame.

Materials required for work:

plasterboard for sheathing;
metal profiles - wide and narrow;
drywall screws;
decorative brick;
countertop - for the top of the fireplace.

Designation	View	Har-ka	Application	Cardboard color		Marking color
Designation	View	Har-ka	Application	on the back side	on the front side	Marking color
GKL	Ordinary	–	It is used in buildings and rooms with dry and normal conditions.	Gray	Gray	blue
GKLO	With increased resistance to open flame	They differ from ordinary ones by special reinforcing additives in the core material		Gray	pink	Red
GKLV	moisture resistant	Differ from the usual use of hydrophobic additives	It is used like conventional plasterboards, in rooms with high humidity with the provision exhaust ventilation and subject to the protection of the front surface, for example: waterproofing, waterproof primers, paints, ceramic tiles	green	green	blue
GKLVO	Moisture resistant with increased resistance to open flame	Differ from the usual combination of properties of GKLO and GKLV		green	green	Red

Advice: Brick is selected to taste. Almost all of them have the same thickness, are separated by color and texture. The best way buy individual bricks - the plates can be large for a false fireplace, and they will have to be cut.

A fireplace mantel is optional. Instead, use any other material - the portal for the fireplace will not suffer from this. For the back wall you will need a tree - it will be removable to provide convenient access to the sockets hidden behind it.

Of the tools you will need:

screwdriver;
level;
square;
spatula for attaching decorative bricks;
metal scissors.

Absolutely nothing can be thrown out of the list of tools - everyone represents the basic minimum, without which it will be impossible to do the job. A square and a level are required in order to create even walls and a surface - a curved fireplace will look extremely ugly.

Frame installation

The process of installing a portal for a decorative fireplace is divided into several steps, see the step-by-step photo instructions:

	1. Work begins with the installation of a frame for the fireplace portal. To do this, assemble the base of four profiles. At this stage, narrow profiles are fixed as the bottom, into which transverse profiles will subsequently be inserted.
	2. The next step is to reinforce the vertical profiles. Cut their side parts to the desired length, and screw the screws into a wide plane.
	3. Fasten the profile for the main skin. They are fixed by analogy with the previous ones.
	4. The floor is additionally reinforced with several horizontal profiles that allow you to create a flat platform for future decorative firewood for the fireplace.
	5. The last step is to sheathe the horizontal elements and simulate a pipe that will hide the wires from the TV.

Facing

The cladding will be made of drywall. Cut it exactly to size with a construction knife. Start doing this from any side, successively go through 3 layers - 2 layers of cardboard and plaster. For convenience, make a margin of 3-4mm, which is then cut off with a knife.

Work starts from the ground up:

	6. After the horizontal part is attached, add an additional vertical strip on each side - they will give a stronger base.
	7. Next, we begin to sheathe the sides. All sheets are screwed on. The length of the screws should not be too long (3 mm) - just fix the sheet in the profile.
	8. Attach the front sheets in the next step. Make a curved sheet - it will serve as a ceiling for the “firebox” of a false fireplace. To do this, make shallow cuts on one side of the sheet - it will be screwed to the ceiling.
	9. After that, we fasten the last sheets and proceed to the next step.

Finishing the imitation of the fireplace in the apartment

Do-it-yourself finishing of a decorative drywall fireplace includes brick cladding and fixing the countertop. The tabletop is fastened like a regular kitchen tabletop - with latches. Brick decoration is carried out with special glue and a spatula. Start from the bottom level.

	10. We trim the transitions on the false fireplace with foam stucco molding, which is selected in size. It is an ordinary plinth, which is attached to the glue. Finishing is carried out from the bottom up, which allows you to place the bricks more tightly.
	11. Make a back wall for the fireplace. For her any will do a sheet of not too thick plywood on which the brick will be placed
	12. The end of the trim will be a narrow plinth, which will create a narrow transition between the trim and the countertop.

As a final step, decorate the structure with logs by placing them in an imitation firebox. The top shelf is used to install various equipment.

How to make a fake fireplace with your own hands - a step-by-step photo instruction from plywood with a mirror

As part of the master class, we will tell you how to make a false fireplace with your own hands (step-by-step instructions with a photo are attached) from plywood, wooden bars and a mirror. The dimensions of the finished structure are 1100 mm high, 220 mm deep and 900 mm wide.

The design is made entirely of wood, with a mirror insert on the back wall. The wall behind the fireplace will serve as it.

From the materials you will need:

plywood 2mm thick;
bars, 20x40mm;
board, 40x220mm;
wooden corners;
metal corners;
mirror;
dye.

Plywood and bars are made from any wood - it is desirable that they be sanded beforehand. There are no special requirements for the board, the main thing is that its surface is even. The dimensions of the mirror depend on the desired characteristics, 600x400 mm will be more than enough.

From the tools you will need:

wood saw;
screwdriver;
drill or drill for a screwdriver;
paint brushes.

Frame installation

The assembly of the frame is not very laborious - all the main guides should be on the edges of the intended sheets. It is advisable before you start making a false fireplace with your own hands according to our step by step instructions with a photo, develop an approximate drawing that will allow you to navigate the dimensions of the structure.

	1. Between themselves, the bars are fastened with metal squares and wood screws - their strength is enough for the frame of a false fireplace.
	2. Prepare the horizontal guides for the shelves. They are attached as follows.
	3. The shape of the squares does not matter - any that were at hand are used. The most important is leveling - use the level at all stages of assembling the frame. After assembling the proposed frame, place the mirror. This is done with siding screws.

At the last stage, cutting plywood is not superfluous. Accuracy is not so important - deviations of up to 2-4 mm are permissible, since all joints will be closed with corners.

Coloring

This stage of installing a false fireplace is carried out with any suitable paint. It is worth painting in a thin layer, after removing the sheets of plywood from the frame - it will be extremely difficult to stain the surrounding walls.

Advice: We recommend to show the texture of the tree after a dense layer as follows - take any rag and run it over the still wet paint. Part of the surface layer will go to the rag and expose the texture. Do not take felt or cotton cloth - it will leave a lot of lint on the surface.

After drying, attach all the sheets to the frame of the portal of the false fireplace.

4. We glue the sheets to the frame

decoration

The decor for a false fireplace is considered to be corners that will hide cosmetic defects in plywood, various planks and construction decorative panels. We recommend starting work from the corners.

	5. Thin wood splits when turning with a screw, therefore, before twisting the corner, drill a hole in it with a drill slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw.
	6. After that, the screw is twisted, attaching the corner.
	7. A bar is attached to the top of the fireplace, to which the corners are screwed in advance. It allows you to hide the joint of plywood sheets.
	8. For additional decor, a building panel was purchased from the store. It looks like stucco and is pre-painted. It is attached by screwing from the inside of the sheet.
	9. After that, arrange the rest of the decorative elements: candles, garlands or paintings. Place logs under the bottom shelf.

Options for purchased decorative fireplaces

Decorative fireplaces are taking over the home decor market. Ready-made solutions are portable, and the main principle of operation is a system of mirrors with lamps and sound effects.

All offered fireplaces are divided into two functional groups:

with heating;
without him.

cozy atmosphere

The first option plays the role of not only a decorative element, but also a heater - heating elements or other heaters are placed in them, which, with the help of a fan system, allow heating the room. Do not buy cheap Chinese solutions - they are dangerous for an apartment in terms of fire safety and put a heavy load on the power grid. Keep this in mind, because often the heat from it becomes invisible against the background of the electricity expended.

The second option is completely decorative and has no benefit other than a decorative effect for the room. These fireplaces use various systems fire imitations: from ordinary lamps and multi-colored patches to full-fledged screens, it all depends on the manufacturer's budget and imagination.

False fireplaces in the interior of the living room - photo 12 more ideas

With a mirror

Decorative firewood for the fireplace

In white tone

False fireplace in the interior in Provence style

Country style

Modern classic

Decorative drywall

With candles

In the dining room

In a bright room

Wooden

Close to plants

You can look at the fire endlessly, but few people can afford such luxury in an ordinary apartment - it is too difficult to get permission, and it will take a lot of money. There is a low-budget way out - to make an imitation of a fireplace. They build a portal that looks like a real one, install electrical devices, candles or bio-fireplaces inside. These structures are called differently: artificial, decorative or false fireplace. This idea became last years very popular - you can make a decorative fireplace with your own hands in a few days, while you can get by with a very small amount.

What is the portal made of?

You can make a false fireplace portal from any material. Indeed, from anyone - even from an old cabinet or table. But the most commonly used materials are:

They make portals for a false fireplace and from plastic panels, wood or cardboard. But they are used much less frequently. You can even use glass and metal, but working with them is more difficult.

What to put inside

No matter how beautiful the fireplace portal is, without fire, or at least its imitation, it has an unfinished look. There are several options:

Decorative plywood fireplace: photo report

An electric fireplace with simulated flame was purchased. It was decided to make a frame for it from plywood. Furniture plywood 8 mm thick was used. The self-made portal was made in a few hours, its finishing took almost two days.

A frame is cut out of plywood according to the size of the front panel of the fireplace. At the bottom, the frame is wider by 10 cm, on the other three sides - by 7 cm.

The side parts are cut out according to the outer dimensions of the frame. The screen of the electric fireplace should be slightly “drowned” deep into the structure, and these details are the front part of the portal.

We collect all three parts into a single whole. To do this, you need a bar 10 * 20 mm and strips of plywood, 7 cm wide. From all this we assemble the front wall of the false fireplace.

Under the existing front panel, we make the rest of the frame. To add rigidity, we put jumpers at the top, along the upper edge of the front panel. We also install a bar at the bottom. A platform under the fireplace body rests on it. We sheathe the side walls with pieces of plywood cut to size.

Actually, a decorative fireplace with your own hands is almost ready. Remained Finishing work. Two types of ceramic tiles were chosen for decoration - gray “stone-like” and white “brick-like”. We begin to glue it on liquid nails. Work is progressing slowly - you have to cut into small pieces.

Partially cutting is obtained on a tile cutter, but often you have to use a grinder, and this is dusty, requires concentration - you can’t saw off more, and the edge should be even. The edges of cut tiles that remain open are sanded. And it's time again. Because facing takes a lot of time, the work is tedious.

Almost in the middle of the work, an insight came: in order for the corner tiled to look neat, the edges of the tiles must be grinded at 45 °. It is very inconvenient to cut with a grinder at 45 °, it is much easier with a circular (found with a neighbor). Then the joint turns out, if not perfect (due to chips), then much more attractive.

All the seams between the tiles are sealed with grout of a suitable color, the joints began to look great. A tabletop is installed as the top panel. It turned out a false fireplace and at the same time a TV stand. The result pleased.

Drywall artificial fireplace

Drywall and profiles allow you to create decorative fireplaces of any size and configuration. First of all, you need to decide on the size of the portal you want to make, draw it on a piece of paper or in one of the design programs, put down the dimensions, and think over the type of finish. Only then, according to the finished drawing, you can start working. So do it right.

Calculation of proportions and preparatory work

To make it easier to estimate the proportions, you can use the finished drawing. It is possible and necessary to change the dimensions to suit your conditions - this is not in which all dimensions must be observed for normal operation, but only its imitation. So we boldly adjust the dimensions to our own ideas and the dimensions of the “fire” source.

If an electric fireplace is to be inserted into the portal, it is necessary to bring the power line to this area in advance. When laying the cable, use the laying rules: bring the wires to the outlet from above, strictly vertically (not at an angle or arbitrarily). In this case, when attaching drywall profiles to the wall, you definitely will not get into the wiring, since it is visually easy to determine its location - above the outlet. Fasteners are simply not installed in this space.

frame

If you are going to make a portal for candles, the dimensions can be even smaller. One of the drawings of a candle fireplace in the following drawing.

First, draw the main lines of the portal on the wall. Then, along them, we fasten the starting profile cut into pieces (in cross section it looks like the letter “P” without shelves on the sides).

Then, according to the drawing, we create a three-dimensional frame for a false fireplace. Vertical strips are immediately installed, marking the dimensions of the portal. The same frame is assembled on the floor as on the wall. The dimensions are on the drawing, but it would be useful to compare them with the actual ones so that there are no distortions. The finished frame is set at the desired distance, fixed with short sections of the profile, creating a voluminous box.

Lastly, a frame is assembled for a small podium in front of the “furnace” of a decorative fireplace. If you do it earlier, it will be inconvenient to work.

Features of working with GKL

Often questions arise when creating arches. To get a rounded line, the sidewalls of the profile are cut every 5-6 cm, leaving the “back” intact. In this form, it bends easily. During installation, each “petal” is attached to the crossbar (on both sides).

After the frame is ready, we sheathe it with drywall. It is cut with an ordinary clerical knife. In addition to it, you still need a long ruler. We mark the line on the drywall along which it must be cut. We attach a ruler to it and draw a knife along it. The main task is to cut the top sheet of cardboard; there is no need to cut through the gypsum. A bar is placed under the cut line, knocking on the sheet from one side or the other. The plaster breaks along the cut line, all that remains is to fold it and cut off the second cardboard elephant.

Rounded lines on drywall can be cut with an electric jigsaw, if available, or break off the gypsum in small pieces, and then level the edge with a knife (the gypsum is well turned).

How to fix

Drywall sheets are fastened to special self-tapping screws with a screw at the end. Due to their small size, they are called "fleas". They must be twisted so that the heads are recessed, but the cardboard cannot be broken through. The installation step is 15-20 cm in straight sections without load and 10-15 cm in sections with bends. In short, this is all the wisdom of installing drywall.

To bend a sheet of gypsum that sheaths the arch of the “furnace”, it is cut on one side in strips 5-7 cm wide. Gypsum is broken along the cut lines, but the second sheet of cardboard is not cut. It turns out that the gypsum strips hang on this cardboard, because of this the strip bends well. It is applied to the profiles that form the bend, fastened with self-tapping screws. When installing, be careful, put the fasteners in the middle of the strip - pieces may break off at the edge.

Finishing

After the portal for the artificial fireplace is sheathed with drywall, you can start finishing. You can putty and paint it, you can tile it under a brick or stone, another option is an artificial facing stone.

It is more convenient to glue the lining on drywall with liquid nails or special glue for the selected material. It is only important that it can be used with drywall.

To make the portal for an artificial fireplace seem more voluminous, so that the “flame” game is more interesting, the part that goes to the wall is covered with a mirror (if an electric fireplace is not installed). The mirror can be ordinary, on glass, or maybe - flexible - acrylic. It is preferable because it does not beat.

DIY decorative fireplace

The seams between the tiles are sealed with grout. Often it is chosen in a dark gray color, similar to a solution. Then from a distance the portal looks like a real one.

As you can see, making a decorative fireplace with your own hands is not too difficult. Especially for those who have at least a little experience with drywall. A more complex version, with stucco made "in place", see the video.

Photo of fireplace imitations in the interior

Imitation of a fireplace with candles - the main thing is to choose the right design

The most fashionable styles are minimalism, hi-tech, modern

An interesting option - before kindling))

The fireplace has always been a symbol of warmth and comfort. The hearth was equipped in chic palaces, and in small castles, and in cozy estates. A prerequisite for the fireplace is a chimney, which cannot be done in a modern standard apartment. Depending on the wealth of the owners of the home, they decorated the fireplace with marble, stone or other refractory materials.

But do those who live in apartment buildings without a chimney, you have to forget about the hearth? Not at all - modern alternative An artificial fireplace portal serves as an antique fireplace - a design that imitates a real home. But here the question arises: how to arrange a decorative fireplace in the apartment? Do you use traditional materials for this or can you show imagination and creativity?

Fireplace in the interior of the apartment

Modern high-rise buildings do not provide for chimneys in their design for arranging existing fireplaces, which would serve as a source of heat. If the goal is to heat the home and replace heating radiators, then this task is quite realistic with the help of an electric fireplace - a device that runs on environmentally friendly fuel. Such a "toy" produces a real flame without smoke and is very popular with overseas designers. An electric fireplace is often built into a specially equipped portal, creating the effect of a real hearth.

But for a decorative effect, they often equip a fireplace portal or a false fireplace - a structure that looks like a real fireplace, but without a chimney and the ability to make a fire. A niche can be decorated in different ways: put candles or vases with flowers, paste over with mirror tiles or lay out a stack of real logs - it all depends on the designer's imagination and limited budget.

Types and features of false fireplaces

The design and choice of materials depends on the type of fireplace chosen. IN modern architecture allocate reliable, conditional and symbolic fireplaces.

Reliable

A reliable fireplace is the most similar to a real one, imitating the shape and appearance of the hearth so well that an uninformed guest will not immediately see the difference. The difference between a real fireplace and a real one is the absence of a chimney. Such models of false fireplaces are made more often to order, since decorative materials require special processing: metal, stone, tile, porcelain stoneware, plaster.

In the niche of such an artificial fireplace, it is allowed to install an electric fireplace or a burner that runs on environmentally friendly fuel.

Only a reliable false fireplace can maximally replace a real hearth, both in appearance and in functionality. But it is he who is also the most expensive among all types.

Conditional

It is also possible to create an artificial hearth in an apartment with the help of a conditional false fireplace - a small structure on a wall made of a metal frame and sheathed with drywall or plywood. This option does not provide for the installation of an electric fireplace inside, which means it does not require great depth - 20 cm will be quite sufficient. And a mirror glued to the back wall of the niche of the fireplace portal will create visual depth.

Another option to “deepen” a niche is to paint the wall black and install candlesticks, decorative candles and other little things in it.

Outside, such a portal is decorated with plaster, tiles, tiles, wood, moldings and stucco molding so as to bring the appearance as close as possible to a real fireplace.

Symbolic

Another way to create a feeling of home comfort in an apartment, while without unnecessary financial and time costs, is a symbolic fireplace. Simply put, the outlines of a fireplace are created on the wall either with the help of a drawing, or ceiling moldings, or some other decorative elements. Of course, we are not talking about any volume in this case, the decorative element creates only the right atmosphere, but you can do it yourself, without resorting to the services of professionals.

How to make a fake fireplace yourself

Of course, the most simple solution, both in terms of budget and labor costs, there will be an arrangement of a symbolic or painted fireplace.
First of all, determine the place where the drawn element will be located. Measure the height and width of the decoration, it is better to immediately draw with a pencil on the wall. Now think about the design: whether it will be straight or curved lines drawn with paints, or the outlines will be decorated using molding. His role may be:

ceiling or floor plinth,
wooden rail,
plaster molding,
beautiful door frame.

On top of the whole structure, you can hang a narrow shelf the width of the fireplace, which will serve as a stand for photographs, candlesticks or other cute trinkets.

Making a homemade false fireplace with your own hands is not at all difficult, as it may seem at first. The main thing is the ability to handle a hacksaw or a jigsaw, a screwdriver and a tape measure.

The first step is to decide what material the fireplace portal will be made of. It is easier and cheaper to make it from a metal profile and sheathe it with drywall or MDF (PVC) panels. But you can use bricks or foam blocks.

Next, a decision is made on the shape and size of the decorative stove. If you create a structure that completely imitates a real fireplace, you will have to select a significant part of the wall, since a real hearth consists of two parts: a chimney and a firebox. If it is decided to decorate the space above the portal in a different way or allocate it for other needs, then you can stop only at mounting the lower part of the hearth.

For work you will need materials and tools:

Drywall 12 mm thick;
Metallic profile;
Roulette or ruler;
Marking pencil;
The tool that you plan to cut drywall with. Usually this is a construction knife;
Metal shears for metal profiles;
Self-tapping screws for metal;
Metal corner;
Screwdriver.

For finishing the fireplace portal, do not forget to purchase putty and spatulas, perforated tape to strengthen the seams. Also depending on decorative finishes primer may be needed.

The installation of the hearth consists of several important steps.

We draw a sketch of the future product and put down all the necessary dimensions (they depend on the dimensions of the room in which the hearth is assembled). We calculate how many materials will be needed and which ones. We transfer all the markup to the wall in order to have a visual representation of the design.
Using metal scissors, we cut the frame parts from a metal profile and try them on the wall. We mount the frame using self-tapping screws.
We cut the necessary trim parts from drywall and also fasten them to the frame with self-tapping screws. Do not forget to remove the chamfer before installation.
We seal all the caps of the screws and seams with putty (after gluing them with perforated tape). Let the mixture dry.
We clean the surface with sandpaper and primer before decorative finishing.

You can use one of the following as a schema:

Of course, any element that appears in the room should match the style and mood of the interior, and not seem superfluous.

It is not necessary to decorate the fireplace portal in the Provence room with a brutal dark brick. Or use an aged brick in a modern interior - such too bold experiments can only be afforded by experienced designers who know how to play with space.

A plasterboard fireplace portal is easily decorated with polyurethane moldings, moldings, wood or MDF panels, plaster or stone. The choice of material also depends on the purpose of the fireplace.

If an electric burner is inserted into the false fireplace, then refractory materials are selected for decoration: tiles, bricks, stone. In all other cases, the decoration is dictated by the style of the room itself.

Each finishing material has its pros and cons. Let's consider each of them.

Decorative brick or stone. The most suitable material for finishing an existing fireplace is brick or decorative refractory stone. The portal itself is also laid out of brick. in this case, it is necessary to provide a small brick "cushion" under the entire structure. In principle, if the bricks are laid neatly, then finishing can be abandoned if the appearance fits into the style of the room. Bricks are simply coated with a protective agent or tinted. If the brick acts as building material, then it is better to use a refractory stone to finish the existing fireplace.
MDF boards. For decorating fireplace portals, such material is used quite rarely. First, due to appearance- such plates often imitate the texture and pattern of wood, but who makes fireplaces out of wood? Secondly, even if you pick up a pattern that looks like brick or masonry, MDF slabs lose in price to the same ceramic tiles or plaster.
Wood. A warm and natural material often used in classic or rustic styles. It can be a smooth polished and varnished wood or deliberately rough, with the effect of aging in a Provence living room. Most often, the top shelf of false fireplaces is made of wood.
Ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles. One of the universal materials is ceramic tile or porcelain stoneware. The first advantage is affordable price. In principle, from a wide range of modern ceramic tiles, you can choose the one that suits both in color, and in texture, and in style. The second advantage is resistance to high temperatures, which is important for the design of an existing fireplace. But along with refractory tiles, you also need to use a special heat-resistant adhesive.
Mosaic. Another suitable material for decorating a fireplace portal is mosaic. In turn, it can also be made of glass, ceramic, mirror or wooden elements. There are even individual specimens made from natural materials - sea pebbles, shell rock, marble or granite. Already from the mosaic, you can choose any one that meets the highest requirements, as well as combine several types, creating patterns and ornaments.

Marble. This environmentally friendly material has proven itself in the construction industry. No wonder the palaces and castles of kings were finished with this material. Marble is durable, practical and has excellent decorative properties. However, decorating false fireplaces with marble is quite difficult, since it is still a stone, and a lightweight drywall construction is unlikely to withstand such a weight.
Decorative plaster. This finishing material can easily imitate even a tree, even a stone, even to recreate a smooth, uniform surface. It is for versatility that designers love plaster. It can be tinted in any color or painted already on top, form fancy patterns and ornaments - any way is good, the main thing is that the end result is combined with the style of the room.
Glass. Glass is a rare guest on the walls of a false fireplace, but with its help you can create a unique and unique portal, for example, using the glass painting technique. Basically, glass is used as a partition in electric operating fireplaces. A stained glass window also has the right to exist, but in order to really achieve the desired effect, you will have to come up with an original backlight.
Metal. One of the "coldest" materials for interior interior decor. It is used mainly in styles such as modern, hi-tech or loft. But artistic forging can bring a touch of romanticism to Provence or country. An openwork partition will be appropriate in any ornate interior - classic, art deco, Victorian, rococo.
Self-adhesive film. An excellent alternative with a minimal budget is self-adhesive - a PVC-based film with an adhesive base. The pattern and texture of the film can be very different: with imitation of marble, other stone, wood, brick, tile.

What to put in a fireplace niche

The most exciting issue of decorating a false fireplace is a niche (the place where the firebox should be). If the hearth is not active and there is no firewood in the firebox, then what should be put or put in its place? And the design of the back wall of the furnace also matters. It can be formatted in different ways:

Paste over with mirrors to visually push the boundaries of the fireplace portal;
Paint it black, which will also visually deepen the niche;
Paste over with photo wallpaper depicting a real flame, brick or firewood;
Paint the walls on which the fireplace is located to match;
Lay out with contrasting ceramic tiles or tiles with patterns.

In the very niche of the fireplace you can place:

A set of candles of different shapes and sizes (but suitable in style);
Books or magazines;
Flowers in pots and flowerpots;
Firewood and logs - this will create the impression that the hearth is working;
A stack of pillows;
Antique effect suitcases;
Themed or seasonal decor elements: Halloween pumpkins, Christmas tree New Year, angels for Christmas, fresh flowers for March 8, etc.
Figurines and figurines.

By the way, those elements that you put in the niche of the fireplace should stylistically echo the objects placed on the shelf itself or above the hearth.

If you are still thinking about how to decorate a fireplace in an apartment, photos of ready-made solutions will help you decide. Just look at our selection of ready-made raised fireplaces.