Making a decorative fireplace with your own hands

A fireplace with burning and crackling firewood is often found in a movie or a book, but very rarely in everyday life, as it is considered a luxury item. Indeed, a real fireplace is not a cheap pleasure, and it’s extremely difficult to build it in a city apartment. But there is an alternative option, namely a decorative fireplace. It will cost much cheaper, is easy to use, absolutely safe, and most importantly - it can be made by hand.

A false fireplace is a design that imitates a real hearth. It is usually installed when, for any reason, it is not possible to build a real wood hearth, for example, a city apartment (in urban areas it is difficult to obtain permission to build a fireplace, there is no chimney box in the houses) or a limited room space.

Benefits of the False Fireplace:

• Low cost. You will have to spend money only on the purchase of building materials.
• Availability of materials. You can find them literally in any hardware store.
• The design of such a fireplace can be changed at your discretion as many times as you like.
• To decorate the fireplace, you do not need to buy expensive materials, you can get quite budget, but presentable options.

The very first thing that needs to be done when creating an artificial fireplace is to decide on the type of construction.

Decorative fireplaces are divided into three groups:

• Authentic These fireplaces are able to completely imitate the real ones. They are similar to the present in size and design. In the firebox is usually located biofireplace burner,which very accurately recreates the burning effect and heats the room. This option is quite expensive, but of all it is the most plausible.
• Conditional. Limited to the forward mantel portal. The portal is decorated to your liking, and various elements of decor, such as candles or logs, are installed in the furnace.
• Symbolic. The most dissimilar, they are created even from simple stickers with the image of fire or drawing, with additional decor. In other words, only the shape of the fireplace is retained without recess under the firebox.

There are several types of imitation fire:

• Imitation. It only conditionally resembles the real one. The role of the flame is played inside the candles or paintings depicting flames.
• Electric. In this case, the simulation is performed by a special electric device, which is framed by a niche. This option is very realistic, as the video illusion of a burning flame is displayed on the screen, and the room is also heated.
• Bio Fireplace The hearth is as close to the real fireplace as possible and with the appropriate design completely copies it. The fire in it burns at the expense of a special burner, whose work is supported by a substance such as bioethanol. The design minus is in its high cost.

Each species differs in cost and complexity of construction. Of course, the cheapest option is an imitation option that can be decorated with your own hands, without buying additional expensive equipment and materials. But their decorative effect suffers a lot and visually they are somewhat caricatured. Conditional and reliable fireplaces are most often constructed of plasterboard, and placed inside the candles, various lamps, LED strips or electric fire.

Making a false fireplace is completely dependent on the style of the room in which it is placed. For example, square fireplaces decorated with stucco or bas-relief are appropriate for a classic style. It also looks great imitation tile finish, brick or marble tile.

Modernism is more suitable materials with a specular or reflective surface. Non-standard shape of the structure itself plays an important role in high-tech, for example, an acute-angled fireplace trimmed with mirrors. The simple and natural style of country music also received a high prevalence, respectively, and the false fireplace should be simple and even somewhat rough.In this case, unnecessary decorative elements are not needed.

Imitation of a flame in an artificial hearth is capable of creating a home-like cozy atmosphere in a room. Today, for this purpose, you can purchase a special electronic device that is able to visualize a picture of a burning flame, as well as to reproduce the characteristic crackling sounds. The simplest recreation of fire is a sticker on the back wall of the fireplace with a decorative pattern of burning logs. Also, modern technologies allow the use of the so-called electronic photo frame. It just upload a "live" image.

However, it is not forbidden to approach this task creatively and decorate the fireplace. For example, install an ordinary mirror on the back wall of the fireplace, and in front of it lay out a few candles and logs. However, this option is only suitable for drywall.

Another interesting solution would be the placement of a medium-sized lamp inside. But you will need to come up with a disguise of the wire from the lamp, so that if necessary, you can turn it on or off imperceptibly. The niche is closed with a film, which may be translucent, yellow or orange.By the way, the backlight of the film of the last two colors will create a “warm glow” effect, which usually comes from real fire. Instead of a lamp inside, you can install several small light bulbs or a Christmas garland, while not covering the niche with foil.

Very often, a clock hanging above a hearth or simply standing on a shelf is located next to a real fireplace. Therefore, designers offer the same move and with a decorative hearth, placing the clock inside the fireplace, for example, in a firebox or niche. Such a decision will definitely attract attention.

Unusual and interesting will look shelves that are installed in the furnace, while maintaining their functionality. They place small souvenirs, candles and other cute things. They will not only decorate the room and design, but also create a pleasant homely atmosphere. Books are placed on the same shelves, especially with bright and colorful covers. The picture or photo will perfectly fit into a niche. For example, you can hang several small frames around the fireplace, and in the niche one big one, which will be the central element of the whole composition.

Next to the real fire can not be close to living plants, but near the fake can be. Fresh flowers in pots and miniature plants are placed near it or inside.Lzhekamin can also serve as an excellent pedestal for any collection or a kind of bar, and stands for glasses are placed on the upper shelf.

Also at registration decorative plaster is popular. Previously, the surface is plastered, sealed up all the joints between the elements and all the irregularities. After the putty is cleaned with sandpaper and plaster.

The second stage in the work will be measured and the acquisition of the necessary building materials.

For plasterboard construction will need:

• profiles - rack and guides;
• moisture resistant plasterboard sheets;
• elements for fasteners (dowels, screws, etc.);
• finishing material (primer or putty, tile adhesive and grout), depending on the choice of lining;
• tools: electric drill, screwdriver, metal shears, knife, tape measure, level.

For polyurethane design:

• fireplace portal of polyurethane;
• contact adhesive;
• putty;
• finishing material.

For wooden construction:

• plywood sheets;
• wood sanding machine;
• electric jigsaw;
• screwdriver;
• finishing material.

Artificial fireplace is often made of drywall. This material is inexpensive and can be purchased at any building materials store. You will need screws, screws (they must have a secret head for fixing sheets) for metal, dowels, nails and facing material.

Step-by-step instructions for making a decorative drywall fireplace:

• The basis of the basics is a sketch of the future construction. It is important to determine exactly where the fireplace will be located and its approximate parameters. After that, on the basis of the sketch, the exact dimensions and the quantity of the required material are calculated.

• Making the frame against the wall. On the wall mark the places where the profiles will be attached. They will serve as the basis for the rear fireplace wall. In general, profiles are fixed with dowels, which are designed for dense full-bodied materials.
• Fasten the guide profile along the marked lines.If the wall is concrete, then the holes for the dowels need to be drilled with a drill and after installing the profiles.
• Rack-mount profiles are installed in guides and fixed with screws. To increase the safety margin, we connect horizontal and vertical rack profiles with additional stiffening ribs.

• Following the drawing, we make the frame, first for the whole structure, and after - for the portal with a firebox. In order for the design to be strong, with an interval of 30 cm we make jumpers. They are needed to take on the main load of items that are higher. In other words, they will allow to put on the fireplace various elements of decor without harm to the structure.
• If in the future the arch will be formed, then it is necessary to incise the profile along the side and then give it the appropriate shape.

• Once the frame is ready, it can be sheathed with drywall with 25 mm self-tapping screws. It is better to cut it with a hacksaw or jigsaw, but an ordinary knife is quite capable of coping with this task.
• The cladding fragments are fixed with self-tapping screws with a fixing pitch of 10-15 cm.

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• So, the fireplace is ready and now you can finish it.

When dyeing the cap of the screws you need to maximizeso that they do not protrude above the surface. The working surface itself is primed, puttyed and only after all the preparatory work they start painting.

Production of a false fireplace from a carton:

• Cardboard is the best for creating such a structure. To make it more stable and regular form, use a large box from under household appliances.
• Necessary tools: pencil, scissors, stapler and scotch construction.
• As in the previous instructions, we make the initial sketch of the whole structure. After transferring the drawing to the box.
• We cut all unnecessary and fix the base with a stapler, glue the joints with tape.
• Use a sharp stationery knife to cut the firebox at the base: we cut the top and side walls, then fold the cardboard inwards. It should be a regiment that needs to be fixed with scotch tape.

• We attach the finished frame to the wall with double-sided adhesive tape.
• Cardboard can be pasted wallpaper with a brick or other pattern or stick self-adhesive film. However, many argue that wallpapers look more natural.
• The upper part is decorated with a shelf of cardboard or decorative foam.

Material for the fireplace, you can choose any: a stone, wood, brick, and so on. However, you should always take into account the complexity of its processing and installation, especially if the structure is located in a city apartment, where it may be too cumbersome.More convenient in this regard, drywall, which is simple to work and is a versatile material.

If you have the skills to build a fireplace made of decorative bricks. This material provides the maximum similarity with the real focus. However, in a city apartment it should be compact so as not to take up too much space. You also need to know for sure whether the overlap can overpower the load from the finished structure, especially if the fireplace is supposed to be made large. Sometimes they simply lay out a frame for the fireplace - the so-called fireplace portal.

Wooden fireplace can be made by hand. But if there is no skill in handling a tree, then it is better to refuse this option or hire professionals. If there is an old unnecessary dresser in the house, then it can be made the basis for a fireplace, to which the necessary elements are subsequently attached.

Plates having a laminated coating (Laminated chipboard) and similar materials are perfectly suited for assembling a false fireplace. In this case, it is important to accurately draw the future design and only then transfer the data to the plate.If everything is done correctly, the design will be neat, and most importantly, very attractive. A more budgetary analogue of laminated plates is chipboard or MDF.

Usually polyurethane is used to create decorative items and decorations. But with a strong desire, various moldings, semi-columns and platbands can be glued to the wall. However, this design will still not be perceived as a full-fledged fireplace, but it is perfect for interesting portraying of portals.

Most often for work choose drywall. This material is characterized by ease of operation and allows you to bring to life designs of any complexity. With all its undeniable advantages, the material is inexpensive and easily accessible to a wide range of consumers.

The dimensions of the false fireplace are completely dependent on the premises and in each case are selected individually. If the room is small and you need to save space, then the fireplace can be made a small wall, and better angular. In this case, the depth should be about 330 cm, and the length - 1.3 m. A small room is an area from 16 to 20 m2.

For an average area of ​​20 to 30 m2, more massive structures are suitable., for the sizes of which there are no such rigid requirements. Allowed the installation of shelves, countertops and full. The portal can be decorated with artificial or natural stone, forged items and wood. Approximate parameters: bottom - 1.5 m, top - 1.49 m, depth - 345 cm.

For large rooms - more than 30 m2, you can embody any design idea. If money permits, the portal can be built from materials such as marble, solid wood and metal. Approximate parameters: width - 2 m, height - 1.285 m, depth - 90 cm. It is easy to locate a large gas or electric apparatus in it.

The color of the false-fireplace should come from the style in which the room is made and from the general color scheme. In general, all colors can be divided into shades: warm (red, orange, yellow and green), cold (blue, purple, blue) and neutral (white, gray, black).

If the interior is dominated by white or beige color, then the fireplace may be decorated with white, red, sand, black, yellow or pink. Visually, bright colors make the space wider and lighter, therefore the hearth must either blend in harmoniously with everything or have a contrasting bright color.For a cold room, apply the same option.

For a strict room with a predominance of dark and black colors, the most suitable fireplace is white, green, black, yellow, orange and red. However, it is worth remembering that dark shades negatively affect the emotional state, so you should not get carried away.

The interior, made in neutral gray, is perfectly complemented by a gray, yellow, green, white, red, blue, beige and brown fireplace.

Bright, rich colors are harmoniously combined with red, yellow, orange, white, gray and black hearth. Bright colors stimulate brain activity and increase mood. Also very attractive are such colors as milk, chocolate, pistachio, purple and blue.

A fireplace, installed in the central part of one of the living room walls, is capable of ensuring the symmetry of the entire layout. Decorative hearth will become a kind of central point around which are placed pieces of furniture. The area above the portal is decorated with lamps or books, a picture or a panel with candlesticks, mounted TV or a large mirror.

You can fill the space in the fireplace with all the options presented above. From the firebox you can create a bookshelf, a pedestal for various minerals, souvenirs and so on. The solution will look spectacular: an iron lattice with natural logs, which are placed both inside and just placed next to the hearth.

The fireplace fits perfectly into the design of the bedroom and creates a relaxing atmosphere.that facilitates the process of going to bed. Most importantly, it is absolutely safe, and the owners do not have to worry about their health. Modern electric fireplaces are able to switch off independently after a certain period of time, or simply maintain the temperature set in the room.

Making the hearth in the bedroom, you should not make it too rough and excessively bright. It should be made in soothing colors. Decor is better to make elegant, for example, candles, small souvenirs, fresh flowers and the like. Also attractive are reflective elements, decorative plaster or tile.

Lzhekamin - the only and absolutely safe way to incorporate in the interior of the nursery of a similar design. In addition, it can be customized for children's games, to glue the portal with a special magnetic film, which is suitable for drawing and attaching magnetic parts. Books, toys and other children's accessories are stored in the firebox. The design of the fireplace makes it bright and colorful, that will appeal to little fidgets.

In the dining room and kitchen, the fireplace can be any: compact or large, stationary or portable, electric or imitation - in each case, the hearth will create a warm and cozy atmosphere for a meal. The style is made different, decorating from the interior of the room.

You can see a master class on making a decorative fireplace in this video.