Today it has become very fashionable to install real fireplaces in private houses. This is not only a beautiful element of the interior, but also a way to heat a room.
In an apartment, due to a number of features, only false fireplaces can be installed. Here they will perform only a decorative function, since even the fire in them is just an imitation.

Such designs have gained popularity in apartments because, with due diligence, they can be made with your own hands, without involving professionals.

Today, craftsmen will make a decorative hearth from any material, even from old furniture. But the most popular here is drywall. Why, then, has it been he who has been holding the palm in this matter for several years in a row? The following advantages of this material will help to answer this question:

• availability in terms of pricing policy. Today the construction market is represented by both domestic and foreign products;
• environmental friendliness;
• indoor safety;
• the possibility of implementing various projects of fireplaces;
• the ability to assemble a structure in any style;
• the ability to place the device anywhere in the room;
• ease of installation. Any person can handle the assembly, even without special construction education.

In addition, using drywall, you can make concave and curved surfaces on the structure portal. This will allow her to fit perfectly into the existing surroundings of the room.
Also, a plasterboard false fireplace will allow you to carry out external finishing with any finishing materials, completely changing the appearance of the room.

What does it consist of

Before you start assembling a decorative hearth with your own hands, you need to know its constituent parts. A false plasterboard fireplace consists of:

• frame or base;
• hearth;
• portal;
• a source of artificial flame.

To take into account all the nuances of the design, you need to draw a drawing. Drawings of false fireplaces can be found on the Internet. In this case, you can simply take any ready-made drawing as a basis and make some changes to it.

The sketch should indicate all the main points of the design:

• its parameters (height, width, depth). Moreover, these parameters must be specified for all structural elements;
• external design of the portal, which is the main decorative element in the fireplace;
• parameters of the base and the mantel top shelf, if any.

Note! When drawing up a drawing, be sure to observe the scale in order to then clearly and correctly transfer the lines from the drawing to the wall and floor.

If you cannot decide on a specific option, but you like several at once, you can make several life-size models. To do this, it is enough to use plywood or Whatman paper. With layouts, it will be much easier to decide which option is best for your room and its interior.
For non-professionals in the business of drawing, experts recommend taking ready-made drawings and only slightly transforming them. This way you will be able to prevent obvious mistakes in drawing and be able to assemble a beautiful and correct fireplace.
Also, beginners in this business are advised to build a layout in order to assess the correctness of the chosen design and its parameters in volume. Having made the correct layout, you can easily reproduce it already in drywall and metal frame.
Note! It is better to spend half a day on a model than to later engage in disassembling and reworking an already erected metal frame.
The layout will immediately show you all the flaws in the drawing, its assembly, as well as the selected design. Such a layout is very light, and by moving it around the room, you can find the most advantageous location for a decorative hearth.
Thanks to all this, you can make a false fireplace with your own hands without any problems.

Simulated fire

A false plasterboard fireplace involves an imitation of a flame in the hearth. Since it is impossible to light a real flame in a decorative fireplace, before starting the assembly of the frame, it is necessary to choose a method of imitation so that it can be done without problems in the existing hearth.

Simulated fire

There are several options for creating artificial fire:

• make with the help of special equipment and components;
• using salt lamps;
• candles;
• by embedding an LCD TV into the portal and much more.

Depending on the type of simulation, its implementation will be simpler or more complex, and also require connection to the electrical network. Therefore, all this will need to be taken into account even before the transition to installation work.
The most the best option, but quite expensive, will be the installation of special photo frames and liquid crystal displays, which will display a recording with fire. And the simplest and most affordable is to install candles in the hearth. But remember that open flames are a potential hazard to your home.

What is needed

Circular Saw

Working with drywall requires a certain set of tools. Then the imitation of the fireplace with your own hands will be implemented quickly and without complications.
But there is one tool that several times will help you to facilitate the work of assembling a decorative fireplace with your own hands. This tool includes a circular saw. A specialist is advised to purchase a hand saw. It has small dimensions and is equipped with a system for effective removal dust. This is very important, since there will be a lot of dust during the cutting of drywall, and it is harmful to human health. In this situation, due to the size of the fireplace, you will have to cut a lot. The saw will be an excellent replacement for the jigsaw.

In all other respects, the set of tools will be standard.

Choosing a place

The place for the future decorative fireplace must be chosen very carefully, since with its stationary assembly, which excludes mobility, it will no longer be possible to change its location.
As noted above, the best way to determine the place for the building will be moving around the room of the layout of the structure.
Here are some guidelines for placing a false fireplace:

• there should be enough free space around it;
• the fireplace should not huddle between cabinets and dressers;
• it is better to do this structure in a corner or in a compartment from doors and windows. This will create the maximum atmosphere of coziness and comfort.

Assembling the fireplace

Any design, including a decorative fireplace, has the following assembly steps:

Frame

• removal of the construction box from metal profiles. Here you need to use the starting, guides and rack profiles. From the starting and guide profiles, we deduce the base of the frame according to the standard method. And with the help of rack profiles, we form jumpers to stabilize the structure and give it greater rigidity;

• sheathing of the frame with plasterboard sheets. At this stage, you need to sheathe the frame with sheets with minimal gaps.

Note! Be sure to use perforated metal corners to create even corners. They need to be placed on both the outer and inner corners of the hearth.

Sheathing with sheets

Both of these steps are carried out according to the standard scheme, which exists for the assembly of any drywall structure. The main thing is to make corrections for the fireplace and not deviate from the drawing and step-by-step instructions.

We add beauty

When the fireplace has already been mounted and sheathed, you can proceed to its final finishing. Therefore, it is very beneficial that the structure was sheathed with plasterboard, since it serves as an ideal basis for a wide variety of finishing materials.
Such a false fireplace can be finished in the following ways:

• install an artificial stone;
• paste over with ceramic tiles;
• sheathe wood;
• attach plaster decorative elements;
• paint or wallpaper.

Fireplace decoration

Of course, for a fireplace, the most preferable finish will be artificial stone and wood. In this way, you can achieve the maximum resemblance to a real fireplace.
But the fireplace portal itself can be finished for a specific style available in the room. It can be classic, modern, high-tech or any other style. The main thing is that the decorative fireplace does not stand out from the general interior or emphasize it in an advantageous way.
Also at this stage, you need to install a photo frame to simulate a fireplace or prepare the hearth of the structure for another method of creating artificial fire.
Following the instructions for assembling drywall structures, as well as a correctly drawn drawing, you can easily arrange a false fireplace for any room in a house or apartment with your own hands. A well-chosen imitation of a flame will allow you to realize your dream of a fireplace in your apartment in the best possible way. And you can spend winter evenings in coziness and comfort, as well as create a romantic atmosphere for your loved one.

Without a doubt, a beautifully designed fireplace portal fits perfectly into any living room interior. And it doesn't matter that this is a snag, because not every owner of a private house is able to build a real wood-burning hearth with a chimney, not to mention the tenants of apartments. But everyone can make a false fireplace with their own hands, and read how to do it right in our material.

What to make an artificial fireplace

The first thing that comes to mind is to fold the fake portal and brick firebox to achieve maximum similarity to the original. The idea is not very good, because such a building will cost a pretty penny and, in addition, will load the floor. Imitation brickwork can be implemented in other, cheaper ways, for example, to assemble a wooden frame, sheathe and then tile it under any artificial stone. But first things first.

Manufacturing of a pseudo-focal point takes place in 2 stages - assembly of the main structure and cladding. To make a portal, home craftsmen most often use the following materials:

• plasterboard sheets on a metal or wood frame;
• Chipboard laminated and ordinary;
• plywood, fiberboard;
• polystyrene, extruded polystyrene foam.

Reference. A fake hearth for the New Year holidays can be built even from cardboard. How to make a similar fireplace out of cardboard boxes is described in.

Foam false fireplace with polyurethane decor elements

A plasterboard fireplace portal is the most popular design. It allows you to use a variety of types of cladding - wallpaper, polyurethane stucco molding, tiles and decorative plaster. There are quite a few design options for such homemade products. A false fireplace made of plywood or chipboard is much more difficult to paste over with tiles, and polymer materials are afraid of mechanical damage (for example, from cat's claws).

Design selection and drawing creation

If you decide to make an imitation of a classic English or other fireplace yourself, then first determine the place for it. The choice of one of the two existing designs depends on this:

• wall-mounted;
• corner.

An artificial portal of the first type is placed near a free section of the wall, usually in the living room. Often it is placed in the middle of the room, and suspended plasma is fixed on top. If the mantelpiece rests on a metal frame, then desktop TV models can be placed on it, as shown in the photo.

Reference. Sometimes, with the help of false foci, it is possible to solve 2 questions at once - to decorate the room and hide the old terrible-looking heating radiator, which is done in the photo:

Corner versions allow you to save space and fit well into various premises - a hall, a bedroom and even a nursery. Building such a layout is somewhat more difficult, but the result is impressive.

After choosing a place and design, decide on the dimensions of the portal and its niche, which imitates the firebox. The width and height of the recess for the hearth should look proportional to the outer dimensions of the product, which you assign arbitrarily. As an example, we suggest taking a drawing of a decorative fireplace with an arched vault, you can draw your own sketch from it.

The dimensions of the corner structure are also taken arbitrarily, excluding situations when it is necessary to build an electric fireplace with an imitation of flame inside the portal. Then design the size of the firebox for its dimensions, as is done below in the drawing. Also, take care of supplying electricity to the future false fireplace and install an outlet.

How to make a plasterboard false fireplace

To make a simple fireplace portal from gypsum plasterboard, you will need the following materials:

• galvanized UD and CD profiles or wooden beams;
• drywall sheets;
• countertop plate;
• fasteners - dowel-nails and self-tapping screws 16 mm long.

Installation of steel profiles by marking

Advice. When installing an electric fireplace, it is better to sheathe the opening that imitates the firebox with gypsum plasterboard of the GKLO brand (fire-resistant, painted pink).

Assembling the frame from profiles

First, mark the wall and cut the materials into blanks. To do this, draw on the wall the outline of the future portal with a pencil, using a building level to determine the vertical and horizontal lines. Then work in accordance with the following step-by-step instructions:

1. Cut the UD profiles to size and attach them to the wall with dowels, as shown in the photo. Install the racks and horizontal jumpers, fastening them together with self-tapping screws.
2. Assemble the frame with the step from the CD profiles and screw it to the floor. The arched vault of the hearth is formed from a rail, which must be trimmed and gently bent, and then secured to the frame.
3. Sheathe the frame with sheets of plasterboard on self-tapping screws, whose caps should be sunk into drywall. For an electric fireplace, provide air slots on the sides and a hole for wiring.
4. Install the table top and screw it to the frame.

Frame cladding with plasterboard sheets

Note. The inner lining of the arched vault is made in segments of plasterboard strips. Their ends should be hidden behind the front panel.

After assembly, it remains only to revet your handmade decorative fireplace. The most popular finishing option is imitation of natural stone and brick using tiles. If you do not want to buy it, then cut the foam bricks and glue the portal, and paint on top with acrylic compound. Another common method is pasting with fake columns and polyurethane stucco moldings. A detailed description of the installation of a plasterboard false fireplace is presented in the video:

The assembly procedure for the corner structure does not differ from the wall structure, only the frame is formed differently - the profiles are joined at an acute angle, as can be seen in the photo. The second point is the triangular shape of the upper shelf, otherwise there is no difference.

Corner pseudo fireplace frame

Hearth from an old chest of drawers

A false fireplace can also be made from old furniture made of chipboard. Let's consider an example of a sideboard with a built-in mirror, which will serve as a decorative element. The height of the structure is not a hindrance, after alteration it will resemble a street stove with a shelf for storing firewood arranged at the bottom of the firebox.

We turn the old sideboard into a large pseudo fireplace

Now about the order of work step by step:

1. Remove doors and other hardware from the dresser. If it is equipped with additional side sections, then simply cut them to the desired size.
2. Form the chimney opening from boards, chipboard or plywood sheets, screwing them to the sideboard walls with screws. Make the bottom shelf in the same way.
3. From above, pin the countertop protruding 3-5 cm beyond the dimensions of the cabinet. If desired, make a pedestal for the false fireplace.
4. Fill all gaps with wood filler, and after drying, smooth it out with sandpaper. Then glue the polyurethane molding to the body and paint.

Note. To decorate the portal, you can use any materials that are set on glue - plastic, foam, various decorative panels.

Artificial fireplace decoration

One of the most common options is a false candle fireplace with a mirror on the back wall of the opening. It is implemented simply: candles are placed in front of the glass, on the upper shelf and on the pedestal, which are set on fire on holidays. The decoration can be supplemented with dummies of firewood and an iron mantelpiece. The latter is bent according to a drawn pattern of thick aluminum wire inserted into a PVC tube. At the end, the grille is painted with bronze paint.

A few words about how to make a simulated flame. We have already talked about an electric fireplace, but there are other ways:

• lay a red or yellow LED strip on the bottom of the firebox, strewn with pebbles;
• install a safe alcohol burner in the opening (their decorative models are on sale);
• use an electronic photo - a frame with an LCD display, where a GIF image of a flame is loaded, after which it is placed in the fireplace niche.

This is how the LED strip simulates fire

How to make an artificial eco-fireplace with a real flame from an alcohol burner is available in the video:

Conclusion

Let's omit the hackneyed phrases about the simplicity of making a false fireplace with our own hands, and instead we will give little advice... When you decide to throw away pieces of furniture, an old TV or mirror, first think about whether you should make an imitation of a fireplace. A plasterboard system is a beautiful and reliable option, but at the same time costly, and unnecessary things are a free resource. By putting your hands on them, you will receive a pleasant decoration of the interior of an apartment or summer cottage.

A decorative fireplace has always been considered the subject of rich interiors. Premises with this design look very comfortable and also attractive from an aesthetic point of view. Therefore, let's talk about how to build a drywall fireplace with your own hands and without the help of qualified specialists.

The nature of the material and its advantages

Drywall is a composite material that is produced in the form of sheets of several sizes and with different thicknesses. It is used to create decorative fireplaces in living quarters. GKL are distinguished by excellent durability and simple technology of use. It is an inexpensive material that is easy to cut. And you can buy it at a hardware store.

Some types of drywall are distinguished by excellent resistance to high humidity in the room, which expands the scope of its use.

Types of drywall sheets

Where is gypsum board used

Drywall can be used to level surfaces that have uneven levels. It is relevant for creating interior partitions with interesting niches, shaped openings and shelves. A decorative plasterboard fireplace, the portal of which was created by hand, looks especially interesting. Such interior items as in the photo transform the space of a large hall in a country house for the better and fill it with home comfort. And you can make a fireplace with a minimum of material costs, if you carefully read this article. It will further discuss how you can make original artificial fireplaces with your own hands from gypsum plasterboard.

What materials do you need to have

Plasterboard is very widely used today to create a false fireplace for a country cottage, as in the photo. To perform this operation without the help of specialists, you need to have the following materials.

Actual tools

A do-it-yourself plasterboard fireplace can be an excellent decoration for the hall of a country house. The living room in an ordinary city apartment with such decoration looks no less relevant.

In order to create an original and very attractive electric fireplace from GKL as quickly as possible, be sure to purchase all the necessary tools:

• a simple pencil: to outline the outline of the details of the structure on the gypsum board;
• hand-held circular saw or painting knife: for cutting out structural elements from gypsum board according to the sketch;
• household vacuum cleaner: allows you to quickly remove dust in the room;
• screwdriver: for fixing the material on the frame made of profiles;
• spatula: for sealing joints between structural parts of an electric fireplace;
• abrasive mesh: for grinding product surfaces;
• sometimes glue gun: helps to fix polyurethane decorative elements on the assembled corner structure. A portal with this decor looks very attractive.

To make a fireplace, you can use a tool that is usually used for working with drywall

Do not forget to purchase special equipment to simulate a flame in a fireplace. After all, a portal without a flame will not become a fireplace. An excellent option would be an electric photo frame, as in the photo below. On its display, when connected to the network, an image of fire appears.

Where to place a decorative fireplace

You will need to determine where it is better to place the future decorative plasterboard fireplace. The volume of required materials and the design drawing will largely depend on this decision.

There are two best options:

• make a portal adjacent to one of the walls;
• install a false fireplace in the corner of the room (or corner option).

Corner fireplace

Fireplace by the wall

We measure space and create a sketch

Next, you should take measurements of the wall to which the decorative fireplace will adjoin, or the corner where it was decided to place it. This will allow you to determine the current dimensions of the structure and calculate the consumption of the necessary materials. If you want to save money, then it is better to create a mock-up of an angular structure based on a sketch. It is made of cardboard with PVA glue. Then you can avoid errors in the miscalculation of materials.

When the workspace is determined, it is worth sketching a full-size sketch of the structure. If you cannot do this on your own, it is better to find a suitable option on the Internet. Experts recommend not to be limited to one sketch option, but to have several models of the future electric fireplace. Applying them one by one at the installation site of the product, it will be easy for you to choose the most beautiful option.

Start making a plasterboard fireplace with a sketch - drawing

Fireplace sketch option

Self-construction

To build the corner structure, a support frame is attached to the wall surface, on which the rest of the frame is assembled. It is created in such a way that the drywall blanks reliably rest on it. Then a false plasterboard fireplace with your own hands will be really durable.

Experienced builders recommend checking the details of the product for deviations from the vertical and horizontal level using the building level. It is also worth analyzing the mounting areas on rectangularity using a cord. After all, a rectangle should have diagonals of equal length.

View of the finished fireplace frame

In this form, you can attach the frame

The created frame must be sheathed with gypsum board using self-tapping screws.

If the finishing will be carried out directly on drywall, the sides and cross-member of the structure must be sheathed in two layers. If you plan to perform a deep plaster relief, you need to stick some kind of pillows on the skeleton. Any material is suitable for their creation, and they will need to be glued strictly according to the future relief.

Fireplace covered with plasterboard

The foot of the product is made of several gypsum boards and is processed in a clean shape. Marks should be made on its sidewalls, after which this part can be fixed on the floor and mounted with mounting glue. You should also make a mantelpiece, which is fixed on the frame with screws. It must be very durable, because in the process of operation it will be subject to some load.

Chimney

It is possible to refuse the construction of this part of the structure. But if you want a full-fledged imitation of a fireplace, then it can also be made from gypsum plasterboard.

To do this, make a double chimney pipe. So that the lower part is inserted into the upper one. The pipe is insulated and a damper is installed in it. Insulation is necessary to prevent cold air from entering, and the damper will prevent snow and rain from entering the room.

Plasterboard fireplace portal

One of the most important decor elements of any fireplace is its portal. It plays the role of the facade of the building, carrying a serious aesthetic load. The style of its decoration will determine the appearance of the entire structure and allow it to blend in with the surrounding interior. You can purchase a purchased option, or you can create a frame and sheathe it with plasterboard with your own hands, as described above.

The finishing of this element is as follows. In conclusion, you need to putty and iron flush with the help of an abrasive mesh, the cracks, product joints, as well as the caps of the self-tapping screws embedded in the gypsum board. Then the plasterboard fireplace is covered with a layer of putty so that its surfaces are as homogeneous as possible.

Stone fireplace decoration

If you plan to use a polyurethane monogram, then you will need to use a glue gun. With its help, decorative elements made of polyurethane are dotted with glue from the inside and fixed on the structure. It remains only to paint the firebox of the electric fireplace in a dark color and fix the photo frame on it.

With the help of an electronic photo frame, the appearance of your apartment "hearth" can be changed every day, depending on your mood

The very structure of the electric fireplace can be revetted using decorative tiles for artificial stones or tiles. It is also appropriate to decorate the building with a decorative brick or paint it. Since this is not a real, but a fake building with a photo frame, it can be sheathed with natural wood, and the decor in the form of a cast-iron lattice will be superfluous.

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A fireplace is one of the most beautiful, romantic and difficult interior elements to arrange (especially when it comes to a city apartment). Therefore, it is not surprising that people tirelessly come up with options for homemade imitations of decorative hearths. This is especially true before the New Year! After all, what could be better than sitting by the fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree on these fabulous Christmas evenings!

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Consider several ways to build a false fireplace with your own hands

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Children's hearth for New Year's holidays

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Such a decorative fireplace will become one of the main decorations of the apartment for Christmas or New Year. Its main advantages are mobility, ease of design and availability of materials, because for its device you only need packing boxes, corrugated cardboard, any thick paper, wallpaper and PVA glue.

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How to make a fireplace out of cardboard

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1. We put sheets of corrugated cardboard in two quadrangular racks. The height of the fireplace depends on their size, so first estimate the area and estimate how the future structure will enter into it. But do not forget that paper is an unreliable thing, so the optimal size for racks is no more than a meter. If the construction is planned on a larger scale, it is better to choose another material, for example, chipboard

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2. Making a mantel

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To do this, we cut the cardboard into four wide strips and narrow sidewalls. We strengthen the middle with an inner frame made of paper cuts, laid cross on cross. We glue the structure and attach it to the racks so that the letter P. is obtained.

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3. Glue the third wide strip to the uprights from the front of the portal. We also close the space from the sides by attaching a fourth strip cut in half to the mantelpiece.

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4. The fireplace frame is ready! To decorate it, you can use brick-like wallpaper.

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5. The rest is a matter of imagination and personal taste. You can put an electric fireplace in the center of the portal, simulating a live fire

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6. Other options: arrange an LED garland, throw branches into the firebox in a picturesque mess, decorating them with shreds of bright fabric or scraps of paper in fiery colors. Or you can continue the "paperwork" by twisting the cardboard into cylinders and painting them in the brown color of firewood. To complete appearance structures, attach the back wall of the hearth, after pasting it with wallpaper.

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Perhaps, having got used to such a temporary fireplace, you decide on the arrangement of stationary structures, examples of which we will consider below.

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Plasterboard fireplace with natural stone cladding

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It is not without reason that drywall is one of the most popular and easy-to-process materials used in the construction of various interior elements. Niches and shelves, stands and boxes are erected from it. It is also suitable for arranging a false fireplace in the living room with your own hands.

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So, we need:
... Metal profiles (guides 28 * 27 and for racks 60 * 27);
... Dowels for mounting the frame to brick or concrete (depending on the type of wall);
... Self-tapping screws for metal (for the frame, length 13-16mm);
... Countersunk self-tapping screws for fixing drywall 25 mm;
... Table top made of wood or stone, with a thickness of 10mm to 5o - 60mm (in this case, from laminated chipboard);
... Moisture resistant drywall;
... Tile adhesive, joint grout, putty;
... Brick or any other decorative finishing;
... Tools: puncher, grinder with a diamond wheel for cutting stone, screwdriver, level, metal scissors, tape measure, pliers, wallpaper knife;
... Electric fireplace with burning effect.

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To determine the exact amount of consumables, it is necessary to draw up a design drawing, focusing on the location of the future fireplace and the dimensions of the device that simulates a flame.

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Making a fireplace:

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1. According to the drawing made, we apply the markings on the wall. In the living room the best place for a fireplace, a TV zone is considered. Therefore, it is recommended to provide a place on top for placing and hanging the TV.

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2. We mount the frame from a metal profile according to the markings made ... You can immediately attach the structure to the wall, but as practice shows, it is much more convenient to assemble it separately, and only then nail it in with dowels.

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3. To give additional rigidity, it is recommended to use a large number of jumpers when erecting the frame. If the electric fireplace is small, an outlet with expansion can be made to visually enlarge the "firebox".

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4. The arch is also made of a profile, one side of which is cut with a "fringe" with scissors. The element is bent and screwed to the crossbar. But you can get by with a simple rectangular shape.

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5. The frame is sheathed with plasterboard sheets. We grind the protruding edges. It is not necessary to putty drywall, in the case of subsequent application of an artificial stone.

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6. Be sure to prime the surface and after drying the coating, you can proceed to the finishing ... The most popular decor options for fireplaces are brick, marble, plaster, wallpaper imitating any of the above materials.

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In our case, the decor will be made of artificial English bricks. You can mount it on tile adhesive; use ordinary "crosses" to align the seams.

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7. Finally, attach the mantel. It can be a slab made of artificial stone, chipboard / MDF, tiled or covered with foil.

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Advice: although with an electric fireplace such a hearth will look the closest to reality, you can do without it.

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Branches, flowers or candles are suitable for decoration.

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False hearth converted from an old sideboard

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Another option for arranging a fireplace with your own hands. If your "grandmother's" sideboard of a similar configuration is dusty somewhere, do not rush to get rid of rare furniture - it will make an excellent false fireplace!

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Alteration step by step:

1. From the sideboard you only need the upper (mirror) part and the side cabinet. Remove this section, remove the glass and shelves, turn the structure on its side.

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2. We form the "firebox" - for this we screw two beams vertically.

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3. Fasten two horizontal canvases to the "firebox", leveling the surface with beams.

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From the door in the lower section we cut out the "blower" with a jigsaw.

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4. As a mantel and pedestal, on which the structure will stand, you can use wooden sides from the old bed (of course, by unscrewing the legs), an artificial stone slab, furniture board or MDF.

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5. Sand the frame, putty if necessary, paint with white acrylic enamel.

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It's up to the decor. Suitable as cladding plastic panels imitating brickwork.

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6. For finishing you will also need decorative elements. - polyurethane "stucco" (plinth and cornice), which is used to decorate the mantelpiece, "firebox" and other elements of the portal, depending on the desire and imagination.

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7. The role of "fire" will be given to the LED strip, which will perfectly cope with the backlight and, unlike candles, is safe to use. In the "hearth" you can put firewood, patchwork decor, pebbles or shells brought from the sea.

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Agree, it turned out to be a rather interesting decorative fireplace, and most importantly - with a minimum of time and money!

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Video master class "Making a fireplace from a cardboard box"

(video in a foreign language, if something is not clear to you in the process of making a fireplace, watch the second video, with detailed explanations)

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Imagine the cozy warmth of a home with a fireplace. It is difficult for residents of city apartments to imagine such a hearth, but making a false fireplace with your own hands is quite possible. Use a few ready-made ideas where artificial fire looks organically in an industrial interior, and do not forget to take into account the subtleties of its arrangement.

Varieties of decorative products

An imitation of a fireplace in an apartment is an original way out of a situation in which there is no load on the load-bearing wall. Homeowners in high-rise buildings can make several types of structures with their own hands:

• false fireplaces, designed as full-fledged hearths. The flame effect is created by a special bio-burner;
• corner fireplace, which is a portal protruding from the wall. The firebox is decorated with real wood or miniature candles;
• symbolic fireplace, like a drawing on the wall. They use textured materials, cut out details from wallpaper with a stone print.

The imitation of a fireplace in the interior is justified by the fact that there is no need to radically reconstruct the room. The owners can choose the design of the product to their liking.

Attractive advantages of hearths

Have you decided to make a decorative fireplace with your own hands? Check out its benefits:

• uncomplicated design;
• saving time and money for construction;
• the ability to choose a fireplace as the main accent of the room;
• easy dismantling and transfer to another room;
• ease of arrangement even in small houses;
• safety for others due to the absence of a heating element.

The possibilities of a false fireplace in the interior are endless, therefore, in its arrangement, rely on your decorating experience - choose from a variety of finishing materials with incredible textures.

Choosing the style of the fireplace

A beautiful imitation of a fireplace with your own hands takes the most unexpected forms. Its design does not limit anything except the imagination of the owners. The configuration of the products will complement any interior solution:

• Portals for fireplaces stylized in the spirit of the Middle Ages are finished with their own hands using artificial stones. It will emphasize the comfort of a bedroom or a small living room;
• owners of large rooms will like the volumetric design of a false fireplace, decorated with logs, family photos or flower arrangements;
• for a dwelling with a high-tech design, a self-made fireplace is successful - an element of furniture, in the form of a bookshelf;
• white portals with exquisite stucco molding are organic in the bedroom. Think about how to make a decorative fireplace in the classic or empire style. The space will acquire a refined aristocracy;
• romantics will be attracted by the candles in the fireplace. Place them in a firebox or on a fireplace shelf, giving the composition a harmony. An ensemble of candles in candelabra with several tiers will look spectacular.

Having chosen the style of the product, think over in which room it is better to place the "home" made by yourself.

Furnace installation ideas

Build on availability free space... In an oversized living room, you can create a corner version of the stove with your own hands. The depth of the structure is selected according to the wishes of the owners. Arrangement of a false fireplace in the office will turn a resident of a city apartment into a respectable Victorian gentleman and emphasize his financial self-sufficiency.
For children's rooms, a fireplace with a frame, for which drywall is needed, will be appropriate. In the extra-deep compartment, place a cozy blanket with pillows or shelves for storing toys.
If you don't want to show the firebox in the living room, decorate it with a glass screen painted with stained glass paints. So the imitation stove will have the maximum resemblance to the real one.

We develop a project

When thinking about how to make an imitation fireplace, start with the design. The work is of a phased nature, because the attractiveness of your design depends on the correctness of the algorithm. Do the following:

1. Make a drawing on paper, having studied the ready-made diagrams and options for installing the product in a specific room.
2. Create a layout by reducing the proportions several times. Use small foam sticks and PVA glue.
3. Modify the model to suit the room's design.
4. For ease of construction, draw the outlines of the portal on the wall, drawing the base, firebox, mantel and sides.

Having completed the markup, proceed to the purchase of tools and materials, taking into account the fact that for each building material there will be a different set of fasteners or tools.

Material options for creating a fireplace

The construction of an artificial fireplace can be done from any materials purchased in a store or found in home bins - drywall, plywood, polyurethane, old wooden brick or chipboard.

Plasterboard constructions

To make a drywall fireplace, pay attention to the constructive construction of the corner model. A decorative plasterboard fireplace will be the main accent of the space, will not take up space and will create the atmosphere of a home. To implement your plans, purchase the following materials:

• metal profiles (13 pcs.);
• moisture resistant drywall (3 sheets 9.5 mm thick);
• finishing tiles and grouting;
• 200 self-tapping screws;
• LED strip;
• decorative lattice.

How to make a drywall fireplace with your own hands? Start by calculating the dimensions - the product must disguise the radiator. It is best to conduct communications through the lower opening of the structure. Further work is performed according to the step-by-step instructions for creating a drywall fireplace with your own hands:

1. Cut the metal profiles according to the drawing. Use scissors to cut metal.
2. Start shaping the solid plasterboard frame for your fireplace. Connect the resulting elements with self-tapping screws.
3. Think about the foundation. An acceptable option is an MDF board, to which a metal frame is fixed with self-tapping screws.
4. Form the walls of the fireplace from the purchased drywall. Cut the sheets with a clerical knife and try it on the frame. Cut off the protruding edges.
5. Fasten the material to the profiles with self-tapping screws - you will have a drywall fireplace portal. Drill holes in the surface to allow heat to flow away from the heatsink.
6. Decorate the firebox by creating a niche inside the product. Double walls with insulation will look massive and respectable.
7. The electrical wiring will create the effect of a burning fire. Route the wires through three points - on the facade and above the mantelpiece. The backlighting is done using an LED strip.
8. Complete the finishing work by fixing the ceramic façade tiles with special glue.

A false plasterboard fireplace will take no more than 1.6 m2, so a small apartment will not be cluttered.

"Home" from plywood

Plywood structures will help mask room imperfections - old radiators or uneven walls. Start creating a furnace by developing a drawing and a layout, as well as buying materials - 9 mm thick plywood sheets, 5x5 cm bars and self-tapping screws. You can build an elegant fireplace in an apartment by adhering to the work technology, especially since step-by-step instruction doing it yourself is similar to organizing a drywall fireplace:

1. Make a wireframe according to the markup. For it, use natural wood - beams.
2. Stencils the details onto the plywood sheets. Form the firebox using plywood and bars, screw it from the inside with self-tapping screws.
3. Decorate the inside of the firebox with decorative material with a brick print. Having chosen plastic, work with a furniture stapler.
4. Decorate the fireplace portal by securing wood material on the glue.
5. Use a thick board as a shelf.
6. Polyurethane skirting boards are needed as base and cornice decor. Stick them on the foam and reinforce with self-tapping screws.
7. Cover the joints with a putty mixture or liquid nails.
8. Work the surface with sandpaper and apply 2 coats of acrylic paint.

In the same way, you can make a corner false fireplace, which is easy to dismantle if necessary. Decorate the firebox with logs, pebbles, candles or LED strip, and create a bar on the mantelpiece. The lattice is easy to create from aluminum or copper wire. Insert it into a PVC tube and paint it gold. Secure the product to the frame with copper wire.

Polyurethane product

When planning how to make a false fireplace, turn to a simple and lightweight material - polyurethane. The structure will fit in a room with different dimensions, and it will take a minimum of time to install it. Purchase the following materials:

• polyurethane body;
• special glue;
• putty mixture;
• finishing materials for the combustion compartment.

When planning to make changes in the interior, follow the polyurethane false fireplace step by step:

1. Find a place to place the structure - near the side wall. So it will not create the effect of piling up furniture.
2. Prepare the wiring for the electrical outlet.
3. For the frame, use wooden slats or metal profiles, and a drywall portal will give the fireplace additional strength.
4. Fasten parts made of plastic with special glue.
5. Decorate the gaps with a putty compound. If necessary, install a steam generator, but care must be taken here so that the material does not melt.

The product is decorated with your own hands in the same way as a plasterboard false fireplace - by applying paint with shades of patina, gold using a dry sponge. A light touch of antiquity will fit into the classic or Victorian style of the room.

How to beat a stone and chipboard?

A self-made portal for a fireplace made of chipboard is suitable for owners who want to save time on decorating an apartment. The master class for making a structure is simple:

1. Prepare sketches on which you will work.
2. Cut the laminated chipboard plates according to the drawings.
3. Assemble the resulting "constructor" using self-tapping screws.
4. Finish with foam blocks, laminate or tiles, and glue them.

Instead of chipboard, chipboard can be used - so the cost of arranging an imitation of a hearth can be significantly reduced.
Apartment owners who want to give the stove the most natural look should work with stone. You will need cladding or decorative materials. The main condition for construction is load calculation. There is no place for decoration here, because handmade stone portals for fireplaces will emphasize the uniqueness of an ethnic interior or a loft or country interior.

Use of old furniture

You can update the decor and at the same time make the room more attractive with a sideboard, wardrobe or chest of drawers made of wood. In addition to old furnishings, plywood sheets, a sander, a jigsaw, a screwdriver, acrylic paint, LED strips and finishing materials will be needed.
We turn to the design of fireplace portals with our own hands:

1. The doors are removed from the sideboard or cabinet.
2. Bars of wood are screwed to the remaining upper element, plywood sheets are fixed on them with self-tapping screws.
3. A hole in the firebox or blower is cut out of the door.
4. The pedestal will be one of the wide cabinet doors.
5. The paint and varnish coating is removed from the surface with a grinder.
6. The surface is primed and leveled, then putty is applied, dried.
7. Wooden elements are sanded and painted with acrylic compounds.
8. The firebox is formed by a strip of LEDs, laid on large pebbles.

The resulting fireplace is decorated with artificial stones, bricks or stucco.

How to simulate a fire in a hearth?

Simulation of fire in the fireplace with LED strip - the simplest way, which is within the power of even owners without the skills of a professional electrician. There are several more options for achieving the burning effect:

• LCD photo frame where the burning flame will be visualized. Get a gadget that plays GIFs. It remains to download a picture with fire;
• the effect of fire in the fireplace with your own hands is achieved with the help of candles of different heights. A fireplace with candles must be done carefully so that it does not damage wooden or plasterboard structures;
• do-it-yourself mirrors in a plasterboard false fireplace will add an aura of mystical mystery to the room;
• a budget idea is to make a portal for the fireplace with your own hands, and stick a film with a fire image on the firebox area.

When planning how to make a portal for a fireplace, emphasizing the respectability and financial position of the owners, think over the finish. Fake diamond, painted tiles, textured bas-reliefs will make the design expressive. For doors - choose transparent or tinted plexiglass, and a metal grill can be forged to order.
Arrangement of a false fireplace will be a worthy decor of a city apartment, because only in a self-made hearth the aesthetic tastes of the owners, their interior preferences and design skills are embodied.