4 ways to make a false fireplace with your own hands: step by step instructions

Fireplace portal decor

The cladding is not a completely finished work. You can make such a design that it will attract all your guests and will delight the eye for a long time.

A beautiful glow can be achieved by cladding the portal with mirror panels. Inside, over the entire area of ​​the box, you can skip the LED strip, which will be beautifully reflected in the mirrors. Several candles can also be placed there.

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Inside the niche, you can install an LCD screen with an imitation of crackling logs and flames. If you want to provide a real flame, you can put a separate small biofireplace in the niche. It runs on biofuel, is easy to refuel and safe when used properly.

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Plants, dry twigs, cones and candles are also well suited as decor. They will create a special comfort and a festive atmosphere. On the upper niche, you can put frames with photographs, figurines or vases with interesting ornaments.

A flat TV or a picture can be placed on the wall adjacent to the unit. In a small room above it, you can place a mirror, which will visually expand the space.

How to decorate a false fireplace

When choosing a finishing material, the main thing is to take into account the interior of the room, the fireplace should organically fit into the overall space, complementing it. If desired, the fireplace, in addition to coating with paint, pasting with foil, applying decorative plaster, can be decorated with an additional shelf, figured elements, statues, columns and other decor details.

Do-it-yourself false fireplace from old furniture

The most inexpensive solution is to build a fireplace from scrap materials. Many people have accumulated furniture on the balcony, garage or cottage that is already morally outdated, but at the same time it is a pity to throw it away. It is she who can become an excellent frame for an artificial fireplace. For the construction, both laminated and matte chipboard are suitable.

Reference! Unlike the plasterboard solution, the decoration from old furniture has one advantage, the system can not be attached to one of the walls, but the fireplace can be made mobile. If the fireplace is needed, it can be hidden, folded or rearranged to another place.

Making a drawing

The next step is to create a project. In principle, as such, there is no project here, you just need to throw in a sketch on which the shape of the fireplace will be clearly visible. Do not forget to put on paper the dimensions of the future design. This will definitely come in handy when you have to transfer dimensions to reality.

But then the question will arise before you, what kind of fireplace do you want to see in your apartment? If you have not presented it yet, and you have difficulties with this, then we recommend looking at photos of fireplaces in apartments, which are posted in large numbers on the Internet. At this stage, you just need to find the form option that suits you

You should not pay your attention to finishing, you will do this later.

If the choice is made, then the form can be transferred to paper. Now adjust the dimensions of the portal to the dimensions of the room and the wall around which it will be built. Everything should be harmonious. Although in this regard there are no strict restrictions. You can make the fireplace tall but narrow, or low but wide. The choice is huge, so go for it.

Construction technology

What can be placed in a false fireplace

Inside the fake fireplace, they place real candles in metal candlesticks, a bright salt lamp, and an LED strip along the perimeter of the portal. Logs or their imitation made of cardboard, old chests and read books, shoe boxes and baskets made of pine roots, inside which souvenirs or board games are stored, are placed inside the structure. For beauty, they are painted under birch firewood with bark.

When determining the location, the size of the room, the height of the ceiling, the arrangement of pieces of furniture for visual contemplation are taken into account.

Decorating the design is permissible before every holiday. Bright lights of a garland and shiny foil snowflakes for the New Year, paper or cotton angels for Christmas, green leaves in the spring and yellow-red-brown ones by the beginning of autumn. On Halloween, the fireplace is decorated with small pumpkins, carved faces and lanterns inside. Paper flowers, driftwood, children's drawings, acorns and cones are also acceptable.

The fireplace is installed in such a place that it does not interfere with the movement of residents.

A wall-mounted fireplace plays the role of the main accent in the interior; sofas and armchairs are placed around the viewpoint.

What is required to make a false fireplace

For the quick and accurate implementation of the tasks set, you will need certain materials and tools:

• GKL plates. For work, ordinary sheets with a thickness of 9.5 to 12.5 mm are used. If the placement of an electrical appliance is intended, then it is better to choose fire-resistant options that provide ultimate protection.
• Metallic profile. Since the frame assumes the presence of a large number of elements, the entire system can be made exclusively from UD (PNP) or CD (PP) profiles and their combination.
• A set of self-tapping screws. You will need products for fixing galvanized parts and drywall directly.
• Elastic putty. For joints and further processing.
• Reinforcement tape and perforated corner.

For the construction of an imitation of a fireplace, you can use ordinary drywall (GKL), but if you plan to insert an electric fireplace into a niche, then it is better to take fire-resistant sheets (GKLO)

• Electric jigsaw or GKL saw.
• Scissors for metal.
• Screwdriver and drill, a set of drills and nozzles.
• Rack or laser level.
• Ruler, tape measure and corner.

Professionals use a lot of specialized tools, but a minimum set is enough for a home craftsman to build a small fireplace box.

Finishing materials are also being prepared. It can be artificial stone, brick, various types of overlays and stucco moldings. Depending on the cladding product, appropriate tools and compounds for finishing and fasteners will be required.

The most affordable and fastest way to decorate a false fireplace is considered to be staining, followed by homemade gypsum plasterboard tiles, the tile will be the golden mean, and the most expensive, reliable and heat-resistant is clinker tiles

Niche design options

The resulting portal also allows you to implement many interesting solutions:

• Installation of shelves. Removable or portable options can be made.
• Placement of a painting or a bas-relief. For this, the space is formed more open and the appropriate external finish is selected.
• Illuminated glass insert device. To enhance the effect, a drawing is created on the basis, which is illuminated in different shades.
• Installation of a mirror cover with a decor in the form of electric candles.

The main thing is complete harmony with the style of the room, the fireplace should create an atmosphere of tranquility and set you up for relaxation.

Types of plasterboard fireplaces

1. Conditional. An indispensable element of such a decoration is a portal protruding a couple of centimeters from the wall. An electric fireplace or burning candles, flickering lamps are placed on a shelf that imitates a combustion chamber. If the product will stand in the nursery, then several shelves for books, stationery or toys are made in the firebox.

2. Credible. In size and appearance, they fully correspond to the real ones, differ only in the absence of a chimney. A bioethanol burner is installed in the furnace.This type of fuel does not emit soot, smoke, does not form ash and soot, and has a heat coefficient greater than that of firewood. But since the materials from which decorative fireplaces are made do not retain heat well, this element of the furnishings still cannot be a full-fledged source of heating. Such designs are unsuitable for a nursery due to the presence of an open flame, but are appropriate in a bedroom, living room or dining room.

3. Symbolic. A flat image is created from any available materials on the wall - it is not necessary to match the size and appearance of this structure. For this purpose, trims of drywall sheets left after repair are also suitable. They are easy to glue directly to the wall, and then apply the image of the portal and hearth.

Varieties of conditional and reliable options are a corner fireplace or an island fireplace (installed separately, not against the wall). The second is placed in very spacious rooms on a small elevation. Corner is suitable for confined spaces, does not take up much space, and does not look bulky.

Design

Fireplace ideas:

• Plasterboard is faced with ceramic tiles, artificial stone (including flexible), ordinary or decorative plaster, paint. At home, it is easy to make a plaster or concrete finishing stone with your own hands. This will require molds and a special mixture (for example, "Smart Plaster").
• From above, the structure is often decorated with an imitation hood. Looks good with a wooden frame.
• A design option is to raise the combustion chamber, such a solution is especially appropriate in a room with a high ceiling. In this case, the fireplace is placed on the foot (step).
• Shelves built into the firebox or fixed to the walls of the structure will increase the functionality. It is convenient to place decorative details, books, dishes on them.
• A niche is sometimes placed at the bottom. After installation, decorative artificial or real logs are placed in it. Natural ones are treated with an antiseptic, varnished or stained.
• The corner version can be pentagonal or triangular.

Most often it is located near the main wall. There should be free space in front of it for arranging a recreation area. Cannot be installed near a door, near radiators or in hard-to-reach places.

Advantages, disadvantages of a drywall fireplace

Like every finishing material, drywall, all structures made of it have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Pros:

• beautiful, "status" looks, adding coziness to the room;
• low cost of construction - drywall itself, all the necessary profiles, fasteners are quite inexpensive, sold everywhere;
• no serious skills are needed for installation - the structure can be assembled independently;
• the low weight of such a hearth - there is no need to build a separate foundation for it, except in cases when the firebox itself is very heavy;
• the ability to make a product quickly - it takes only a couple of days from the project to the finished hearth;
• the design does not require too dirty work, the most simple tools are required;
• you can make an object of complex shape, paint, plaster, decorate it in any convenient way.

Minuses:

• the material is very flammable, fire hazardous, even if the packaging says "fire-resistant" - in the presence of fire, this also burns, but weaker;
• drywall is afraid of water - when installing a hearth in wet rooms, a waterproof one is used;
• a structure with a metal frame can crack when suddenly heated;
• low durability, compared to stone counterparts, brick models;
• it is not recommended to install excessively heavy objects on the finished drywall product.

Choosing a location

A false fireplace installed in an apartment is made of wood, chipboard, polystyrene, gypsum, cardboard, but most often - from drywall. Usually, such an element of decor is mounted in the living room or bedroom, less often in the kitchen, creating an original accent. The location recommended by experts is in the middle of a long wall, especially for large, voluminous objects.A compact corner fireplace is installed in a small room.

In places where people often walk, near doors, external corners, cabinet doors, the structure should not be placed - it will interfere with free movement, it can easily be damaged during operation. The fireplace does not have to be fixed to the wall - sometimes it is allowed to make it mobile, but the product must be very stable.

DIY step-by-step instructions for creating drywall

Create a fireplace portal from drywall do it yourself - the task is not difficult, creative, interesting. Materials for it are sold in almost all hardware stores, tools can be bought or rented.

The plasterboard fireplace is a portal in the form of a real hearth, but inside the structure remains hollow.

Deciding on the design for the interior

At the very beginning, it is recommended to decide on the design of the structure - the object should fit optimally into the existing interior design. It will be an antique-style fireplace decorated with stucco molding or covered with silver paint in high-tech style, a simple minimalistic design in white color or pasted over with imitation brick in the style of a loft. Sometimes the object is faced with flexible artificial stone, pasted over with a film imitating marble, granite, onyx and other stones.

In appearance, such a portal, with appropriate finishing, is no different from a traditional full-bodied fireplace.

Choosing the right place

The hearth is installed in any convenient place. A niche in the wall, a free corner, just an empty, even wall or a large ledge (at least a meter wide) on it is suitable for him. The product is suspended from the wall, placed in the middle of the room, and mounted on a pedestal. The installation site is leveled, freed from all unnecessary.

Plasterboard frames are used for arranging decorative portals and for placing an electric or biofireplace inside a structure.

We make drawings with dimensions

After creating a preliminary sketch, it is required to depict the view of the hearth from different sides in order to determine what details are needed. After that, full-size drawings are transferred directly to the material.

Building a decorative or conditional portal for a fireplace with your own hands is a fairly simple technological process.

We create a full-fledged project, layout

For a more accurate representation of what the finished fireplace will look like, a miniature model is created. Any scale is admissible - one to three, one to five, one to eight, etc. The overall dimensions, thickness of parts, section of the inner part and other important points are noted in the project.

A frame is erected from a metal profile or wooden bars, from above it is sewn up with plasterboard according to the pattern of the structure.

Required tools, materials

For work you will need:

• screwdriver;
• puncher;
• ruler;
• iron roulette;
• square;
• building level;
• simple pencil;
• jigsaw;
• drywall sheet;
• metal guides;
• self-tapping screws;
• PVA glue;
• putty;
• topcoat.

Tools that will be needed in the work.

Preparation, marking

Before starting the installation, the installation site is marked out, indicating the location of the support strips, the upper shelf, the extreme lateral points. The average dimensions of a pseudo-hearth for a room with an area of ​​10-16 sq. m .: height 770-90 cm, width 100-120 cm, depth 25-45 cm.

The thickness of the drywall is selected based on the required bearing load.

Frame assembly, installation

The installation of the product begins with the installation of the pedestal supports. Later, horizontal lintels are attached to it. After the main part is installed

It is important to keep the supporting parts parallel to each other - otherwise, the skew of the structure is inevitable

Drywall is the basis for any finishing material.

We make the arch of the fireplace chamber

The "insides" of the fireplace structure are assembled separately. If the portal is arched, flexible perforated profiles will be required to create it, which fit along the contour of already cut parts.

Heat-resistant drywall is an excellent material for bio and electric fireplaces.

Sheathing

After installing the frame, the fireplace is covered with plasterboard. For this, self-tapping screws are used - they should be screwed in so that the caps are slightly buried in the material and it is easy to putty them, completely hiding from sight. It is easy to apply a topcoat on such a flat surface, to glue volumetric props.

The shape of the portal depends on the selected design style.

Portal facing

Finishing the plasterboard structure is permissible with a variety of materials. These are ceramic tiles, various paints, decorative plaster, self-adhesive films with a picture of bricks or a fantasy pattern. All kinds of ornaments, hand-painted are also acceptable.

The advantage of decorative and electric fireplaces is that their construction does not require paperwork for a building permit.

Execution of works

The technology of creating a fireplace with your own hands requires accuracy and constant coordination with the plan.

Frame installation

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Marking is applied. It must be fully consistent with the project.
2. Parts of the required size are cut.
3. The profiles are fixed to the base first, dowels are used for fastening. Everything is checked by level and among themselves.
4. Vertical racks are placed, which are reinforced with jumpers with a step of 30 cm.
5. A niche is equipped. If it is planned to place simulation or heating devices, then it must be made more reliable. For this, metal parts are reinforced.
6. After erection to the main frame, a protruding base can be completed.
7. If the firebox has an arched appearance, then the edges of the profile fragment are cut, after which the element is bent to the desired shape and fixed.

The frame is not in vain called load-bearing, the appearance and strength of the future structure directly depends on the quality of its assembly

The complete assembly order is determined exclusively by the drawn up plan, therefore, the location of the profiles that will be mounted in the depth of the structure are thought out in advance.

Plasterboard sheathing

Step-by-step algorithm of the process:

1. Details are being prepared. For this, the slab is cut to size into elements. If trimming is carried out with a construction knife, then the edges need to be reworked with a plane, so it is advisable to cut out the fragments with an electric jigsaw.
2. Joints are necessarily formed between adjacent parts. It is possible to level the appearance of gaps by joining the joints: each straight seam must have a V-shape. Corner plasterboard fragments are overlapped.
3. If you want to finish the arched niche of the firebox, then the simplest method is to create a stencil. An alternative method involves baiting the GCR part with a contour outlined on the seamy side.
4. The fixing of the material is carried out as standard, the screws are screwed in flush. The step is selected individually, depending on the size of the element.

If the box of metal profiles is assembled correctly, then it will not be difficult to cut and fasten the sheets of gypsum plasterboard to the base.

It is not difficult to sheathe the frame structure yourself. Finishing work is carried out according to the instructions:

1. The joints are primed and covered with elastic putty, and a reinforcing tape is applied on top.
2. The entire surface is treated with a deep penetration compound.
3. If required, perforated corners are installed.
4. A leveling mixture is applied. The layer thickness should be kept to a minimum.

This procedure simplifies the subsequent design of the fireplace by improving adhesion, and also allows you to change the finish without damaging the drywall.

Portal decoration

You can decorate the structure using various options, the choice depends on the style of the interior and individual preferences:

• Artificial stone or brick. For work, it is better to choose aged varieties. Laying is carried out depending on the shape of the structure. To enhance the entourage, the inner part of the firebox and adjacent areas are tinted dark or specially fired.
• Wallpaper. The simplest solution. Products are selected with imitation of natural materials.
• Stucco moldings and various moldings. At the moment, there are many beautiful decorative elements that have a complex structure and geometry. It is preferable to use fragments in the form of columns at the edges, and it is better to revet the protruding parts with curly details.
• Forged items. Products look interesting in the form of a contour or partial limiter for the firebox.

The cover is made separately; it can be of different thickness and shape.

In fact, there are a large number of different materials, which gives room for imagination.

Decor options for false fireplaces

Fireplace made of cardboard

It is quite possible to create an imitation of a "real" fireplace with the help of cardboard boxes for shoes and packaging from equipment or household appliances.

For work, in addition to cardboard, you need the following stationery and repair supplies:

• office knife, pencil, scissors,
• joiner's glue, scotch tape, press, tape measure.

The appeal of creating a fireplace in this way is in its absurd cost and in the ease of the manufacturing process. In addition, you can build a cardboard fireplace structure as a game with children.

We recommend that beginners try their hand at the most elementary classical portal designs.

In addition, this imitation of a fireplace is usually used one-off. And, on the eve of New Year's celebrations, against the background of a bright and stylish fireplace, it is appropriate to organize a photo shoot of the whole family.

To reproduce the original false fireplace from the boxes, you should use the detailed master classes or ready-made drawings of the step-by-step performance of the work.

Advantages of GKL fireplaces

Decorative models of fireplaces are designed for several reasons. The main reasons to make the structure yourself:

1. Security of the premises. A real fireplace, designed for heating, is considered fire hazardous, but in principle, if you install it in an apartment, they have nothing to heat. In this situation, people acquire special devices that operate on electricity and simulate the flame of a burning fireplace. In such fireplaces there are electrical parts, so it is appropriate for them to use a material with fireproof properties.
2. For the purpose of home decoration. A false fireplace perfectly decorates a room; it can act as the main decorative element, which is often accentuated. This option does not emit heat, but looks great next to the laminate on the floor. How to work with laminate, see our article. For the purpose of design, various gypsum boards are used.

For such main reasons, people decide to make a decorative plasterboard fireplace with their own hands. Regardless of the option chosen, the order of work is almost identical.

The reasons why people are increasingly preferring such designs:

1. Fire safety. These options are not capable of operating from direct fire.And even if the fireplace still heats the room using fireproof drywall, the risk of fire is equated to zero.
2. Simple construction. Due to this advantage, fireplaces can be easily constructed independently. And if you wish, you can make a complex design of decorative fireplaces.
3. Large selection of shapes. Since drywall is used for the construction, any form of imitation of a fireplace can be designed. Often they make an imitation with a chimney, so the fireplace looks complete.
4. Dimensions of the room. To design such a structure, the size of the room is not important, because you yourself choose the size of the finished structure.
5. Facing. It is made from any finishing material. This allows it to be combined with any finishing materials in the room. Therefore, if you have already made a self-leveling floor with your own hands according to our instructions, do not worry, the fireplace will fit perfectly with it.

Many, starting from a number of advantages, decide to make a fireplace with their own hands from drywall.

Fireplace made of foam sheets

Assembling an exact replica of a foam fireplace is quick, simple and easy. This method is available to everyone. You can buy Styrofoam sheets at hardware and hardware stores.

It is recommended to use sheets with a thickness of 100 mm. A denser foam used to transport equipment is also suitable for work.

Make sure you have the right amount of Styrofoam when you get started. In addition, you must have:

• glue;
• putty knife, putty for finishing;
• building level;
• hacksaw;
• net for painting works;
• primer.

To avoid crumbling, cracking and chipping when cutting parts, a hacksaw is suitable for working with metal. The large thickness and density of the foam do not allow with high precision just to cut the required part of the material with a knife.

A special solution will help to connect the previously prepared elements to each other and to the wall surface.

With the help of a detailed master class, you can quickly and efficiently create an original and beautiful false fireplace!

Why do you need a fireplace in interior design, and why waste time creating a copy of a fireplace:

• first of all, it is a wonderful design approach for the decor of the room, thanks to which the interior becomes peaceful, domesticated
• unusual;
• secondly, the option using an electric heater inside the fireplace will provide the room with additional light and heat;
• thirdly, a fireplace with a massive shelf makes it possible to place various decorative elements and objects on it, especially on the eve of the New Year;
• and fourthly, using the fireplace, you can hide communications or radiators in the corner of the room from view.