The owners of country houses can please themselves with a warm and cozy hearth right in the living room. In a city apartment, it is not possible to have a real working fireplace. Alternatively, you can install a fake fireplace made by yourself.
Not a single housing inspection will give permission to install a real fireplace, because in apartment there is no chimney, and in general, open fire is prohibited. In addition, the floors of high-rise buildings are not designed for such a load. You can buy a ready-made electric fireplace - but such a pleasure is very expensive.
Content:
- Advantages of a false fireplace
- Varieties of installations
- Where to place the structure
- Production material
- How to make a drawing and choose the right parameters
- Installation of a polyurethane product
- How to make a fake plywood fireplace
- Imitation from old furniture
- Drywall construction
- Finishing and decor of an artificial fireplace
- Firebox design options
- Imitation of the hearth in the interior of the apartment

Advantages of a false fireplace

A simple idea and effective execution
Why not try to make an imitation of a real fireplace, especially since the process is simple and the result is amazing. All family members can participate in the assembly, which unites and unites great. And yet, an artificial fireplace does not require a significant contribution, so the budget will not suffer much.

Painting a plywood frame
An artificial hearth is a win-win solution for a living room decorated in any style. The design itself is decorated at the request of the owners, adjusting the design to the interior of the apartment.
If you have long dreamed of an open decorative stove - make up your mind today, because the device has many advantages:
- A fascinating assembly process allows you to connect your imagination, create an exclusive item
- The construction helps to hide the unpresentable appearance of heating devices, flaws in the wall
- A fake fireplace does not require large financial costs, as available materials are involved in its creation.
- All items and tools are easy to find in any hardware store. In some cases, it is enough to break an old sideboard or an unnecessary cabinet
- The device can be effectively decorated and give it a modern and natural look.

Varieties of installations

artificial fireplace
All decorative stoves can be divided into three categories, depending on the degree of their naturalism. The solidity of the structure varies, it can be permanent or temporary. For example, fake paper hearths are made to decorate a New Year's interior or for Halloween.
Complete imitation

Biofireplace
Solid fireplace, made with maximum reliability. Its appearance, dimensions and decor naturally imitate the real one. The inside of the firebox is equipped with an electric fireplace or a biofireplace.
The advantages of these devices are the heating function and aesthetic appearance. Biofireplace burns with a real flame, working on ethanol, which does not produce smoke or soot during combustion. The burner is protected by tempered glass, so the design is safe.

Electric fireplace
An electric fireplace is a device that simulates the visual image of a fire. It is sold without a portal (or decorative casing), so it is convenient to place it inside a hand-built fireplace. Both devices are quite expensive - for the smallest copy you will have to pay at least 6 thousand rubles.
Conditional

decorative option
Conditionally natural construction. The portal of such a fireplace only slightly recedes from the wall, and candles, mirror frames, and other medium-sized elements are placed in a shallow firebox. Such a hearth is decorated like a real one, tiled, gypsum stucco is added.
Symbolic

Christmas decoration
The symbolic fireplace is often a simple picture pasted on the wall. It can be spectacular wallpaper. Or a cardboard copy, decorated to look like a real stove.

Where to place the structure

corner option
False fireplaces are also distinguished by the shape on which its location depends:
- Rectangular wall
- Angular
- Island
The wall specimen is placed in the middle of the wall, in a free area. It is placed permanently or built into furniture walls. The top edge is strengthened so that it can be used as a shelf.
Sturdy metal frame design doubles as a stand for a large TV. The device can also be placed in place of the radiator to aesthetically disguise it. They are located in niches, between columns, in any room.
The corner hearth requires more careful measurements so that in the end the structure does not seem cumbersome. The depth of the firebox should appear proportional to the height and width of both sides of the triangle. Dimensions can be chosen arbitrarily, but it is advisable to first draw a sketch on paper.
An island fireplace requires a lot of space in the room. It helps to zone the room. It looks good in an apartment with a modern interior, in which there are no partitions and an abundance of furniture.

Production material

Decorative fireplace made of polyurethane foam
- Drywall - the most common raw material on which any finish fits perfectly. It is easy to assemble, it is easy to cut out any shapes from it, even complex and ornate ones. The main advantage of drywall is low cost.
- Plywood - available and inexpensive material, which is very pleasant to work with
- Cardboard - you can make a temporary fireplace out of it, for a specific event. Ordinary boxes from under large household appliances will do
- Brick - a stove can be laid out of real stone only if it is small. The stone is very heavy in weight, the three-dimensional structure can exert too much pressure on the load-bearing floors. It is best to make a frame from light raw materials and stick decorative tiles on it with imitation brickwork
- Tree - such a fireplace will turn out to be durable and beautiful. A board made of natural wood is quite expensive. You can choose different natural shades or combine different colors
- Chipboard - instead of new sheets, you can disassemble an unnecessary sideboard. Finishing will still close the frame, so if you have an old cabinet, give it a second life
- Styrofoam - layers are inexpensive. On sale there are figured skirting boards and corners with which you can decorate the product. As a frame for the structure, you can take a cardboard box
- Polyurethane - building material from a subgroup of gas-filled plastics. The raw material is very strong, impact-resistant, not afraid of humidity, high temperatures, fireproof (does not burn, but melts).

How to make a drawing and choose the right parameters

Simple design drawing
The drawing facilitates the cutting of materials, helps to keep the dimensions correctly. It is best to find a finished drawing on the Internet and, after taking your measurements, adjust it as required.
- First of all, they determine the place for the location of the furnace
- Select material for production
- Approve the size of the portal and the niche for the firebox
- They draw a detailed diagram, all curly components are transferred to paper in expanded form
- Do not forget that for a biofireplace you need to leave a place inside the niche for the fuel tank, and for an electric fireplace or a 3D frame, bring an outlet

Installation of a polyurethane product

Polyurethane hearth
We offer step-by-step instructions for creating a polyurethane pseudo-focus:
Optionally, you can install a wood or plastic mantel, stylized as natural stone, upstairs

How to make a fake plywood fireplace

Wooden slat frame
In this case, it will not be possible to purchase a ready-made portal. It will need to be built independently.

Imitation from old furniture

Stages of rebirth of a mirror sideboard
Consider the stages of the most budgetary way to assemble a false fireplace using the example of an open glass sideboard with a mirrored back wall:
- The locker has drawers at the bottom of the case. We remove containers, along with glass partitions
- We close it in front of the plywood sheet and cut a rectangular hole in it for the future firebox. The height of its location is determined arbitrarily, at will
- In the lower part of the front, we cut out a semicircular hole for the blower. There you can carefully place logs
- For the plinth and mantelpiece, find old headboards. On such a podium, the structure will stand steadily and reliably.
- The portal is ready, now you need to start finishing it
- Use a grinder to go over the polished walls to make them rough. So putty will lie on them better
- Apply a layer of primer, and after drying, carefully putty the fireplace
- When the plaster dries, sand the bumps
- Apply acrylic paint
- Complete brick finishing, stone, glue plaster elements
- Paste the bottom of the firebox with LED strip around the perimeter
- Pour stones, shells, firewood inside
- If you turn on the backlight, the rear wall mirror will display the contents of the firebox in red-yellow flames

Drywall construction

Metal frame sheathed with drywall
Let's try to make a drywall fireplace. Buy a moisture-resistant copy, as it is considered more durable. You will also need rack and guide profiles for the frame.
To attach the parts and the entire structure to the wall, prepare self-tapping screws and dowel-nails. Buy everything you need for decoration: wallpaper, tiles, film, curly elements. Of the tools you will need a screwdriver, an electric drill, a level, a tape measure, a knife, a hacksaw.

Finishing and decor of an artificial fireplace

Decor with artificial stone
Finishing plays a big role in the final appearance of a raised fireplace. Make sure that it is combined with the interior of the room, was decorated in the same style. So the hearth will harmoniously fit into the overall design of the room.
- Popular cladding materials are decorative brick, stone imitation, ceramic tiles. They are easy to stick on any tile adhesive or liquid nails.
- False fireplaces are often pasted over with ordinary wallpaper or adhesive film with different patterns. This method is not suitable if you plan to build in devices with a heating function.
- The portal can be painted or applied with liquid plaster. The latter looks very stylish and impressive, especially if you add glitters, textile threads, sawdust or any other decorative composition to the composition.
Firebox design options

Candles and mirrors in decor
The naturalness and authenticity of your fireplace largely depends on how the firebox is framed. There are different options for its submission, both expensive and budget. Let's consider everything in order:
Imitation of the hearth in the interior of the apartment

artificial oven
A false fireplace can be decorated in any style, from ornate baroque to minimalist high-tech.
- Classic pieces look noble and solid. They are trimmed with materials under an expensive stone, for example, marble. The front side is decorated with bas-reliefs, stucco
- Products in the spirit of Art Nouveau deny any pretentiousness, openwork and classics. Strict lines, straight forms, a minimum of design are welcome. It can be a simple box against the wall, with a highlight in the form of a catchy color or metal tubes in the finish.
- Country style is the interior of a cozy village house. A bulky fireplace, decorated with artificial brick, wood, will perfectly fit here. A rough wooden beam can be installed as a mantelpiece
In the care of decorating and decorating your stove, do not forget to arrange the territory closest to it. It is reasonable if a recreation area is located in this place. There are comfortable sofas, a small table for a pleasant tea party.
Candlesticks, photographs, paintings, figurines are placed on the mantelpiece. On the floor, you can lay a carpet with a long pile, a rug knitted from thick cords, or the skin of a wild animal.
Imagine how pretty your living roomif a cozy, homely fireplace appears in it! How nice it will be to spend evenings with your family next to him for an exciting board game. A device assembled by one's own hands will delight not only the owners, but also guests, friends, and acquaintances.

Niche as a hearth
This is a wonderful element of decor, which is able to play a dominant role in the interior. Or become one of his stylish attributes. Such an installation will never go out of fashion, so the design of your apartment will always be stylish and original.
Before starting work, watch a five-minute video that shows how to independently assemble an artificial hearth from improvised materials in one day:
Do-it-yourself decorative false fireplace in 1 day. How to make a decorative fireplace yourself.
Do-it-yourself false fireplace from improvised materials: 140 photos in the interior, assembly video + step-by-step instructions