More than 75 DIY fireplace decor ideas in the photo

Advantages of a false fireplace

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 is great for uniting and uniting. Moreover, an artificial fireplace does not require a significant investment, 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 structure 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:

The fascinating assembly process allows you to use your imagination and create an exclusive item
The structure helps to hide the unpresentable appearance of heating devices and defects in the wall
A fake fireplace does not require large financial costs, since available materials are involved in its creation
All items and tools are easy to find at any hardware store. In some cases, it is enough to break down an old sideboard or unnecessary cabinet
The device can be effectively decorated and given a modern and natural look.

Design and decor for a false fireplace

When decorating stationary structures, it is better to adhere to the general style of the room. Neutral tones are more suitable for attached options. Otherwise, their advantage in mobility is lost. For example, the design that you created for the living room will not fit into the bedroom or hallway.

It is important to study decor ideas at the sketch development stage. In construction stores you can purchase many ready-made elements: baguettes and moldings made of polyurethane, stucco moldings made of plaster, etc. But in order for them to look organic, you need to calculate their dimensions in advance at the sketch stage.

A win-win option for decorating a hearth is a combination of mirrors and fire. The inner surface of the firebox is made mirror-like. To simulate a flame, use candles or electric lighting. Reflections of flames enhance realism and make the interior warmer and more comfortable.

We looked at the most popular options for how to make a decorative fireplace with your own hands. All you have to do is choose the appropriate model and assemble it in your apartment.

Types 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 fireplaces are made to decorate a New Year's interior or for Halloween.

Full imitation

Biofireplace

A solid fireplace, made with maximum authenticity. Its appearance, size and decor naturally imitate the real thing. The interior of the firebox is equipped with an electric fireplace or biofireplace.

The advantages of these devices are the heating function and aesthetic appearance. The biofireplace burns with a real flame, running on ethanol, which does not produce smoke or soot during the combustion process. 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 fire. Sold without a portal (or decorative casing), so it can be conveniently placed inside a hand-built fireplace. Both devices are quite expensive - for the smallest copy you will have to pay at least 6 thousand rubles.

It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of a portal and a firebox device in order to order the correct dimensions of an electric fireplace. When we determine the parameters of the fireplace, we measure the entire structure along with the frame. The device must only fit the size of the combustion space.

Conditional

Decorative option

Conditionally natural design. The portal of such a fireplace only slightly recedes from the wall, and candles, mirror frames, and other small elements are placed in the shallow firebox. Such a hearth is decorated to resemble a real one, finished with tiles, and plaster stucco is added.

Symbolic

New Year's decoration

A symbolic fireplace is often a simple picture pasted on the wall. These can be spectacular photo wallpapers. Or a cardboard copy, decorated to look like a real stove.

Making a frame for a decorative fireplace

For convenience, it is recommended to transfer the contours of the future structure to the wall and, guided by them, install the profiles, screwing them with self-tapping screws.

Next, depending on the type of future fireplace, the front part of the structure is assembled and installed, which is then connected to the base, also using profiles.

It is also possible that the future fireplace is assembled separately, and then installed and attached to the wall. But this method is suitable for small structures; in addition, you need to be sure that the wall to which the fireplace will be installed is absolutely flat - otherwise it will be very difficult to subsequently adjust its position and mount it without distortions.

This option is also not suitable if the false fireplace is installed in the corner. Next, you can install a small podium in front of the firebox, which will make the structure more similar to a traditional fireplace and the necessary solidity.

If you need to make a fireplace portal with rounded shapes, using a metal profile for plasterboard can easily cope with this task. Considering its small thickness, it bends easily, but in addition, to obtain a beautiful shape, it is recommended to make small double-sided cuts every 3-6 cm, depending on the required curvature of the element.

After the metal box is ready, you should check the accuracy of its position with a level, and then you can begin covering the frame, using pre-prepared plasterboard parts for this.

We make a false fireplace with our own hands. Video:

Where to place the structure

Corner option

False fireplaces are also distinguished by their shape, which determines their location:

Rectangular wall
Angular
Ostrovny

A wall-mounted 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.

The durable design with a metal frame can serve as a stand for a large TV. The device can also be placed in place of the radiator to aesthetically disguise it. They are placed in niches, between columns, in any room.

A corner hearth requires more careful measurements so that in the end the structure does not seem bulky. The depth of the firebox should appear proportional to the height and width of both sides of the triangle. The 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.
Looks good in an apartment with a modern interior, in which there are no partitions and an abundance of furniture.

Initial preparation stage and size selection

To make a false fireplace with your own hands, you do not need to have any special design or construction skills. It is enough to clearly imagine the desired image of the future fireplace and choose the material with which it will be easiest and fastest for you to work. Any work must begin with a sketch and drawing. Yes, these are two completely different things. After all, the sketch reflects only the appearance with all kinds of decor. And the drawing already specifies the dimensions, based on which you can calculate the required amount of material. In order to draw a working drawing, you need to decide on the dimensions of the composition. Be careful at this stage.

The dimensions of the false fireplace should be proportional to the room in which it will be located. that is too large in a small room will look cumbersome and take away the space even more. But a small fireplace in a spacious room will simply be lost from sight. Also, it should not interfere with free movement around the room. The optimal width should not exceed 1/3 of the wall to which the structure will be attached.

Material of manufacture

Decorative fireplace made of polyurethane foam

Let's consider the materials from which you can make a false fireplace with your own hands

Drywall is the most common raw material on which any finishing finish fits perfectly. It is easy to assemble, it is easy to cut out any shapes, even complex and ornate ones. The main advantage of drywall is its low cost
Plywood is an accessible and inexpensive material that is very pleasant to work with
Cardboard – you can use it to make a temporary fireplace for a specific event. Regular boxes from large household appliances will do.
Brick – a stove can be made of real stone only if it is small. The stone is very heavy in weight; the volumetric structure can put too much pressure on the load-bearing floors. It is best to make a frame from lightweight raw materials and stick decorative tiles imitating brickwork on it
Wood - such a fireplace will be durable and beautiful. Natural wood boards are quite expensive. You can choose different natural shades or combine different colors
Chipboard - instead of new sheets, you can disassemble an unnecessary sideboard. The finishing will still cover the frame, so if you have an old cabinet, give it a second life
Foam plastic - layers are inexpensive. There are curly baseboards and corners on sale that can be used to decorate the product. You can use a cardboard box as a frame for the structure.
Polyurethane is a building material from the subgroup of gas-filled plastics. The raw materials are very strong, shock-resistant, not afraid of humidity, high temperatures, fireproof (does not burn, but melts).

What can you make a decorative fireplace from?

Craftsmen have come up with many design options for false fireplaces. We present to your attention an overview of the most popular of them.

Brick

Decorative brick fireplace
This material allows you to bring the design of the decorative structure as close as possible to the appearance of a real fireplace. The false fireplace is laid out from decorative or facing bricks for jointing.

Anyone who has at least once encountered masonry work can handle this activity. However, you must first make sure that the existing floor can support the weight of the finished structure, especially if it has large dimensions.

Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.

Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.

A beautifully laid out brick decorative portal does not require any additional finishing. To decorate it, it is best to use a massive wooden shelf - the combination is very successful and attractive.

laminated chipboard

Drawing sketches

Preparing laminated chipboard for work

Raised fireplace details

Assembling the fireplace, fastening the parts with self-tapping screws

The fireplace is almost ready

We line the fireplace with foam bricks and cover it with a lid
. Laminated boards and other similar materials are perfect for decorating false fireplaces.

In order for the structure to have a neat and attractive appearance, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare for the upcoming work. Preparation comes down to creating a drawing indicating all the dimensions of the future false fireplace. Based on this drawing, you can order cutting of the slabs from a specialized company, or you can do it yourself if you have the required skills.

If you want to save money, laminated boards can be replaced with a more budget-friendly analogue - chipboard. After assembling the structure, you can decorate it at your discretion.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane decor
Products made from polyurethane are used mainly to decorate ready-made structures. However, if desired, all kinds of moldings, platbands and half-columns can be glued directly to the wall. Such a design will not look like a full-fledged fireplace, however, special decorative techniques will allow you to benefit from the portal, making it look like a real fireplace.

False fireplace

Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.

Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.

For example, you can attach a mirror to the back wall of the “firebox” of such a fireplace. Thanks to this technique, the depth of the “firebox” will increase. To enhance the effect, you can attach a wooden shelf, stylized as a fireplace, above the portal.

Drywall

DIY decorative fireplace
This material is most often used to decorate false fireplaces. Drywall is characterized by extreme ease of assembly and goes well with a wide variety of finishes. From sheet material you can create spatial forms of almost any complexity. At the same time, the cost of drywall makes it accessible to a wide range of buyers.

Sheet construction requires mandatory finishing. But this is rather an advantage of the material, rather than its disadvantage - over time, the cladding can be changed without dismantling the decorative portal itself.

Beautiful fireplace made of plasterboard with an unusual plaster finish

How to make a drawing and choose the right parameters

Simple design drawing

The drawing makes it easier to cut materials and helps to keep the dimensions correctly. It is best to find a ready-made drawing on the Internet and, after making your measurements, adjust it as required.

First of all, decide on the location of the stove
Select material for production
Confirm the size of the portal and niche for the firebox
Draw a detailed diagram, all figured components are transferred to paper in expanded form
Don’t forget that for a bio-fireplace you need to leave space inside the niche for the fuel tank, and for an electric fireplace or 3D frame, provide an outlet

If you plan to purchase a bio or electric fireplace, the portal parameters are adjusted to the device.

Installation of a polyurethane product

Polyurethane hearth

We offer step-by-step instructions for creating a pseudo-focus from polyurethane:

1In a store that sells finishing materials, you need to buy a ready-made portal made of polyurethane. Choose an example with stucco, patterns or any other in accordance with the chosen style

2Prepare contact glue, putty, finishing materials

3Build a rectangular firebox from plywood, chipboard or plasterboard (its dimensions must match the niche in the frame)

4Choose a location for the fireplace. Apply glue to the inside surface of the frame and press it firmly against the wall

5Insert a firebox or pre-purchased electric fireplace inside

6The gaps between the frame and the firebox are carefully filled and covered with putty

7Perform finishing

If desired, you can install a mantelpiece made of wood or plastic, stylized as natural stone, on top

A fireplace decorated with decorative stone-like tiles, which can be glued with universal ceramic adhesive, looks cozy.

How to make a false fireplace from plywood

Frame made of wooden slats

In this case, it will not be possible to purchase a ready-made portal. You will need to build it yourself.

1Make calculations and create a drawing. Take any diagram from the Internet as a basis.

3Install the frame using wooden slats. Fasten them with nails

4 Cover it with plywood sheets. If desired, add decorative elements: podium, crossbars, columns

5 Attach the firebox to the rear wall at the required height

6 Cover the entire structure with self-adhesive film. It is better to choose a wooden or stone print

7Attach the structure to the wall

8Pour pebbles, firewood, sand or other decorative composition into the “oven”

9Order the fireplace grate in advance. At the last stage, it is attached to the firebox window with metal wire

This fireplace is easy to move from place to place, since the structure is solid and removable.

Imitation from old furniture

Stages of rebirth of a mirror sideboard

Let's look at the stages of the most budget-friendly method for assembling a false fireplace using the example of an open glass sideboard with a mirrored back wall:

The cabinet has drawers at the bottom of the body. We remove the containers, along with the glass partitions
We cover the front with a sheet of plywood and cut out 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. You can neatly place logs there
For the pedestal and mantelpiece, find old headboards. On such a podium the structure will stand stably and reliably
The portal is ready, now we need to start finishing it
Using a sander, go over the polished walls to make them rough. This way the putty will fit better on them
Apply a layer of primer, and after drying, carefully fill the fireplace
When the plaster has dried, sand down any uneven areas.
Apply acrylic paint
Finish with brick, stone, glue gypsum elements
Cover the bottom of the firebox with LED strip around the perimeter
Place stones, shells, firewood inside
If you turn on the backlight, the contents of the firebox will be displayed in the red-yellow flames in the rear wall mirror

Choose warm colors, maybe even red. She perfectly imitates fire

Plasterboard construction

The metal frame is covered with plasterboard

Let's try to make a fireplace from plasterboard. Buy a moisture-resistant one, 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 finishing: wallpaper, tiles, film, shaped elements. The tools you will need are a screwdriver, an electric drill, a level, a tape measure, a knife, and a hacksaw.

1First make a drawing

2Transfer the markings from it to the wall in the selected location

3Attach the frame guide profiles to the wall

4Attach them to the posts using self-tapping screws

5First, assemble the frame for the external portal. Then install the firebox frame inside

6Mark the sheets of drywall and cut out the parts. Carefully cut out all the elements

7 Cover the portal with plasterboard using screwdrivers. Do not press on the sheets as they are very fragile

8All seams, fastening points and ends are carefully puttied

9Next, finishing is carried out

10The firebox can be decorated as desired

The wall at the installation site must be perfectly flat. Before starting work, check this parameter using a level. If necessary, level the area with putty or choose another location.

Artificial fireplace decoration and decor

Artificial stone decor

Finishing plays a big role in the final appearance of a false fireplace. Make sure that it matches the interior of the room and is decorated in the same style. This way the hearth will fit harmoniously into the overall design of the room.

Popular cladding materials are decorative brick, imitation stone, and ceramic tiles. They are easy to glue to any tile adhesive or liquid nails.
False fireplaces are often covered with regular 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 liquid plaster applied to it. The latter looks very stylish and impressive, especially if you add glitter, textile threads, sawdust or any other decorative composition to the composition

During laying, maintain the same distance between the rows; to do this, insert temporary calibrator strips into the seams.

Painting bricks with heat-resistant silicone paints

In an interior dominated by a lot of wood products, a fireplace painted with heat-resistant paints looks great, and this is also the easiest cladding method that you can do yourself. A very convenient form of producing such paints is an aerosol. Apply it in several thin layers, each after the previous one has dried. It is worth remembering that paints may not apply uniformly to bricks.

Do-it-yourself finishing of fireplaces with stone: video from start to finish of the process

Fireplaces lined with natural stone

(talc chloride, shell rock and others) look attractive and noble, and the process itself is not too complicated.

Step-by-step process for facing a brick fireplace:

Preparing the surface

We clean the brickwork from dirt and dust, then deepen the seams by one centimeter. After this, the entire fireplace must be covered with reinforcing mesh with a cell measuring approximately 5x5 cm.

We lay out the stones on a flat surface (the same way they will be laid out on the fireplace). For convenience, it is advisable to number the stones with chalk.
We dilute cement heat-resistant adhesive (or heat-resistant tile adhesive) according to the instructions.
Using a notched trowel, apply a small amount of glue to the surface of the fireplace. You need to start from the bottom corners. The first two rows will run vertically along the sides from bottom to top. Subsequent rows are laid out horizontally, from top to bottom. We lightly press each stone into the solution and tap it with a rubber hammer. It is important to maintain approximately the same thickness of the seams. There are special plastic crosses for this.
The final part of the work is removing glue from the front of the stones, grouting the seams and applying varnish.

Artificial stone is also used for finishing

(granite, marble and others). It looks very beautiful, but the work is painstaking. The cladding process is similar to finishing with natural stone, but artificial stones additionally require greater care due to their high cost.

Firebox design options

Candles and mirrors in decor

The naturalness and authenticity of your fireplace largely depends on how the firebox is designed. There are different options for serving it, both expensive and budget. Let's look at everything in order:

1Built-in electric fireplace or biofireplace. This has already been mentioned above. The devices will emit heat and visually demonstrate real fire.

2A modern solution would be a built-in 3D photo frame. Load a GIF image of a burning fire onto her flash drive and enjoy the makeshift fireplace. There are copies for sale with sound - you can download an audio track with crackling logs. Make sure there is an outlet close to the fireplace. The size of the firebox must ideally match the parameters of the photo frame for the effect to be as reliable as possible

3LED strips in yellow, orange or red perfectly convey the desired feeling. They cover the interior of the firebox and lay out piles of firewood.

4You don’t have to try to imitate a burning fire. Place logs, chips, sand, shells, stones, pebbles, clay pot inside

5Candles of different heights and diameters look elegant when placed around the entire perimeter of the combustion chamber

6A bold and not the safest option is to install a burner or kerosene lamp inside. But such a fireplace, when turned on, cannot be left without the attention of adults.

7The back and side walls of the firebox, as well as the bottom, are finished with mirror plates. This makes the hole seem more spacious, and even minimal lighting looks much more impressive.

8Neat doors made of tempered glass look gorgeous on the pseudo-fireplace. This is an optional element, but very expressive and catchy

9The metal lattice gives the structure an additional charm and finished look. It is ordered in a special workshop or purchased at a finishing building materials store

Imitation of a hearth in an apartment interior

Artificial oven

A false fireplace can be decorated in any style, from ornate baroque to minimalist high-tech.

Classic examples look noble and solid. They are finished with materials that look like expensive stone, such as marble. The front side is decorated with bas-reliefs and stucco
Products in the spirit of Art Nouveau deny any pretentiousness, openwork and classics. Strict lines, straight shapes, and minimal design are welcome. It can be a simple box against the wall, with a twist in the form of a catchy color or metal tubes in the decoration
Country style is the interior of a cozy country house. A bulky fireplace decorated with artificial brick and wood will fit perfectly here. A rough wooden beam can be installed as a mantelpiece

When taking care of decorating your stove, don’t forget to decorate the area closest to it. It makes sense if there is a recreation area in this place. There are comfortable sofas and a small table for a pleasant tea party.

Candlesticks, photographs, paintings, and figurines are placed on the mantelpiece. You can lay a long-pile carpet, a rug knitted from thick cords, or the skin of a wild animal on the floor.

Imagine how lovely your living room will be if you have a cozy, homely fireplace in it! How pleasant it will be to spend evenings next to him with your family playing an exciting board game. A device assembled with your own hands will delight not only the owners, but also guests, friends, and acquaintances.

Niche as a hearth

This is a wonderful decorative element that can play a dominant role in the interior. Or become one of its stylish attributes. This installation will never go out of fashion, so the design of your apartment will always be stylish and original.

Before you start, watch a five-minute video that shows how to independently assemble an artificial hearth from scrap materials in one day:

Dummy from a cardboard box

To work, you will need a simple set of tools - scissors, a tape measure with a ruler and a stationery knife. From additional materials, prepare PVA glue, old newspapers or paper and tape. A homemade false fireplace is made in different ways depending on the source material:

On the left is a dummy made from a single box, on the right - from 9 identical boxes

A large TV box is bent to the required dimensions, as shown in the photo. An opening is cut out in the middle to simulate a fireplace, and the former front panel of the package, divided in half, now serves as the walls of a niche - a fake fuel chamber.
It is easy to assemble a portal in the shape of the letter “P” from several cardboard boxes of the same size by gluing them together with PVA and tape.
From sheets of corrugated cardboard you will need to glue together individual elements of a decorative fireplace - a frame, a firebox with a base and an upper shelf, and then assemble them into one whole. How to do this correctly is demonstrated in the diagram below.

Recommendation. Try to use less tape on the front side that you plan to finish. It is difficult to stick anything to a slippery surface.

To hide the joints in the corners and in the middle of the portal, cover them with old newspapers or paper. Another option is to buy a polyurethane imitation of gypsum stucco and cover all problem areas with decorative elements.

If you need to strengthen your homemade structure so that it does not “fold” along and across its axis, install cardboard stiffeners on the back side, placing them on glue. Reinforcing thin walls is easily done using strips of the same corrugated cardboard folded like an accordion, as shown in the photo.

Options for strengthening the body - gluing internal ribs (left) and accordions to a sheet (right)

Note. The manufacturing technology for the corner version of the fireplace is no different from the wall-mounted model. Only large packaging will have to be folded differently, and sheets will have to be formed from boxes of the same type, and only then - portal elements.

So it is necessary to bend a large box to get a corner pseudo
-fireplace. The finished body of the false fireplace can only be finished in any chosen way, for example:

cover with wallpaper imitating brickwork;
veneer with bricks cut with your own hands from thin polystyrene foam;
decorate with polyurethane or foam stucco;
sheathed with plastic panels simulating artificial and natural stone, masonry, and so on.

To securely attach finishing materials, use a polymer adhesive or an inexpensive glue gun. Final design is painting the product in the desired color (or several) with an acrylic or silicate composition intended for interior work. For a master class on how to make a decorative fireplace from boxes at home, watch the video: