Previously, fireplaces were used mainly for practical purposes. With their help, they maintained a comfortable temperature in wooden and stone houses, dried wet clothes and heated water for domestic needs. With the advent of technology, a lot has changed. Now the fireplace has become primarily an attribute of style, a bright touch in the interior of the living room. It creates an atmosphere of comfort and warmth, being a unique symbol of the family hearth.
Today, fireplaces can be found not only in country houses and dachas. Safe electric fireplaces are often installed in apartments designed in different styles. And to make the space sparkle with colors, the fireplace is decorated with a variety of decorative elements.
In this material you will learn how to beautifully decorate a fireplace in a house or apartment. We will share with you the designers’ ideas and show you photographs with design examples. You'll be surprised how a few simple solutions can transform a space!
Types of false fireplaces
Based on the requirements of realism, fireplaces can be divided into three groups; decorative, semi-functional, functional.
Decorative layouts play the role of decorating the interior of a room without any additional functions. Cheap materials such as cardboard or foam are used to assemble them.
To assemble semi-functional versions of artificial fireplaces, durable components are required. This includes MDF or drywall. In this form, the fireplace can serve not only a decorative function, but also represent a separate shelf for storing various small things.
In this regard, the functional version of an artificial fireplace looks much more interesting. Such a structure is made of materials with good strength. These include brick, plywood, and various types of artificial stone.
The main purpose of such a structure is the possibility of actually heating the room by installing a radiator or a conventional heater in it. A photo of the false fireplace is attached to the article.
From an artistic design point of view, artificial fireplaces can be divided into:
- conditional;
- standard;
- approximately realistic.
Conventional options include drawings on the wall depicting a home.
Standard artwork may not take up much space. Fireplace mantels are attached to the wall, creating additional space for firewood, and the dimensions are limited by the side walls. In this case, the manufacture of this type of hearth can be different:
- covering the wall with enamel;
- use of wooden materials;
- using wallpaper or real brick.
An approximately realistic artificial fireplace is distinguished by maintaining plausible proportions. For its manufacture, the same materials are used that are necessary to install a real home hearth.
An important issue when designing a future fireplace is its durability. Depending on the purpose, false fireplaces can be:
- one-time;
- portable;
- static.
One-time models are used for some individual events. It can only be a New Year's holiday. This option is made from paper, cardboard and similar materials. And after the special event, it goes straight to the trash can.
A portable fireplace model is assembled from cardboard or boards, and there is no need to attach it to the wall. The static version, on the contrary, is distinguished by the mandatory fastening of the fireplace to the wall, and, therefore, requires additional effort.
Screen decoration
Fireplace screens perform several functions simultaneously. The first and main thing is protection , because even a wood-burning fireplace built according to all the rules carries danger.
The second and no less important function is to increase efficiency. Metal elements heat up during the combustion process and give off heat well, so such dampers are often used in the winter, since they can provide additional heat while spending the same amount of fuel or electricity. This is interesting: the combustion temperature of different types of wood in a stove is in Celsius.
Decorating the screen with metal elements increases the efficiency of the fireplace.
The third function is an aesthetic appearance, because fireplace screens can decorate even the simplest and most unprepossessing design.
The most attractive are glass products that are made in the form of stained glass. They give the interior a vintage look, mystery and magic, and also create beautiful optical effects.
False fireplace made from boxes
As auxiliary materials you will need: cardboard boxes, PVA glue, knife, measuring ruler, pencil, adhesive tape and some heavy object. First you need to draw a drawing, then mark the places of bends and gluing.
How to make a false fireplace with your own hands? Work should be performed in the following order:
Assemble the side posts. One or more boxes will be useful for this. In the case of a massive mantelpiece, the posts must be additionally reinforced, for example, with another layer of cardboard.
Installation of the base. To ensure a stable position of the false fireplace, you need to consider how it will be attached to the floor and side wall. The easiest way is to use long boxes of small height, and if they are not available, foam plastic 100 mm thick will do. If this is not the case, it makes sense to use unnecessary magazines or books, which should be placed inside the box to give it weight.
Attaching the side posts to the base. In addition to PVA glue, to give stability, they also use regular tape and use it to glue the joints between the stand and the base.
Rear wall assembly. It is attached like the side posts using glue.
Creation of the façade. To do this, you need one long box, which is attached to the already created side posts.
Fireplace cover. If it is not intended for placing objects on it, then one cardboard package will do. If you plan to put any objects on the fireplace, it is better to line the box with newspaper or a heavier object.
Decoration. Here, as they say, it comes down to taste and color. The only condition is that the additional body kit must be light in weight. To solve the problem, wallpaper, polystyrene foam and paint can be useful.
A false fireplace out of a box is an excellent interior decoration that will delight owners and guests. This option is ideal both in a house and in an apartment, regardless of its size.
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.
Corner false fireplace
The main advantage of a corner artificial fireplace is that it saves space in the room. To make it, you need exactly the same materials as when assembling a fireplace from ordinary boxes. The upper and lower parts are cut out in the same way, but only in the shape of a triangle.
To make the frame you will need a solid large box. The dimensions of the package are suitable for a large refrigerator. First, the side part is cut out, and the remaining segment is folded into a triangle, as shown in the photo of the false fireplace assembly. The joints are coated with glue and reinforced with tape.
A hole is cut out from the front side to simulate a firebox. After its design, all that remains is to secure the upper mantelpiece, and the structure is ready for final decoration.
A do-it-yourself corner false fireplace will allow you to get rid of an empty corner that has nothing to decorate or fill with.
Ready solutions
Fireplace screens can have different styles and decorative designs. Each style has its own nuances and subtleties, which are as follows:
- Protective screens for fireplaces in a classic style have many different soft and smooth transitions, with a minimum number of sharp corners. There are curls, ornaments, forged parts and elements;
- For a high-tech style, simple and almost invisible designs made of heat-resistant transparent glass with a thin metal frame are suitable;
- To decorate in a minimalist style, give preference to plain designs made from fine mesh.
Glass and metallized shiny screens are most often installed in modern and high-tech style
Stylish and original marine motifs harmonize favorably with country and loft trends
Sealed forged cast iron damper increases heat transfer and oven efficiency
Protecting the hearth and structure allows children to stay and play near the fireplace
Important: if you have not found a protective screen that has a similar color design that matches favorably with your fireplace or interior, you can decorate it at your discretion. The easiest way is to paint the surface with fireproof paint. You can also use any non-flammable, heat-resistant materials to decorate the screen.
False fireplace made of plasterboard
Unlike the option made from simple boxes, an artificial fireplace made from boxes has serious durability. Its manufacture must be approached with the utmost care. The structure will be securely fastened to the wall, and heavy objects can be placed on it.
To assemble a false fireplace made of plasterboard, you will need the following components:
- plasterboard sheets;
- metal profile made of aluminum;
- dowels with self-tapping screws;
- primer;
- a tube of glue;
- yardstick;
- pencil;
- stationery knife;
- angle grinder or jigsaw for metal;
Assembling a plasterboard fireplace is carried out in the following order:
- Freeing up space for installation.
- Installation of aluminum profiles according to a pre-planned drawing. To attach profiles to the wall, dowels and screws are used.
- Covering an aluminum structure with plasterboard.
- Aligning right angles.
- Puttying. To apply a new layer, it is necessary for the previous layer to dry.
- Final finishing.
You can make such a design yourself or order it from professionals. The choice of different types of fireplaces depends on the layout, dimensions of the apartment and the preferences of its owners.
Maximum realism
This type of fireplace involves a plausible reproduction of absolutely all elements of the fireplace, imitating the real design. Therefore, it is necessary to respect the actual dimensions of ordinary classic fireplaces and create the effect of a real flame.
To do this, electric fireplaces or electronic photo frames with video images of flames are installed inside the portal. This option is the most expensive, but the most realistic.
Photos of false fireplaces
Advantages of a decorative hearth
A false fireplace is sometimes distinguished from a real one only by the absence of a chimney. Otherwise, the design repeats all the external features of a fireplace for firewood. The body contains a firebox, and the portal itself is covered with a natural mantelpiece. The dimensions of the fuel chamber vary significantly. Usually the decoration does not exceed 20 cm in depth. And additional volume is created with the help of mirrors glued inside.
Creating volume using a mirror in a fake fireplace insert Source rerooms.ru
The imitation was invented for city apartments, in which the installation of a real fireplace is prohibited due to the difficulty of ensuring safety. Mainly due to the fact that it is impossible to install a proper chimney. Well, maybe on the very top floors. But there, as elsewhere, it is prohibited by law to light an open fire.
Since the need for additional heating of the room, as a rule, disappears, it became possible to use only aesthetic components. Such decor can decorate a room decorated in any style. By purchasing a decorative fireplace in your area, the living room benefits significantly in many respects.
Fake fireplace with the illusion of fire Source yandex.ru
The advantages of a fake hearth include the following:
- The construction of the decoration does not require significant expenses. Except for the moments when it is necessary to create a copy of a luxurious design for an elite design style.
- For the rest, you can even get by with used materials. For example, partitions from an old sideboard. Or even cardboard packages from purchased equipment.
- Wide selection of decorative elements. Because, in addition to store-bought parts, there is the possibility of making them yourself. It is enough to use your imagination and use available materials.
- Imitation allows you to hide utility lines. Such as various wires and unsightly elements of the heating system.
- Design functionality. If desired, the decoration can be used for purposes other than its intended purpose. Organize a bookcase or storage for unnecessary things in the portal.
- With the installation of decorations, the interior acquires a share of originality and additional pieces of home comfort.
To implement the last point, a reliable illusion of living fire is created in the hearth of a decorative fireplace. After all, it is the opportunity to admire open flames that adds comfort to the room. There are several methods for convincing imitation, which will be discussed in detail below.
Interior fireplaces with imitation flame Source evrookna-mos.ru
Artificial cladding details
If you want not to overload the brickwork, you can choose inexpensive faux finishes for fireplaces. Gypsum stone is produced by casting, which leaves sagging and irregularities on it.
Each element must be processed with a simple construction knife. The corner parts must be turned especially carefully to make them look beautiful; they are made at an angle of 45 degrees at the joints. When all the pieces are prepared and laid out on the floor, they can be taken in order and glued to the bricks using special heat-resistant glue.
Numerous photos of fireplace decoration show original examples of combinations of different types of materials. The stonework is perfectly complemented by a shelf made of carved wood, and decorative plaster creates unique compositions with ceramics or artificial stone.
