False plywood fireplace drawings. How to make a decorative fireplace with imitation fire

It is generally accepted that together with the hearth, warmth, coziness and comfort come to the house. In a private house, building a stove or a fireplace for oneself is not a big problem, but what should residents of megacities do who live in apartments in multi-storey buildings where it is not possible to build such a building. Designers found a way out by offering to make a decorative fireplace that looks like a real one, but does not have the proper functionality.

A simple and banal imitation of a fireplace in an apartment allows you to transform the entire interior, create a suitable atmosphere of home comfort. At the same time, there are a lot of options for the construction of such structures, and the choice of materials is simply huge. In this article we will talk about how to make a decorative fireplace with our own hands, consider the most popular types of materials from which such things are created, you will be given step-by-step instructions to help you quickly build a beautiful and exclusive structure on your own.

Full imitation of a real fire system

General points

As we have already said, a real stove or fireplace cannot be placed in a city apartment. Permission for the construction of such structures should be requested from the regulatory organizations, and they will unambiguously refuse, citing the lack of necessary chimneys in the house and weak ceilings. Therefore, city dwellers should take a closer look at fake fireplaces, decorative accessories that perform an exclusively aesthetic function.

A well-made imitation of a fireplace with your own hands in the apartment will take a worthy central place. It will become the main accent in the room, its main attraction. At the same time, there is no particular difficulty in building such a miracle, you can easily make a false fireplace with your own hands, even if you do not have the skills of construction work.

If you want some functionality, and not just contemplation, then it is permissible to go to the portal of our imitation or a biofireplace. These two modern devices are good in their own way:

electric fireplace recreates the function of heating;
biofireplace gives you the opportunity to admire the real fire.

Elementary wooden portal with candles

The construction of a false fireplace with imitation of a flame is a very exciting and interesting activity, starting with the development of a sketch of a future building and ending with decorating a finished product. If you approach the issue of creating such a decorative element thoughtfully, then it is easy to see that such a building has a lot of advantages, for example:

Of course, the budget for building a false fireplace with your own hands is assumed, but even if you use the most expensive finishing materials, it will be affordable and small. If you want to build a false fireplace out of cardboard, then the cost of such a structure will be the lowest. In any case, it will be inexpensive to place a false analogue of a fireplace in an apartment.
To make a fake fireplace with your own hands, you will need building materials. All of them can be easily found in any hardware store, and many of them you already have at home. The cost of materials is also quite affordable.
The construction of such structures requires a creative approach, especially at the stage of decoration, and here you have complete freedom. If you do not like the end result, you can always change the appearance of the building. This approach makes your building versatile, suitable for a variety of interiors.
To decorate a fake fireplace, expensive and exclusive materials are often not required, most often improvised means are enough. Some options do not involve decoration at all in the simple sense of the word.
The resulting design meets all fire safety standards, especially if you use only imitation fire, artificial firewood.

Large plaster portal for the fireplace

Having set out to build a false fireplace with your own hands, it is advisable to clearly imagine how it will look in the end, how it will fit into the interior. It is conditionally possible to divide such structures into three groups:

1. Among the buildings that imitate real fireplaces, those that fully correspond to their real counterparts stand out. A dummy made according to this principle does not look any different from a real fireplace, because the same dimensions are used, similar materials are used, classic decoration is carried out, and a real fire also burns in the firebox,. Making a fake fireplace out of this type of brick is quite laborious and expensive, but if you want to recreate a full-fledged fireplace, then this is ideal.
2. Another type of decorative fireplace involves the creation or purchase of a bulky portal. A snag fireplace of such a plan imitates the appearance of a real counterpart, however, it is often decorated to the taste of the owners. Decorative firewood, candles, beautiful accessories, and in rare cases, an imitation of fire are placed in a firebox of this design.
3. The latter view vaguely resembles a real fireplace, but according to the general idea, it implies precisely this structure. This is an alternative way to bring a hearth home, such as painting it on canvas and hanging it on the wall, or placing a box of candles in the corner.

A model of a fireplace harmoniously inscribed in the interior of the room

Depending on which option you choose from the above, the construction may be slightly different. For example, to make a decorative fireplace in full size with your own hands from brick, you will have to master the masonry, and to create a cardboard model, you just need to have imagination and a sharp knife.

A fireplace can make even the most dull interior of a room much cozier and more comfortable. But such a pleasure is quite expensive, and it is not always possible to install something similar in an apartment. But there is a way out. You can make a fake fireplace with your own hands of absolutely any shape and size, and it is so simple that the process itself does not take much time and does not require special skills.

Can a fireplace be artificial

A false fireplace is a structure that looks like a real fireplace, but without a chimney. In some cases, this is just an element of the decor of the room, in other cases there is still an element of imitation of a living flame, for example, as in electrical installations.

A false fireplace can be a great decor in a room of any size.

The main advantages of this design can be considered absolute safety (unless, of course, you decide to install a lot of candles in the portal) and low cost compared to a real fireplace. In addition, there are other advantages of false fireplaces:

allowed for installation even in an apartment, while it is forbidden to mount a real fireplace in an apartment building;
with its help, you can mask the defects and shortcomings of the room, for example, hide a battery or a pipe, and it is also beneficial to use the so-called dead zones, for example, a corner;
top and side you can equip shelves for decor and storage of various small things;
emphasize the stylistic direction of the room design, for example, when choosing a baroque or other classical style.

A false fireplace will be appropriate even in a children's room

Types of structures

There are several types of false fireplaces that you can install in your own apartment:

There is another classification, which is based on the installation site of such a design:

suspension;
wall-mounted;
angular;
built-in;
island.

What can be made

If you are a fan of doing crafts, then you can use absolutely any building material to make a decorative fireplace, including the following:

Brick. It allows you to create an artificial hearth as close as possible to the present. For installation, you can choose a decorative or facing brick. The disadvantages of this design are a significant mass, which means that it can be mounted only after checking the overlap for the ability to withstand such a weight. However, there are also advantages, in addition to naturalness. Such a false fireplace can not be faced with anything.
Brick false fireplace is as similar as possible to the real one
Plates with laminated coating. Before using this material, it is imperative to draw up a drawing, on which it is necessary to indicate all the dimensions of the future structure. The drawing is needed in order to cut the material. Chipboard sheets have similar properties, however, such a design requires further finishing, for example, with foam plastic "bricks".
A fireplace made of laminated sheets looks very concise
Polyurethane. As a rule, this material is used to finish an already finished structure. However, special pieces such as mouldings, architraves and half-columns can be glued directly to the wall and decorated accordingly. Using decor and trying various techniques with highlighting, it can be turned into an unusual piece of furniture. There is one more advantage - if desired, such a fireplace can be repainted in any color. This allows you to update the interior with minimal investment in a short time.
Polyurethane fireplace can be simply glued to the wall
Drywall. This material is most popular for the manufacture of false fireplaces. It has undoubted advantages - ease of assembly and combination with other finishing materials. If desired, the plasterboard construction can be decorated in any style, which means it is suitable for any interior. In addition, you can build a structure of any complexity. An artificial hearth can be deep, with a square or round portal, with columns or minimalistic. You can change the lining without disassembling the entire structure, which is very convenient.
Most often, a false fireplace is made of drywall.
Tree. Using this material, you can make a false fireplace, which will be part of the furniture set, which means it will be made in the same style as the entire design of the room.
Wooden false fireplace can be artificially aged

In addition to those listed, for the manufacture of a false fireplace, you can also use improvised materials, for example, cardboard boxes or old furniture.

Dimensional drawings

The dimensions of the structure largely depend directly on the area of \u200b\u200bthe room where it will be installed. For example, a corner unit for a small room might be 330 mm deep and 1,300 mm long.

A small room can also be decorated with a wall-mounted false fireplace. At the same time, the dimensions of the structure are recommended to be slightly reduced, for example, to make a portal with parameters of 1,360 * 500 * 1,050 mm.

In a small room, you can install a wall or hanging fireplace

When installing a false fireplace in a medium-sized room, more opportunities appear:

you can make a more massive structure by decorating it with additional decorative elements, for example, columns and stucco;
it is allowed to use not only shelves, but also countertops, but only if the partition is able to withstand such a design;
you can place an artificial fireplace in the center of the room, and not just near the wall.

The drawing should indicate the dimensions of each part.

When decorating a room in a classic style, a false fireplace can be massive with appropriate decorations. For example, the dimensions of the bottom can be 1500mm, the top 1490mm and the depth 345mm.

If you want an artificial fireplace to look attractive, expensive, and high-status, then it is recommended to use artificial and natural stone, forged elements, valuable wood for decoration.

In a large room, a false fireplace can be installed in the center of the room

When making a copy of the fireplace for a large living room, you can follow the following rules:

island location, thanks to which you can create a very massive and unusual design that will perform several functions at once;
you can not use a hinged structure;
the partition wall for a false fireplace must be such that it does not deform under the influence of a large weight of the structure.

A false fireplace can also look like a home oven

How to make a fake fireplace with your own hands - step by step instructions

You can make a fake fireplace with your own hands from any building material. It all depends on your imagination and financial capabilities.

From drywall

The corner construction of drywall looks very original. Such a fake fireplace can be installed even if the room is too small for any such devices, because it can also be used as a storage space. To make it, you need to prepare:

metal profile - 13 pcs.;
drywall 9.5 mm thick, better moisture resistant - 3 sheets;
tiles - 5 m;
self-tapping screws - 200 pcs.;
grout for ceramic tiles of the corresponding color;
LED strip imitating fire;
decorative grille.

It is necessary to make a corner decorative fireplace from drywall in accordance with the following instructions:

Correctly calculate the dimensions. In the event that you close the battery with the design, this must be done in such a way that it has free access.
From drywall you can build any complexity
Install the frame. To do this, you can use a ceiling metal profile.
Ceiling profile suitable for the frame
Lay electrical wiring if an electric fireplace is installed in the portal. Such a fireplace should have at least three exits: two on the facade and one above the shelf. For additional illumination, an LED strip is suitable.
Finish the fire hole. Here you need to make two walls, between which you need to lay any non-combustible material.
The fireplace insert must have two walls, between which non-combustible material must be laid.
Now the frame can be sheathed with drywall. Details must be pre-cut from the sheets according to the drawn up drawing.
You need to cut out the parts from drywall in advance
Make a few holes in the casing. They are needed so that warm air can circulate freely.
Holes are needed for air circulation
Revet with ceramic tiles or any other material. It is better to give preference to facade tiles, as they are resistant to temperature changes and negative external influences. You can also use gypsum tiles imitating stone. In this case, it is recommended to use a heat-resistant adhesive.
When using facing bricks, you can make a fireplace very similar to a real one.

Such a fireplace will occupy an area of only 1.5 m 2.

Video: plasterboard false fireplace

Reuse of cardboard boxes

You can also make a decoration in the form of a fireplace from large cardboard boxes. They should be as dense as possible, should keep their shape well. For this you need to prepare:

cardboard boxes of different sizes (4 pcs. large and 5-6 pcs. small);
white paper that can be replaced with wallpaper;
glue;
Scotch;
colored cardboard, paints or wallpaper with a pattern of bricks.

It is necessary to make a false fireplace from cardboard boxes in the following sequence:

Place the boxes in the order in which they should be in the finished version.
For the fireplace, you can use boxes of different sizes.
Now you can connect these boxes to each other. It is very convenient to use tape for this.
After the frame is made, it must be pasted over with white paper or wallpaper. For this purpose, you can use either adhesive tape or PVA glue. All edges should be even, for which you need to cut the paper in the corners.
You can use tape or glue to attach.
Separately, make the top shelf, which is also pasted over with white paper, and then fixed on the prepared frame.
The shelf at the cardboard fireplace should also be
Cut out bricks from red cardboard, which are then glued to the frame using clerical glue. Instead of colored cardboard bricks, you can use decorated wallpaper. Also, bricks can simply be drawn.
Bricks can be made from cardboard
The top surface can be left undecorated or covered with paint.
Cardboard fireplace is very light and mobile

Video: do-it-yourself fireplace from boxes

from wood

Using a similar technology, you can make a structure or chipboard or plywood:

According to the drawing, cut out all the necessary details.
Assemble the frame from the timber. All other wooden parts will need to be attached to it. In this case, you can use several methods of fixation at once: tongue and groove, gluing, connecting with hardware. The choice of method of fastening depends on the exclusivity of the required reliability of fixation.
Fix on the assembled frame decorative elements from bars of different sizes, moldings.
External finishing. There are several options for exterior finishes. Such a false fireplace can simply be covered with white paint, tiled or decorative bricks.
The decor of the firebox, which will give maximum credibility to the fireplace. For a wooden structure, it is recommended to use natural and decorative accessories, such as fir branches, cones, dry firewood.

In order to make the structure less massive, some wooden parts can be replaced with plywood elements.

Video: do-it-yourself decorative fireplace

Polyurethane

To make a false fireplace from this material, you must first choose the style of the product, and also, in the case of using an electric fireplace for the portal, take into account the dimensions of this device, the way it is connected, and the need for ventilation. Additionally, you need to prepare:

polyurethane portal;
miter box;
hacksaw for metal;
roulette;
drill;
glue;
putty;
sandpaper;
facing material.

The installation process itself takes place in the following sequence:

Decide on the installation location. It is best to do this on the side wall of the room. Moreover, it is necessary to place a false fireplace made of polyurethane so that it does not interfere with free movement.
A polyurethane fake fireplace is very easy to do yourself
Socket installation. This stage is necessary if an electric fireplace will be located inside the portal. The wiring must match the voltage used, while the outlet itself must be placed as close as possible to the false fireplace.
Wall surface preparation. It needs to be leveled and cleaned.
Application of markings on polyurethane. This information can be taken from a drawing prepared in advance.
Fixation of polyurethane parts. To fasten parts, you need to use special contact glue and self-tapping screws. This will increase the reliability of the structure and extend its service life. During this process, care must be taken to ensure that the corners of the parts correlate with each other. In advance, for self-tapping screws, you need to make holes with a drill.
For ease of manufacture, the entire structure can first be laid out on the floor
External finishing. There are several options for a raised polyurethane fireplace. Stucco molding can either be attached to a special glue, or with self-tapping screws. The second option is more reliable, but there is a risk that the caps of the screws will be visible to the naked eye. Therefore, when using a mechanical method of fastening, additional decoration of the joints is recommended.
You can cut polyurethane with a hacksaw

It is possible to give aesthetics to the structure if it is puttied, primed and painted after manufacturing.

Video: installation of polyurethane false fireplace moldings

From old furniture

Turning an old wardrobe or chest of drawers is the most budgetary option for making a false fireplace. To convert you will need:

plywood;
grinder with a nozzle for wood;
jigsaw;
screwdriver;
paint, best acrylic;
putty;
LED Strip Light;
plaster molding.

After preparing all the necessary tools and material, you must follow the following instructions:

Remove the doors from the sideboard, remove extra drawers and cabinets.
All doors and drawers must be removed from the sideboard
Install two beams in front.
In addition to the frame, you will also need bars and plywood sheets.
Attach plywood sheets with which to form a portal hole.
You can set the dimensions of the furnace yourself
Make a hole for the blower. It can have any shape, the most ergonomic will be a semicircle. Also, the space can serve to wound firewood.
The blower can be used to store firewood
Make a pedestal and a decorative shelf. For this purpose, you can take the backs of an old bed, first you need to unscrew the legs of these parts.
The fireplace needs a pedestal and a shelf
Proceed to the external decoration of the false fireplace. All polished surfaces of the cabinet must be processed with a grinding machine, then primed, puttied and carefully leveled. After the putty has dried, sand the surface with sandpaper. Now the false fireplace can be painted, and then finished with a facing material, for example, facing bricks. You need to finish the work by gluing all the decorative elements and installing the shelf.
For finishing, you can use any facing material
Arrange the space of the firebox. Why lay an orange or yellow LED strip around the perimeter. At the bottom you can lay stones or shells.
To simulate fire, you can use an LED strip

By following these instructions, you can create a raised fireplace in any style.

No one will guess that a sideboard was turned into a fireplaceFalse fireplace made of decorative bricksFor a false fireplace made of large bricks, a foundation may be required

from brick

A false brick fireplace looks the most natural. In its manufacture, it is necessary to strictly follow the masonry technology, otherwise the structure will be unreliable and quickly collapse. You need to prepare in advance:

brick - 25 pcs.;
steel strip for overlapping;
solid board with a thickness of 4 cm or more for a mantelpiece;
cement mortar.

For a fireplace, you can set the standard dimensions of the base 900 * 250 mm and the firebox 500 * 380 mm. The mass of such a design will not exceed 100 kg, which means that an additional foundation will not be needed.

A large brick false fireplace may require a foundation.

The technique for making a false brick fireplace is as follows:

First you need to prepare a solution. It is better to purchase a special powder designed for such work. It is enough to dilute it with water in the proportions indicated on the package.
Lay out the brick base in half a brick, after which you can go to the walls and the firebox. Lay the walls brick-thick with overlapping seams.
Lay a shelf on top of the frame or attach a countertop.
Decorate the firebox. To do this, you can stick a film with the image of a brick on the back wall, put candles or brushwood in the firebox itself. Instead of a film, you can use a mirror, so that the depth of the firebox will appear larger.

What to make fire

In no case should a real fire be kindled in a false fireplace, even if the structure was made of brick. Can be used to simulate a flame.

Those in whose possessions there are city apartments, probably somewhere in the depths of their souls there is not enough crackling firewood in the home interior. But, this is not at all a reason to deny yourself such pleasure, limiting yourself from the fireplace, near which you can sit comfortably on a frosty evening.

After all, do-it-yourself decorative false fireplaces can bring no less comfort and warmth to your home. Especially if they are equipped with an imitation of a flame, as well as an electric furnace.

Note. When creating a false fireplace, you may need lumber, the site https://faneramonolit.ru/katalog-pilomaterialov/ presents the largest assortment at affordable prices.

How to make a fake fireplace step by step

This is quite a simple procedure. For manufacturing, you will need to make a sketch, which, by the way, you can draw yourself! Any building materials will do. You can use drywall on a metal/wood frame.

Polyurethane, porcelain stoneware, tiles, MDF. You can come up with absolutely any shape of your fireplace, for example, imitate a classic hearth, or create an original design that will be complemented by other decorative elements. There are many DIY ideas on this site.

Polyurethane

The fastest way to make your own decorative fireplace is to purchase a ready-made polyurethane portal. The thing is that today the store offers a wide range of different portals, among which it is absolutely not problematic to choose the right style, dimensions for your home.

Electric fireplaces can be built into such a design, for which you need to know what its dimensions are (dimensions and installation). It is also important to know what are the requirements regarding ventilation, as well as connection to electricity.

When deciding to install a false fireplace made of polyurethane, you can use the photos of false fireplaces in our catalog, thanks to which you will surely make the right choice faster.

To perform this version of the fireplace, you need a shop polyurethane portal, a contact type of glue, putty, finishing materials for the firebox like decorative bricks.

Installation process:

Choose a place where the false fireplace will be installed. It is advisable to install it on one of the side walls in the room, because in this way you will achieve maximum harmony. At the same time, the fireplace should not become an obstacle to movement in the room.
You need to think in advance whether your portal will have an electric fireplace, as well as lighting. To do this, you need to run wires and make an outlet nearby.
Using wooden bars, you should make a frame. Also for a profile with a wall, plywood or plasterboard is suitable.
The portal should be installed. Then secure with contact adhesive. Gently putty the gaps using the finishing type of putty.
Install an electric fireplace, finish the firebox in accordance with the preferred style of interior design. Turn on the backlight if necessary. If your fireplace is classically styled, lighting with soft and warm tones is ideal. In other cases, an LED strip can be used.

Backlight

If you are not going to install an electric fireplace, decorate the back of your structure with a mirror. Lay decorated logs on the bottom / fill it with stones, shells, glass balls.

You can make a perfectly safe fire inside your fireplace. To do this, install candles with different shapes and heights in the firebox.

Decorating the back of the fireplace

The portal can be decorated using paint, patina, gilding, or using decorative elements. The fireplace mantel can be installed in wood/artificial stone.

Ready-made portals are made of polyurethane, wood. They are much more expensive in value, at the same time, among them you can find the most incredible masterpieces. For example, a bar can be equipped inside.

Plasterboard false fireplace

If after the repair work you still have a profile or plasterboard, use it! This option will be not only excellent, but also very inexpensive. And the design will fit into a niche / corner of any type. It can also become an element of a real shelf composition.

For such a structure, you will need: wood beams, galvanized plasterboard profile, trimming plasterboard, plywood sheets, a screwdriver, a jigsaw, scissors for metal carving, putty, acrylic-based paint, brick / decorative stone look.

This is the manufacturing process. In advance, it is important to think over a sketch of the fireplace, on which all dimensions will be indicated, including the junction of the frame parts. It is important to measure the room, to decide where exactly the fireplace will stand. Then the required amount of material is calculated.

The frame is made from a profile, its elements are interconnected by self-tapping screws. The profile is cut with a hacksaw / scissors. In order for all elements to be the most stable, they should be connected by transverse types of jumpers. If your structure is too large, then its frame should be attached to the floor and walls. After all, if it is heavy, or just narrow, the fireplace will be completely unstable. GKL should be cut out in accordance with the sketch, then make a fitting, trim if necessary and fasten with knee black self-tapping screws directly to the profile. The self-tapping caps should be slightly deepened so that puttying is not problematic in the future. GKL is quite easy to cut with a knife.

Then the sheets are screwed to the frame. At the joints and fixing points, it should be puttied, leveled with putty intended for interior work, in two layers. The corners should be reinforced with paint mesh.

Then you should putty the edges with the joints of the plasterboard. Align the surfaces on the sheets, if necessary, use putty. The structure needs to be painted. Also, for decoration, you need to use other materials, such as artificial stone, tiles, stucco moldings. You need to glue on a special glue, which is diluted strictly according to the instructions.

The firebox is made out of brickwork, or a mirror is installed on the back wall of the structure.

You can also install candles inside the firebox, or install an imitation hearth with backlighting.

A false fireplace is a completely safe design that can be installed even in children's rooms. In this case, you can use the mantel as a stand for photo frames, toys and other things.

Photos of the best design options for false fireplaces in the interior

This article is atypical for a site that deals with heating and ventilation, as it will talk about a popular home-made life-size imitation fireplace. Of course, the dummy is not able to fully replace with flaming firewood. But a beautifully designed portal fits perfectly into the interior of the apartment and can decorate free space along the wall or in the corner of the room. So let's see what of the available materials will be used to make a false fireplace and how to make it yourself.

What can you make a decorative hearth from?

To answer this question, we have collected scattered information, photos and videos published on the Internet by home craftsmen. If you set a goal to make an artificial fireplace yourself, then you will surely find the right material from the list:

cardboard boxes (for example, from a TV) or sheet corrugated cardboard used as packaging;
Chipboard, plain plywood and OSB, fiberboard;
drywall sheets (gypsum plasterboard) fixed to a frame made of wood or galvanized steel profiles;
facing brick.

This is how simple corrugated cardboard crafts look

The easiest and fastest way is to make a fireplace portal out of a box from a TV or other household appliances. The fake hearths shown in the photo are of little use for many years of operation, but they are easily installed in the right place. As a rule, a cardboard fireplace serves as a decoration for the New Year and other holidays, after which it is removed to the pantry.

From other materials, including polystyrene, stationary models of false fireplaces are made that can last for many years. They are decorated in accordance with the interior of the apartment and in various ways they create an imitation of fire or are furnished with candles. We propose to consider the manufacture of each option separately.

Advice. Whichever manufacturing method you choose, first determine the location for the artificial hearth and sketch out a freehand drawing with dimensions. This will simplify the calculation of the amount of materials and the selection of a design style.

Model from a cardboard box

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

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

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

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 close all problem areas with decor elements.

If it is necessary to strengthen a home-made structure so that it does not “fold” along and across its axis, install cardboard stiffeners on the back side by placing them on glue. Reinforcing thin walls is easily done using strips of the same corrugated cardboard folded in an accordion pattern, as shown in the photo.

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

Note. The manufacturing technology of the corner version of the fireplace does not differ from the wall model. Only large packaging will have to be bent differently, and sheets of the same type will be formed, and only then - portal elements.

So you need to bend a large box to get a corner pseudo-fireplace

The finished case of the false fireplace remains to be finished in any chosen way, for example:

paste over with wallpaper imitating brickwork;
veneer with bricks cut with your own hands from thin foam;
decorate with polyurethane or foam stucco;
sheathe with plastic panels with imitation of artificial and natural stone, masonry and so on.

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

Fireplace portal made of wood and plywood

In this case, you will need the following lumber:

wooden beam with a section of 4 x 4 cm - on the main (corner) racks of the frame;
the same, 4 x 2 cm in size - for jumpers;
solid wood countertop or laminated chipboard - on the top shelf;
any cheap plywood - for sheathing;
suitable finishing material - artificial stone, plastic panels, polyurethane moldings, tiles and so on.

The tools used are also available - a hacksaw, a drill, measuring devices. For fasteners, take ordinary black screws, if necessary - perforated steel corners and strips. If you plan to paint the false fireplace, purchase an acrylic composition of the desired color.

Wooden frame complete with mantel

Measure and cut the bars to size. At the same time, take into account the thickness of the plywood, otherwise the product will turn out to be larger than you expected.
Assemble the frame of the product by twisting the bars with self-tapping screws and maintaining 90 ° angles between the uprights and horizontal elements. From below, make an expanded base, and immediately attach the rack to a wide board, which plays the role of a shelf, on top of the rack.
Install stiffeners on the sides in the form of jumpers or jibs. Form the vault of the portal by attaching a horizontal beam at its top point.
Attach the frame to the wall or floor in the selected location and sheathe it with plywood, including the niche. If you want to get an arched vault, cut out the corresponding rounding on the front sheet.

Finishing with plywood sheets

An important point. In the case when you need to put an electric firebox with imitation of a flame inside an artificial fireplace, the dimensions of the opening must correspond to its dimensions. Another nuance: be sure to maintain a distance of at least 5 cm between the wall and the body of the furnace at the back.

The simplest and most inexpensive cladding option is to cover the gaps between plywood sheets with putty, clean it with sandpaper, and then paint it. Another cheap way is to finish with PVC panels imitating brick, which is shown in the photo. How to properly mount this material is described in the corresponding article.

The mantel should be sanded and varnished if it is made of solid wood. Then it remains only to arrange the portal to give the impression of burning in a pseudo-fueler. Briefly and clearly the assembly process is shown in the video:

We make a fake fireplace from drywall

Here you can go in two ways - to assemble the portal on a wooden frame, as described in the previous section, or on a frame made of galvanized steel profiles. Since the future structure carries minimal loads, the choice of material for the frame does not play a special role.

But the installation sequence is changing - the racks of this capital structure are initially attached to the wall. The procedure is as follows:

Using the drawing, draw the contour of the future decorative fireplace on the wall with a pencil.
Using dowels, attach horizontal and vertical profiles (wooden bars) along the lines marked on the wall.
Assemble the frame from wall and ceiling profiles for the installation of drywall, starting from the side walls. Lastly, the niche of the firebox is formed.
Sheathe the frame with drywall and seal all joints with putty. Do not rush to install a fireplace insert - it is mounted after finishing.

When installing an electric firebox, sockets in a niche will come in handy

Note. In principle, nothing prevents you from first assembling the frame, and then screwing it to the wall and sheathing the plasterboard. But there is one point: the angle between the floor and the wall is certainly different from 90 °. Then one of the planes of your product will not adhere to building structures.

A false fireplace lined with drywall has one important advantage - it can be finished with anything, including tiles, which looks very presentable. Therefore, we will not list the ways of finishing the portal (from too many), but we will suggest that you familiarize yourself with the next video on its assembly:

Almost real brick fireplace insert

Despite the laboriousness in the construction of such a structure and its cost, brickwork will give the maximum approximation to a natural living hearth. Plus strength and durability - unlike gypsum boards, stone is not afraid of random shock loads.

Reference. The structures described earlier are fire hazardous to one degree or another. Once a child knocks over a lit candle in a niche, a cardboard or wooden product will quickly ignite. A decorative candle fireplace built of brick will not ignite under any circumstances.

Portals made of various types of bricks

Of course, a reliable foundation is needed for brickwork, so it is categorically not recommended for residents of apartment buildings to build such false fireplaces on floors. Another thing is the first floor of a private house, where, in the process of repairing floors, you can lay a foundation in the form of a concrete slab.

To work, you will need a standard tool - a trowel, a wide spatula and a building level with a plumb line. To beautifully lay a decorative brick "in the wasteland", rent a special masonry template shown in the picture.

The template allows even a beginner to lay stones beautifully - in a wasteland

A brick imitation of a fireplace is laid out in the following sequence:

Determine the dimensions of the building and fit it to the standard brick length - 25 cm. Recalculate the amount of building material and buy a ready-made cement-based mortar.
Clear the base, prepare the mortar and lay out the first continuous row, observing the horizontal over the entire plane. Then lay the second row with the dressing, using the template. The bottom part of the hearth is ready.
Constantly controlling the vertical, build the walls of the false fireplace to the height of the firebox (about 60-70 cm), and then block the opening from above with steel corners.
Lay the last 4-5 rows of bricks and let the mortar in the masonry harden for 3-4 days. Then install a top shelf made of wood or other material.

An example of a masonry scheme for an English fireplace. You don’t need such a large dummy, but here the principle of erecting a stone hearth is displayed

Advice. You can build such a fireplace from any brick, including used and old. Only it will have to be thoroughly cleaned, and at the end of the work - painted or coated with a colorless varnish. As a basis, take the orders of a real English fireplace, but without a chimney and internal partitions: put only the outer walls and the pseudo-firebox.

In conclusion - about the imitation of fire

The manufacture of a decorative fireplace cannot be called complete without creating the appearance of a burning flame in the firebox. We offer a choice of several options for how to organize such an effect:

a popular way is to place a mirror near the back wall of the niche and put lighted candles;
use the products of new technologies - LED strips or candles (there are some);
install an electric fireplace, a decorative firebox or a biofireplace with a real flame into the portal;
build in small lamps;
put an electronic photo frame equipped with a large liquid crystal display in the opening and load an image of a burning fire into its memory.

Newfangled LED devices imitate heat well, the main thing is to arrange everything correctly. The photo shows a good example with a luminous tape spread around the perimeter of the firebox. The composition can be supplemented with artificial firewood and other commercially available accessories.

For a long time, fireplaces have ceased to be bulky brick structures that are used to heat homes. Now they are increasingly used for decorative purposes, and heating occurs due to electricity. More and more people live in city apartments, where it is impossible to install a real fireplace, and it is not necessary. Therefore, electrical analogues are installed or imitations are created from various materials. In the latter case, the most popular material for creating such a decorative element is drywall.

They make a decorative fireplace with their own hands from drywall for two reasons:

Protect the room from heat sources and increase their efficiency. In this case, a special device is bought that is powered by the mains and simulates a flame, but gives off heat. In this case, refractory drywall for the fireplace is used.
For decorating the interior with a fake fireplace without a heat source. For plating, any GKL is suitable.

Regardless of the reason, you can create a fireplace from hl with your own hands, because the order of work will be the same. This design has a number of advantages:

safety. The absence of open fire and the use of GKLO reduce the risk of fire to a minimum;
homemade plasterboard fireplace has a simple design. Although it is possible to create such complex projects that they can occupy huge areas;
the use of GKL allows you to create any shape of the fireplace, even the most bizarre. You can even create a design with a chimney;
the size of the room does not play a big role, because the installation of the structure can be carried out anywhere, even in the corner;
lining can be carried out using any materials.

Varieties of false fireplaces

All false fireplaces can be divided into three categories: authentic, conditional and symbolic. Having understood which of the options you are interested in, you can begin to implement it.

Decorative chimney gives more authenticity to the whole structure

Authentic fireplaces are made to be exact replicas of the original designs.. If this option is used outside the apartment, then you will never think that this is an imitation. A characteristic feature of such structures is the use of furnaces, where various types of fuel are burned. The imitation comes out so good that it has the appropriate dimensions and design principles. Such a plasterboard fireplace in the interior can look very massive, and it is rational to install it in a cottage where there are large rooms.

Having the dimensions of the future design, you can calculate how much profile, fasteners and GKL will be required. Let us remind you once again that you need heat-resistant drywall for a fireplace only if there is a heating element inside the structure being created. Otherwise, the material for finishing the metal frame is suitable.

To make it easier to work, you need to make a drawing of a plasterboard fireplace with dimensions. After that, the dimensions can be transferred to the wall so that you can see exactly where to mount the frame. At this stage, you will need a level (ideally a laser one) so that the finished structure is not skewed. By the way, for work you will need the following tools and fasteners:

level to create a smooth structure;
metal guide profile to create a frame;
metal scissors for cutting profiles;
tape measure for performing various measurements;
electric drill and dowels for attaching the frame to the wall;
drywall for sheathing the frame;
knife for cutting GKL according to the given dimensions;
a screwdriver and self-tapping screws for attaching the frame elements to each other and drywall to the profile.

Additionally, materials for finishing will be required (trowel, putty, tape for seams and facing material). At the very end, we will consider the question of how to finish a plasterboard fireplace.

Assembly and fastening of the frame

There should be markings on the wall and on the floor so that it is clear where the do-it-yourself plasterboard fireplace frame will be installed. For its assembly, rack or guide profiles can be used. You can assemble the frame separately, and then attach it to the wall, but it is better not to resort to this method. You can miss with a hit in the markup, and it is inconvenient to mount the entire bulky structure. It's better to do everything in sequence. You need to make do-it-yourself fireplaces from drywall step by step, and not try to combine several stages into one or skip them.

It is advisable to provide a stand in the frame

First of all, the guides are attached to the wall and to the floor. To do this, you need to outline the places of their fixation, after which holes are drilled with a drill, and the profiles are attached to the wall and to the floor with dowels. It is not necessary to cut the profile into many pieces, because it can be cut with scissors, and then simply bent at a right angle. In this case, the guide on the floor and the wall will be the same, and there will be no need to worry about everything being installed on the same line.

Vertical guides are checked with a plumb line to ensure they are fixed evenly. Ideally, use a laser level.

Racks are inserted into the guide profiles on the floor, which are fastened with metal screws. These posts run from the bottom profiles to the top, where they will be fixed into rails that are mounted parallel to the profile on the floor. You should get some kind of parallelepiped if you assemble the simplest design. This will be the main frame, in which you will still need to make a place to insert a heater. A drawing of a false plasterboard fireplace will help with this.

Frame option without anchoring to the floor

Jumpers between the racks are installed at the height at which the electric fireplace will be installed. One of the guide profiles at this height is attached to the wall. It turns out a quadrangle, which will be the bottom of the niche. For greater reliability, you can add a few more jumpers inside this rectangle (relevant for heavy heaters). All other elements of the frame are assembled in a similar way. For example, you can create a drywall fireplace box that will mimic a chimney.

Plasterboard sheathing

On top of the fireplace, you can install a wooden tabletop for decor

GKL must be cut so that it can be used for sheathing the assembled frame. It is not difficult to guess how to sheathe the structure with drywall. Just take drywall sheets and fasten them with self-tapping screws. Facing the fireplace with drywall with your own hands begins with a niche for an electric fireplace, into which it is then inserted. If mistakes were made, then part of the structure may have to be reassembled again. If the fireplace went perfectly, then we take it out and continue to work.

The main characteristics of wall (GKL) and refractory (GKLO) drywall
Name	Size in mm.	Leaf area in sq.m.	Sheet weight in kg.	Color
GKL	1200x2000x12.5	2,4	23	Grey
	1200x2500x12.5	3	29
	1200x3000x12.5	3,6	35
GKL	1200x2000x12.5	2,4	26	Pink
	1200x2500x12.5	3	31
	1200x3000x12.5	3,6	37

After sheathing the internal space of the structure, you need to move on to the outside. We fasten everything with small self-tapping screws in increments of 15 cm. The procedure is quite standard and ordinary. Do not forget that the caps of the self-tapping screws should be flush (do not protrude and not be pressed in too much). Now you know how to make a fake drywall fireplace, but that's not all.

It is possible to provide specially double walls for the furnace hole (if it is used for its intended purpose). A non-combustible insulation is laid between these walls, for more efficient heating of the room.

Features of corner fireplaces

I would like to dwell on the option of installing a fireplace in a corner. This method has both advantages and disadvantages. Let's talk about the benefits:

You can save space, since the occupied area is smaller in the corner.
The space of the corner of the room is used, and usually the corners are empty.
Less consumption of materials and lower cost of the entire structure.
Looks original and stylish.

Unfortunately, a do-it-yourself corner false fireplace made of drywall will also have disadvantages. There is not always a free corner of sufficient size so that there is no window with a radiator. Even if the window is far away, then there are curtains that will interfere. Therefore, always two corners in the room cannot be used.

Imitation of a chimney will not steal space and will look stylish

The remaining two corners are usually formed by the part of the wall where the doors are located. For some people, if a do-it-yourself corner decorative fireplace made of plasterboard is located in such a place, then this is unacceptable from the point of view of room design.

Step-by-step instruction

For the most part, the creation of corner false fireplaces from plasterboard is not much different from the procedure described above for frontal structures. The main difference is in the shape of the frame.

Do-it-yourself drywall corner fireplace - step by step instructions:

Size calculation. Everything needs to be accounted for. For example, a heating pipe running along the corner of the wall that needs to be hidden. It can interfere with assembling a solid frame. If the battery is hidden, then you should definitely provide for a design feature that will make it easy to get to it if necessary. When a drywall corner fireplace is assembled, the dimensions of all elements must be carefully considered.
We mount the frame. For this, the cheapest profile or the one with which it is most convenient to work will fit. There are no special requirements for guides.
We provide electrical wiring. These can be sockets or wiring to illuminate the finished structure. Especially additional lighting is relevant if the work is carried out with a large frame.
The frame is sheathed with sheets of drywall.
Finishing coating is being carried out.

Here's how to make a drywall fireplace yourself. You just need to follow the sequence of work in the instructions.

Finishing - the last step

The fireplace must harmoniously fit into the interior of the room where it is installed. That is why it is so important to choose the right finish. The most popular materials for such work are decorative bricks, ceramic tiles and artificial stone. However, for these purposes, ordinary paint is often used.

With the right finish, no one will guess the use of drywall

Before painting a drywall fireplace, it is puttied, making all surfaces smooth. Then everything is painted twice with water-based paint using a brush. For other types of finishes, you will have to use plaster compositions so that nothing falls off. All this significantly increases the weight of the structure. So you need to know in advance whether the drywall will be faced with ceramic tiles (stone) or not.

It is not so difficult to make a fireplace in an apartment with your own hands from drywall, as it may seem. The main thing is to correctly carry out calculations and use the level, do not forget about jumpers and finishing.