A real fireplace can bring incredible comfort and coziness. But such a hearth is available not only in private houses and some town houses, but also in ordinary apartments. Here a decorative hearth comes to the rescue. It can be made independently from various materials or bought in a store. To make the artificial fireplace look modern and stylish, you will have to think through many details: from its appearance to the location in the space of the room. A correctly made hearth can completely change the appearance of the room, complement the interior of the living room, create a romantic atmosphere of the bedroom.
There are several options for decorative stoves. They vary in size, materials, similarities with real ones. It is customary to distinguish 3 groups of false fireplaces:
Reliable;
Conditional;
Symbolic.
Whatever option is used, it will be highly functional. In addition to making changes to the interior design, the artificial hearth will allow you to hide the imperfections of the wall, hide the wires, and also create an additional place to store things.
Reliable
This type of artificial stoves looks real among all false fireplaces. Its size and appearance imitates the hearth so well that the difference to an uninitiated person is not immediately obvious. The only thing missing is a chimney. Such similarity becomes possible thanks to the materials from which a reliable fireplace is created. For this, metal profiles, wood, stone, ceramic tiles, parquet, drywall, even brick are used. The specific material is selected based on the design style of the room, financial capabilities, as well as the willingness to use a real heat source inside the false fireplace. Reliable fireplaces are often made to order, as some building materials require professional processing. Therefore, such a source is significantly different in price from other species. It is also worth noting that a reliable fireplace is the only type of artificial hearth inside which you can put a burner or electric fireplace.
If you plan to install a real heat source inside the hearth, select heat- and heat-resistant materials to create it.
Conditional
With this imitation of the focus, the artificial portal protrudes directly from the room partition, so its depth is much less than that of a reliable one. Installing a real burner or electric fireplace inside, as with a reliable false fireplace, becomes impossible. Therefore, small firewood, candles, and other decorative trifles are stacked in the furnace niche. A small depression of the fireplace is compensated by a mirror surface inside the portal. External resemblance to the real hearth is achieved with the help of decorative elements outside the raised fireplace. It can be bulky candlesticks mounted on a shelf or carved lining imitating tiles of medieval stoves.
Symbolic or painted
As the name of this type of decorative hearth implies, it serves exclusively as a decor, complementing the overall style concept of the room. DIY is the easiest way to make such a fireplace. For this, even the simplest materials, for example, a box from a TV, are suitable. Some designers do not make a symbolic false fireplace at all, but draw it on the wall and decorate it with a ceiling plinth or other material. When creating a painted fireplace, you need a minimum of money and special skills, so this option of an artificial hearth is available to every family and any apartment.
Advantages of decorative fireplaces
The advantages of artificial fireplaces over real ones are obvious:
They can be easily installed in any apartment without receiving permission for redevelopment and installation of the chimney.
You can mount a false fireplace in all parts of the room, and some types can even be moved to another place if necessary.
Artificial foci are affordable and affordable, do not require additional costs after installation.
Decorative stoves are safe, and therefore you can use them even for families with small children.
You can change the external design of a false fireplace even after its installation, without being tied to a specific design style for many years.
Location
As mentioned earlier, a huge advantage of a decorative fireplace is that it can be placed in any part of a house or apartment, focusing solely on convenience and home interior. As a rule, future owners of the artificial hearth prefer to place it near one of the walls, but you can mount a false fireplace in one of the corners or even in the middle of the room. The main rule that must be observed when installing a decorative fake is free access to it. Indeed, in addition to the aesthetic function, this part of the decor also has a relaxing function. There is not a single person who would not want to sit next to the fireplace, even if artificial, in a comfortable armchair and with a book in his hands. Spending quiet family evenings in such an atmosphere is very pleasant.
Near the wall
The option of placing against the wall is relevant in several cases:
If you want to emphasize the classic interior of the room.
If it is part of a wall-mounted furniture complex.
If the hearth will be used as an additional source of heat in the apartment.
If the free space of the room where the false fireplace is installed is limited.
Before installing a wall-mounted decorative sample, you must make sure that the wall is flat. Only then will there be no ugly gap between her and the hearth. The best place to place a false fireplace is in the center of the wall. In this case, the fireplace will emphasize the harmonious design of the room.
In the corner
The corner decorative hearth is ideal for rooms with a small area, since it takes up little space. The fireplace installed in the corner opposite to the entrance has more functionality. Next to it you can place a soft zone with a sofa or armchairs.In addition, when entering a room with such a false fireplace, it will be he who will be given primary attention. The corner focus is especially interesting in rooms with uneven corners, protrusions of load-bearing beams. When properly decorated, these structures will look like a chimney, which will add realism. The structure of the corner fireplace is such that even a conditional version will have a fairly wide portal and shelf, which means that it will not only save space, but also provide a fairly large storage area.
Island
An island artificial hearth for its installation requires much more free space than a wall or corner, and therefore this option is used in large rooms, studios. Its feature is that you can approach the heat source from any direction, but at the same time you will not notice any discomfort or crowding. Such a fireplace is much less common than the others, but if one is installed, then a burner or an electric hearth is laid inside it. A decorative island pattern will successfully complement the design of the Scandinavian or any other minimalist style. To make an island-type false fireplace on your own, you need to make a lot of effort, so most often they are ordered from professionals or bought ready-made.
Materials and methods for making the portal do-it-yourself
There are many photos and videos of master classes telling how to create different types of foci with your own hands. In many cases, even an amateur of design art is able to make a false fireplace. The most difficult part is the manufacture of the portal. Before starting work, you need to choose a specific design and find the materials that will be used. Most often, when creating decorative stoves, drywall, brick, stone, plastic, laminated boards, wood, cardboard are used.Materials should be selected based on several parameters: the general style of the room, the size of the structure, the type and purpose of the fireplace. For work, special tools will also be required.
Drywall
Drywall is the most popular material for creating a decorative fireplace. In addition to working, you will also need a metal profile, screws, putty and some tools (screwdriver, grinder, etc.). The creation and installation of drywall goes through several stages:
Sketch drawing.
Determining the installation location and applying appropriate marks on the walls.
The frame parts are cut from the metal profile, after trying them at the installation site of the raised fireplace, the complete structure is assembled using screws.
If a reliable fireplace is being assembled from drywall, into which it is planned to install an electric center, then at this stage of creation it is necessary to take care of bringing the electric outlet to the installation site.
The finished frame is sheathed with drywall.
The sheathed frame is mounted on the wall.
The finished portal is plastered, painted and decorated.
Made of brick and stone
To make a false fireplace from brick or stone, you need to make sure the high quality of the materials used. Saving on the purchase of bricks is not worth it, to create a portal they will not need very much. The work is carried out according to the following scheme:
A sketch is drawn and labels are placed at the installation location.
A small brick pillow is laid out under the entire area of the fireplace.
The portal is laid out, starting from the corners of the focus. In this case, the next row can only begin to be laid after the previous one has dried. In addition, each row must be checked with a level, and if there are gaps between the rows, carefully close them with a sand-cement mixture. This will make the fireplace even and neat.
The top of the fireplace is covered with a countertop.
The decoration of the finished portal.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane allows you to make a very durable and fireproof decorative hearth. At the same time, the material is suitable for creating artificial fireplaces of completely different styles: from classical to modern.
Stages of creation step by step:
Create a sketch.
Preparation of the installation site, namely, labeling the walls, leveling and drying.
Then, marking is applied to the polyurethane, along which parts of the fireplace are cut out.
The structural elements are fastened together using self-tapping screws and glue.
The portal is being decorated.
From laminated boards
A false fireplace made of laminated panels is rare. Firstly, because it is rather difficult to cut such plates yourself. Secondly, due to the high cost of materials. In general, the technology is very similar to the manufacture of a decorative fireplace from drywall:
We draw a sketch of the hearth.
We make marks on the walls.
We cut the details of the frame. If you can’t do it yourself, you can turn to specialists for help.
The frame from the cut out parts is assembled into a single portal, the corners and joints are abundantly filled with mounting foam.
The dried foam is shaped to match the sketch.
The fireplace is decorated.
Out of a cardboard box
A decorative fireplace cut out of a cardboard box is so easy that even children can help you. The box from the big TV is best for this work, if you want to make a wall fireplace, and the box from the refrigerator and other voluminous household appliances, if the fireplace is angular. To create a false fireplace, located against the wall, you will need:
Come up with a sketch.
Draw the fold lines on the box.
Next, a furnace hole is cut out in the center of the box, the necessary sides are bent into the box, simulating a recess in the portal.
The resulting frame is carefully glued with tape and glue to make the surface as smooth as possible.
The finished portal is painted and decorated.
The corner artificial hearth is made according to the same scheme, with small features:
The box is installed directly in the corner where the fireplace will be located, the dimensions of the corner are adjusted and a triangular shape is attached.
A furnace hole is cut out in the front wall, the necessary parts of the box are bent inward.
The triangular shape is carefully fixed on all sides by glue and tape.
On top, as a countertop, plywood is laid.
The finished fireplace is decorated.
It is worth noting that a fireplace made of cardboard is very short-lived. It will easily decorate your apartment during the New Year and Christmas holidays, however if you want to use a false fireplace for a long time. We recommend making it from other materials.
From wood
Plywood, chipboard, timber and other materials can be used as wood materials when creating a fake fireplace. Before starting work, as in other cases, it is necessary to draw a drawing and make markings on the wall. Further, the progress will vary slightly, depending on the material selected. If chipboard is used:
Plates are cut into elements in accordance with the sketch.
The edges are smoothed using a special tape.
The portal frame is assembled from a metal profile.
The finished frame is sheathed with chipboard.
The decor is made.
By the same principle, a center of plywood is assembled. If it is based on a beam or board, then the progress of work is as follows:
Materials are sawn in accordance with the sketch.
The frame is assembled in a single design.
Then, moldings or other decorative elements are cut from individual bars and nailed to the frame.
The decor is made.
Decorative finish
Whatever material your decorative fireplace is made of, the final stage of its creation will be the decoration process.Moreover, the methods of decoration vary, depending on the type of fireplace, its size, purpose and style of the room. The symbolic fireplace made of boxes is beautifully decorated with wallpaper, polystyrene, borders. With their help, you can come up with the relief of the center-fake. Ceramic tiles, tiles, mosaics are suitable for decorating a reliable drywall fireplace. Conventional fireplace can be decorated with siding, plastic panels.
Flames inside the portal
A fireplace without a flame, even a fake one, will not bring the pleasure that a real fire brings. To simulate fire, you can use several different options:
Draw a fire on paper canvas and stick it on the back wall of the portal. This option is especially good for fake fireplaces made of cardboard, because the use of even lit candles in it can lead to tragedy. If you don’t have artistic talent, order a painting from an artist or print a finished version from the Internet.
Install a small lcd display broadcasting burning fire inside the hearth. Similar appliances, designed specifically for artificial hearths, are sold in stoves and hardware stores.
Lighten the furnace opening with a small decorative lamp, such as a salt lamp.
Use Christmas lights or LED strips. At the same time, the bulbs are placed in the very center of the portal and are slightly covered with thin branches.
Use lighted candles.
Examples of using a decorative hearth in various rooms
An artificial fireplace, unlike the real one, can be installed not only in the living room, but also in any other room. In the children's room during the New Year holidays, you can build a hearth from the boxes and decorate it in accordance with the traditions of Christmas: hang socks in which to put treats for kids. At the same time, it is better to install the fireplace opposite the crib so that it draws attention to itself immediately after waking up.In the bedroom next to the window, a reliable fireplace will fit perfectly. You can put a rocking chair next to him and spend long winter evenings reading books in a cozy atmosphere. If the hearth is installed in the living room, then it is advisable to do this in front of the soft zone. On the floor in front of the fireplace you can lay a small carpet with a long pile. Such an imitation of the hearth will delight not only the owners, but also the guests of the apartment.
Unusual design
In addition to the classical methods for decorating an artificial fireplace listed above, designers have long been using more unconventional options that match the style of the room. Various vases, plates and figurines will decorate a fireplace located in a room with an ethnic interior. Pictures and photographs inserted in frames add a twist to modern styles. Fireplaces decorated with flowers, pillows, various beads will complement the romantic atmosphere. With the external design of the focus, you can not be afraid of experiments and look for the most suitable option for yourself.
Conclusion
A fake fireplace is not just a tribute to fashion, but a real designer find, which every person in any apartment can realize. Moreover, the sooner you think about installing a decorative hearth, the more different options you can implement. Ideally, to conceive a fireplace before the completion of the apartment renovation when moving. Then it will be easy to fit it into the interior with minimal economic costs. But even later, to come up with and implement an interesting sketch in your apartment is completely up to you.
A real fireplace can bring incredible comfort and coziness. But such a hearth is available not only in private houses and some town houses, but also in ordinary apartments. Here a decorative hearth comes to the rescue. It can be made independently from various materials or bought in a store. To make the artificial fireplace look modern and stylish, you will have to think through many details: from its appearance to the location in the space of the room. A correctly made hearth can completely change the appearance of the room, complement the interior of the living room, create a romantic atmosphere of the bedroom.
Content
Features and types
There are several options for decorative stoves. They vary in size, materials, similarities with real ones. It is customary to distinguish 3 groups of false fireplaces:
Whatever option is used, it will be highly functional. In addition to making changes to the interior design, the artificial hearth will allow you to hide the imperfections of the wall, hide the wires, and also create an additional place to store things.
Reliable
This type of artificial stoves looks real among all false fireplaces. Its size and appearance imitates the hearth so well that the difference to an uninitiated person is not immediately obvious. The only thing missing is a chimney. Such similarity becomes possible thanks to the materials from which a reliable fireplace is created. For this, metal profiles, wood, stone, ceramic tiles, parquet, drywall, even brick are used. The specific material is selected based on the design style of the room, financial capabilities, as well as the willingness to use a real heat source inside the false fireplace. Reliable fireplaces are often made to order, as some building materials require professional processing. Therefore, such a source is significantly different in price from other species. It is also worth noting that a reliable fireplace is the only type of artificial hearth inside which you can put a burner or electric fireplace.
Conditional
With this imitation of the focus, the artificial portal protrudes directly from the room partition, so its depth is much less than that of a reliable one. Installing a real burner or electric fireplace inside, as with a reliable false fireplace, becomes impossible. Therefore, small firewood, candles, and other decorative trifles are stacked in the furnace niche. A small depression of the fireplace is compensated by a mirror surface inside the portal. External resemblance to the real hearth is achieved with the help of decorative elements outside the raised fireplace. It can be bulky candlesticks mounted on a shelf or carved lining imitating tiles of medieval stoves.
Symbolic or painted
As the name of this type of decorative hearth implies, it serves exclusively as a decor, complementing the overall style concept of the room. DIY is the easiest way to make such a fireplace. For this, even the simplest materials, for example, a box from a TV, are suitable. Some designers do not make a symbolic false fireplace at all, but draw it on the wall and decorate it with a ceiling plinth or other material. When creating a painted fireplace, you need a minimum of money and special skills, so this option of an artificial hearth is available to every family and any apartment.
Advantages of decorative fireplaces
The advantages of artificial fireplaces over real ones are obvious:
Location
As mentioned earlier, a huge advantage of a decorative fireplace is that it can be placed in any part of a house or apartment, focusing solely on convenience and home interior. As a rule, future owners of the artificial hearth prefer to place it near one of the walls, but you can mount a false fireplace in one of the corners or even in the middle of the room. The main rule that must be observed when installing a decorative fake is free access to it. Indeed, in addition to the aesthetic function, this part of the decor also has a relaxing function. There is not a single person who would not want to sit next to the fireplace, even if artificial, in a comfortable armchair and with a book in his hands. Spending quiet family evenings in such an atmosphere is very pleasant.
Near the wall
The option of placing against the wall is relevant in several cases:
Before installing a wall-mounted decorative sample, you must make sure that the wall is flat. Only then will there be no ugly gap between her and the hearth. The best place to place a false fireplace is in the center of the wall. In this case, the fireplace will emphasize the harmonious design of the room.
In the corner
The corner decorative hearth is ideal for rooms with a small area, since it takes up little space. The fireplace installed in the corner opposite to the entrance has more functionality. Next to it you can place a soft zone with a sofa or armchairs.In addition, when entering a room with such a false fireplace, it will be he who will be given primary attention. The corner focus is especially interesting in rooms with uneven corners, protrusions of load-bearing beams. When properly decorated, these structures will look like a chimney, which will add realism. The structure of the corner fireplace is such that even a conditional version will have a fairly wide portal and shelf, which means that it will not only save space, but also provide a fairly large storage area.
Island
An island artificial hearth for its installation requires much more free space than a wall or corner, and therefore this option is used in large rooms, studios. Its feature is that you can approach the heat source from any direction, but at the same time you will not notice any discomfort or crowding. Such a fireplace is much less common than the others, but if one is installed, then a burner or an electric hearth is laid inside it. A decorative island pattern will successfully complement the design of the Scandinavian or any other minimalist style. To make an island-type false fireplace on your own, you need to make a lot of effort, so most often they are ordered from professionals or bought ready-made.
Materials and methods for making the portal do-it-yourself
There are many photos and videos of master classes telling how to create different types of foci with your own hands. In many cases, even an amateur of design art is able to make a false fireplace. The most difficult part is the manufacture of the portal. Before starting work, you need to choose a specific design and find the materials that will be used. Most often, when creating decorative stoves, drywall, brick, stone, plastic, laminated boards, wood, cardboard are used.Materials should be selected based on several parameters: the general style of the room, the size of the structure, the type and purpose of the fireplace. For work, special tools will also be required.
Drywall
Drywall is the most popular material for creating a decorative fireplace. In addition to working, you will also need a metal profile, screws, putty and some tools (screwdriver, grinder, etc.). The creation and installation of drywall goes through several stages:
Made of brick and stone
To make a false fireplace from brick or stone, you need to make sure the high quality of the materials used. Saving on the purchase of bricks is not worth it, to create a portal they will not need very much. The work is carried out according to the following scheme:
Polyurethane
Polyurethane allows you to make a very durable and fireproof decorative hearth. At the same time, the material is suitable for creating artificial fireplaces of completely different styles: from classical to modern.
Stages of creation step by step:
From laminated boards
A false fireplace made of laminated panels is rare. Firstly, because it is rather difficult to cut such plates yourself. Secondly, due to the high cost of materials. In general, the technology is very similar to the manufacture of a decorative fireplace from drywall:
Out of a cardboard box
A decorative fireplace cut out of a cardboard box is so easy that even children can help you. The box from the big TV is best for this work, if you want to make a wall fireplace, and the box from the refrigerator and other voluminous household appliances, if the fireplace is angular. To create a false fireplace, located against the wall, you will need:
The corner artificial hearth is made according to the same scheme, with small features:
It is worth noting that a fireplace made of cardboard is very short-lived. It will easily decorate your apartment during the New Year and Christmas holidays, however if you want to use a false fireplace for a long time. We recommend making it from other materials.
From wood
Plywood, chipboard, timber and other materials can be used as wood materials when creating a fake fireplace. Before starting work, as in other cases, it is necessary to draw a drawing and make markings on the wall. Further, the progress will vary slightly, depending on the material selected. If chipboard is used:
By the same principle, a center of plywood is assembled. If it is based on a beam or board, then the progress of work is as follows:
Decorative finish
Whatever material your decorative fireplace is made of, the final stage of its creation will be the decoration process.Moreover, the methods of decoration vary, depending on the type of fireplace, its size, purpose and style of the room. The symbolic fireplace made of boxes is beautifully decorated with wallpaper, polystyrene, borders. With their help, you can come up with the relief of the center-fake. Ceramic tiles, tiles, mosaics are suitable for decorating a reliable drywall fireplace. Conventional fireplace can be decorated with siding, plastic panels.
Flames inside the portal
A fireplace without a flame, even a fake one, will not bring the pleasure that a real fire brings. To simulate fire, you can use several different options:
Examples of using a decorative hearth in various rooms
An artificial fireplace, unlike the real one, can be installed not only in the living room, but also in any other room. In the children's room during the New Year holidays, you can build a hearth from the boxes and decorate it in accordance with the traditions of Christmas: hang socks in which to put treats for kids. At the same time, it is better to install the fireplace opposite the crib so that it draws attention to itself immediately after waking up.In the bedroom next to the window, a reliable fireplace will fit perfectly. You can put a rocking chair next to him and spend long winter evenings reading books in a cozy atmosphere. If the hearth is installed in the living room, then it is advisable to do this in front of the soft zone. On the floor in front of the fireplace you can lay a small carpet with a long pile. Such an imitation of the hearth will delight not only the owners, but also the guests of the apartment.
Unusual design
In addition to the classical methods for decorating an artificial fireplace listed above, designers have long been using more unconventional options that match the style of the room. Various vases, plates and figurines will decorate a fireplace located in a room with an ethnic interior. Pictures and photographs inserted in frames add a twist to modern styles. Fireplaces decorated with flowers, pillows, various beads will complement the romantic atmosphere. With the external design of the focus, you can not be afraid of experiments and look for the most suitable option for yourself.
Conclusion
A fake fireplace is not just a tribute to fashion, but a real designer find, which every person in any apartment can realize. Moreover, the sooner you think about installing a decorative hearth, the more different options you can implement. Ideally, to conceive a fireplace before the completion of the apartment renovation when moving. Then it will be easy to fit it into the interior with minimal economic costs. But even later, to come up with and implement an interesting sketch in your apartment is completely up to you.