I want to return to a cozy home again and again. This article will focus on how to improve the interior using a fake fireplace. About a hearth that anyone can build with a little effort.
The fireplace will perfectly fit into the interior of any room, will add an additional atmosphere of coziness and will be a reason for the pride of its creator. A home fireplace with your own hands is easy, you say to the spellbound guests and household members.
You don't have to be a professional builder to make a dummy, visually close to the original. But the matter requires careful preparation, desire and capital investment.
Training
To begin with, let's decide on the room in which the fake fireplace will be located. If this is a room in a private house, then you can design a brick fireplace. For a city high-rise apartment, such a construction will be heavy. We will talk about plasterboard, plywood, stone, brick, foam and cardboard fireplace models. The last two materials require minimal costs for tools and materials. But the rest of the selected materials are more durable, look more spectacular and richer.
Manufacturing process
Step-by-step instructions will help you easily plan the construction of a fake hearth in your apartment.
Location
First, choose a place for the decoration. Considering that the flame in the false fireplace is fake or very weak, you should not place the fireplace in front of the window, if you plan to light it during the day, it will be difficult to see. For evening and night gatherings, any location is suitable. Consider a comfortable corner around your structure. A soft carpet and beautiful furniture will nobly complement the fireplace and add warmth and soul to the whole room.
Product design
Choose a design for a dummy fireplace so as to harmoniously fit into the interior of the room. It is important to choose the right one not only the appearance, but also the size of the hearth. Then you need to decide what to put inside your dummy.
In the event that one of the functions of your fireplace will be to heat the apartment, then take care of the outlet near the structure. An outlet to electricity will also be needed in the case of installing a plasma TV that simulates fire on the screen.
Hearth drawing
Think over the drawing of the fireplace. The result of your work depends on a correctly constructed foundation. Consider the features and dimensions of the room. After that, feel free to go to the store to purchase the right materials in the right quantity.
Purchase of materials for construction
We decide what to make the frame of the hearth from. It can be a metal profile or wooden slats. Will the fireplace be static and wall-mounted, or portable?
Drywall, Styrofoam or Brick? When you drive a stone or tile with the main material, then the frame needs to be made more durable.
Choosing fixing tools (screws, glue, etc.) and decoration elements.
Drywall is easy to handle and affordable. For beginners in the fireplace - just right. The composition includes ordinary cardboard impregnated with a special substance. Fire resistance is the main advantage of the material. Also, a decisive role in its choice is played by resistance to moisture and temperature changes. But drywall does not withstand heavy loads.
Plywood is also easy to process and affordable. More environmentally friendly natural product. When installing a fireplace in a bathroom, kitchen or any other room where dampness is present, remember: plywood does not like moisture.
Structures made of foam and cardboard are the easiest to build. It is possible to make a false fireplace from them using glue and tape. The main thing is to make the drawing correctly. Please note that such a fireplace is extremely short-lived.
Stone and brick materials are weighty, so before installing, make sure that the product does not collapse the ceiling. These materials do not require a frame, but be sure to make a drawing version of a decorative hearth in order to purchase the right amount of rather expensive material and make sure that the calculation process is correct.
It remains to purchase the necessary tools that you do not have. Depending on the materials you choose, you may need:
- Metal profile or wooden slats;
- Screwdriver (nails do not fit tightly);
- Glue (when the fireplace is made of foam or cardboard);
- Perforator;
- Hacksaw for cutting;
- Brushes, putty knife, putty
Or it could be tiles, mosaics, stone, wallpaper, wood, etc. There is only your discretion and possibilities.
To make sure the product is perfect, get a level for alignment.
Assembly
We cut out the parts from the selected material and fix them with screws (or glue). Proceed carefully, observe safety precautions.
Registration
Based on the chosen interior solution, start creating. This is perhaps the most interesting part of the fireplace dummy creation process.
In building materials stores, you will dive into a variety of ready-made materials that will make your fireplace exquisite and unique. Starting from putty, similar to leather, stone or wood, ending with ready-made decorative cuttings made of foam or drywall. Wallpaper with any suitable pattern or self-adhesive paper can be a budget option.
If you can draw, paint can be used to create any drawing that comes to mind. And by adapting the household to the case, you will create a family heirloom.
Fire in the hearth
To heat a room, consider options such as an electric fireplace or convector. Subject to the fire safety recommendations, it is not forbidden to decorate the fireplace product with artificial or real wood.
Candles also prove to be an interesting solution. Do not forget to cover the place for the candles with fireproof material. Several candles of different sizes or small candles in candlesticks in the form of firewood look a win-win. It all depends on your taste.
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Consider string lights, LED lights, or hearth-shaped bulbs.
Plasma TV is also a great design solution. As if by magic, a TV set in a spectacular stand will turn into a cozy beautiful fireplace with a dancing crackling flame.
Finishing touches
Add realism to your exposition and complement the ensemble with beautiful accessories in the form of stones, coals, logs, poker and spades. Decorative carpets in the shape of a bear skin, rocking chairs with a coffee table will fill the area with the necessary relaxation atmosphere.
A handmade fireplace will prove to be an incredibly valuable piece of furniture for your home and an excellent occasion to bring your family and friends together and have a hearty conversation. The fireplace area will become a fabulous place for photo shoots and your personal trophy.
We wish you a sincere rest.