What could be more wonderful than sitting by the fireplace on a cold day? The warmth of a living fire attracts you and gives you a feeling of complete peace. There are many people who believe that without this, home comfort is simply impossible. Unfortunately, the use of a real stove is only permitted in a private home, since a chimney installation is required. But apartment dwellers shouldn’t be upset. If you install a decorative fireplace in the living room, then friends and family will happily gather around its artificial flame. After all, even a dummy can create an atmosphere of comfort and family unity.
Strict decorative fireplace made of wood Source livemaster.ru
Types of artificial fireplaces
Oddly enough, you can make a false fireplace of different types with your own hands. Before you start making your own fireplace, you must decide which option is preferable and, most importantly, suitable for your abode.
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.
Visual increase in space
Like any other small room, the living room needs to visually expand the space. Designers recommend using the following techniques that will further emphasize the effectiveness of the hearth:
- More light. Properly selected and correctly installed lighting for all parts of the room, including accent lighting in the hearth area. This can visually expand the living room space.
- More pastel shades. To prevent a bulky fireplace from occupying a good half of the room and reducing the volume of an already small living room, decorate the fireplace itself and the space surrounding it in the lightest possible or neutral shades.
- Vertical accents, light and transparent materials, mirrors - this is not a complete list of solutions that can make the design of a small living room with a fireplace airier and lighter.
In general, the flight of imagination of designers is limitless, so it is important to find this fine line that separates style from bulky pretentiousness.
Partial imitation of a fireplace
In contrast to the most realistic look, partial imitation is a simpler and more affordable option.
To build a partial imitation of a fireplace, a portal is erected in the form of a protrusion from the wall, and a lid. At the same time, you can even imitate brick or stonework, or natural wood.
Inside the fireplace insert there are decorative elements that indicate the hearth. From the outside, the design seems very comfortable and convincing, as can be seen from the photos of false fireplaces.
Living room design with electric fireplace
Even in a relatively small living room you can install a modern fireplace. An electric fireplace in the interior of a small living room will make it even more comfortable, while adding luxury and chic to even the simplest room. There are two main design options. The first option, which is more suitable for modern interiors and small rooms, is laconic minimalism. The fireplace is built into the same wall on which the TV is located, usually right under it. Thus, the attention of the person in the room is scattered between several details that stand out brightly on the white walls. In a small room where every meter of space is important, this arrangement will be preferable.
In the second case, we go the classic way - the fireplace is the center of the room, the focus of the attention of everyone entering it. In this option, it is worth adding a portal to the hearth or highlighting the entire wall on which it is placed. This could be an imitation of brickwork, a combination of colors (for example, beige and wenge, white and Ceylon ebony are very well combined), or decorating the walls with natural stone. This arrangement of the fireplace is suitable for an interior with ethnic notes, as well as in a classic style - with its heavy furniture, lush carpets and natural colors of the decor. And the ornate wooden portal, repeating the texture of the sofa standing next to it, will fit perfectly into empire interiors.
Symbolic designation of the fireplace
The symbolic designation of a fireplace in this design only in general terms resembles the shape of a traditional fireplace.
Contours with a shape similar to the original image are marked on the wall with wooden guides, decorative stripes, molding and other details on the wall surface.
To authentically reproduce a fireplace, paintings are often painted on the walls, even simulating fire. A symbolic false fireplace is ideal for lovers of non-standard solutions.
Classification
First, it’s worth studying in detail what a false fireplace is. In essence, this is an imitation of a firebox and a portal. By and large, such a model is considered a visual deception and only creates the presence of a fireplace in the living room.
It can be made in various style solutions. The interior volume is decorated individually, based on your preferences and general interior ideas. In most cases, they are used to hide imperfections in a room. If there are protrusions in the room or interior partitions stick out, then a false fireplace will fit perfectly in these places.
Such designs are divided into several main types:
- Reliable. They imitate the real thing 100%. All dimensions and finishes must be observed. You can install a bio-fireplace burner in the hearth. This creates the feeling of real fire. The installation of such a structure will require a lot of financial investment, but it is worth it.
- Conditional. These models are distinguished by the presence of a portal, which must protrude from the wall. You can decorate it however you like. They usually put real firewood inside the hearth or put a lot of large candles.
- Symbolic. The name of such fireplaces speaks for itself. They can be made from absolutely any materials. Neither in size nor in appearance do they resemble the real models. It could even be a drawing on the wall with small protruding patterns.
Often designers use corner false fireplaces in the living room interior. You can create a cozy atmosphere around them. It is enough to put a couple of chairs, throw a small fluffy carpet on the floor and your favorite place to relax is ready.
Dimensions and stage of preparation for work
To create a false fireplace with your own hands, no special design or engineering skills are required.
First of all, you need to have a clear idea of what you want your future fireplace to look like in order to choose the right material, which will make the work easier and faster.
First of all, be sure to make a sketch and design. Don’t be surprised, a sketch will help you better imagine what the fireplace will look like externally, and the project will display the given dimensions, according to which you can calculate how much material is required. When choosing sizes, take into account all the nuances and only then do the project.
An artificial fireplace should have dimensions proportional to the room where it will be placed. A massive structure in a small room will look bulky and visually make the room much smaller. A fireplace of modest dimensions in a spacious room will become completely inconspicuous.
In addition, the fireplace should be in the right place so that your household and guests can mix around the room without obstacles.
The corner version of the false fireplace looks original, which is not difficult to make with your own hands. The recommended optimal width is no more than 1/3 of the wall surface allocated for installing a fireplace.
Materials
Decorative frames for fireplaces are made mainly from MDF, natural veneer and plastic.
Natural stone or brick can also be used here. You need to choose the most practical and suitable option. Thanks to this, you can install the frame yourself, even without special tools at hand. Portals made of MFD and plastic will look advantageous in any interior, adding gloss and aristocracy to the room. The main thing is to choose the right color that will match the walls of the room, furniture or accessories.
Cardboard fireplace
It is quite possible to create an imitation of a “real” fireplace using cardboard shoe boxes and packaging boxes used for equipment or household appliances.
For work, in addition to cardboard, the following office and repair supplies are needed:
- office knife, pencil, scissors,
- wood glue, tape, press, tape measure.
The appeal of creating a fireplace this way is its absurd cost and the ease of the manufacturing process. In addition, you can build a cardboard fireplace structure as a game with your children.
We recommend that beginners try their hand at the most basic classic portal designs.
In addition, such an imitation fireplace is usually used one-time. And, on the eve of New Year's celebrations, it is appropriate to organize a photo shoot for the whole family against the backdrop of a bright and stylish fireplace.
To reproduce an original false fireplace from boxes, you should use detailed master classes or ready-made drawings of step-by-step work.
Such a fireplace can be beautifully decorated for any holiday, including New Year. To do this, you need to find ready-made instructions for creating interior decorations on a specialized website, for example https://master-klassi.ru, and make exclusive decorative elements.
Types by location
Wall-mounted
Structures are also divided by location. There are only four options for placing a fireplace in the rooms of the house. The room can be decorated with a classic wall-mounted, neat built-in, practical corner or spectacular island fireplace. Let's look at the features of each of them. A wall-mounted fireplace is the most classic option. It was these fireplaces that were built in rich houses in our country before the widespread use of steam heating. When manufactured correctly, it has good heating efficiency and looks stylish. There are also disadvantages to this design. First of all, you need to take into account that a wall-mounted fireplace requires space. Of course, if we are talking about a spacious cottage with a fireplace room, there will be no problems with space. But a standard apartment or a small private house is not the best place for such a structure. The way out of this situation is to install a version half recessed into the wall. The portal in this design protrudes only the width of the palm and does not require space.
Corner and island
A corner fireplace takes up no less space, but its location allows it to be installed in fairly modest rooms. In addition, the corner of the room is not often used to place furniture. Another advantage of this design is the relative ease of manufacture.
An island fireplace is the most impractical option. It requires a large room, it cannot be installed in many rooms - for example, a bedroom with a similar design is difficult to imagine, and a kitchen with an installed island fireplace must be truly enormous in size, otherwise moving around it will be inconvenient and unsafe. The main advantage of this option is the original design of the fireplace, which can enliven even a very dull interior.
Built-in and suspended
A built-in, and even more so a hanging fireplace is a mere baby compared to other types of these heating devices. After all, the modern wall-mounted version appeared only when advances made it possible not only to create a safe and reliable electric heater, but also to simulate the effect of a living flame with a sufficient degree of reliability.
And the device hung on the wall has come into use quite recently. There are many advantages to this option. The fireplace can be placed however you like; it does not require significant space, which means it is the only feasible solution for a city apartment. Small hanging fireplaces can be placed even in a compact kitchen. If installed correctly, an electric fireplace is absolutely fireproof, and it usually costs less than its wood-burning or even gas counterparts.
Plasterboard false fireplace
Of course, the cost of a reproduction fireplace also plays an important role. But besides cardboard boxes, you can use another affordable material - drywall.
Drywall is widely used in repair work for the construction of various structures due to its qualities. It can be used to make parts of any size and configuration. They are easy to cut and their installation is very simple.
To build a medium-sized fireplace, you will need one sheet of drywall measuring 1200 × 2500 x 12.5. You will also need:
- guide profiles or wooden slats;
- perforated corner;
- yardstick;
- building level;
- spatula and finishing putty;
- screwdriver and screws;
- primer mixture;
- step-by-step instructions on how to make a false fireplace with your own hands.
Using step-by-step instructions for building a false fireplace from plasterboard, even without experience, anyone can cope with the task.
Fireplace made of foam sheets
Assembling an exact copy of a fireplace from foam elements is quick, simple and easy. This method is available to everyone. Styrofoam sheets can be purchased at hardware and construction stores.
It is recommended to use sheets with a thickness of 100 mm. Foam with a denser structure, used for transporting equipment, is also suitable for work.
When you start creating, make sure you have the required amount of foam. In addition, you must have:
- glue;
- spatula, finishing putty;
- building level;
- hacksaw;
- net for painting work;
- primer.
To avoid crumbling, cracks and nicks when cutting parts, a hacksaw is suitable for working with metal. The large thickness and density of polystyrene foam does not allow you to simply cut the required part of the material with high precision using a knife.
Parts of polystyrene foam cut in half should not be broken off. If there is a crack, this part can no longer be used.
A special solution will help connect the elements prepared in advance to each other and to the wall surface.
With the help of a detailed master class, you can quickly and efficiently create an original and beautiful false fireplace!
Why do you need a fireplace in interior design, and why waste time creating a copy of the fireplace:
- first of all, this is a wonderful design move for the decoration of the room, thanks to which the interior becomes peaceful, domesticated
- unusual;
- secondly, the option of using an electric heater inside the fireplace will provide the room with additional light and warmth;
- thirdly, a fireplace with a massive shelf makes it possible to place various decorative elements and objects on it, especially on the eve of the New Year;
- and fourthly, with the help of a fireplace you can hide communications or radiators in the corner of the room from view.
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
DIY photo of false fireplaces
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