What types of fireplaces are there?
Installation of a solid fuel fireplace in urban apartments is not allowed. The only exception is apartments located on the top floor of the building. But in this case, a well-designed chimney is required, facing the street, running through the attic and roof.
For modern apartments, you can choose a wall-mounted or corner fireplace. The second option fits more successfully into a modern interior. Corner designs look more elegant and compact. To make a choice, it is worth understanding the features of the models available to urban residents.
False fireplace
A false fireplace is a structure that imitates a real hearth. Its frame is constructed of plasterboard or brick, and the external finishing is made of the desired material. This model can be installed in any part of the living room, matching the overall style of the room.
It is not uncommon for designers to use artificial fireplaces to decorate a room. They may contain flames drawn with chalk or contain decorative firewood.
Electric fireplaces
Electrical products are easy to use in an apartment. Their main elements are made of wood and glass. This is the best option for those who want to have an analogue of a wood-burning fireplace in their home. At the same time, it does not require a chimney, is easy to maintain and runs on electrical energy.
With the help of a decorative electric fireplace you can illuminate and heat the room. The undeniable advantage of such models is their affordable cost and safety for the health of people and animals. To activate such a device, just plug the plug into a socket and enjoy the beauty, adjusting the heating temperature if necessary.
There are mobile electric fireplaces designed as a heater or humidifier.
Biofireplaces
Biofireplaces are a relatively new device in interior design. It runs on biological fuel in the form of multi-colored granules: solid alcohol, sawdust or bark, compressed peat.
An ideal option for city apartments, given the fact that during operation they emit a minimal amount of carbon dioxide. Accordingly, the installation technology does not require the installation of a chimney or a special ventilation system. When the granules burn, very little ash remains, so maintenance of the bio-fireplace is minimal.
Living room with electric fireplace
The interior of a living room with an electric fireplace is a safe and original solution. Be prepared that you won't get much heat from it. It is important that the electric fireplace fits into the overall design of the room. The most suitable styles are country and high-tech. In front of the fireplace, you should install a small table and a sofa on which to relax comfortably.
An electric fireplace can be decorated using small decorative items. A figurine and photo frames will do. This will create a special atmosphere in the house and you won’t have to worry about a live fire.
A fireplace in a minimalist living room will perfectly complement the overall interior
A fireplace in the living room decorated with decorative stone will look very beautiful.
See alsoTips for choosing the interior design of a walk-through living room
Finishing methods
Almost any material can be used for cladding electric or artificial fireplaces, since the surface does not heat up to high temperatures. The most popular finishing materials include:
Tiling
Ceramics occupies a leading position among finishing materials for decorative portals. In addition to high fire resistance, the material is distinguished by a wide range of colors and patterns.
Thanks to the applied glaze, the surface is easy to wet clean and repels moisture. The original shape of the tiles will help make the fireplace the main decorative element of the living room, decorated in any stylistic direction.
Tree
Wood does not have heat-resistant characteristics, but if you follow a number of recommendations, you can easily use it to improve your fireplace:
- The material is pre-impregnated with a special fire retardant;
- The firebox is equipped with a protective screen;
- A ventilation system is provided;
- Not the entire portal is covered with wood, but decorative inserts are made;
- Ash and alder are not used.
Otherwise, there are no contraindications for using wood when decorating a fireplace.
Fake diamond
Artificially created stone is quite popular due to its low cost compared to its natural counterpart and similar characteristics.
The material is moisture resistant and durable and does not require special skills when working. For the same reasons, preference is given to artificial brick.
Plaster
When choosing such a finish you will not have to spend a lot of effort, time and money. The technological process is as simple as possible and no additional strengthening of the structure is required. In this case, it is worth selecting materials that meet fire safety requirements.
A huge range of colors allows you not only to choose a shade that suits the style of the room, but also to easily change it if necessary.
What can it be made from?
Almost any materials are suitable for making a fake fireplace: from cardboard to brick. The whole question is in the expenditure of effort, finances and time.
From boxes
The simplest and most budget option. Such a decorative fireplace portal can be made in one day, spending only on PVA glue and finishing materials.
Corner fireplace
To make a corner fireplace, it is best to stock up on at least one box of large appliances: a refrigerator, washing machine or dishwasher, etc. The rest of the list of tools and materials is similar to the list of preparations for the New Year's fireplace.
From paper
To make a small craft, it is better to find a “cut and glue” pattern on the Internet. There are a lot of options available: straight and angular, with and without a chimney.
Everyone can choose the right design. But here you need to take into account the scale. When printed on a regular A4 sheet, the finished craft will be the size of a pack of cigarettes.
And if you plan to glue a fireplace with a chimney with your own hands, then the portal will be no larger than a box of matches. This format is suitable only for decorating a dollhouse, or as a New Year’s craft for a kindergarten or school.
If you use A3 format to print the sketch, the product will turn out to be larger. To make larger crafts, it is better to transfer the design onto thick cardboard, so the fireplace will better hold its shape.
New Year's fireplace
Any boxes are suitable for production: from household appliances, building materials, food, office paper (A4), etc. The final appearance of the finished product will depend on the number of boxes, their shape and size.
For production you will need:
- boxes;
- glue (PVA or wood glue);
- stationery knife;
- ruler;
- pencil;
- scotch;
- press (a stack of books or something heavy but compact);
- level.
For the first time, it is better to choose models of the simplest shapes, without arches or complex elements. But if you have confidence in your own abilities, you can aim for an exclusive design.
From cardboard
Their cardboard can be used to reproduce any fireplace model. The main thing is that the material is dense enough.
The list of necessary tools and materials may vary depending on the chosen fireplace model, but the basic set remains the same:
- stationery knife;
- glue;
- pencil;
- ruler;
- cardboard;
- scotch;
- finishing materials.
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A diagram of a cardboard fireplace is drawn up and thought out in advance. Based on the selected design and size, the required amount of materials is calculated.
Next, the pattern (taking into account the scale) is applied to the cardboard. The closer the parts are located to each other, the less waste will be left.
The parts are cut out and glued together. Additionally, all joints are secured with tape. For greater reliability, in areas with the greatest load, cardboard can be glued in several layers, or a frame can be built from slats.
What to look for when purchasing:
To make the right choice when buying an electric fireplace for the living room, it is not enough just to decide on the design. In this case, a few professional tips will help:
- Power. The degree of heating of the room will depend on this indicator. If the device is assigned not only a decorative function, the power should be calculated based on the area of the hall;
- Size. An important point, since its location and the arrangement of other pieces of furniture depend on its dimensions;
- Designer design. When choosing exterior decoration, you need to build on the general stylistic direction in the room and apartment;
- An additional advantage will be the ability to adjust the brightness of the flame and temperature;
- If possible, you should give preference to a model equipped with an air humidification and aromatization system.
Following simple recommendations will allow you to choose a fireplace that will not only decorate the living room and heat it, but will also make the interior much more comfortable and harmonious.
How and where to install
Before you begin installing the electric fireplace, you need to decide on its location. It is not recommended to use load-bearing walls between apartments for this, as this can lead to a weakening of the stability of the building. If it is a fireplace with a firebox open on both sides, then a wall between living rooms, for example, a bedroom and a living room, is ideal.
After this, you can begin to create a niche of dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the hearth. As mentioned above, this is best done at the construction or renovation stage. If this moment has already been missed, then you will have to hollow out a niche in the finished wall. The depth of such a niche must be at least 60 mm. If a niche is being prepared for a fireplace with a firebox open on several sides, then you need to make a through hole. You can also consider installing such a fireplace in a partition to delimit space in a spacious room.
In the photo: Cassette 500 electric fireplace built into the partition
When the niche is ready, you can proceed directly to installing the fireplace itself - it needs to be secured and connected to the electrical network for operation.
If the fireplace requires wall mounting with brackets, then almost any wall that has room for it will do. The main thing is to have access to an outlet.
Fireplace in the interior of the apartment (photo selection)
See our collection of photos, which presents modern solutions on how to place a fireplace in the living room of an ordinary apartment. Various materials, styles and types of useful accessories that will bring a piece of warmth to your cozy home.
Fireplace in the interior of a country house
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