Do-it-yourself Fireplace From Boxes (65 Photos): How To Make A Box, Step-by-step Instructions And A Master Class

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

A synonym for home comfort is, of course, a fireplace. It doesn't matter if you live in a private mansion or in an ordinary apartment. If there is no financial or technical opportunity to build a real fireplace, then why not use decorative materials and decorate a home with your own hands.

In the cold season, we all need a particularly cozy atmosphere, as we spend most of our time at home. And let the fireplace from the boxes not warm you, but it will definitely transform the image of your home, adding uniqueness and comfort to it, and, of course, will cheer up the household. By the way, such fireplaces are installed not only at home, but also in advertising and modeling agencies, where they serve as decorations for photo shoots.

Advantages and disadvantages

Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to an artificial fireplace, but there are still much more advantages than disadvantages.

Among the advantages, we note the following:

• the effect of the presence of an expensive fireplace, which will turn an ordinary apartment into a real "country residence";
• ease of installation - a decorative fireplace can be assembled in a short time with your own hands, while using the help of even the smallest family members;
• the absence of a chimney and a firebox, respectively, dirt and smoke in the room can be avoided;
• minimal financial costs - as a rule, old boxes and other scrap materials are used that you would have thrown away anyway;
• the ability to choose the material for finishing to your liking - drywall, polyurethane, chipboard, foam concrete and many other options;
• the decor of the fireplace can often be changed depending on the holiday, season, or just by mood;

• free choice of location in the room;
• if you use such decorative elements as tiles, paintings and mosaics, then the fireplace will look as realistic as possible;
• unique design "not like everyone else's";
• practical function (using the design of the fireplace, you can hide the battery or existing room defects);
• the mobility of the fireplace, because it will not be tied to a specific interior and you can change its place depending on the purpose.

There is only one drawback of a false fireplace - you cannot make a real fire in it. But for some, this fact will also be an advantage, because fire safety in a residential building, especially where there are children, is first of all.

Varieties

Before erecting an artificial fireplace, decide where it will be located - it can be a living room, a dining room, a bedroom, an office and even a nursery. Depending on the size of the room, determine the size and type of the future fireplace. The most popular are wall-mounted models, which are as simple as possible in design and installation. But there are also corner artificial hearths, which are usually chosen by the owners of small apartments. Based on the design of the room, choose a style - usually retro, classic, eco or modern.

It is customary to distinguish between the following types of fireplace imitations:

• reliable;
• conditional;
• symbolic.

Reliable false fireplaces exactly repeat the real ones, only there is no chimney here. The depth of such a fireplace, as a rule, is at least 40-50 cm. The frame is made of drywall, the surface of which is plastered and decorated with all kinds of decorative materials - for example, tiles, plastic or wood panels. And here you can reproduce the fire with scented candles.

Conditional false fireplaces are made in a niche. They have a shallow depth - up to 20 cm. These fireplaces have a portal, and the frame is made of whatever is at hand - wood, cardboard, foam, wood or polyurethane. Fire can be simulated using a photo frame or the most economical option - candles and garlands.

An effective design technique that creates the effect of a burning flame even from a small candle is to decorate the walls with mirror tiles.

A symbolic false fireplace can have an unusual and very fancy design ., carrying, in fact, a purely aesthetic function of decorating a room. You can use drywall or cardboard boxes, interior stickers, or simply paint a fireplace on the wall using polyurethane moldings and stucco moldings for decoration. And the fire can be indicated with the help of New Year's garlands and decorative lighting.

Of course, the most inexpensive and easiest for self-installation is the option of a hearth made of cardboard boxes. You can build it yourself in just 1 day.

Necessary materials

Necessary materials for the design and construction of an artificial hearth from cardboard boxes:

• cardboard boxes (1 large, for example, from under the TV or 4-8 small pieces, for example, from under the shoes);
• White paper;
• stationery knife;
• double-sided and plain tape;
• stationery glue or PVA;
• spray paint (white, gold, silver);
• ruler;

• glue gun;
• pencil;
• a roll of "bricks" wallpaper;
• decorative foam parts;
• stucco moldings and moldings made of polyurethane.

When building a fireplace, it is especially important to carefully carry out all measurements so that you do not have to redo the work several times. When you think over the appearance of the hearth to the smallest detail, get to work.

How to do it right?

There are several options for fireplaces that you can create out of the box with your own hands.

The wall-mounted version is suitable for those who do not want to mess with many boxes and is ready to do just one, for example, from under a large TV. First, we draw a drawing and transfer the fireplace diagram to the box. With a clerical knife, cut out a hole in the front, where there should be an imitation of fire. The edges of the box are glued inward or secured with tape. Decor made of polystyrene or polyurethane (plinths and stucco moldings) are glued with PVA glue or a special gun to cardboard.

And to decorate the countertop at the top of the fireplace, ready-made plywood or several sheets of cardboard glued together (for additional strength) are used. You can paint the resulting workpiece with white or gold paint from a spray can.

An interesting decor option is the decoupage technique using New Year's or retro pictures. And if the fireplace is being built for romantic purposes (for example, you want to surprise your soul mate on Valentine's Day or make a birthday present), glue the fireplace with images of angels and delicate floral ornaments.

If you did not buy a large diagonal TV and there is simply no huge box at hand, use small shoe boxes to mount an artificial fireplace. Fasten them with scotch tape in the shape of the letter P. The blank of such a fireplace is pasted over with white paper and brick-like wallpaper using ordinary office glue.

Decide what size boxes you will be making your dream fireplace. It is necessary to calculate the dimensions of the structure and, if possible, draw a drawing.

When the length, width and height of the parts are known, mark the necessary lines on the box and cut off all unnecessary with a clerical knife.

Paint the resulting box inside with dark paint ., on top of the box in the form of a shelf, attach the thin plywood with double tape. For this, glued sheets of cardboard, laminate and other materials at hand are also suitable. And you can arrange such a decorative fireplace with "bricks" of white, brown or red color.

Styrofoam is also suitable as a countertop. For colorfulness, you can cover it with gold spray paint. Also, a sponge with such paint can only touch the "bricks" - this will give the fireplace an unusual texture. Styrofoam can also imitate masonry.

Please note that the base should be at least 5 cm larger than the fireplace itself on each side. For the stability of the structure, cardboard ribs are inserted into it. And to keep the corners of the fireplace even, use the corners for the slopes. You can level the putty surface with ordinary emery.

If you live in a small apartment, and you want so much comfort and warmth, it would be a great idea to make a corner false fireplace. When choosing a place for it, pay attention to the fact that it is visible from all sides. Instead of a central object, it is wise to use a corner structure that will transform the interior without taking up a lot of space. Master classes and video tutorials will help you arrange stylish decoration of this interior object.

Take a box that is suitable in size and make a semicircular cut in it, so that you can then fold it inward (this will be the bottom of the fireplace). Cut some material from the top to form a "corner" that is not fixed to the bottom between the three sides of the corner fireplace. Carefully trim the back and sides of the box, and at the end, tape all sides together.

The resulting structure is pasted over with a "brick-like" construction film . And the tile over the fireplace can be made of the same cardboard or chipboard, pasting this covering with a film "like a tree". Then you can place trinkets, jewelry and other decorative elements on it. Instead of a hearth, mini candles and garlands are fine.

To keep the cardboard fireplace strong, take each piece in duplicate to create a thick layer of cardboard. Such glued parts will give the structure additional reliability. In addition, such a fireplace is hard to break, and any accessories, even heavy ones, will be “safe” on it.

Simulated fire

Since the fireplace is made of cardboard, you should be very careful about using open sources of fire, even if they are small decorative candles. Better to secure yourself and make an imitation of fire. There are lamps on sale that look like flickering flame. And you can disguise such a light source with twisted cardboard firewood, adding twigs of natural wood for believability. Such "firewood" can also be wrapped in a garland or hidden behind them an electric candle.

An interesting option, if you have financial resources, is to use an electronic photo frame. It has a special fire mode that simulates flames.

Place in the interior

The design of a false fireplace depends not only on your imagination, but also on the style of the interior used in the living space. In a classic living room, the frame of an artificial hearth would be appropriate to decorate with imitations of stone or marble, and the textures of wood and brick will harmoniously fit into the eco-style interior.

For maximum realism, you can put a screen or a forged grate in front of the firebox . This technique is especially effective in false fireplaces, where a bio-burner or candles are used. Among the interesting elements, we note real or artificial logs (in this case, choose fragrant tree species - for example, juniper), stucco molding, monograms, tiles, tiles, bas-reliefs. And statuettes, books, photographs, potted plants, vases with flowers and other decorative elements will help you to support the "fireplace illusion".

If you want your fireplace to look really antique, use the following trick. Putty the hearth and dry with a hair dryer. As a result, the surface will be covered with cracks and you will get a vintage version. And if, on the contrary, you want a smooth surface, after puttingtying, cover the surface of the structure with a layer of water-based paint.

When the fireplace is being built in the bedroom, you can make it not very high ., and hang a mirror over it. So the shelf of the fireplace will actually turn into a semblance of a dressing table. Remember that the attractiveness of the fireplace depends on the quality of the decoration, so do your best, including all your imagination. You can buy decorative elements made of polyurethane and use molding, stucco molding and even columns for zoning the fireplace. You can fix these lightweight structures with liquid nails. It is not at all necessary to use white or brick design.

Turn on your imagination and highlight the polyurethane elements with a gold color, and at the end, cover everything with a colorless varnish so that the paint does not peel off.

How to decorate for the New Year?

It's no secret that most of us associate the fireplace with the festive atmosphere of the New Year and Christmas. Despite the fact that many false fireplaces serve the owners all year round, nobody canceled the New Year's decor - it will help to feel that the holiday is approaching and Santa Claus is already somewhere nearby.

Decorate your mantelpiece with decorative figurines , hang a Christmas wreath, decorate the fireplace with fir branches, glue over images of reindeer or Santa Claus, and place themed candles inside. It is good if they are scented and fill your home with the smells of cinnamon, spruce needles and gingerbread.

And, of course, a classic for decorating a fireplace - a boot for gifts. This tradition came to us from the West, but the kids love this idea so much. You can buy such a Christmas element or sew it yourself, decorate it with snowflakes and other themed ornaments.

Do not forget about the New Year's garland, which will create a festive atmosphere.

You can also "refresh" the fireplace design with gold or silver paint, and sprinkle artificial snow on the pine branches. Use New Year's tinsel as well, the main thing is to maintain the color scheme and general style. By the way, a mantel can also come in handy. If you decorate it with candles, then the illusion of a flame will be both below and above, which in the dark will look very impressive and unusual.

Among other decorative components, you can use figurines of fairy-tale characters, themed decorations, tinsel and rain, natural cones, Christmas tree decorations, foam figurines, ribbons and pieces of fabric, as well as hand-made decorations made of paper, wire and twine. As for the range of shades, it is better to use the classic "Christmas" colors: blue-silver or red-green with gold elements. Experiment with shapes and shades, and your work will definitely be appreciated.

A false fireplace is an original and effective interior decoration. Compared to a real analogue, the advantage of a false fireplace is the safety of use even where there are small children. You should carefully choose the location of the fireplace, taking into account the furnishings of the room.

By itself, the image of a fireplace on winter evenings will add warmth to your home . and will make the atmosphere in the room mysterious and cozy. In addition, creating a fireplace from boxes with your own hands is an exciting creative process, in which all family members will surely be involved. This is a real flight of imagination, because the decoration of the fireplace can be different, and you can change it as often as you like, depending on what time of year it is outside or what holiday.

By following the step-by-step instructions given in this article, with minimal costs in just one day, you can create an interior solution that will radically change the appearance of a room, without the need for construction skills.

In addition, building a false fireplace will help not only update the interior, but also have a great time with your family, as well as teach children to do something with their own hands.