It’s hard to find at least one person who doesn’t think about how to make their home more comfortable. One solution to this problem is to create a fireplace out of cardboard with your own hands.
Create your own fireplace
To assemble it, you need to select materials and allocate approximately 5-6 hours for work. It is not at all necessary to do this yourself, it is not so difficult to do it yourself, so the whole family can take part in the process.
Make it with your whole family
How to choose cardboard?
The quality and appearance will depend on the material and type of cardboard boxes. If you take the packaging from under the TV, the “false fireplace” will be narrow without much of a recess in the place where the burning wood is located. Therefore, wide boxes are most often used, at least 50 centimeters deep. It is also advisable to use the most durable cardboard, in which case you can make a wooden stand on top.
Choose durable cardboard
If you want to make a more complex design, it is recommended to prepare 2 more boxes of different sizes. This will expand the scope for creative ideas. It is also worth making sure that the drawings are easily applied to the paper. They must be clearly visible, since in case of an error, you will have to look for new material.
Complex design of several boxes
3 types of “false fireplaces” are often used, namely:
- Christmas with New Year decorations.
- Corner hearth.
- Standard wall.
For each of them it is necessary to select a certain amount of materials and types of cardboard boxes. To make the structure more stable and reliable, you can place a wooden frame inside. This will be relevant in a family with small children.
Christmas wall
Types of fireplaces for apartments and private houses by type of heat distribution
Models differ in the number of directions in which heat energy is released and distributed during fuel combustion. There are 3 options defined here.
Unilateral
This design boasts increased heat transfer due to the inclination of the internal walls of the fireboxes. The heat energy generated during combustion is reflected from the walls and removed through the firebox window.
Double sided
Here, 2 sides of the device are made transparent, and they can be located next to or opposite each other. The model is preferred to be placed indoors due to its creative appearance. However, before purchasing, it is important to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of this design:
- The chimney pipe is designed for high draft so that the fuel burns out as quickly as possible. Therefore, high demands are placed on the smoke exhaust system of the room.
- There are no reflective surfaces inside the firebox, which reduces the amount of heat generated. Because of this, the energy efficiency of the model is lower.
- During operation, you need to control not one, but two sides so that smoldering coal does not fall out of them. This dictates the requirement for the floor covering and the need to increase the area protected from elevated temperatures.
Trilateral
The main advantage of this design is the design component. Externally, the fireplace looks like an aquarium with a fire burning in it, with only one side built into the wall. As a result, the heating element looks light and airy. However, do not forget about the disadvantages:
- It is necessary to take care of thermal insulation of all joints with the floor covering.
- The maximum amount of heat is felt from the front side, which is opposite the reflective wall of the firebox.
- Energy efficiency is low.
How to make it in honor of the Christmas holidays?
To make a Christmas hearth, you will need only 3 cardboard boxes, one of them should be large and the other 2 should be smaller, but identical. The first is installed at the center, and the others at the edges. Next, the items are glued together with tape or reliable glue.
Creating a frame for a future fireplace
If there are no boxes of the same height in the house, they are trimmed. At the same time, the upper part should not have any dips.
It is advisable to use the same room where the fireplace will be installed, where the spruce will be located, this will create more comfort and a festive atmosphere.
The first thing you need to do is remove the front part of the wall from the large box, which is located in the middle; this is where the combustion hole will be located. The fireplace can be placed on a pre-prepared border, so it will look much more impressive.
Fireplace border
If you want to make artificial bricks, you can use thin foam. It needs to be marked and rectangular shapes cut out, slightly smaller than a standard brick (if the size allows, you can use the original dimensions of the stone).
DIY decorative brick
Now you can start gluing the foam. The bricks must be placed in a checkerboard pattern so that the masonry is as close in appearance as possible to the real thing. After the work has been done, the glue must harden, only after that the work can be continued.
Gluing foam to the fireplace
Now you can start painting. It is advisable to prime in several layers so that all parts have the same color . The border is usually painted yellow, and the bricks red or gold. If the owner wants to make a fireplace not only for the New Year holidays, you can buy brown paint.
How to decorate a New Year's fireplace?
To decorate the Christmas hearth, various toys and natural materials are used, for example:
- Spruce branches.
- Cones.
- Balls.
- Rain.
- Christmas socks for gifts.
- Fruits.
- Candies.
- Bells.
- Figures of Father Frost and Snow Maiden.
- Snowflakes made of paper.
- Illuminated garlands.
Toys and decorations for the Christmas fireplace
You need to use the right colors. It is recommended to use jewelry in green, red, gold, blue or white, as well as their shades.
Fireplaces made of polyurethane in retro style
Such a hearth will look harmonious and interesting in rooms where there is antique furniture. The effect of artificial aging of paint allows you to create an object in an antique style. Creating a design includes the following steps:
The base of the hearth will be made of a pallet, then two guide strips are attached using dowels. The planks should vary in thickness. The base is also attached to the wall using planks, and a fireplace shelf is made on top. The side walls are lined with foam plastic. Next, the structure is painted with paint, with an aging effect. The most popular color is light gray. After painting, the coating is slightly scratched and matted with another layer. To add a vintage style, the firebox can be covered with newspaper clippings, and an antique chest can be placed in the niche itself, with a garland at the bottom. Place the firewood in a pile inside the chest, in a chaotic manner.
Retro fireplaces made of foam plastic
Interesting: If you can find a couple of old boards that are not rotten, you can make a shelf with all the elements of natural material.
Thus, the completed art object will be fully consistent with the ancient style. For complete harmony with the interior, you can place vintage photographs in frames on the mantelpiece.
How to make a wall one?
This species is common among people living in apartments. It does not take up much space and fits well into any interior. To make a wall fireplace from cardboard boxes, you will need the following tools and materials:
- stationery knife;
- sponge, brush or other precision painting tool;
- reliable glue (Moment or glue for plastic products is recommended).
- construction tape;
- putty or water-based white paint;
- cardboard boxes (if possible, large packages from under a refrigerator, wide-screen TV or washing machine are more suitable for the fireplace).
- paper;
- pencil or thin marker for drawings;
- ruler;
- foam for creating a stand and other decorative elements.
When creating a drawing on paper, it is advisable to indicate not only the main building products, but also decorations.
Sometimes the owner does not have a couple of large boxes, but has many medium ones. In this case, you can carefully glue them together and do almost the same thing.
When the sketch is ready and applied to paper, you can begin to transfer it to cardboard boxes. For convenience, main and auxiliary lines are drawn with different colors of pens or markers.
Think through every step so you don't miss anything
Next we make a combustion hole. To do this, take a knife and cut it in the center of the box. It is very important to remember to leave part of the front wall at the top and sides so that you can glue it to the back and cover the empty space.
Finishing work
After the work on creating the main frame is completed, you can begin finishing. You can use anything here, depending on the idea. Usually it is covered with original wallpaper or tracing paper. If there are people in the family who draw well, you can apply beautiful patterns or draw themed drawings in honor of a holiday.
Use your favorite material to decorate the fireplace
If you want to make a standard fireplace, you can use foam bricks, just like with the Christmas fireplace. We remember that artificial stones can be glued not only on the outside, but also on the inside, where the flame usually burns.
To decorate the front part, you can purchase special figurines in the form of flowers, angels and other things in the store. They are made from lightweight material, so they never fall off, even when using regular PVA glue.
Decorate the fireplace with various decor from the store
To install a shelf on top, you must first glue the baseboard along its edges. In this case, it is advisable to use as original products as possible. As a shelf, you can use a wooden sheet made of plywood or other material, the main thing is that it is not too heavy. If the frame is not further strengthened, there is a risk of structural failure.
Measurements of the mantelpiece should be taken only after the baseboard has been installed; if you cut it to fit the dimensions of the fireplace itself, it may not fit.
Painting
Almost 90% of people who make a fireplace for an apartment out of cardboard with their own hands paint it with white water-based paint. But if you approach the issue more creatively, you can give the hearth a vintage look and use ordinary putty for drywall (after applying it, you need to dry the coating with a hairdryer).
If you still decide to just paint a homemade fireplace, you can use a simple brush, and a sponge is necessary to cover the most difficult to reach places with paint.
The easiest option is to just paint it white.
The wall one is almost ready, all that remains is to decorate it. You can install a photograph of a real flame inside, and put real or homemade firewood in the firebox. Sometimes people place candlesticks on a shelf, it looks very impressive and gives an antique feel.
Decorate with all the holiday paraphernalia
Varieties in appearance
Each style direction has its own characteristics and characteristics. They will be discussed below. Also in this section you will find beautiful pictures of different types of fireplaces.
Country
This fireplace cannot be confused with something else, due to the presence of a massive beam made of natural wood located at the top of the portal. Another distinctive feature is the D-shaped base. The very name of the style stands for “rustic”, this dictates the use of the most laconic, but at the same time constructive solutions.
The base material used is sandstone or shell rock. They are easy to process and install, have a porous structure and allow them to retain heat for a long time. To finish the outside of the chimney pipe, gypsum-containing materials are used, which are simply applied and do not require a long time to harden.
Classic
The traditional shape is the letter “P”. Here the massive outlines, which have decorative decorations - bas-reliefs and columns, are striking.
The main materials used are natural marble, noble wood, and malachite. If the interior is decorated in English style, forged elements made of cast iron would be appropriate.
Modern
This style is based on traditional classics, modified in accordance with today's trends. The classic design looks weighty and dimensional, but the modern product has straight lines and light decorative details that organically blend into the minimalist style of office and other premises. Quite often, fireplaces decorated in the Art Nouveau style have a height from floor to ceiling.
Loft
One of the most popular styles today. This direction in interior design is guided by a unique combination of minimalism, the naturalness of natural materials, lightness and airiness, and harmony. The main feature here is cost-effectiveness - creating a room in a loft style does not require large financial costs and investments.
If we talk about a loft fireplace, functionality and practicality come first. When arranging it, you can completely abandon decorative elements or make them as simple and concise as possible. When you contact Ferrum, our specialists will select the optimal solution for your specific case, meeting the required budget and deadlines.
Hi-Tech
In style, high innovative technologies come first. Distinctive features are the futuristic shape and the use of modern fireproof materials. High-tech combines various structures: glass, metal, periclase, concrete and even ordinary water create unique ensembles and combinations.
The main disadvantage when designing such an end is that the creative appearance in some cases negatively affects the efficiency of the equipment. Therefore, you need to carefully study the design and evaluate all its details.
Making a corner
The layout of some apartments involves the formation of a corner part in the most visible place. As a result, the family thinks for a long time about how to decorate or hide this defect. One solution is to make a corner fireplace. The design is not overly complicated, so all family members can take part in the work.
DIY corner fireplace
To begin, you need to prepare the following materials:
- Transparent tape.
- LED strip, garland or battery-powered candles for decoration.
- Construction knife and large scissors.
- Self-adhesive film or wallpaper with a brick pattern.
- Cardboard box, above average size.
The first step is to measure and determine the amount of cardboard that will be needed to completely cover the corner. If the fireplace is smaller, it will look like it is pushed into a corner. If the problem part is located at the transition from one room to another, the design will not only create comfort, but also avoid impacts on doorways.
Calculate the correct measurements for your future fireplace
How to decorate?
When the triangle is ready, it needs to be firmly glued with tape. If the design allows, the fireplace is covered with self-adhesive film. To decorate a homemade fireplace, you can use wallpaper with various patterns.
Make a rigid frame for stability
Now it's time to start making the shelf. If you don't have plywood or other suitable hard material on hand, leftover cardboard will do. The only condition is to make it more durable; you need to use several layers. To finish the stand, self-adhesive wood effect is usually used.
Feel free to cover it with themed wallpaper and decorate it
Next we are decorating the inside. To make a homemade fireplace glow from the inside, previously prepared electronic candles, garlands or LED strips are used. They can be folded inside and covered with artificial firewood, which will create a burning effect. This hearth can also serve as a night light.
Making a solid base
The lower part of a homemade fireplace, which serves as a stand, must be strong and rigid, since in addition to the entire weight of the structure, it must withstand all objects placed on the hearth over a long period.
You can strengthen the lower border using additional inserts; they will be secured inside the cardboard frame. Such “ribs” can be placed along the entire length at certain intervals or simply glued randomly along the entire bottom.
Strengthen all parts for structural reliability
The reinforcement inserts must be the same height, otherwise the weight will be distributed unevenly, which will affect their holding capacity.
The lower part in the form of a stand should always be longer and wider than the main structure of the fireplace, by about 100-120 mm. To make a support, you can use the 2 simplest and most effective methods:
- cut out two identical sheets of cardboard (bottom and top). “ribs” are glued onto one of them to support the fireplace. Here you can use double-sided tape or glue;
- find a flat box with sides and install reinforcing inserts inside.
An easy way to do it yourself
How to decorate a stand?
Like any other element, the stand needs decoration. The simplest thing you can do is to choose original side panels for it, cover the cardboard with self-adhesive tape with a pattern, wrap it in wallpaper or paint it. But there are other, more original ideas.
Self-adhesive with a pattern in the design of the fireplace
If the homemade fireplace was made in honor of the Christmas holidays, the base can be painted red or white and wrapped in rain and garland.
Step by step creating an imitation
For standard, people often use wide baseboards with beautiful patterns. They can be bought at any hardware store and installed in the lower and upper parts of the fireplace; it always looks very beautiful and complete.
Elegant fireplace with wide baseboard
A homemade fireplace of any kind can be made by anyone with no experience in construction. Also, such a hearth will make your apartment or house more comfortable, and during the New Year holidays it will create the necessary magical atmosphere. It is worth noting that Christmas or other photographs next to the fireplace always turn out spectacular and memorable for a lifetime.
Decorative fireplace
Making a fireplace that everyone will love
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Fireplace decor
When the painted fireplace is ready, we begin to decorate it. To do this we will need the following decorative elements:
- serpentine;
- ball - Christmas tree toy;
- rain, thread, tape.
Using threads, we make a patterned strand from rain ribbons (with threads we divide the ribbons into small divisions), which then needs to be attached with tape to the top of the firebox of the decorative fireplace. It will be easier to do this with double-sided tape.
Now we tie a bow from a strip of green serpentine and also attach it to the painted fireplace, on the right side. Here you need to hang a Christmas tree decoration - a ball - on tape. That is, the ball should be in the center of the bow. Check that everything holds well, otherwise the parts may come off at the most inopportune moment.
If shiny patterns don’t seem enough for you, you can also add a piece of golden rain to the firebox of a decorative fireplace, thereby emphasizing the bright fire.
That's all, our painted fireplace is ready! It can be glued to any surface (box, wall, closet) and decorated with additional New Year's accessories.
Santa will definitely visit such a fireplace and leave something tasty in his socks)
