Many people want to make the interior of their house or apartment original and impressive. Today on the Internet you can find a great variety of truly original and interesting ideas, ideas. Among them, not the least popular decoration is the fireplace. However, not everyone has the opportunity to install a wood-burning stove with a chimney indoors. That's why how Alternative option, you can make a decorative fireplace from boxes. A fireplace made from boxes is one of the most budget-friendly and attractive solutions.
Yes, you can make a fireplace out of boxes with your own hands. To do this, you will need packaging from various household appliances, electronics, which you can always find at hand at home. So how do you do this? Read further in the article!
Selection of materials
Before making a fireplace, we need to select suitable materials for the manufacture of such a decorative design. In order to assemble a false fireplace with your own hands, we will need to acquire:
- In boxes. There can be many of them various forms and sizes, as well as just one or several large ones. Boxes can be not only different sizes, but also forms;
- Wallpaper or plain paper. If you are going to use wallpaper to decorate the portal, one tube will be enough for you;
- To glue boxes, wallpaper, paper together, you will need to buy an adhesive base - it can be silicate or PVA glue;
- Scotch tape (regular, masking and double-sided);
- Paint brushes, sponges and rags;
- For basic work we will need a stationery knife and a simple pencil. Additionally, you can get a ruler and scissors, a tape measure and a building level;
- If you are going to equip the fireplace portal with a shelf or tabletop, you will need a sheet of plasterboard or plywood.
It is also worth purchasing in advance necessary materials for decoration fireplace portal. This can be wallpaper with a print imitating the classic brick surface of a fireplace. A fireplace made of cardboard can be decorated self-adhesive film, the surface of which imitates natural minerals such as marble, sandstone or granite. Classic volumetric patterns represented by various columns, plaster elements, baseboards, and foam decor look beautiful and stylish. The surface can also be painted with simple paint from a can or bucket.
If you want the final result to be a rougher and more uneven surface, it is recommended to use liquid wallpaper, which has a corrugated structure and a rather uneven surface. All kinds of acrylic compositions. This paint is practically odorless, dries quickly and has interesting shades and tones (gold, silver, bronze, sparkles, mother-of-pearl).
Getting to know the varieties
A fireplace, the portal of which has a purely decorative function, may have more advanced functionality and a number of additional features. Such a false fireplace will be an excellent addition and decoration to the electric fireplace firebox. Electric fireplace will be an excellent alternative wood stove and can be installed even in an apartment.
Since cardboard and boxes are classified as flammable, it is unsafe to install a biofireplace or gas fireplace in it. For the same reasons, it is strictly forbidden to install a fireplace with a water circuit.
Installation of such fireplaces is impossible not only due to the strong heating of the housing, but also due to the rather large mass. It is also not recommended to install open fireboxes and an electric fireplace with a heating function.
The best option is a modern electric fireplace with 3D with the effect of a burning flame and high-quality sound visualization and lighting.
You can make a false fireplace with your own hands in one of the following styles:
- The category of modern fireplaces includes fireboxes in the Art Nouveau style. The direction is distinguished by its originality of shapes and sizes. It is possible to have and use contrasting shades, bright, catchy and cold tones;
- A false fireplace in a high-tech style will look stylish and original. For creating the required image, you can design the portal in one fairly calm and muted shade (black, gray, white, silver, metallic). Complete the look with a mirror or glass decor;
- The classic style is always appropriate and will be relevant even in ten years. A classic fireplace is a wealth of patterns, ornaments, voluminous decor, and expensive decoration. It is fashionable to complement the frame with columns, candlesticks, and shelves;
- Rustic style or country motifs will make the fireplace and atmosphere in the room as cozy and homely as possible. Natural and environmentally friendly materials are always used for finishing in this direction. However, for a false fireplace you can use photo wallpaper with a pattern and texture of stone. You can decorate the combustion chamber with firewood.
DIY step-by-step assembly
As it turns out, you can make a fireplace with your own hands quite quickly and on a budget. To do this, you will need to use the following step-by-step guide:
- First of all, decide on the room and specific place, in which the structure will be installed. A false fireplace can be island, corner or wall-mounted. The smallest are the corner portals. Also, with the help of a fireplace you can hide some wall defects;
- Using a building level, first apply all the necessary marks to the floor and walls and carry out a control check;
- The quality of the pre-drawn drawing and sketch of the fireplace plays an important role. Make it as detailed as possible, indicate the dimensions and features of the firebox, portal and each decorative element;
- The base can be either several separate boxes glued together, or one large box from under an LCD TV. Double-sided tape is used to glue several boxes together;
- We remove unnecessary decor and things that interfere with work from the room. Apply the marks indicated in the drawing to the box using a pencil;
- The basis of any false fireplace is a podium, which is responsible for the stability of the structure. The podium must first be strengthened. For this purpose, its sides are supplemented with special cardboard inserts. The ribs must be installed in a perpendicular position to the podium and secured with tape. Each rib has a height equal to the side edge of the pedestal. Also, the sides of the pedestal can be strengthened using several layers of cardboard, which are secured with tape. To ensure that the structure is as stable as possible. The podium is made wider and larger than the portal itself by 80-100 millimeters.
Do-it-yourself portal for a false fireplace
A fireplace in an apartment made of cardboard or boxes can be made of either a frame type or have a back wall. Fireplace instructions or step by step guide for assembly:
- If you want to assemble a frame frame, you need to prepare cardboard, which will become the front of your fireplace. We make marks in the area where the hearth will be located and make an incision in the upper part. For this we need a stationery knife. It is also necessary to cut the central part of the portal. We bend the cut sections, they will become the sides of the combustion compartment. A rectangular strip is cut out, the width of which will be equal to the sides of the frame, and the length will be equal to the width of the combustion compartment. After this, we fix the ceiling part with tape and strengthen the inner part frame panels, consisting of 2-3 layers of glued cardboard. The frame is installed and secured to the podium using glue;
- A portal with a back wall is easier to implement. It can be formed from just one large box. Incisions are made in it, the upper and combustion parts are formed and folded. Next, the portal is installed and secured to the pedestal.
You can complement a false fireplace and make it more functional with the help of a mantelpiece. It can be assembled from one sheet of drywall or plywood. Also, a fairly high-quality shelf is obtained by gluing 2-3 layers of cardboard together. To secure the shelf to the frame, use double-sided tape.
Before you begin cladding the portal, you need to prepare the surface. To do this, the cardboard is pre-painted with water-based paint, acrylic from a spray can, or puttied. This is necessary to obtain a uniform shade and get rid of contrasting spots. As an alternative, you can cover the surface of the portal with several layers of white paper, the so-called papier mache.
For surface cladding, you can use photo wallpaper simulating brickwork, marble, or granite. The rough surface formed by applying liquid wallpaper. You can simply paint the frame or apply self-adhesive film.
The firebox can also be decorated at your discretion: with firewood, garlands. Above the fireplace you can place a mirror, a clock, a picture. On the shelf there are various candlesticks, candles, figurines, photo frames.
Corner false fireplace
You can also make a corner false fireplace with your own hands. To do this, you will need the following step-by-step guide:
- We find the most advantageous angle for placing the fireplace in a room with good visibility;
- We make a podium from one large box. We cut the sides and shape them in such a way that they perfectly match the shape of the selected corner in the room. For fastening we use masking tape;
- To strengthen the structure, we equip the sidewalls with stiffening ribs. To do this, we don’t do it on the sides big sizes using a utility knife. Optimal distance between cuts is 10-15 centimeters. The marks will connect to inside and bend the cardboard. Next, all excess and remnants of cardboard are removed and gluing is performed;
- A size for the firebox is made in the center of the portal. Recommended shape: square or rectangle. The top may have a slight rounding of the pores, similar to the arch principle. Bottom part They are not cut, but folded inward to form a firebox. Secure with masking tape and trim off all excess;
- At the next stage it is necessary to form the side walls of the portal. To do this, take two cardboard sheets, the height and length of which are equal to the dimensions of the combustion compartment. We cut them to shape and secure them with masking tape. Top part the fireplace is also formed from one cardboard sheet;
- We equip the mantelpiece portal from two sheets of cardboard connected to each other with PVA glue;
- After the glue has dried well, we line the frame with the selected materials.
As an addition you will burn to do it yourself decorative firewood for the fireplace. To do this, take cardboard and remove the first smooth layer. We determine the length and thickness of the logs so that they look harmonious with the fireplace insert. To form firewood, you need to cut a strip, which rolls up and can be supplemented with small knots. To form logs, after rolling, it is necessary to glue the edges of the workpiece well with PVA glue and additionally secure it with thread. For small branches, it is enough to cut out a small and very thin strip of cardboard, glue it, dry it and stick it to the main log. Next, the surface is painted with white paint and, after drying, repainted suitable color. To make birch logs, the original color can be left white and after the paint has dried, apply a few strokes or stripes with black paint.
For painting you can use acrylic, oil or gouache.
This decorative fireplace is made from cardboard boxes anyone can do it. At the same time, the design and design of a false portal can be very diverse. The advantages of a false fireplace made from boxes include mobility, light weight and environmental friendliness.
In this video you will learn in more detail how to assemble a fireplace with your own hands from boxes or cardboard for an apartment or house. The video shows a Christmas fireplace for the New Year:
Reading time ≈ 8 minutes
It's just around the corner new year holidays, which means it’s time to think about creating the appropriate mood. In this case, a fireplace will help us, and we’ll look in more detail at how to make one out of a box with your own hands for the New Year 2020 with step-by-step instructions and photo examples.
Decorative fireplace styles
Making a false fireplace is possible in one of the following styles:
Calculation of parts and pattern
The photo shows standard size hearth, which can be used as a basis when assembling a New Year's fireplace. However, this does not mean that you cannot make changes or add something of your own. The design parameters are determined by the installation location, the number and size of the boxes used.
The fireplace can be assembled either wall-mounted or corner-mounted.
If the box is large, use a pen and ruler to mark the size of the firebox, cut the cardboard with a knife and bend it into in the right places. When using small boxes, they can be joined together using tape, giving the product the desired shape.
Finishing a false fireplace
An important role when making a hearth from cardboard boxes is played by its decoration. Mostly similar products covered with materials that imitate brick. The decor can be made either from red paper or painted using a template.
Convenient receiving option beautiful finishes– use wallpaper to resemble brick or plaster.
Brickwork can also be made from thin foam, which will require cutting the material into pieces the right size. As a result, the finished structure will be white.
Another option for finishing a fireplace is a laminate underlay, for example, beige colour, which is quite suitable for the purposes under consideration.
To decorate the fireplace, rectangles are cut from the substrate and pasted over the workpiece.
The easiest way to finish is to cover the fireplace with white paper or cover the cardboard with water-based emulsion.
How to imitate fire in a fireplace
Not a single hearth, even a decorative one, is complete without fire.
When using a fireplace made of cardboard, do not forget about safety precautions - you cannot use candles inside a structure with an open fire. All lighting elements must operate exclusively on batteries or mains power.
Let's consider options for adding fire to the fireplace:
- draw a fire on cardboard, cut it out and paste it into the firebox;
- place LED candles in the hearth;
- use garlands and strips with LED elements;
- decorate the firebox New Year's decor, for example, balls.
How to make logs
To make the fireplace look like a real one, you can add logs to it. For these purposes, they are suitable as real birch logs. small sizes, and artificial. If you don’t want to search for material for logs, you can make them yourself.
For this you will need:
- corrugated cardboard;
- glue;
- knife and scissors;
- gouache paint and brush;
- twine.
The procedure for making logs is as follows:
The best ideas for New Year's fireplaces made from boxes
There are artificial foci different forms and dimensions. We will consider some options step by step.
Christmas fireplace
To manufacture the product in question, the following tools and materials are needed:
- cardboard boxes;
- ruler;
- pencil;
- White paint;
- brush;
- golden acrylic paint;
- construction tape;
- small nails;
- New Year's accessories.
Having prepared everything you need, follow these steps:
- In the center of the box we mark the firebox itself.
- We cut the cardboard from the sides and top.
- To ensure that the cardboard bends well, we press down the markings with the corner of a ruler. We repeat this procedure several times and give the workpiece its shape.
- We bend the cardboard inward and secure it with tape.
- Using another box, we cut out two pieces of equal size: they will serve as the walls of the future fireplace.
- We fasten the blanks with tape in such a way as to form a firebox. Then we paint our product with white paint and leave it until completely dry.
- We finish the fireplace by applying a brick pattern.
- Using small nails we attach the garland and tinsel to the product.
Brick fireplace
To make the fireplace look like a real one, as a material that will imitate brickwork, you can use self-adhesive film. First we prepare:
- carton boxes;
- self-adhesive;
- scotch;
- glue;
- metal ruler;
- scissors.
The brick fireplace master class consists of the following step-by-step actions:
- We cut the box into two parts.
- We push the blanks so that the cardboard can be bent.
- We prepare the self-adhesive.
- We cut off the decorative film with a margin so that the edges go to the back of the cardboard.
- We glue the decorative film. If self-adhesive is used, then you need to apply it slightly tightly, carefully smoothing it out and removing bubbles.
- We connect the blanks with tape and seal them with decor. If the length of the film is not enough, you can attach it in short pieces, since it will not be noticeable.
- Cut out and paste over the remaining elements. The result should be a central piece, two corners and a top.
- We fold the parts so that a firebox is formed, and then glue them together with tape.
- We also glue the top with tape. To decorate the product we use socks and garlands.
From the video you can learn how to make a hearth from cardboard boxes.
Corner false fireplace
If the room you intend to decorate is small in size, you can make a fireplace from cardboard corner type. Thus, it will be possible to update the decor and get a shelf. We will need the following list:
- box;
- ruler;
- pencil;
- scotch;
- decor
Let's look at the step-by-step instructions for making a fireplace from cardboard on New Year with your own hands:
Trapezoid fireplace
How to make an unusual trapezoidal fireplace out of a box with your own hands for the New Year 2020, let’s take a closer look at the step-by-step instructions with photo examples:
On cold winter evenings, when you want warmth and comfort, you can recreate the appropriate atmosphere by building a false fireplace at home from scrap materials. For example, you can build an excellent New Year's fireplace with your own hands from boxes, ordinary cardboard boxes from large household appliances. Difficulties in building such decorative elements no, just be patient and do all the work carefully. Let's figure out together how to make a fireplace out of boxes.
Option #1
Before creating your own unique fireplace from cardboard, it is advisable to decide on the location of its installation. It is important to create not only a full-fledged element of the interior, but also a structure that fits perfectly into the design concept of the room. By selecting suitable style and the harmonious appearance of the future product, you can begin to create.
Forming the desired shape from a cardboard box
How can you make a fireplace out of boxes with your own hands for the New Year? To begin, take a suitable cardboard box, draw it out, cut it into pieces, tape them together, creating common features future fireplace.
The cardboard portal of the false fireplace is ready
To carry out all work on the manufacture of a decorative structure you will need:
- decent cardboard box big size or several small ones;
- paper for pasting the product, or paint for painting the outside;
- crepe, adhesive tape or masking tape for fixing parts;
- marker, pen, ruler or spatula for marking and painting the fireplace;
- a tape measure, a level, and a stationery knife are also necessary.
Funny painting on the outside of the fireplace
The finished shape of the fireplace can be covered with paper, in this case packaging paper, and then painted with patterns to your taste. The easiest way is to use a thick alcohol marker and draw the patterns using a stencil.
Finished structure in the living room
The result is a simple structure that can be further decorated with suitable accessories. If desired, it can be painted and decorated in accordance with general ideas about appearance fireplaces.
Option No. 2
To create a large, full-fledged fireplace, you will need an appropriate cardboard box. You can take packaging from furniture, a refrigerator or a TV; their dimensions should be enough for you. To avoid being distracted by searching for tools and materials later, prepare glue, writing instruments, tape or masking tape, and a ruler.
A false fireplace made of cardboard boxes is a common interior item in city apartments and photo studios. There are several ways to make such a structure yourself, but all of them do not require construction skills or serious financial investments.
A decorative fireplace is a solution for those who want to create an atmosphere of comfort and warmth in their home, but it is impossible to install a real fireplace. A false fireplace can be built without difficulty and expense from ordinary cardboard boxes.
Options for decorative fireplaces
There are many tips on the topic: “How to make a decorative fireplace from boxes with your own hands?” This article will discuss the three most common options for creating a false fireplace from cardboard:
- fake wall fireplace;
- fake corner fireplace;
- Christmas hearth.
Making a fireplace from boxes is a simple and inexpensive process. The installation of such a piece of furniture takes no more than 2-3 hours.
Creating a wall fireplace
A fake wall-mounted fireplace made from boxes is very often found in the apartments of city residents. To make such a piece of furniture, you need to prepare following materials and tools:
Step-by-step instruction on creating a false fireplace from boxes:
- First, a sketch of the future structure is made on paper. Craftsmen without imagination can find a fireplace diagram on the Internet. The dimensions of the parts are indicated in the figure.
- For convenience, the installation layout is transferred to a cardboard box. To make it easier to work, all main lines are drawn with a pen or marker, auxiliary lines - with a pencil.
- At the bottom of the box, a stationery knife (cutter) is used to make a rectangular fire hole for the “fire”. The cut off blades of the box are glued to back wall packaging. If the box is very large, then the excess part is simply cut off.
- After creating the main frame, proceed to finishing works. The surface of the box can be covered with wallpaper, film or tracing paper. Many craftsmen apply Chinese ornaments using special prepared templates. If you plan to do classic version fireplace, then most often they resort to the following decoration technology. Individual parts are cut out from foam borders to create decorative decoration. They cut the foam at an angle of 45 degrees, so that later the parts can be easily assembled into squares/rectangles.
Advice! You can buy parts for decorating the fireplace (curbs, baseboards, etc.) at any hardware store.
- Squares and rectangles are made from the cut out strips on the walls of the future fireplace and glued to the surface of the box. Typically, the figures are placed symmetrically to each other, two rectangles on each side relative to the combustion hole and directly above it. The place for the “hearth” can also be decorated with such borders.
Advice! As decoration, some use foam plastic parts in the form of angels, flowers, etc.
- At the top of the decorative fireplace made from boxes you need to glue the baseboard. It forms a mantelpiece and gives the structure a finished look.
Important! The mantelpiece is made from thicker foam or plywood.
- The material under the shelf is glued to the top of the fireplace.
- Next we start painting the box. Most often used water-based paint white. If you plan to do decorative false fireplace antique, then instead of coloring compounds they use regular putty for drywall. It is applied to the future fireplace and dried with a hairdryer.
Advice! The paint is applied in several layers using a brush, in hard to reach places use a sponge to cover.
The wall-mounted fireplace made from boxes is ready, all that remains is to decorate the structure. To simulate fire, you can glue a photograph of a live fire to the inner wall of the fireplace. You can put homemade “firewood” in the firebox or put candlesticks. It all depends on the flight of fancy of the master.
Master class on creating a corner fireplace from boxes
A corner false fireplace is most often installed in small spaces. The creation of this design takes place in several stages:
- Selecting a location, taking measurements.
- Place a cardboard box in a suitable corner. It is advisable that its parameters correspond to the parameters of the corner space - this will make it easier to make a fireplace.
- A semicircular slit is made in the front wall of the package so that it can be folded inward.
- At the top of the cut part, two arcs are made so that it takes the shape of a triangle. The resulting part is fixed with tape or glue between the sides and front of the fireplace.
- The back wall of the box is cut off and the structure is “adjusted” to an angle.
- The walls of the box are glued together with tape.
- The resulting false fireplace from the boxes is wallpapered or painted. The “hearth” covered with paper or film “like a brick” looks impressive.
- The fireplace tabletop is made of plywood or thick cardboard, glued in several layers. The shelf is covered with paint or pasted over to look like wood.
The mantelpiece can be made of lightweight building material- plywood, thick cardboard, etc.
You can decorate a corner decorative fireplace made of boxes using any attributes - candles, garlands, figurines, etc.
Homemade fireplace from boxes for Christmas
To create a festive “hearth” you will need three cardboard boxes - one large and two smaller. They are glued together - the big one is in the center, the small ones are at the edges.
New Year is a holiday of magic and miracle. Both children and adults are looking forward to it. It is on this holiday that there is an opportunity to get at least a little into a fairy tale, hear warm words and wishes, spend time with family, loved ones and friends. The New Year requires thorough preparation - from gift wrapping to decoration festive table. The main place in the pre-holiday bustle is home decoration. The presence of a fireplace in the house creates a special warmth and mood. According to tradition, they usually lie near it new Year gifts. Therefore, a beautifully decorated fireplace can be the highlight of your home this holiday.
Advice! If the boxes are of different heights, they are trimmed and made the same size.
In the central box, the front wall is removed and a combustion hole is obtained. Visually it is distinguished using a foam border or plinth. To make a fireplace “like a brick,” small rectangular pieces of the same size are cut from cardboard or polystyrene foam and glued to the surface of the boxes in a checkerboard pattern like brickwork. The fireplace is primed in several layers so that all parts are the same color. Next, the installation is painted brown, and the borders are painted yellow. To make the “bricks” more textured, dotted onto them using a sponge. gold paint. The finished decorative fireplace is decorated with New Year's tinsel, toys and garlands. We advise you to study the material in more detail and add the article to your bookmarks.
You can easily make a decorative fireplace from boxes with your own hands. Such a structure will make the room warmer and more comfortable.