The installation of a fireplace is one of the interesting interior solutions that gives interior decoration the home has internal warmth, comfort and homely appeal. But it is not always possible to fit a real fireplace into the design. As a rule, this is due to the inability to install a chimney, lack of space to store firewood and other reasons related to the use of an open fire indoors.
There is nothing difficult to create an imitation of a fireplace without heating in an apartment with your own hands. To do this you will need sheets of plasterboard, materials for exterior finishing, fantasy for the project and good mood for work. The false fireplace is ready and all that remains is to fill it with artificial flames, sit in a chair and enjoy the play of light and shadow.
The main task of the illusion of a living fire in the hearth is to create a spectacular, most realistic feeling of a burning flame. Visualization is the main element of the task, but it is far from the only one. To complete the perception of the picture, not only the visual component is necessary, but also the corresponding crackling sound and smell of burning panels, as well as a physical sensation heat flow. For this there are modern techniques creating a “cold fire” in a false fireplace.
A little history
First experiments in creating safe fire and transformation household heaters In the decorative elements of residential premises, efforts have been made for a long time. The origins of this trend include an electric fireplace with a heating element and a decorative panel. It was made in the form of smoldering coals with internal illumination by an ordinary incandescent lamp. Similar imitators could be found in the middle of the last century.
Somewhat later, the lighting was given more dynamism. Electrical appliances were equipped with strips of foil that rose in the streams warm air and reflected fancy reflections on the body of the device, creating the effect of a flickering flame.
The first successful illusion of live fire was cutting light fabric swaying in artificial air jets, pumped by a built-in fan. This principle of simulating open flames formed the basis for the further development of the design direction and still has the right to life.
Cold fire obtained in this way “in pure form", has a sufficient level of entertainment, light reflections bizarrely and uniquely change their position in space. But the realism of such an imitation is low, since the picture looks hand-drawn. To add volume and “visual vitality”, a built-in system of mirrors and light filters is used, as well as electronic control lighting elements.
In addition to electronic and mechanical methods of creating the effect of live fire, digital and LCD technologies, cold steam generators, 3D holograms with a stereo effect and other achievements of modern development of science and technology are widely used in our time.
There are several ways to light a safe fire in an apartment fireplace. Let's look at them in more detail.
Method one. simplest
If there is no desire or opportunity to manufacture a complex electronic-mechanical structure, then you can use the simplest solution to the problem: paste a photographic image of burning wood into the hearth of the fireplace. To give some semblance of realism it is necessary to install Spotlights with filters of various colors.
The lowest cost, but no less effective, would be to use an old Christmas tree garland. To achieve this, the inside of the mini-shades is lined with reflective foil. The controller built into the garland will allow you to simulate the dynamics of light transmission, like from living flames. To give the picture a visual stereo volume, you can select a holographic 3D image of an open fire of a suitable size.
Method two. Theatrical
As the name suggests, this method is borrowed from theatrical props. When, according to the plot of a play, it is necessary to light a safe fire on stage, the decorators use just such a fire.
To light a theatrical fire in the fireplace, you need to stock up on the following items:
- silent fan of medium power;
- halogen lamps;
- color filters of appropriate shades;
- white silk.
The fan housing is dismantled. Its working part is rigidly mounted at the bottom of your fireplace so that the forced air flows perpendicular to the base. The electrical wiring is laid in cable channels and led outside the fireplace.
Three halogen lamps are mounted below the working plane of the fan: one along the central axis of the fan, two at an angle of 30 degrees in each direction. The direction of light on the future hearth should be from bottom to top.
As brackets for lamps, you can use the remains of bent metal profile for gypsum boards. Light filters are attached at a distance of 1-2 cm in front of each lamp. It is additionally recommended to install a light filter on the central lamp of blue color, this will give the flame more exotic highlights.
The next stage is imitation of flames. Future flames of irregular shape are cut from white silk and attached to the fan grille in “artistic disorder.”
The open fire simulator is ready for use. All that remains is to adjust the fan power, the angle of the light filters and fill the artificial parts of the fireplace with purchased birch charcoal.
Method three. water vapor
All these devices can be purchased at retail sales or dismantle old concert equipment that creates a steam effect.
Fog generators are installed at the bottom of a sealed container for distilled water. Each generator in its design involves a membrane, which, due to high-frequency vibration, creates a local reduced pressure. In conditions, low pressure, water evaporates at a temperature close to room temperature.
The fan is rigidly mounted in the active evaporation zone and drives the resulting steam upward. LED lighting, controlled by a decoder and a controller, creates a very realistic visual sensation of the play of light and shadow of living flames.
In the lower part of the fireplace, the steam is illuminated more strongly and there is a feeling of the presence of an open flame. At the top, the illumination is less intense and creates the illusion of smoke.
To prevent the formation of excess condensation, a diaphragm is installed in the upper part of the source.
Method four. Using a salt lamp
An electric salt lamp is a specific electric lamp. The lampshade is made of natural crystal – salt. An ordinary incandescent lamp is installed under such a lampshade. Passing through the crystal faces at different angles, the light flux is refracted and looks very realistically reminiscent of the play of living flames.
Using lampshades of different colors, a realistic imitation of live fire is created. And by using lamps with different configurations and sizes, a small fire can easily be imitated.
This method has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages include the ease of creating such an illusion and its realism. In addition, when heated by an incandescent lamp, the salt lamp saturates the surrounding air with negative ions. This leads to the neutralization of positive ions, which has positive influence on the health of its owners.
The disadvantages of this method include the very significant price of such devices and their infrequent appearance on the public market.
Method five. TV instead of live fire
Using a flat LCD TV in a fireplace is one of the simplest technical options for solving the problem. But, it should be noted, it is far from low-cost.
If the choice falls on this method of “igniting” an artificial flame in the fireplace, then first it makes sense to choose an LCD TV, and only then, based on its size, mount the fireplace body. The TV screen is installed on a 10-12 cm recess in the hearth of the fireplace. Its plastic frame is hidden by decorative elements.
Through the USB port built into the TV, a recording found on the Internet is played on the screen. Depending on your mood and surroundings, you can choose one of several recordings: the play of flames, smoldering coals or a bright fire. The selected recording will be repeated multiple times and will serve as an imitation of a live fire in the hearth.
If you place a system of mirrors and light filters along the internal planes, the picture will visually acquire volume and will look very natural.
Decorative firewood for fireplaces
To give a finished look to the fireplace underneath cold Fire it is necessary to “put” firewood and coals. Present on the windows of specialized stores huge selection decorative firewood made of plastic or ceramics. Such dummies accurately replicate the texture of dry or partially burnt wood. An imitation, purchased or made with your own hands, will turn the hearth into the center of home warmth and comfort.
In order to obtain greater realism, lighting with red filters is installed under the wood display. More expensive versions of decorative firewood provide internal lighting with a non-repeating flicker cycle.
To give the integrity of the picture, it is recommended to fill the small gaps between decorative firewood with natural charcoal.
SweetlaNika gave me a personal link to MK, but the decoration is made of plastic, but I think it can be made from mastic
Wood imitation
Using gold and mother-of-pearl Fimo (in our case, mastic) we imitate wood; to do this, we act as if we were going to make a smooth color transition manually:
Fold the triangles into a square, as shown in the figure.
Let's cut it into several strips, so that each of them has a different ratio of mother-of-pearl and gold.
Now you need to mix each strip until the color is uniform and roll into a ball. The easiest way is to knead as shown in the pictures. Roll into a long sausage, twist it in half and flatten.
After which, roll the resulting flat cake into a sausage again. Repeat the procedure until a uniform shade is obtained.
We received several of these balls, in different shades. Looking ahead, I will say that the lightest one turned out to be too much; a large number of light stripes is not good for naturalness.
We roll out these thin sausages from each ball, be sure to use our hands; squeezing from a syringe is not suitable here. The pearlescent scales must curl differently to achieve the effect.
I posted the ruler and template in the photo for neat people like me. This way I determine the approximate size of the sliced sausages. You see, I have them about two times the length of the template; when we roll them out, they will turn out to be exactly three lengths. (I don’t like a lot of scraps)) In general, you don’t have to bother with this, but just cut it into equal pieces.
You also don’t need to worry about the even thickness of the sausages. After all, the veins in the wood are also uneven.
We fold the resulting sausages into one sheet, pressing lightly against each other, in random order.
We got this canvas of alternating shades.
We take the larger rolling pin and slowly roll out all this splendor. Don’t rush, so as not to accidentally roll it out to a very thin transparent layer.
Voila! We have absolutely wooden surface. The veins turn out to be very natural, since the scales in the metallic plastic “stand on end” along the edges of each sausage and give a dark color, and in the middle each vein plays with a shade, because we rolled it out with our hands and the scales were wrapped randomly. Now it all looks very natural. By the way, it is in this photo that you can clearly see that there are too many light stripes. You need to make them either darker or smaller in number.
One of fashion trends in interior decoration - Brick wall. Good for those who have a brick house. All they need is to knock off the plaster and slightly “tamper” what is available. What should the rest of us do? There are wallpapers and brick-like tiles, but not all of them are plausible, and good ones cost almost as much as a natural brick wall. The best option in this case is a self-made imitation brick for interior decoration. Moreover, “bricks-tiles” can be made separately, or you can decorate the entire wall in one go.
How to make an imitation brick wall: a short list of methods
The easiest way is if you have brickwork hidden under the plaster. Beat the plaster, clean the seams, prime and paint. The result is a natural brick wall. Moreover, it will look quite “old” and vintage. Those who are less fortunate will have to imitate this brickwork. The good news is that there are many ways available inexpensive materials, you can make a “brick wall” on concrete, plasterboard, plywood... any more or less durable surface. By the way, most techniques take little time. So, here's how to make imitation brick for interior decoration:
This is just a short list. There are several technological differences at each point. So imitation brick for interior decoration can be done in at least a dozen ways. Let's talk about some in more detail.
sawing brick
It seems like a reasonable idea to replace the expensive finishing tiles“like a brick” with bricks loosened into plates. But you need a brick good quality, without voids, inhomogeneities, underburning or overburnt areas. In general, you need an expensive brick. Or old.
An example of sawn bricks... but these are two “beautiful” parts
It's better to cut it circular saw with water cooling. It will work out decorative tiles“brick-like” in natural color. The thickness of the tiles is at least 8-10 mm. The advantages are clear: low price, no need to paint - there is a natural color. These homemade brick tiles are then glued to the walls using regular tile adhesive.
We lay out any texture from sawn bricks. And this is for decorating external corners
But there are also disadvantages: you need a good quality brick, but you still have to find it. When cutting, the plates may break. Only two of them are obtained with a beautiful surface - the extreme ones. The rest will have to be modified manually, creating relief. It’s tedious, dusty, time-consuming, difficult, and it’s not a fact that brick imitation will actually be learned “at the level.”
Despite all the shortcomings, this method is used. And this is, perhaps, the only option for homemade imitation brickwork, which can be used for exterior decoration. For these purposes (finishing the facade of a building), by the way, you can cut the brick into two halves. Everything is cheaper than buying tiles.
How to draw brickwork on a wall
If “wet” or “dusty” work is not your thing, but you know how to draw at least a little, you can paint a brick wall. You will need acrylic paints, brushes, a pair of natural sponges, masking tape, and thick paper plates for mixing paints. When thinning paints, remember that acrylic paints darken as they dry. And one more thing: they dry quickly, but freshly applied ones can be removed with a clean cloth soaked in water.
First we prepare workplace: cover the baseboard and adjacent floor with polyethylene or old wallpaper (it’s better to fix it with tape). Use masking tape to outline the boundaries - at the top, on the sides. At the bottom there is a limiter - a plinth, although in order not to get dirty, it can be removed.
Drawing bricks on the wall
- Paint the wall white semi-matte acrylic paint. Leave to dry.
- Preparing the background paint. In one of paper plates mix 1/6 part umber, 1/6 black paint and 4/6 titanium white. Immediately prepare a little paint, apply it to the wall using a sponge, simply applying the surface soaked in paint to the wall. You shouldn’t try to make a solid background - it should be torn and textured. In some places we apply the paint more densely, passing twice, in some places we apply a more transparent layer.
- On a dry background, draw several rows of bricks by hand, not using a ruler. We focus on the standard for masonry: 25 * 6.5 cm, seam thickness - 0.8-1.2 cm. When marking, keep in mind that using this technology it is easier to make the seam a little narrower by painting it, than to try to widen it later.
- To paint “bricks,” you need to mix ocher and sienna in different proportions, obtaining different shades of “brick” colors - from yellowish-orange to brownish. We got some shade, painted several “bricks” in random places. We mixed a new batch and painted over the other bricks. We apply the paint with a brush, without trying to get a uniform surface or a dense layer of paint - the background layer is visible. The edges of the “bricks” also should not be smooth.
- For a traditional red-brown color, to sienna and red ocher, add a little light ocher and a little white. You can paint several bricks in a row with this color.
- One more shade - to the above composition we will add brown mars and a little water. Apply with a brush or sponge - as desired.
- If you add white and burnt sienna to ocher and sienna, you get another color.
- We paint all the bricks in random order with these shades.
- We dilute white and a little ocher, add water. Apply the composition with a sponge, acting as a tampon.
- Take an old toothbrush and burnt bone paint. We dip the bristles in paint and spray them on the wall, imitating the heterogeneity and texture of clay bricks.
- We add volume to the bricks: dip a thin brush in a mixture of umber and white. We bring all the bricks from below and to the right or left. Everything is on one side, depending on where the window is located (on the side opposite the window). The thickness of the liner varies, since the masonry and the bricks themselves cannot be ideal.
It takes much longer to describe than to do it all. A beginner can draw about 30 squares of imitation brickwork in a day. For maximum verisimilitude, there are several secrets, which we will discuss below.
Final touches
To ensure that the brickwork painted on the wall is as close to natural as possible, there are several little secrets:
With some skill and effort, you can ensure that the painted brickwork looks like the natural one. The main rule: imperfection and heterogeneity.
Imitation brick for interior decoration using plaster mortar
The general idea is simple: a layer of plaster or tile adhesive is applied to the wall, and a seam is cut/pressed into it. After processing the edges of the “bricks” and seams, and painting, the result is a semblance of brickwork of varying degrees of plausibility. Everything is simple, but there are significant differences and nuances.
What and how to make a solution from
The first question that arises is: what kind of solution is needed and from what? There are many recipes. Here are some options:
Regardless of what you make the solution from, it should be semi-dry and should not leak under any circumstances. It will not need to be leveled, so its plasticity is not important to you, and the adhesive ability will be provided by additives - tile adhesive and PVA. To adjust the consistency, add water in small portions.
Surface preparation
The wall on which we will make imitation brickwork does not have to be even. It should be free of dust and dirt, crumbling fragments and particles. This is where the requirements end.
The process of preparing the wall is a careful approach: first they make markings
Before starting work better wall prime. The type of primer depends on the substrate. If the wall is concrete or loose, walk with “concrete contact”. It will bind crumbling particles and create an adhesive surface on which any composition fits perfectly. If we are decorating plywood, gypsum board or other similar material, we can do without a primer, or we can coat it with diluted PVA.
Technology No. 1. We use thin tape to draw seams
First, we paint the wall to match the color of the seams between the bricks. Some are planning gray-brown, others white-gray. Paint the wall suitable shade. Using narrow masking tape (1 cm or slightly less/more), apply markings to the prepared base. The tape will mark the seams between the bricks, so stick it horizontally, at a distance of about 6-6.5 cm from each other. When the horizontal lines are pasted, glue the short vertical ones. They are 23-25 cm apart from each other - this is the length of a standard building bricks, but decorative ones can be shorter.
Now we take the solution and apply it to the wall. The layers are unequal, the thickness is 0.3-0.5 cm. We apply it “as it turns out”, without achieving a flat surface, smooth transitions... As it turns out, so be it. We only avoid obvious bald spots through which the wall shines. We filled the area, took a flat trowel (grater), and slightly smoothed out what we got. Leave until slightly dry: so that when you press with your finger, the composition is slightly pressed through.
We pry up the ends of the horizontally pasted strips of adhesive tape in any place (when gluing, leave the “tails”), pull, removing along with the solution adhering to the tape. We remove the entire mesh. The edges of the “bricks” turn out to be torn and uneven. This is fine. Even good.
Take a toothbrush or paint brush with fairly stiff bristles. Use a toothbrush to go along the seams, removing any remaining mortar. At the same time, the edges of the bricks are rounded. Then we take a wider brush and use it to go over the surface, adding naturalness and removing too sharp edges. Leave to dry at room temperature for approximately 48-72 hours. Do not force dry it - it will crack. Although, if you want to have cracks... If the composition was not painted in bulk, it's a matter of painting.
Technology No. 2: cutting the “seams”
This method of simulating brick for interior decoration takes less time: no tape is required. Apply the solution to the surface of the wall. Everything is exactly the same as described above, only the layer can be thicker - up to 0.8-1 cm. After waiting until the solution “sets” a little, we mark the seams. Here again there are options:
The second option is more accurate. But you have to be careful not to make it too smooth. Although, due to the fact that the hand trembles, the seam “walks” slightly, which gives a more believable look.
Having made the horizontal seams, we proceed to cutting the vertical ones - also by hand. The width of the bricks is about 6 cm, the length is around 23-25 cm. Having finished, we wait for 12-14 hours. Until the composition has set enough to be picked out. When the concrete begins to crumble under strong pressure, take a wide screwdriver (the usual one with a “spatula”) and use it to pick out the solution between the cut strips.
In progress…
When the seams are cleaned, take a stiff brush or brush and remove the remaining mortar and crumbs. The bristles on the brush should be fairly stiff. If the solution is dry, you can try more drastic measures - a wire brush.
Technology No. 3: saw seams
This method of making imitation brickwork for interior decoration differs only in that instead of a knife we take an old hacksaw blade.
After waiting until the solution sets and does not slide, we use a saw to mark the boundaries of the seams. Here you choose one of the methods described above. But you don’t have to wait any longer: use a hacksaw to paint out the seams little by little. Long horizontal seams are quick to make, but vertical ones are not very convenient, since the fabric is not very suitable for short distances.
This method is good because there is no danger of “over-drying” the solution. You can do the “jointing” as soon as the solution hardens a little. In this state, it is easier to round the edges of the bricks, giving them a natural “old age”. The downside is that you have to get used to it, otherwise you might end up doing something bad.
Making a mold for casting brick tiles from plaster
An imitation of brick for interior decoration in an apartment or house can also be cast: you can make gypsum tiles in the form of bricks yourself. To do this, an impression is taken from interesting specimens of bricks (a mold is made to form an artificial finishing stone), and then a gypsum solution is poured into it. The resulting tiles are used for wall decoration. This technology is good because it allows you to prepare several forms in which you can make bricks different colors for different rooms.
We find interesting shaped bricks and several almost ordinary ones, but with different minor defects. We will use them to cast the mold. It is desirable that there be at least a dozen of them, or better yet, more. “Artificial brickwork” will be more varied.
On the side that we will “multiply”, apply grease or heated wax mixed with kerosene. This is necessary so that the silicone does not stick to the surface. When everything is dry, apply a layer of silicone sealant to the treated side. The layer thickness is 1-1.5 cm. Leave until the silicone is completely polymerized (the time depends on the type, it is written on the package).
When the silicone has hardened, take the foam and coat the mold without removing it from the brick. After the foam has hardened, remove the brick and level the bottom of the mold so that it stands level. Can be used by filling with gypsum mortar. It sets quickly; if you have a dozen molds, in 2-3 days you can make tiles for a couple of squares simulating a brick wall. By the way, gypsum mortar can be painted in bulk. Then new cracks and chips are not a problem - just like a brick.
How and what to paint
Recently, a white brick wall has become fashionable. If you are going to do just this, there are no problems: apply the seams with a brush, use a roller to apply the surface. If you want to have a not too monochromatic one, go to the basic one coloring composition add a little tint - gray, brown, yellow... or even pink or blue. Paint with this paint. Add more white to the remainder and add highlights with this lighter composition using a semi-dry roller, sponge, or brush. If desired, you can apply the top “shadows” with silver, bronze, adding a little gold. Here's how you like it best.
Imitation brick in the bedroom - looks very stylish
If the seams in the imitation brickwork should be darker, go over them first with a brush. Then, using a roller with short or medium pile, we paint the very surface of the bricks. If you take a roller with even shorter pile, dip it in paint of a different shade (lighter or darker - it depends), in bronze, silver, gold, etc. and with this roller, quickly, lightly touching, paint over the most protruding parts, you will get an even more interesting effect. In general, you can experiment. With this approach, imitation brick becomes a design object and the main interior decoration.
The question of how to make an imitation fireplace on your own is of interest to everyone who wants to make their home original, cozy and unusual. An imitation fireplace is a structure that can be installed in any city apartment without approval from the competent authorities. In addition, an imitation of a fireplace in an apartment can be done with your own hands without the involvement of hired labor, which will allow you to significantly save on construction. For such work there is no need to purchase special tools and equipment. As a rule, everything you need is in the pantry of every home. Considering that the decorative hearth will not heat up, you don’t have to be limited in the choice of material. You can use almost everything you have at hand. This also applies to finishing, for which you can even use plastic and wallpaper. It is worth dwelling on the options for constructing a decorative fireplace and the nuances that are worth paying attention to.
Types of decorative fireplaces and their equipment
First of all, you need to decide on the place where the hearth will be built. The most the best option is its location in the living room in the middle of the wall. Such a fireplace will be a place for family gatherings and friendly parties. A good solution is to use one of the corners. It is advisable to do so small apartment. Such a fireplace can also be used as a shelf by placing photos, books, souvenirs or a cocktail set on its tabletop.
Decorative fireplace in the middle of the room
It is worth thinking carefully about the size and shape of the future structure. An imitation fireplace in the interior should look harmonious and organic. A hearth that is too small will look awkward and funny. An excessively large structure will create a feeling of crampedness and monumentality, but not peace and comfort. In order not to make a mistake with the size, it is advisable at the design stage to create a life-size model of the fireplace and evaluate how it will look in the interior.
Enough great importance To make the fireplace more realistic, there is a choice of arranging the inside of its hearth. The most simple solution is to paste over its inside with a canvas with painted flames. A more complex, but very beautiful solution is real logs, laid in different orders. For variety, firewood can be periodically rearranged, reduced or increased in quantity.
The next nuance is the imitation of fire in the fireplace. It is the flames that are associated with this structure. There may be several solutions to this issue.
You can create an imitation of fire in a fireplace with your own hands in the following ways:
- By placing several small incandescent light bulbs in the fireplace. They give a warm, even and dim light, reminiscent of the reflections of a flame.
- By placing a garland with a glow regulator in the firebox. By setting the appropriate mode, you can achieve the effect of flickering the flame, its intensification and weakening.
- By placing a special lamp in the hearth, which itself imitates a flame. The lamp should be placed so that its active element is in the middle of the pile of logs at the very top.
- By placing several large paraffin candles behind the logs. Real fire will look great at any time of the year.
Before starting work, you need to draw up a project. This will help determine the need for property for construction. Let's look at how to make an imitation fireplace with your own hands from various materials.
Imitation of a fireplace made of foam blocks
In a city apartment, it is not advisable to erect heavy structures made of brick and concrete in order to create an imitation. This will create excessive pressure on the floor slab, which can cause uneven shrinkage of the house and the appearance of cracks on the walls. Foam blocks are ideal for simulating a fireplace. They have low specific gravity, large volume and clear geometric shapes. Working with such stones is easy and simple. Their surface can be finished with almost any type of cladding.
Fireplace portal made of foam blocks
For work you will need the following materials and equipment:
- building level;
- roulette;
- hacksaw;
- steel spatulas;
- rasp;
- marker;
- concrete adhesive;
- paint brush;
- liquid primer;
- putty;
- sandpaper and abrasive mesh;
- baseboards and moldings.
In order to build your own apartment fireplace from foam blocks, there is no need to create a solid foundation or remove flooring to concrete. It is quite enough to place a sheet of plywood on the floor.
You are offered step-by-step and detailed instructions to imitate a decorative fireplace made of foam concrete:
- Make markings on the floor and walls. Make a base and secure it to the floor. To do this, it is better to use double-sided tape so as not to damage the coating.
- Lay out the first row of stones without gluing them. If necessary, adjust the masonry fragments.
- Connect the electrical wiring to the base. There is no connection to the network at this stage.
- Glue the starting row of foam blocks to the base. Check its horizontal level. For gluing, 1 mm of adhesive solution is sufficient, since the edges of the blocks are perfectly smooth.
- Lay out the portal in accordance with the project. If an arched shape of the hearth is provided, then it is made with a narrow hacksaw. Remove roughness using a rasp.
- The table top is being laid. A large slab of aerated concrete or a custom-made product is used. It is fashionable to make a tabletop from a board or timber.
- Treat foam blocks with liquid primer. Since this material is porous, the procedure must be repeated twice. The primer will make the surface of the fireplace resistant to moisture.
- Mix the solution and cover the fireplace with a layer of 2-3 mm. After the putty has dried, it is sanded and polished.
- The portal is lined with finishing. It matches the interior of the room. Adhesive film, wallpaper, paint, ceramic tile or artificial stone.
The final stage of construction is the arrangement of the fireplace. One of the advantages of aerated concrete structures is its mobility. The light fireplace can be moved to a new location at any time. This need arises when installing new furniture or carrying out renovations in an apartment.
We perform imitation from plasterboard
The use of drywall opens up virtually unlimited possibilities regarding the choice of decorative fireplace design. Thanks to this material, our imitation can be given a curved shape of any complexity. Drywall is easy to process and does not put much pressure on the supporting slab. The slabs are attached to the spatial frame. To create it, it is recommended to use steel profiles. It is easier to work with timber, but wood changes shape and size when air humidity changes. And this is fraught with the appearance of cracks in the finish.
The frame of the portal is made of plasterboard
To work you will need:
- perforator;
- screwdriver;
- electric jigsaw;
- roulette;
- level;
- hammer;
- plane;
- set of steel spatulas;
- serpyanka ribbon;
- liquid primer;
- putty;
- ordinary drywall;
- finishing;
- electrical wires and lighting.
An imitation fireplace made of plasterboard is a rigid structure that is attached to the floor and wall. Based on this, you need to carefully consider the place where the fireplace will be located.
The assembly of a plasterboard hearth is carried out as follows:
- Markings are made on the wall and floor and places for drilling are marked. Holes are drilled into which plastic dowels are inserted.
- Blanks are sawn from the guide profile and screwed to the load-bearing surface. For this, self-tapping screws or dowel nails are used.
- The spatial frame is assembled. To connect its parts, cross connectors and a flexible profile are used if curved shapes are provided.
- The frame is covered with plasterboard. The joints should be located only on the profile. To bend drywall, it is first soaked for 15-20 minutes. Fastening with self-tapping screws is carried out every 15 cm.
- After the sheathing is completed, the corners are finished with a planer. The semicircular hole of the hearth is made with a jigsaw.
- Plasterboard is being plastered. Without fail, all seams are reinforced with sickle tape.
- The dried putty is polished and primed. After it dries, the fireplace is finished.
The finished product is strong enough to withstand heavy loads and impacts. Drywall is resistant to high temperatures, which makes it possible to install heating elements inside the fireplace.
Do-it-yourself imitation of a fireplace made of polystyrene foam
Choosing foam plastic makes it possible to create a lightweight, mobile imitation of a fireplace in a limited time and practically for nothing. For construction fireplace portal You can use standard square slabs measuring 100x100x5 cm. The base and tabletop are made of slabs 100 cm long. Since polystyrene foam bends easily under load, it is advisable to reinforce the tabletop with plywood or boards.
To assemble a foam fireplace you will need:
- roulette;
- level;
- stationery knife;
- marker;
- square;
- rasp;
- glue or liquid nails;
- thick wire for making grates and pokers;
- finishing;
- rechargeable lamp simulating flame.
If you plan to finish the product with plaster, you will need a reinforcing mesh, a set of steel spatulas and a gypsum mixture. However, if a decorative fireplace is conceived as a mobile or temporary structure, then its decoration is carried out with wallpaper or adhesive tape.
When it is planned to build a stationary fireplace, the work is carried out in the following sequence:
- A project is being drawn up. It consists of a scheme for fastening the slabs, the type of finishing and calculation of building materials.
- The work site is being prepared. Carpets, furniture and Appliances covered with a protective film.
- Blanks for assembling the portal are cut. They are attached to the base and glued together. The raised walls are covered with a tabletop.
- A curved opening for the hearth is cut. Irregularities are carefully removed with a rasp. The product is cleaned free of dust and foam grains.
- The portal is covered with reinforcing mesh inside and outside. It is applied to it thin layer plaster. The putty is leveled and treated with a liquid primer.
The final stage is the finishing of the portal and interior design hearth. The fireplace is covered with decorative strips and decorated with various crafts.
Imitation of wood in the interior of an apartment
A wood fireplace will look great in the interior of an apartment. With this type of imitation, decoration and furniture made from natural materials predominate, which has a positive effect on Feng Shui. You can raise the texture of wood using stain and varnish. In addition, if the situation in the apartment changes, the portal can be finished with almost any facing material.
To work you will need:
- roulette;
- electric jigsaw;
- plane;
- belt grinder;
- building level;
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- screws and nails without heads;
- straight or rounded lining;
- timber 25×25 mm.
Before starting work, the lining must be treated with an antiseptic.
Assembly is carried out in the following sequence:
- Blanks are cut from timber. The frame is assembled using nails and screws for fastening.
- The frame is covered with clapboard. The portal is ground and polished. After this, the fireplace is cleaned of shavings and sawdust.
- The wood is coated with varnish or paint water based. To achieve the desired effect, this procedure is performed 2-3 times.
During operation, decorative shelves and other accessories can be screwed to the portal.
Watch the video on how you can create a home decorative fireplace using ordinary boards
Initially, the fireplace in the house was intended primarily for heating. Nowadays, city residents are saved from the cold by central heating. At the same time, a fireplace is still associated with home comfort, a place for rest and relaxation. Therefore in modern interior I want to get my own fireplace, but solely for the sake of beauty. To do this, a false fireplace is erected, in which fire is present as heat for the soul, and not for the body.
You can make a home decorative portal yourself or hire a specialist, or you can purchase a ready-made dummy. It all depends on your desires and capabilities. To create a complete decoration, you need to pay attention to the main attribute of the fireplace - fire. Naturally, a real flame is not possible for every fireplace. But anyone can create an imitation of fire on their own.
Types of decorative fireplaces
Available on the market big choice ready-made portals. Do you prefer ready-made option or you want to do it yourself - decide for yourself. Before doing this, familiarize yourself with the features of each type.
- The most democratic option is a portal made of cardboard and foam. They are easy to manufacture and affordable. Imitating fire in a fireplace with your own hands is only permissible from sources without a flame as such. Such materials are highly flammable and require careful handling. Keep in mind one more feature of cardboard and polystyrene - they will not support heavy objects. Therefore, all decorative attributes should be extremely light.
- Building a fireplace from plasterboard is not difficult. The material is easy to process and affordable. Its feature is fire resistance, so you can easily place candles in it. But, like previous types, drywall cannot withstand heavy loads.
- Plywood is easy to handle, unique in its naturalness and environmental friendliness. It is important to know that this material does not like moisture.
- Brick and stone aesthetically beautiful materials that will last a long time. When creating a fireplace hearth, you will need basic skills in laying bricks and stones. You will have to set aside a considerable budget for construction. In addition, the final work can be quite heavy and not every floor in a high-rise building will withstand construction.
Creating a fireplace
A dummy fireplace is not intended to heat a room. For this function, there are special electronic hearths of the most different sizes, shapes, materials. For those who need a fireplace as a design solution, decide on the type of fireplace and consider options for fire impersonations. Let's start with the simplest ones.
Fairy lights
You will need the garland itself, a source of energy and decorative ornaments to it in the form of logs. It is better for the lamps to flicker in yellow, orange and red colors.
Do-it-yourself lace branches will help add a realistic effect. For creating unusual decoration You will need: tree branches, foil, lace, glue, stones.
We wrap the branches with foil without gaps, and glue lace on top of the foil. Let it dry for about a day. Afterwards, we cut and carefully remove the tree branches. We form a circle from the stones (if desired, the stones can be painted any color), lay out a garland in the middle, and form the resulting lacy branches like a bonfire. Turn on the garland and the logs will sparkle with glimmers of fire colors. This is an amazingly simple and effective way to create a dummy fire in a fireplace.
Candles
You can use candlesticks, candelabra, or simply arrange large candles according to your design. We emphasize that this option is not suitable for every light fireplace, because the flames can leave a black mark.
There is an interesting way to effectively present candles in the fireplace. To do this you will need several medium, neat logs. In each we cut out 2-3 recesses the size of a small candle in a metal stand. The result will be a sophisticated imitation of a fireplace fire with minimum costs finances and time.
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Salt lamps
Special lamps made of salt crystals look great in a false fireplace. A salt lamp will be an interesting embodiment of a real fire in a fireplace. The main “disadvantage” of this design solution is the high cost. But there is a big “plus” - salt crystals will benefit the health of the whole family.
LCD screen
Putting a screen in a fireplace is a rather expensive solution. The main difficulty with this replacement for a real fire is installing the screen. The image of the flame will dance elegantly and crackle soothingly in the fireplace portal.
Several mirrors placed in the fireplace at different distances and at different angles will help increase the effect of the fire burning on the screen. The screen image will perfectly imitate fire, and the mirrors will create an illusory effect of a three-dimensional image.
Do you prefer more interesting solutions your interior idea, then you will have to make some efforts. Let's look at how to make fire more realistic and fascinating with your own hands.
Woodpile made of cardboard or real wood with LED lamp and fabric fire
For self-made To make logs you will need cardboard, glue, scissors, paint, and a brush. We form logs from cardboard, paint them in the color you like, lay them out in the form of a well and glue them together. A well made from real wood is created a little easier: we take prepared logs and glue them together with construction glue.
You will need a cartridge for fire LED lamp, flickering randomly different colors(it would be ideal to combine red and yellow colors), a lampshade, a light, uniform lightweight fabric that transmits light, four strong wires from 15 to 30 cm long.
We insert the lampshade and fix the woodpile on top, fasten the wire to the logs, and attach the other ends to each other. We fasten the fabric over the wire. Turn on the LED and enjoy the resulting small fake fire
Theater fire
A very impressive type of artificial flame. For it you will need the following elements: a silent small fan, diodes of different colors (ideally red, yellow and blue), a reflective surface (this can be fragments of a mirror, foil, etc.), scraps of silk of different sizes and shapes, a small box for everything and place it.
The box should be decorated, then:
- install a fan in it;
- place the diodes next to each other;
- attach the finished scraps next to the fan
The fire will turn out to be alive. All that remains is to place the box in the portal and enjoy beautiful view with a cup of aromatic tea in your hands and in good company.
Aquarium as an imitation of fire
The play of water and light is always fascinating. You can use this successful ensemble in the fireplace instead of a fire. Prepare the following equipment: an aquarium of any shape and size (the main thing is that it fits in the fireplace), LED Strip Light fiery color, water. Place a tape on the bottom of the aquarium and pour water into the aquarium. Decorate the structure at your discretion with shells, tree branches, pebbles, glass, pebbles, etc.
