DIY fireplace made from ceiling tiles

Every person wants to make the space in their home as cozy, comfortable and enjoyable to live as possible. Interior design, furniture, curtains and textiles, decorative elements and accessories help us with this. One of the favorite decorative elements of many city residents is false fireplaces, which are safe analogues of real systems with live fire.

Anyone can build a fake fireplace, there is nothing complicated about it, and the most important thing is that it can be created from completely different materials. We have already talked about how to build a New Year's fireplace from cardboard boxes, and today we will talk about how to build a false fireplace from polystyrene foam.

White fireplace replica with beautiful finishes

Decorative fireplace styles

A self-made foam fireplace can be in one of four styles. You should focus on the interior design of the room. Let's look at them in detail.

A fireplace made of polystyrene foam is a cheap solution for giving your interior design a special shine and grandeur.

Classical. Its features are: clear edges, natural materials, rigor, elegance and grace. Fireplaces designed in this style will look good.
Minimalism or modern. They stand out: brightness, interesting combination of shades, boldness of decisions and non-standard approaches. They can combine elements of classic and modernity at the same time.
Country. They are the embodiment of coziness, comfort and home warmth. The pattern on them is perfectly smooth and consistent. This stylistic type fits perfectly with the interior of a wooden house.
Newfangled and modern hi-tech. This high-tech style is characterized by a fusion of eye-catching approaches and functionality. A fireplace made of foam plastic can be made in bright, but at the same time, consistent colors. Freedom of creativity is possible here: original hanging fireplace designs, the predominance of tempered tinted glass and much more.

Read the article on how to make a fireplace out of paper or cardboard in addition to this material.

Advice! Whatever the interior of the room, a decorative fireplace made of polystyrene foam will in any case add completeness and style to it. It should be remembered that mixing styles is unacceptable.

Fireplace made of polystyrene foam in the interior with a forged firewood

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Types of fireplace imitation

DIY decor: the best ideas for decorating a home and office from scrap materials (90 photos and videos)
The fireplace structure is made:

reliable;
conditional;
symbolic.

All three types differ in appearance, internal filling, and dimensions.

Reliable

This hearth is as close as possible to the real one, but it does not have a chimney. An electric or bio-fireplace is installed inside to heat the room. On the outside, the product is decorated with imitation brickwork, ceramic tiles, and artificial stone.

A properly made fireplace can completely change the appearance of a room and complement the interior of the living room.

Conditional

The portal is made shallow - 15-25 cm; often a niche in the wall is used for its construction. There is a mantelpiece here that allows you to beautifully place family photos, candles in candelabra, and small souvenirs. There is usually firewood or dummies of it inside.

With this imitation of a hearth, an artificial portal protrudes directly from the room partition, so its depth is significantly less than that of a reliable one.

Symbolic (drawn)

If desired, the hearth can simply be drawn with paints or pencils. Volume and depth are not needed here - the boundaries of the structure are marked with polyurethane skirting boards and a wooden console shelf mounted on the wall. It is permissible to insert a slate board in the middle, on which to depict a flame with colored chalk.

As the name of this type of decorative hearth suggests, it performs exclusively the role of decor, complementing the overall style concept of the room.

Options for making a false fireplace from polystyrene foam

Since making this type of fireplace does not require significant costs, there are a huge variety of them. Polystyrene foam is always used as a basis. Let's look at how some of them are made.

Video: instructions for making a fireplace from foam plastic

Foam fireplace on cardboard base

To create it you will need:

any box. Can be used from TV, refrigerator;
foam boards;
decorative foam baseboards or other decorations;
scissors, stationery knife;
specialized construction tape;
glue;
brush;
can of water-based paint;
putty.

A fireplace in a house or apartment is the dream of many people. This antique piece of furniture can make any room cozy and romantic. A fireplace is a beautiful and stylish element that gives a home a special flavor and status. But installing a fireplace, especially in multi-story buildings, is fraught with great difficulties and problems, and in many rooms it is impossible to install a fireplace for technical reasons.

Creating a false fireplace is carried out in several steps:

a drawing should be developed according to dimensions measured in advance. You can draw a fireplace in full size on whatman paper or newspaper;

Drawing of a false fireplace made of polystyrene foam. Length, width and height are pre-measured

transfer the drawing to the box;

Drawing of the future fireplace, transferred to cardboard. It is the basis of the decorative option

cut out the cardboard base. Where the hearth will be located, you need to make slits and bend the edges inward, securing them with tape;

Cardboard base for a future foam fireplace. In this version, the lid is made of several layers of cardboard

after the workpiece is completed, it should be covered with foam plastic;

False fireplace covered with foam plastic: originality of the model, elegance and sophistication from scrap materials

Advice! To avoid sharp corners, you should cut them at 45 degrees using a construction knife.

make a tabletop using polystyrene foam or plywood;

Fireplace made of polystyrene foam with a lid. In this case, plywood was used

You can decorate a foam false fireplace with decorative skirting boards;

Decorative false fireplace made of foam plastic, decorated with baseboards. Airiness and lightness.

Apply a thin layer of putty to the fireplace;

Advice! After drying, you need to level the layer and wipe it clean to achieve high-quality performance of the task. This will make the fireplace look realistic and impressive.

you need to cover the fireplace with water-based paint.

Foam false fireplace covered with white paint. Stylish, fashionable, sophisticated.

You can install a screen in the fireplace that simulates the burning of a fire. If financial possibilities do not allow, you can use LED lighting, garland or battery-powered candles. We previously wrote about facing a fireplace with artificial stone and recommended bookmarking the article.

Important! Candles and open flames should not be used as they are unsafe.

The following can be used as finishing:

stone wallpaper;
brick putty. The base itself should be cut out of cardboard. Then glue the bricks along the contour of the hearth. A layer of putty should be applied on top of them to imitate unevenness;
washed brick paper. Similar to the previous option, only paper is used instead of putty.

Advice! In the last two options, paint should be applied to match the color of the brick to complete the decoration. You can decorate the firebox in the same way. The fireplace will look stylish.

Foam fireplace in retro style

Such a fireplace will look interesting and harmonious in a room with antique furniture. Artificial aging of paint: fading of color, abrasions and scratches - all this will allow you to create a truly antique-style design.

Original fireplace made of polystyrene foam in retro style. Original and beautiful.

Stages of preparing and creating a fireplace:

Choosing a location. It can be located near the wall, in the corner.
Creating a drawing based on measurements.
Preparation of necessary tools and materials: pallets;
foam baseboards and layers;
jigsaw;
screwdriver;
dowels, nails, screws;
two wooden planks.

The base of the fireplace is made from a pallet.

With an interesting ornament

There are 2 points in this work that I would like to draw your attention to:

You choose all the sizes, from the height of the craft, width and depth!
The pattern in the form of a tile-stone is applied using a regular stationery knife.

So what we need:

2 polystyrene foam tiles (5 and 10cm wide).

From them we make:

First we work with the canvas, which is 10cm. Cut off 1/3 of it. We cut this piece in half.
We glue these pieces on the sides of the canvas.
We work with thin fabric. Cut out the top.
We cut out the bottom from the remaining canvas.
We connect all the parts.
Cut a hole.
“Scratch” the pattern of the stones.
Decorate with plinth on the sides.
We paint it with a spray or radiator water-based paint (in this case, it is advisable to use a primer before painting, you can use PVA glue + water).
We make a background for the “fire” from cardboard. Just paint a sheet of cardboard and glue it as a back wall.

More details in the author's video

It turns out very beautifully. I just want to sit down with the whole family on New Year’s Eve and unpack the gifts!

Bonus

Summarizing the above, we can draw several conclusions:

A New Year's fireplace is a bright holiday attribute that will create a festive atmosphere in your home.
To make a home fireplace you will need simple and affordable materials that everyone has. If you can’t find something, you can easily purchase it at the store.
The fireplace can be used as a place to place gifts for loved ones. It is not only beautiful, but also a kind of interior decor.

Rate the author of the material. The article has already been rated by 1 person.

Not everyone in their house, and especially not in their apartment, has a fireplace. And sometimes you want to create a festive mood (to have somewhere to put gifts) or you just want to make the room more cozy and intimate. In this case, you can create an imitation. The simplest option is a fireplace made of cardboard. Typically used are packaging boxes from large equipment.

Do-it-yourself decorative fireplace made of polystyrene foam for the New Year - step-by-step instructions

If you still have sheets of polystyrene foam that are used to package household appliances, do not rush to throw them away - they will be useful for creating a small New Year's fireplace. Not real, of course, but during the holidays this hearth will become the highlight of your interior. Gift boxes, souvenirs, and candles will look great around it. It’s easy to make a fake fireplace made of polystyrene foam with your own hands for the New Year, without having any special accessories other than those listed below.

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Dimensions of improvised fireplaces

The height of the structure depends on the level at which the hearth is mounted and what function it performs. An item equipped with a heating element is installed at floor level, the rest are placed slightly higher, on a pedestal. When the niche is located high on the wall, it is also designed as a fireplace - it is almost impossible to adjust the dimensions here.

You can install a false fireplace in all parts of the room, and some types can even be moved to another place if necessary.

The standard height of a structure with a mantel is 80-120 cm, width – 90-130 cm, depth – 15-45 cm. The painted product is made very small, almost a souvenir, or occupies almost half the wall, being the main decorative element.

Materials and tools

To make a decorative fireplace from sheet foam with your own hands you will need:

foam sheets, size is not important, but larger ones are better;
toothpicks;
PVA glue;
textured braid;
a sharp knife, you can use a stationery knife;
primer or putty;
acrylic paint for decoration, preferably “gold” or “silver”, but other shades are also possible.

How to make a fireplace from polystyrene foam with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Depending on the size of the foam fireplace, you need to cut out its main parts. In my case, with a decorative fireplace height of approximately 40-45 cm, the details are as follows:

2 sides (I have a size of 45 by 20 cm);
1 back wall (60 by 45 cm);
1 front wall (60 by 45 cm);
fireplace cover (can be replaced with a cardboard cover if there is not enough foam), size 70 by 25 cm.

Diagram or drawing of a foam fireplace

The fireplace diagram is approximately the same as in the figure below, use it as a guide.

Before cutting out the surfaces of the fireplace according to the drawing, make markings on a sheet of foam plastic with a pencil. For cutting, use a sharp knife, but a stationery knife is better - it is thinner and crumbles the foam less.

On the front wall, you additionally need to cut out a rectangular or round arch.

Little tips

The thickness of the material is small, so you need to screw in the screws very carefully. If you are not skilled enough with a screwdriver, use a regular screwdriver.
How to cut polystyrene foam. Don't try to cut out the part you want right away. First, use a knife to make a shallow cut along the pre-marked lines. You can even do this not with a knife, but with a pencil, pressing it. The second time, push the knife a little deeper into the polystyrene foam, etc.
Make sure the parts are clean before gluing. If necessary, remove dust and other contaminants from them.
“Masonry” can be made without paper, but by carefully cutting out the desired “pattern” on polystyrene foam.
You can see how to make “masonry” from foam plastic in this video.
How to glue parts together so that they stick firmly. It is most convenient to place the ends on the glue. And then from the “wrong side” (on the side that is not visible) glue tape, tape or a strip of ceiling foam to the seam.

But these are not all the gifts from me! Take a look at the article where we will make a fireplace out of cardboard! As well as garlands and wreaths that will help decorate the fireplace. And don't forget to subscribe to receive all the articles I prepare for you!

Connecting the foam fireplace base

It is difficult to glue polystyrene foam; almost no glue “takes” it, so use toothpicks to connect the parts. Pierce through both parts at the joints, pushing the toothpick all the way inside.

The box for the decorative false fireplace is ready. Prime the surfaces, paying special attention to the joints.

How to putty a foam fireplace

There are, of course, special mixtures for polystyrene putty. But in our case, there is no point in buying them; for priming, you can use not only special primer. Any putty will do, even ceiling paint if it has thickened to the point of sour cream. As a last resort, use PVA glue in several layers, letting them dry for 1-4 hours.

Design of a portal for a decorative fireplace made of polystyrene foam

To make the fireplace look elegant, glue braid along the edge of the arch. It can be of any color, the main thing is that it has convex details. To glue the tape, first soak it in PVA glue and then place it along the cut of the arch. PVA will not only glue, but also replace the primer.

Let it dry for at least two hours. In the corners of the arch I added roses made of cold porcelain. You can attach beautiful buttons or other decor to the joints.

Then, using an almost dry brush, paint over the surface of the braid with gold paint, thereby leaving gilding on the relief.

If there is no gold paint, use any suitable one - blue, green or another color - you need to emphasize the relief parts of the braid. You can even use nail polish.

Methods for installing a fireplace system in an apartment

It is unlikely that it will be possible to create a full-fledged fireplace system in an apartment, since its construction necessarily implies the presence of a chimney. The pipe is necessary to remove fuel combustion products. Not every neighbor will agree to smoke coming from under their windows.

Chimney installation with fireplace insert

If you live in an apartment building, you can install a living fireplace on the top floor so that the exhaust duct goes directly to the roof. Moreover, even the location of the dwelling on top of a high-rise building does not guarantee at all that technical services will allow the implementation of this complex project.

If you managed to bypass all the bureaucratic delays and obtain permission to build a full-fledged fireplace, then you should remember that the main criterion for its creation is safety. The presence of an open fire source, fuel combustion products and the formation of abnormally high temperatures inside the firebox - all these factors require careful monitoring.

Creating your own fireplace involves the following steps:

preparatory work;
collection of tools and materials;
installation of the furnace base;
firebox design and door fixation;
creating a chimney.

How to cover a foam fireplace for the New Year

To decorate a decorative New Year's fireplace made of polystyrene foam, use decoupage techniques. Simply put, stick on beautiful New Year’s pictures, braid, pieces of bright fabric or paper snowflakes. I cut out snowflakes from regular table napkins and glued them onto the fireplace base using PVA. And to decorate the arch I used textured braid.

How to glue paper pictures onto polystyrene foam

If you are using napkins to decorate your fireplace, first separate them into layers. Napkins come in two and three layers. You only need the design layer.

Cut out the desired design along the contour, apply it (dry!) in the right place and spread PVA glue over the picture with a wide brush. Smooth the napkin over the surface and let dry.

You can shade the contour of the glued picture with acrylic paints. I did it with the same gold along the joints of the fireplace surfaces.

The working process

Active activity begins with the process of forming the frame. It is made from cardboard. The individual parts are carefully cut out with a knife along the outlined contours, then they are glued together. The resulting base is fixed with glue on the living room wall . Next, the frame is covered with foam boards. The corners are carefully leveled and secured with counters. To make the product durable, it is reinforced with a mesh consisting of propylene.

of the foam false fireplace is painted . A photo frame made in electronic form will help create the visibility of fire. It would be a good idea to decorate the fireplace with battery-operated candles.

How and with what to paint a foam fireplace

If you don’t want to use pictures, you can paint the fireplace. However, it must be taken into account that polystyrene foam is a material to which paint does not adhere well. Gouache, watercolor, even acrylic roll into lumps on the surface. The best option is to first prime the surfaces of the foam fireplace, using, if not a special primer or putty, then at least regular PVA glue. And only after that start painting. The ideal option is acrylic paints: they are odorless, dry quickly, and are non-toxic.

Start of work: drawings, dismantling of materials

First you need to mark and cut the foam into elements of the required shape and size. To simplify this process, we suggest you pay attention to the drawing presented below. Although similar drawings in large quantities and for any form of false fireplaces can be found on the Internet.

PHOTO: YouTube.com Using this drawing you can draw and cut the purchased foam sheets

Dissolving material along marked lines

In order to cut the foam, you can use a regular stationery knife. In this case, it makes sense to immediately prepare a vacuum cleaner - the foam crumbles very much when cutting. If its particles are removed immediately, there will be no problems. However, in the case when foam particles fly around the apartment, becoming electrified, it will be much more difficult to remove them later.

PHOTO: YouTube.com A stationery knife does an excellent job of dissolving foam plastic

Once all the elements are ready, you can begin assembling the future false fireplace. Now the skills of playing Tetris, which until relatively recently was akin to a modern computer, can come in handy.

PHOTO: YouTube.com In the photo, all elements are marked with numbers according to the order in which the foam sheets are unraveled

Final assembly and decoration of an artificial fireplace made of polystyrene foam

Place the lid on the finished foam fireplace base and pin it in place using toothpicks.

Place candles (do not light them, only for decoration), pin tinsel, beads, Christmas tree balls and other New Year attributes.

Install a fireplace on a chest of drawers, on a windowsill, on a coffee table - the room will become more comfortable and there will be somewhere to put gifts.

The finished foam fireplace is pictured below.

Interesting solutions for decorating a fireplace

A decorative hearth, first of all, is designed to please the eye, so it is not at all necessary to equip it with logs and place a poker next to it. Modern designers offer many interesting decorating ideas.

A classic of the genre - a clock on the mantelpiece. Why deviate from tradition? In the case where there is an imitation of a hearth in the room, decorators suggest placing the clock in a niche or in the firebox. In addition, it would not hurt to place figurines or books on the shelf.

Natural flowers are usually not placed near a real “home fire pit”, as they will be hot, but it is quite possible to decorate a decorative analogue with indoor flowers and spruce branches.

For gourmets, use a niche as a bottle bar.

How to make a false fireplace from polystyrene foam with your own hands

In order to make a small decorative fireplace, you will need sheet foam. Strips left over from wall insulation or from factory packaging are suitable. In addition, you need to prepare PVA glue, primer or construction putty, masking tape, gold acrylic paint, acrylic varnish, embossed tape for edging and toothpicks. In addition to a sharp knife and scissors, other useful tools include paint brushes and a spatula for primer. This minimum will be enough to make a beautiful fireplace with gilding.

Tools for work

To decorate and decorate the fireplace, take Christmas balls, small souvenirs, tinsel, ribbons, and candles.

Style and design

Before starting work on making a structure from cardboard, it is worth carrying out preparatory work. You should decide on the installation location of the product. A wall without furniture or a corner of the room is more suitable for this. To determine the size of the structure, it is worth calculating it right at the installation site. A model or dummy for a future building will allow you to determine the size of the product and choose the decor for it.

A home-made fireplace can be made in any size by choosing the optimal length and width, while taking into account the style of the room. A false fireplace should fit harmoniously into the interior of any room. You should not allow the product to clutter up a large part of the room or not to harmonize with the furniture. In addition, you should take into account the size of the product and not make it too small if there is bulky furniture in the room. The fireplace should complement the overall picture and make the room more interesting, and not drown it out or introduce dissonance.

Cutting and assembling a fireplace

From a sheet of foam plastic you need to cut two rectangles measuring approximately 60 by 40 cm and two more 40 by 20 cm for the side surfaces. Since polystyrene foam does not adhere well even to PVA, for reliability, fix the joints with toothpicks. You need no more than four of them for one cut.

Pin the side parts to one of the large rectangular blanks with toothpicks, having previously greased the joints with PVA glue.

On the inside, mark the “firebox” and cut it out using a sharp knife. The thinner the blade, the more accurate the cut.

Attach the back of the fireplace with toothpicks and glue. Along the upper and lower perimeters, additionally fasten all the parts with masking tape.

Prime the resulting frame. Let dry for about 12 hours. If necessary, apply the primer again, and after drying, sand it with fine sandpaper.

First soak the tape for decorating the firebox in PVA glue, then carefully glue it along the cut of the firebox, simultaneously priming the surface. Dry for at least two hours.

Glue small decorations in the corners and cover them with gold.

The lid, which will serve as a mantelpiece, slightly larger than the fireplace itself, is attached on top of the finished box. To further decorate it, it is necessary to prime the narrow side surfaces and cover them with gold. Also process the cuts of the firebox.

The base of the fireplace remains open, but you can place it on hard cardboard if you wish.

Assembly options

If there is a big box

Drawing of a fireplace from a cardboard box

We begin assembling the imitation fireplace from cardboard from the central part. We form the columns first.

Cutting rectangles to size is no problem. The problem is to make even folds in the right places.

Take a large ruler or a straight bar and a hard object with a rounded end. For example, a ballpoint pen will do, or you can take a spoon or fork and use the pen.

The idea is as follows - along the line where the fold should be, apply a ruler/bar, draw the back of a ballpoint pen or the handle of a cutlery along the bar, pushing through the cardboard. But be careful not to tear it.

The sheet bends easily along the drawn line.

Cardboard fireplace parts

We glue the central part or paint it right away. Then it will be too inconvenient. You can paint it black, as in the photo. Another option is to imitate brickwork. Looks good too.

It is convenient to glue the parts together with tape (the type of tape has already been discussed). We glue each connection on both sides. We don't regret scotch. This cardboard fireplace was painted, so the columns were covered with white thick paper. You can use a primer and apply paint over it.

We make a shelf above the fireplace from several pieces of cardboard using the same technology. If you plan to install something, it is advisable to make stiffening ribs - several partitions. If the entire structure turns out to be strong and stable, you can make a shelf from a piece of plywood, for example.

If the cardboard is thin, you can use polystyrene/foam. It is sold in construction stores. You can take the slabs that are used to finish the ceiling. They have processed edges and a pattern is applied to the front surface. In general, it might turn out interesting.

Next comes the finishing touches. In this version, “bricks” were cut from paper of suitable colors. They decorated the portal opening. This is where you will need PVA glue. Do not forget to leave seams between the “bricks”. In the presented model they are painted with a base color, but you can make them, for example, black or white.

The rest of the surface of the false fireplace is painted, and foam (polystyrene) moldings are glued on top.

Expert opinion

Zakharov Igor Vyacheslavovich

Consultant at a furniture store. 5 years of experience.

Moldings can be glued before painting. You need to cut them with a sharp stationery knife. Then the cut will be smooth. Glued with PVA or special glue. Wipe off any remaining residue immediately, otherwise the paint will lie unevenly.

The same structure can be covered with brick or wild stone wallpaper. Self-adhesive film is also suitable. But you have to work with it carefully - you won’t be able to peel it off.

If the boxes are small

Small cardboard boxes are no more difficult to work with. They can be the same or different sizes, thickness and width. Based on the existing set, the structure is assembled.

This is the fireplace we made from existing cardboard boxes

Seal the opening part of the boxes with tape, then glue them together. You can use PVA glue. Press the boxes to be glued well together and leave for 8-12 hours for the glue to dry.
Cut off the opening part and glue them together with pieces of tape.

Glue the boxes together with tape from the back side

The second option takes less time, but the design is unreliable. If the dimensions are large, it may sag and sag.

With the lids cut off, the structure becomes shaky

To give a fireplace made of cardboard boxes a presentable look, we paint it “like brick.” To do this, cover the surface with thick grayish-brown paper. This color will be the background.

To paint, you need reddish-brown paint and a large foam sponge. It can be cut to the size of the brick - 250*65 mm. Pour the paint into a flat dish, dip a sponge into it, apply it to the paper and lightly press it, draw the bricks.

When working, you need to make sure that the “seams” between the “bricks” are the same width. This is not an easy task - you get distracted a little, and the size is not the right one. You can do it simpler - cut the masking tape into narrow strips, stick it on, and draw “bricks”. After the paint has dried, remove the tape.

Here's a fireplace made of cardboard

The top part had to be reduced because our fireplace was too wobbly. It is better to use whole boxes.

How to build a fireplace from polystyrene foam yourself, with your own hands at home