Do-it-yourself decorative fireplace made of plasterboard: manufacturing instructions with photographs

For the conditions of a city apartment, a plasterboard fireplace will serve as a good replacement for brick or stone counterparts.You can create such a design yourself, taking into account the easy processing of the base material. After completing the decorative finishing, the hearth will bring a feeling of comfort and tranquility into the home atmosphere.

Implementation options

Installing a false fireplace made of plasterboard is not difficult. Depending on the dimensions and external decor, an option is selected that will fit well into the already created interior.

Available materials are used for assembly. Installation does not require special skills. Since it is planned to make a false fireplace from plasterboard, installation of heating devices inside is allowed, but only if fire-resistant materials are used in the decoration of the firebox.

Advantages of decorative fireplace portals:

• Fire safety;
• inexpensive consumables;
• quick installation;
• installation in a convenient place in any room;
• variety of external design;
• the ability to use the upper surface of the portal to install candlesticks, figurines and other items for interior decoration;
• there is no need to remove soot from the chimney and coals from the firebox.

Conditional

The plasterboard structure is made voluminous by providing a firebox. Its internal planes are lined with tiles with high resistance to heat. In such a fireplace you can install a household appliance with the function of simulating flames.

The mesmerizing fire dancing inside the firebox of an indoor fireplace enlivens the entire space. This effect is due to LEDs, which do not heat up, ensuring safe operation.As a result, a false fireplace can serve not only as an imitation regular fireplace, but also a night light.

Reliable

Fireproof plasterboard is used to cover a volumetric fireplace portal. Additionally, the firebox is finished with fire-resistant materials. This allows you to install a heater inside, powered by electricity.

Devices equipped with 2 functions are more often used. They can, if necessary, serve as heaters. If heat supply is not required, switch to the mode of maintaining imitation flashes of flames.

Can build in a bio-fireplace. It is considered safer for drywall sheathing than electric heaters. In modern outbreaks, biofuels such as ethanol are predominantly used. It decomposes during combustion into carbon dioxide and equally safe water vapor. Such a device does not pollute the atmosphere of the room.

It is more convenient to use automated biofuel fireplaces. They provide the option of ignition using the remote control. The combustion intensity is automatically monitored and fuel sensors are built-in.

Symbolic

A special feature is the complete absence of heaters. Mostly, such a fireplace looks like a three-dimensional three-dimensional panel made of plasterboard. Its firebox is often decorated with dummies of logs.

A fireplace insert with a mirror on the back wall looks interesting. Interior items reflected in it create the effect of perspective.

An imitation of a flame, which creates an atmosphere of comfort when the lights are turned off in the evening, is created by lit candles. With this approach, you need to consider finishing the internal planes of the firebox of a false fireplace made of plasterboard with non-combustible materials.

If desired, you can place beautiful decorative objects inside the stylized fireplace insert made using plasterboard. For example, vases of unusual shapes look great.

If desired, a stylized fireplace insert can be used as additional storage space. You can put books and a small pillow here. Even dress shoes will fit.

Corner

For a small room this option is considered suitable. Compact corner fireplaces take up little space. They fit comfortably into an empty corner, increasing the feeling of comfort. You can place a chair next to the plasterboard portal to create a cozy sitting area.

Wall mounted

For a small room, a good solution is to fix the fireplace portal on the wall. Such a plasterboard structure does not clutter up the space and looks aesthetically pleasing.

Wall mounted

In a spacious room, a decorative fireplace frame made of plasterboard can be conveniently placed against the wall. With the right choice of finish, this design becomes the central accent of the interior.

A strictly shaped fireplace made of plasterboard often serves as a TV stand. This option allows you to create a cozy, peaceful environment.

The built-in false fireplace adds an interesting nuance to the interior. It can be supplemented with shelves that serve as additional storage places for memorable accessories, photographs, and books.

Even an ordinary TV with Smart TV function can turn into an original fireplace. It is enough to download applications that are focused on transmitting realistic flames in the fireplace insert. A symbolic plasterboard portal is built around the screen.

The two-tier portal made of plasterboard looks unusual. It has a place at the bottom for a fireplace, in which biofuel creates an imitation of flames.On the second tier there is a TV. There is still room for a forged candlestick and an elegant vase.

The false fireplace, which is built into a niche specially made of plasterboard, does not burden the space. Neutral finishing of surfaces in light colors not only of the portal, but also of nearby shelves and facades of floor cabinets creates a unified sound.

Central

In the spacious living room-kitchen, a decorative fireplace box made of plasterboard is erected in the center. It serves as a visual boundary between functional areas. More often the portal in such a situation is built high. It must have good stability. For this purpose, the portal is fixed to the floor or ceiling.

Projects and drawings

When building a false fireplace from plasterboard with your own hands, you can use ready-made projects.

After analyzing and choosing an option, they select or independently develop a drawing on which the required dimensions are applied.

If the idea involves the use of a liquid crystal screen, then you need to select its dimensions in advance. This will allow you to more accurately indicate the dimensions of the stylized firebox on the facade drawing. It is stipulated that there should be an outlet on the wall next to the portal, equipped with an automatic fuse, which is designed for the rated power of the screen.

When drawing up a drawing, take into account all the details that will be included in the overall design of the fireplace. For clarity, an axonometric projection is constructed. Using a three-dimensional image, it is easier to understand how the fireplace portal, which is planned to be built from plasterboard, will look in space.

In addition to the basic dimensions, additional clarifying inscriptions are made on the drawing. They allow you to easily cut out and then connect the necessary parts.

For clarity, finishing options are recorded in the drawing.With this approach, errors during design work will be eliminated.

You can choose a design for a decorative fireplace almost up to the ceiling. This solution is more suitable for a spacious living room. The vertically elongated frame visually raises the ceiling.

For the corner type of fireplace, at least 2 types are made in the drawing. This allows you to correctly fit the decorative structure into the interior at the installation stage.

It is more convenient to build a fireplace if the drawing is drawn out in full size on a large sheet of paper. This will allow you to attach it to the selected area of ​​the wall to make sure that visually the fireplace will fit well into the allotted space.

Tools and materials

To make a decorative fireplace quickly and correctly with your own hands, you need to immediately prepare all the material and the necessary tools.

When purchasing drywall, preference is given to varieties with a high level of moisture resistance. This will then allow rough finishing and finishing cladding to be carried out without deformation.

In accordance with a pre-developed drawing, a profile (guide, rack) is purchased. To fasten structural parts you need to stock up on self-tapping screws. You will also need dowel nails to secure the frame to the floor or walls.

To prepare a plasterboard portal for finishing, you need to buy putty, primer, reinforcing tape, and fine-grained sandpaper.

In accordance with the chosen cladding, tiles, wallpaper, film or other type of finishing are purchased. As well as adhesive and grout (for tiles).

In addition to the basic materials, the following tools are prepared:

• jigsaw (or wallpaper knife);
• drill;
• screwdriver;
• metal scissors;
• level;
• metal ruler (or square);
• roulette;
• pencil;
• brushes, rollers, spatulas.

Manufacturing

It will be possible to create an interesting shaped fireplace from plasterboard in an apartment if an exact diagram is developed at the preparation stage. Strictly follow the step-by-step instructions.

Frame construction

When the preparation stage has already been completed, the material has been selected, a diagram has been developed, and all the necessary tools are available, the construction of the main structure begins.

Algorithm:

1. In order for the frame to be reliable, you must first inspect the wall next to which you plan to install a fireplace for which plasterboard is used. Clean the identified crumbling areas, remove any crumbling paint or plaster. Identified cracks, cavities, and crevices are filled with putty. Then the leveled wall is primed and painted.
   
2. Markings are made on the prepared and dried wall in accordance with the drawing. Vertical lines are controlled by a plumb line. Additionally, the exact direction of the horizontal lines is verified using a level.
   
3. The guides are fixed on the wall plane. Self-tapping screws are used for this. For a strong concrete plane, dowels are required, for which holes are pre-drilled. The interval between fasteners is maintained within 30-40 cm.
   
4. Racks are inserted into the fixed guides. Self-tapping screws are used for fixation. Screw them in with a screwdriver. Each frame part is checked to ensure that it is installed in the desired direction without deviations. Then jumpers are added to provide rigidity to the structure.
   

If the project involves a smooth bend, an arched profile is used.

Plasterboard cladding

After the frame is completely installed, construction of the box begins. Use prepared sheets of drywall.

Based on the drawing, transfer the main contours of the parts onto the plasterboard panels.

Using a jigsaw, cut drywall. You can work with a knife. The blade is drawn along the line, having first applied a metal ruler to it. After the cardboard is cut on one side, the sheet is broken. Then the cardboard is cut from the opposite side and the part is separated.

Fix the cut plasterboard parts on the metal profile with self-tapping screws. When working, try not to recess the caps too much. But you shouldn’t leave them above the surface of the drywall.

It is more convenient to work with a screwdriver. Distribute the fasteners, maintaining a step within 10-15 cm.

If you carefully carry out the cladding, your home fireplace will have the desired shape. When performing all operations, be careful, given the fragility of drywall.

putty

After completing the stage of covering with plasterboard parts, the artificial fireplace needs to be puttied.

This procedure allows you to disguise potholes, marks from screws, and joints. To obtain smooth surfaces, after drying, glue fiberglass sickle tape or reinforcing paper tape onto the first layer of putty covering the unevenness.

Perforated corners will come in handy. They allow you to properly align the edges of the firebox. They are glued to the outer corners of the portal if you need to hide drywall defects that appeared during the installation process.

When the mesh is secured, the putty mixture is again distributed both inside and outside. Try to level the surfaces. After drying, they are treated with fine-grained sandpaper.

Decorative finishing

When the frame of the indoor fireplace is completely ready, we begin to design its portal. The choice of finishing material, palette, texture depends on the overall design of the interior.

Heat-resistant plaster

If you plan to install an electric fireplace in the portal, then select a plaster composition that includes fire-resistant components. Pigments are used to obtain the desired shade. They are added at the stage of preparing the plaster mass. They use different technologies for its application. As a result, the surface receives a smooth or embossed texture.

Ceramic tile

The variety of such finishing materials allows you to turn an ordinary fireplace made of affordable plasterboard into an original decoration. Use tiles of different sizes. It’s easy to choose options that resemble colorful tiles.

When tiling, you need to use adhesives that are suitable for the selected type of tile. If you use ceramics for finishing, buy a special highly elastic glue.

Decorative rock

You can get an imitation of a fireplace by cladding the portal using an artificial stone covering. Lightweight elements made of polyurethane with imitation stone are popular. They are fixed with special glue. The finishing is visually no different from natural materials. Heavy natural stone is not used for plasterboard portals.

Decorative brick

The decoration of the fireplace portal in the form of brickwork adds a touch of home comfort to the atmosphere. This cladding is made from both individual rectangular tiles and panels designed to look like brick. Light plastic suitable for drywall.

MDF canvases look good. In home interiors, flexible self-adhesive soft panels with a surface that imitates brickwork are often used.

Painting

The most affordable technology for decorating portals created for a decorative fireplace is to apply paint.When decorating drywall, use varieties without a strong odor. These are latex or acrylic paints.

You can leave the facades plain. To obtain another decor, for example, imitation brickwork, first apply a background, usually a light one. This layer should dry well. Then narrow masking tape is glued horizontally, where, according to the plan, the seams between the bricks will be located. Short tapes are used to glue the vertical joints in a checkerboard pattern. Now the area to be decorated is painted with a roller in the desired brick tone. When the paint dries, remove the tape.

Stucco molding

Skillfully made stucco details add elegance and lightness to the fireplace. You can purchase them ready-made. Popular varieties of such finishing include polyurethane stucco. It is light in weight and does not cause problems when gluing.

painting

At the first stage, the background is applied. More often it is made neutral so that color nuances stand out well without losing their brightness. To obtain an elegant pattern, you do not necessarily need to have the skills of a painter. You can purchase stencils with the desired patterns. They are fixed on the surface of the portal, and then paint is applied.

Wallpaper

The portal of a decorative fireplace, created from easily processed plasterboard, can be quickly transformed by covering it with wallpaper. This technique should be used if heating devices will not be installed in the stylized firebox.

Preference is given to washable canvases with a vinyl coating on a non-woven backing. This material allows you to use different patterns, as well as select the desired types of imitation of natural objects (wood, stone).

Decoupage

You can get a painted fireplace without using paint.Take paper napkins with an elegant pattern. The top layer is separated, from which motifs are carefully cut out. Thin rice paper will do.

The surfaces of the plasterboard putty fireplace are covered evenly with white or light pastel paint. Leave to dry completely. Then a thin layer of liquid PVA glue is applied to the desired areas. Apply and carefully smooth out the cut out parts. Glue is applied on top of them again with a soft brush. When the facades are completely decorated, you need to wait for the glue to dry. Then be sure to apply a clear varnish.

Self-adhesive film

A film with an adhesive layer will allow you to quickly decorate all the planes of the fireplace. First, it is cut out in accordance with the dimensions of the fireplace. Then carefully paste, smoothing from the center to the edges.

It is important to avoid the accumulation of air bubbles. If there are still small swellings left, they are pierced with a needle and then smoothed out. Film, like wallpaper, is easy to use. Attracts a large number of options for shades, patterns, stylization of natural materials.

Since plasterboard is not very durable, when finishing fireplaces made from this material, cladding with low weight is used. The use of forged openwork details adds interesting notes. These could be fireplace screens, doors, tongs.

A decorative fireplace portal can be easily transformed if you need to bring a festive feeling to the room. When decorating, avoid heavy parts that can damage the fragile frame.

Installing a fireplace in an apartment is possible if a decorative option is chosen. It is easy to make by using plasterboard to cover the metal frame. This material is easy to cut and easily fixed with self-tapping screws.After puttying, all that remains is to complete a decorative finish suitable for the interior.

What do you think, is it worth making a decorative fireplace yourself or is it easier to buy a ready-made portal? Share in the comments! Save useful instructions in your bookmarks so you don't lose them.