By making a New Year's fireplace with your family from the most ordinary cardboard boxes with your own hands, you will transform your home and it will become much more comfortable, and celebrating the New Year in such an environment will be remembered for a long time.
Nothing connects people like joint activities. For children, participation in this work will become play and fun, and the whole family will become even more friendly and united.
To complete the work you will need no more than 6 hours and strong cardboard boxes at least 0.5 m wide. The design of the fireplace will depend on the size and shape of the existing boxes.
Original creative ideas can be translated into designs if you have several additional boxes of different sizes. A drawing of the future fireplace will not be superfluous.
Types of fireplaces
The most popular are three types of fireplaces:
- Christmas;
- Angular;
- Standard wall.
The number and type of boxes required to make a fireplace are selected in accordance with the specific design and its construction.
To give the structure the greatest rigidity, a wooden frame is constructed and placed inside it.
How to make a fireplace using cardboard?
Assembling a false fireplace begins with the manufacture of the central block. First you need to form the columns. To do this, you need to cut out rectangular parts according to the dimensions.
We must remember that cutting cardboard is not difficult, but making straight folds on it is more difficult work. In order to make an even fold, you will need an even bar or ruler and an object to secure the fold. For this purpose, it will be quite convenient to use a regular spoon or pen.
The ruler is placed along the fold line, the cardboard is carefully folded along the ruler and a line is drawn on the back side. This must be done carefully so that the fragile cardboard does not break through.
The central part is covered with paper or painted immediately. After assembly, these actions will be difficult to perform.
The finished parts are assembled using tape. As mentioned above, it is convenient to use double-sided tape for these purposes.
To ensure that the product is evenly painted, you can apply a white primer before applying the paint. A layer of primer will smooth out any existing unevenness. After the cardboard absorbs the applied primer and dries well, you can begin painting.
A mandatory attribute of a fireplace is a shelf on top. It should be dense and hard. To make a shelf, you will need to roll the cardboard in three or four layers - this will ensure the necessary rigidity.
As an alternative to cardboard for the shelf, you can cut a strip from thin plywood. Another option for a shelf is polystyrene foam. The material is light and durable. Such a shelf will also allow you to fasten the frame of the fireplace.
Christmas fireplace
How to make a “Christmas” fireplace from boxes with your own hands. To make such a fireplace, you need two identical and one larger box.
Two identical boxes are glued or taped to the sides of the larger one. Next, a portion of the front wall of the large fireplace insert box is cut out.The fireplace will look much more solid if it is placed on a base made of foam “bricks”.
Selection of materials
Before making a fireplace, we will need to select suitable materials for the manufacture of such a decorative design. In order to assemble a false fireplace with your own hands, we will need to acquire:
- In boxes. There can be many different shapes and sizes, or just one or several large ones. Boxes can be not only different sizes, but also shapes;
- Wallpaper or plain paper. If you are going to use wallpaper to decorate the portal, one tube will be enough for you;
- To glue boxes, wallpaper, paper together, you will need to buy an adhesive base - it can be silicate or PVA glue;
- Scotch tape (regular, masking and double-sided);
- Paint brushes, sponges and rags;
- For basic work we will need a stationery knife and a simple pencil. Additionally, you can get a ruler and scissors, a tape measure and a building level;
- If you are going to equip the fireplace portal with a shelf or tabletop, you will need a sheet of plasterboard or plywood.
It is also worth purchasing the necessary materials for decorating the fireplace portal in advance. This can be wallpaper with a print imitating the classic brick surface of a fireplace. A fireplace made of cardboard can be decorated with self-adhesive film, the surface of which imitates natural minerals, such as marble, sandstone or granite. Classic volumetric patterns represented by various columns, plaster elements, baseboards, and foam decor look beautiful and stylish. The surface can also be painted with simple paint from a can or bucket.
If you want the final result to be a rougher and more uneven surface, it is recommended to use liquid wallpaper, which has a corrugated structure and a rather uneven surface. All kinds of acrylic compositions are very popular. This paint is practically odorless, dries quickly and has interesting shades and tones (gold, silver, bronze, sparkles, mother-of-pearl).
Foam bricks
Rectangular plates are cut out of thin polystyrene foam and then glued to cardboard to resemble brickwork.
After the glue has dried, the foam is primed in several layers and then painted brown or golden. The base is painted predominantly yellow.
Finishing a false fireplace
The effectiveness of a fireplace depends not only on its shape, but also on the finishing and additional decor used. If it is not possible to purchase a real fireplace, then you can make an artificial one, and the cost of its production will be minimal. Everything can be made from available materials. As a finish (usually you need to give the surface a “brick” effect), you can use plywood, drywall, polystyrene foam, cardboard, wallpaper in a themed tone, wood.
Fireplace "Wall"
This fireplace is small in size and creates a unique coziness in the home. How to make a “Wall-mounted” fireplace out of cardboard boxes.
For this you need: cardboard boxes (packing large household appliances, such as a refrigerator, is recommended), a brush, a knife, a sponge, high-quality glue, tape, foam for the stand, white water-based paint (or putty).
If there are no large boxes, they can be replaced with several smaller ones glued together.
The completed drawing is transferred to the boxes. The hole for the firebox is cut with a knife in the center, leaving part of the wall on the sides and top untouched.
How to make a wall one?
This species is common among people living in apartments. It does not take up much space and fits well into any interior. To make a wall fireplace from cardboard boxes, you will need the following tools and materials:
- stationery knife;
- sponge, brush or other precision painting tool;
- reliable glue (Moment or glue for plastic products is recommended).
- construction tape;
- putty or water-based white paint;
- cardboard boxes (if possible, large packages from under a refrigerator, wide-screen TV or washing machine are more suitable for the fireplace).
- paper;
- pencil or thin marker for drawings;
- ruler;
- foam for creating a stand and other decorative elements.
When creating a drawing on paper, it is advisable to indicate not only the main building products, but also decorations.
Sometimes the owner does not have a couple of large boxes, but has many medium ones. In this case, you can carefully glue them together and do almost the same thing.
When the sketch is ready and applied to paper, you can begin to transfer it to cardboard boxes. For convenience, main and auxiliary lines are drawn with different colors of pens or markers.
Think through every step so you don't miss anything
Next we make a combustion hole. To do this, take a knife and cut it in the center of the box.
It is very important not to forget to leave part of the front wall on top and on the sides so that you can glue it to the back and cover the empty space
Finishing work
After the work on creating the main frame is completed, you can begin finishing. You can use anything here, depending on the idea. Usually it is covered with original wallpaper or tracing paper. If there are people in the family who draw well, you can apply beautiful patterns or draw themed drawings in honor of a holiday.
Use your favorite material to decorate the fireplace
If you want to make a standard fireplace, you can use foam bricks, just like with the Christmas fireplace. We remember that artificial stones can be glued not only on the outside, but also on the inside, where the flame usually burns.
To decorate the front part, you can purchase special figurines in the form of flowers, angels and other things in the store. They are made from lightweight material, so they never fall off, even when using regular PVA glue.
Decorate the fireplace with various decor from the store
To install a shelf on top, you must first glue the baseboard along its edges. In this case, it is advisable to use as original products as possible. As a shelf, you can use a wooden sheet made of plywood or other material, the main thing is that it is not too heavy. If the frame is not further strengthened, there is a risk of structural failure.
Measurements of the mantelpiece should be taken only after the baseboard has been installed; if you cut it to fit the dimensions of the fireplace itself, it may not fit.
Finishing
The tastes and preferences of the owners should suggest the main design tasks of the finishing work.
The frame of the fireplace is covered, including the inside, with tracing paper or exclusive wallpaper, patterns or drawings are applied, and original figurines of flowers, plants and angels bought in the store are glued on. Sometimes foam bricks are used, as in the previous case.
When installing a shelf, a plinth is glued to mask the gap between the shelf and the frame.
The shelf should not be too heavy, otherwise, in the absence of a strong frame, the structure may collapse. The dimensions of the shelf should take into account the installed baseboard.Create a corner option
The layout of some apartments involves the formation of a corner part in the most visible place. As a result, the family thinks for a long time about how to decorate or hide this defect. One solution is to make a corner fireplace. The design is not overly complicated, so all family members can take part in the work.
DIY corner fireplace
To begin, you need to prepare the following materials:
- Transparent tape.
- LED strip, garland or battery-powered candles for decoration.
- Construction knife and large scissors.
- Self-adhesive film or wallpaper with a brick pattern.
- Cardboard box, above average size.
The first step is to measure and determine the amount of cardboard that will be needed to completely cover the corner. If the fireplace is smaller, it will look like it is pushed into a corner. If the problem part is located at the transition from one room to another, the design will not only create comfort, but also avoid impacts on doorways.
Calculate measurements for your future fireplace correctly
How to decorate
When the triangle is ready, it needs to be firmly glued with tape. If the design allows, the fireplace is covered with self-adhesive film. To decorate a homemade fireplace, you can use wallpaper with various patterns.
Make a rigid frame for stability
Now it's time to start making the shelf. If you don't have plywood or other suitable hard material on hand, leftover cardboard will do. The only condition is to make it more durable; you need to use several layers. To finish the stand, self-adhesive wood effect is usually used.
Feel free to cover it with themed wallpaper and decorate it
Next we are decorating the inside. To make a homemade fireplace glow from the inside, previously prepared electronic candles, garlands or LED strips are used. They can be folded inside and covered with artificial firewood, which will create a burning effect. This hearth can also serve as a night light.
Coloring
Most people, after making a decorative fireplace out of boxes, paint it with light water-based paint.
But there are other solutions. For example, covering the structure with ordinary drywall putty, which is then dried with a construction hairdryer.
When painting a fireplace, use a brush and, if necessary, a sponge. Photos of burning firewood and logs (or dummies of them) are placed inside the finished fireplace. Candlesticks and antiques on the mantelpiece will give it an intriguing and mysterious look.
Option No. 2
To create a large, full-fledged fireplace, you will need an appropriate cardboard box. You can take packaging from furniture, a refrigerator or a TV; their dimensions should be enough for you. To avoid being distracted by searching for tools and materials later, prepare glue, writing instruments, tape or masking tape, and a ruler.
Good to know: How to decorate a homemade plasterboard fireplace, suitable materials
Subsequently, wallpaper with high-quality relief, polystyrene foam, which produces a good imitation of brick, polyurethane foam made in the form of gypsum stucco, and other materials can be used for exterior decoration.
Please note that you will have to allocate quite a lot of time to carry out all the work of cutting, fastening, and decorating. However, if you do everything with high quality and taste, then such a fireplace made of cardboard will look very natural. A New Year's fireplace made from boxes will certainly help you feel the festive mood; it will give you an aura of comfort and coziness.
At the first stage of construction, we need to create a three-dimensional fireplace shape from an ordinary cardboard box and secure it. This can be done with a sharp knife and tape or crepe. It’s even better to use crepe (painting tape), since with further decoration it will be easier to stick other elements on it or paint it.
Creating a given fireplace shape
Then the resulting layout should be painted to give it a noble appearance. We create additional volume, a certain status and grandeur with the help of foam elements.
To highlight the contours of the fireplace, you can frame it using foam molding and baseboard, which is sold in all hardware stores. The molding is glued to the made model using special glue, although regular PVA can be used. To ensure that the color of the elements does not differ, additional coloring should be carried out on a product that is already acquiring a decent appearance.
Painting a makeshift fireplace from all sides
Next, we carry out further decoration, relying on our imagination. The main task is for the cardboard box to acquire the noble appearance of a real fireplace. This can be achieved by gluing pieces of foam to your model to symbolize brickwork.
Ready-to-use structure
In the future, the decorative fireplace made of cardboard can be further decorated according to your preferences. For example, stylize it for the New Year by hanging appropriate toys, rain, or socks, or for another holiday.
Corner fireplace
Instructions for making a corner fireplace from boxes. If there is an unoccupied corner in the apartment that prevents you from perceiving your home as an integral functional space for living, the “Corner” fireplace will help correct the situation.
The simple design allows you to involve the whole family in making the fireplace. The skills acquired by children in such work will help children understand how to make a false fireplace from boxes with their own hands.
For work you will need: a garland or an electric candle, LED strip, tape, scissors, a knife, self-adhesive film or brick-like wallpaper, a large cardboard box.
Having made the necessary measurements, you should calculate the amount of cardboard needed to make the fireplace. When the structure with a triangular base is ready, it should be secured with tape.
To decorate the fireplace, it is covered with wallpaper. To add rigidity to the structure, a frame is built inside.
DIY step-by-step assembly
As it turns out, you can make a fireplace with your own hands quite quickly and on a budget. To do this, you will need to use the following step-by-step guide:
- First of all, decide on the room and the specific location in which the structure will be installed. A false fireplace can be island, corner or wall-mounted. The smallest are the corner portals. Also, with the help of a fireplace you can hide some wall defects;
- Using a building level, first apply all the necessary marks to the floor and walls and carry out a control check;
- The quality of the pre-drawn drawing and sketch of the fireplace plays an important role. Make it as detailed as possible, indicate the dimensions and features of the firebox, portal and each decorative element;
- The base can be either several separate boxes glued together, or one large box from under an LCD TV. Double-sided tape is used to glue several boxes together;
- We remove unnecessary decor and things that interfere with work from the room. Apply the marks indicated in the drawing to the box using a pencil;
- The basis of any false fireplace is a podium, which is responsible for the stability of the structure. The podium must first be strengthened. For this purpose, its sides are supplemented with special cardboard inserts. The ribs must be installed in a perpendicular position to the podium and secured with tape. Each rib has a height equal to the side edge of the pedestal. Also, the sides of the pedestal can be strengthened using several layers of cardboard, which are secured with tape. To ensure that the structure is as stable as possible. The podium is made wider and larger than the portal itself by 80-100 millimeters.
Next we move on to the formation of the fireplace portal.
Fireplace base
The base must exceed the dimensions of the fireplace by 10-20 cm. It must support the weight of the entire structure with the decorations placed on it, and therefore its strength must be ensured. This is achieved by inserting stiffeners into the base frame.
Such ribs must have the same height to evenly distribute the load and be glued to the entire area of the bottom of the base in any order.
Fireplace for the New Year from an old bedside table - step-by-step master class
Such a fireplace turns out to be large, and its appearance is no worse than that of a real one. It looks rich; if desired, you can add elements of stucco, consoles and the effect of antiquity.
To make the product, you will need an old bedside table, which no longer fits into the new interior. In this case, the shape of the fireplace will mainly be dictated by the shape of the bedside table. You need to make a cardboard frame-sheathing under it and do not forget about the hole for the artificial fire. The cardboard frame must initially be covered with newspapers, and then a thin layer of putty must be applied. After this, the product must be left for at least a day so that it dries well. At this time, you can prepare bricks that will be used to decorate the product. They must have a rough surface. It is advisable to cut them into rectangles of two shapes or at your discretion. Alternatively, special thin foam plastic plates can be used as bricks.
You can glue such bricks directly onto a dried layer of putty. The seams must be carefully and thoroughly sealed and rubbed. After this, the surface can be painted beige or any other color. Decorate the lower part of the fireplace according to your wishes and personal imagination.
One of the ways to make a fireplace stand
The bottom and top of the base, identical in size, are cut out of cardboard. Stiffening ribs are attached to the bottom using glue or tape, and then this structure is placed in a flat box.
Depending on the preferences of the owners, the stand is decorated with drawings, self-adhesive film, covered with wallpaper or painted.
Anyone can make a fireplace from packaging boxes, even if they lack basic builder skills. The apartment will be transformed, and with it, its owners will have a feeling of celebration and peace of mind.
A selfie in front of such a fireplace will preserve these impressions for a long time.
Do-it-yourself portal for a false fireplace
A fireplace in an apartment made of cardboard or boxes can be made of either a frame type or have a back wall. Fireplace instructions or step-by-step assembly guide:
- If you want to assemble a frame frame, you need to prepare cardboard, which will become the front of your fireplace. We make marks in the area where the hearth will be located and make an incision in the upper part. For this we need a stationery knife. It is also necessary to cut the central part of the portal. We bend the cut sections, they will become the sides of the combustion compartment. A rectangular strip is cut out, the width of which will be equal to the sides of the frame, and the length will be equal to the width of the combustion compartment. After this, we fix the ceiling part with tape and strengthen the inside with frame panels consisting of 2-3 layers of glued cardboard. The frame is installed and secured to the podium using glue;
- A portal with a back wall is easier to implement. It can be formed from just one large box. Incisions are made in it, the upper and combustion parts are formed and folded. Next, the portal is installed and secured to the pedestal.
You can complement a false fireplace and make it more functional with the help of a mantelpiece. It can be assembled from one sheet of drywall or plywood. Also, a fairly high-quality shelf is obtained by gluing 2-3 layers of cardboard together. To secure the shelf to the frame, use double-sided tape.
Before you begin cladding the portal, you need to prepare the surface. To do this, the cardboard is pre-painted with water-based paint, acrylic from a spray can, or puttied. This is necessary to obtain a uniform shade and get rid of contrasting spots. As an alternative, you can cover the surface of the portal with several layers of white paper, the so-called papier mache.
For surface cladding, you can use photo wallpaper simulating brickwork, marble, or granite. The rough surface formed by applying liquid wallpaper looks advantageous. You can simply paint the frame or apply self-adhesive film.
The firebox can also be decorated at your discretion: with firewood, garlands. Above the fireplace you can place a mirror, a clock, a picture. On the shelf there are various candlesticks, candles, figurines, photo frames.
Photos of fireplaces made from boxes with your own hands
Like real
What is the structural difference between a decorative fireplace made of cardboard, intended for permanent decoration of a room, and a temporary holiday one? What allows you to contemplate it with pleasure, being in a bad mood on an ordinary gray day? The answer is simple - a shelf and under. It is these details that give the fireplace its permanent aesthetic significance.
You can also make a shelf under the fireplace from cardboard boxes, but, alas, they won’t last long - the thin parts glued from cardboard will soon warp due to changes in temperature and humidity. The solution is to glue the PVA shelf and under the fireplace in the form of 3-layer pies from cardboard covers with foam boards between them.
How to make a festive fireplace from cardboard and polystyrene foam is shown in the figure:
decorative false fireplace made of cardboard and foam
Packaging cardboard from boxes is quite suitable for it, but you only need to glue it with PVA - it is this glue that will ensure the stability of shape and evenness of the surfaces of the cardboard-foam cake; it is not without reason that second-hand book dealers already safely use it for the restoration of old books instead of bone glue. Hollow columns for the same purpose, before finishing, are impregnated inside and outside with a water-polymer emulsion or the same PVA diluted to the consistency of whey.
Design of a decorative fireplace made of cardboard and foam plastic
What materials are needed
Materials and tools for working on a false fireplace can be found in the arsenal of any schoolchild. Cardboard boxes are used as the main “construction” material. These could be large boxes of household appliances or even shoe boxes.
You will also need masking or film tape, PVA glue, a stationery knife or scissors, A4 paper, and a ruler. And since the fireplace will require finishing, some finishing materials will also be needed, depending on what result you want to get in the end.
To simplify and speed up the work, large boxes for a TV, washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator, in which openings are simply cut out, are best suited.
And if you want to create a more interesting and complex design, then it is better to use small boxes and stack them according to the principle of blocks and bricks.
Since a false fireplace requires decorative finishing, the corners need to be glued with paper masking tape, onto which paint can be easily applied and decorative paper or fabric elements can be glued.
