How to make a fireplace from a cardboard box. How to make a fireplace out of cardboard with your own hands

To make the interior of your home more beautiful and stylish, there are many decorative elements. The fireplace has become one of the most popular, but the dimensions of the living space do not always allow for the installation of a full-fledged complex. In addition, such a decorative element will be very expensive. Good decision will become an imitation - homemade fireplace, made from ordinary cardboard boxes. Making such a false fireplace yourself is not difficult, the main thing is to find the right amount of material, i.e. boxes

Is it possible to make a fireplace with your own hands from boxes?

Do decorative fireplace from cardboard with your own hands, to make the room more comfortable and original in terms of decoration, you can make it from ordinary packaging boxes. You don't need any special knowledge or construction skills. All you need is to measure the length and width, draw the necessary lines, cut off unnecessary parts, glue individual elements and paint the resulting object. For final design, you may need polystyrene foam, boards, leftover laminate flooring and some other materials.

Types of fireplaces made from boxes

When planning to make a fireplace out of boxes with your own hands, check out ready-made options decorative element. If desired, you can insert an electric fireplace into the design with a closed fireplace insert and imitation of a flame using a backlight or on an LCD screen. Although it is better for the purposes fire safety There is nothing to complement such a cardboard structure. Depending on the style direction, fireplace portals made from packaging boxes are:

IN classic style. Classics are always in fashion: strict lines and a minimum of additional decor. A false fireplace of this type can be installed in absolutely any house or apartment.
Country style. The “rustic” version, beloved by many, is distinguished by the fact that it is made from natural stone and brick. To give the imitation this look, you will need to cover it with self-adhesive film or wallpaper with a brick pattern. To decorate, you will need to put firewood in the firebox so that the imitation is as similar as possible to real fireplace.
In high-tech style. In addition to minimalistic and technological solutions, the variant implements ideas from futurism and uses modern materials like steel and plexiglass. How can they help in this case? carton boxes? Even from them you can make an imitation in high-tech style. You will need to give the structure an interesting geometric shape and paint it steel or black, and insert a mirror into the firebox. Alternatively, you can place glass on the mantelpiece.
In modern style. This type of design fireplace portal involves a variety of colors and textures, a combination of antique decorative elements (rosettes, stucco molding, etc.) and modern forms. A false fireplace in the Art Nouveau style fits into almost any interior design.

In addition, fireplaces are wall-mounted, corner and arch-shaped. Before making a fake fireplace with your own hands, decide on suitable place to install it. To clarify the parameters of the future box, it is necessary to take all the necessary measurements using a tape measure and a building level. Based on the measurements, develop a layout or drawing. Recommendations:

As a rule, such elements are installed in common rooms like halls and living rooms.
Minimum size rooms with a fireplace should be about 20 square meters.
You need to choose a place for the future false fireplace. This can be a corner (corner location) or a wall (front location).
If you need to disguise any defect in a corner or on a wall, then a decorative fireplace will help you with this.
You can even install a fireplace complex in the center of the room, but only on the condition that this object will really be in place there.

Wall-mounted

This option for a fireplace complex is perfect if the room has a decent free section of wall. This model looks good in the wall between the windows. It is believed that wall structures are not suitable for small rooms, especially when it comes to real fireplaces, for which a heat-resistant ceiling is supposed to be built. In general, the wall-mounted option is perfect if you simply have nothing to force the wall with or you decide to create an overall structure.

Angular

This option will be ideal if all the walls in the room are occupied, but the corners are free. Fireplaces in this category are considered one of the most popular and beautiful. They occupy less space, located in more convenient location– such a decorative element will not interfere with movement around the room. To design a corner cardboard structure, you can use any available means, because... this arrangement of the fireplace complex does not affect its capabilities designer finishing.

In the form of an arch

Using an arch, you can improve the design of your house or apartment. It will become a bright element in the interior. Very popular in last years They began to use arches for the fireplace, which look fashionable and aesthetically pleasing. The design can be in the form of a portal ( rectangular shape), ellipse (typical of new wave, postmodern), in the Art Nouveau style, in the form of a regular classic semicircle, etc. Making a fireplace complex in the form of an arch from cardboard boxes is more difficult than making a wall or corner option, but it will add to the design of the room more individuality.

Step-by-step instructions for making a fireplace from boxes with your own hands

When planning to make a wall or corner fireplace out of cardboard, develop a drawing of the room and put on it the parts of the fireplace complex in as much detail as possible. Be sure to follow all proportions. It is better to do the drawing in color so that it looks more natural and it is easier to understand what it will look like in the end. General instructions The manufacture of any fake fireplace is as follows:

Prepare the material. Choose one large or several small boxes. Ideal option an entire widescreen TV box is considered. If you don’t find one, you can use sheets of cardboard - first cut them out from other boxes and fasten them together with tape.
Make room in the room and arrange materials. Carefully draw all the details on the box. Need to keep an eye on rational use material - it will be easier if the corners of the proposed false fireplace coincide with the corners of the box.
The main parts of the fireplace complex are the top shelf, the portal and the base (podium). Installation begins with the last element that needs to be strengthened, because it will have to withstand the weight of the entire structure. This can be done by inserting special cardboard inserts inside the base - a kind of stiffening ribs. They should be placed perpendicular to the floor and secured with tape. The height of these ribs should help maintain the desired position of the side edges of the podium.
The sides can be strengthened by gluing them additional layers cardboard The base is made a little wider than the portal - about 8-12 cm. Next, the portal is formed, the fireplace mantel is installed (a sheet of plywood or plasterboard is used for it) and Finishing work.
Actually last stage The complex is being decorated. It all depends on your imagination:
- You can cover the fake fireplace with wallpaper or self-adhesive film to imitate brick, wood or marble, and cover it with elements gypsum stucco.
- Try using liquid wallpaper - then your fireplace complex will have a surface with the rough structure of marble chips.
- You can decorate the fireplace with fake firewood - you can make them from twigs or cardboard.
- To simulate a flame, use a flickering lamp or garland.
- Place figurines, figurines, photo frames and other equally pleasant decorative little things on the fireplace shelf.

If desired, make fake firewood for decoration. Use scraps of cardboard (preferably corrugated). Manufacturing technology:

First, prepare everything you need: sharp scissors, a stationery knife, white paint, thin rope, sheets of corrugated cardboard with the smooth top layer removed.
To ensure that future firewood fits and harmonizes perfectly with the fireplace insert, measure its parameters. Based on them, calculate optimal sizes firewood
Mark the optimal size of the logs on the prepared sheets of cardboard and cut the strip to be rolled. Make the thickness different depending on what you want to get in the end: twigs or logs. To give the firewood more naturalness, give it “knots”.
Having rolled the cardboard sheet, coat its edges well with glue and tie it with a string. Leave to dry for a while. Make several preparations.
To make an imitation of knots, make a thin twig from a cardboard sheet, glue it and dry it. Then cut at an angle with a utility knife and glue to the logs with glue and masking tape.
When the glue is completely dry, paint the imitation firewood. First, cover them thick paint white, after which you can tint it to match the color of the wood. If you don’t want to go to much trouble, then make a few strokes of black on a white surface - you will get an imitation of birch firewood. Gouache is quite suitable for coloring logs.

From one box

Making a cardboard fireplace out of a box with your own hands using one large element is somewhat more difficult than using several small ones. You will need to draw and cut so that everything is symmetrical. It will be good if you find a large box for a flat-panel LCD TV for a fake fireplace set. If you don’t have such packaging, you can replace it with pieces of cardboard that will have to be glued together. For work, prepare:

one large box;
stationery knife;
ruler;
pencil;
masking tape;
PVA glue;
sponges, rags;
baseboard, foam decoration;
white paint (preferably in a can);

Having prepared necessary materials, select a suitable drawing for a false fireplace. Its dimensions will depend on the selected box. If necessary, you can make the complex higher by adding it on top different elements. Procedure:

Swipe the right lines and use a knife to cut a hole for imitation firewood in the center of the box. The lower part can not be cut off, but simply bent inward, forming a right angle and forming the bottom of the firebox. Cut off all unnecessary parts and secure the bottom with masking tape.
Fold the edges of the box inward, then glue or secure them to the back wall using masking tape. You can go last from above for reliability of the structure.
If you buy foam decor or plinth, attach these elements with PVA glue or glue gun to the cardboard.
Next you will need a fireplace top. There are several options to choose from: glue together several pieces of cardboard or take a piece of thin plywood or foam. Glue the top to the main part of the object.
Paint the product with white paint using a spray can. If there is no such paint, then use regular water-based paint.
Paint the fireplace complex again with the same paint. The gaps will have to be covered with it again. To make the structure more stable, strengthen the bottom metal frame or regular cardboard.
Cover the structure with wild stone or brick wallpaper. Self-adhesive film will also work, but work with it carefully, because... It will no longer be possible to peel it off carefully.
Make an imitation of fire. For example, you can buy a lamp that looks like a flickering flame and place it in a recess. Another interesting option– making firewood from twisted cardboard, twigs or twigs. Place an electric candle or an electric garland on the improvised firewood for greater effect.

It should be added that the fireplace cutout can be made either rectangular or in the form of an arch. The first option is very simple - first you need to draw a rectangle, and then use a knife to cut it out. As for the second option, first you will also need to draw out the future hole and then cut it out: the lower half will be rectangular, and the upper half will be rounded like an arch.

From several boxes

You can make a fireplace out of boxes with your own hands from several small elements. The more there are, the larger the imitation of the complex will be. Add buy ceiling plinth and foam plastic figures - they are relatively inexpensive. The elements will help make the design more impressive. To work you will need following materials and tools:

cardboard boxes (5 larger pieces and 5-6 pieces smaller in size);
1 roll of any wallpaper or White paper;
PVA or office glue;
double-sided and plain tape;
a roll of wallpaper with a brick pattern or colored cardboard for “bricks”.

Choose boxes made of thick cardboard that will hold its shape well. Detailed instructions:

First, decide on the shape, then secure the individual boxes to form the main elements of the fireplace complex. Fasten them with simple tape.
Cover the resulting blanks with a roll of wallpaper or white paper. This should be done with simple tape. After folding, trim the paper at the corners.
Attach the upper large part (shelf) to lower workpiece double-sided tape. Be sure to press it for a while so that both parts stick well to each other.
Cut out bricks from colored cardboard for decoration. Glue them to the surface of the false fireplace using office glue. Cover the entire surface of the complex with bricks, in addition to the back part. Leave seams between the bricks.

Video

Photos of fireplaces made from boxes with your own hands

Since childhood, after books about knights or Sherlock Holmes, the concept of “fireplace” has become synonymous with comfort and warmth for us. For those who live in their own home, if they have money and free space, it’s easy to call a team and choose matching fireplace and soon enjoy a living flame. But in high-rise buildings(and private houses, you know, are also different, in some you can’t even put an extra stool) you can’t adapt it in any way the necessary pipe, and you can’t allocate much space for a fireplace. So, to satisfy your craving for romance and desire for comfort, all you have to do is make a fireplace out of cardboard with your own hands.

Selecting a Layout

Start by deciding for yourself exactly where you would like your fireplace to be. Compared to the real one, the fake one has the advantage that it can be mounted anywhere and made into any shape. You can put a fireplace made of cardboard with your own hands even in a corner that there is nothing to force, but the fireplace will fit harmoniously. Next, figure out what height and width your product will be. It should not conflict with the furniture in the room, it should not overwhelm it, but you should also not allow the fireplace to get lost against the background of, say, bulky cabinets.

Selecting a base

In principle, you can build a fireplace out of cardboard with your own hands and only from this material. For the simplest things, even a fairly large box of furniture or office equipment will do. But keep in mind that cardboard is not a very durable material. If you want to get something more solid at the end, spend a little and order a chipboard frame for the base of the fireplace. Calculate how many sheets of paper you need for your dimensions and what size they should be. In principle, this will be the only part of the process of creating your fireplace that will require outside input. But the “stove” will turn out to be more stable and strong.

The simplest option

The easiest way to make a false fireplace is from cardboard using a packaging box. To do this, all the joints of the box are glued so that the lid does not open and the walls do not fall off. Draw the hole of your “stove” with a pencil, then cut it out with scissors. You can decorate the fireplace at your own discretion. Most quick option- self-adhesive film with a brick or wild stone pattern. If you don’t like this method, let’s say you want to paint your cardboard fireplace differently, it’s better to cover the box with white paper, and when the glue dries, apply the intended design. Even if you draw the same bricks, you can give them more real view, of course, if you have a penchant for drawing.

Pasting with paper is necessary, firstly, because packaging cardboard is usually brown, and desired color you won't get it. Secondly, there are always some inscriptions, emblems, etc. on the boxes. They can be visible even through several layers of paint. However, if you want, the pasting can be replaced with a primer - it can be bought at stores that sell goods for artists.

The inside is important too

It would also be a good idea to paint or paste over the inside of the box, otherwise a fireplace made of cardboard, made with your own hands, will not look very believable. Can be hung inner wall dark cloth, and put a bright red one on the bottom.

For better stability, a “mantelpiece” should be placed on top of the box. For it, you can use chipboard or fiberboard, only treated or covered with the same self-adhesive wood or marble. If you don't have it at hand suitable pruning, you can glue several sheets of the same cardboard (for example, from another box). You will have a mantelpiece, however, it will not add stability to the structure.

Based on chipboard

If you opted for a more monumental option, you will first have to knock down the frame brought from the workshop. If the fireplace you have designed has a stand-podium, you need to start assembling the base from there. If not, first the fireplace body gets knocked down, and then its pipe.

Since it is planned to build a fireplace out of cardboard with your own hands, about other finishing options (plasterboard or artificial decorative rock) we won’t tell you. For finishing, sheets of cardboard can simply be glued onto the chipboard, but if you think the cardboard is too thin, you can glue the sheets together (cutting out the parts that fit the fireplace) and put them under a load overnight. The next morning, the fireplace itself is upholstered with smooth, thick cardboard. Then it is given the desired look (similar to how it was done with the box).

When we make a fireplace from cardboard on a chipboard base, we shouldn’t forget about its “insides” either. Still, it will be illuminated from within, and wooden frame will become clearly visible.

Only cardboard, not box

If you don’t want to bother with plywood, and the boxed version seems too simple, there is another way to make a fireplace out of cardboard. It is also suitable if you need a “stove” of an unusual shape, for example, triangular in cross-section or tall but flat.

First you need to make a “pattern”. All details are calculated very carefully so that your decorative fireplace made of cardboard does not turn out lopsided. The cardboard is glued together in several layers to make it more rigid. It will remain under load the longer it is more sheets you glued it together. Then, according to the drawings made, individual parts are cut out. You can fasten them together with tape, or by gluing them with paper strips. By the way, if you decide to stick with tape, take paper tape for covering windows. To ensure that the corners of the fireplace are rectangular, at least during assembly it is worth using the corners - plastic ones are sold in construction stores, they are quite suitable. And ideally, it would be good to leave these corners inside the structure forever. They won’t be visible, but they will definitely add strength.

Since such a fireplace is assembled from parts, its inside can be processed before assembly. It is still more convenient to paint or paste over cardboard when it lies on a table or on the floor, and not when it stands vertically. And the holes in the firebox come in different sizes; if you choose a small one, for interior decoration the assembled fireplace will have to show the wonders of acrobatics.

The outer side can also be finished before assembly, but in this case the pattern may not match when gluing individual parts, and the sizing of the corners will be visible. So outside you will have to paint and paste it on the finished fireplace. Not only that, if you choose to paint, you may need to prime the surface first to hide the tape.

Lighting options

Any fireplace requires the presence of a flame. It is clear that cardboard does not allow the use of real fire. You can buy or make your own lamp that imitates a fire. An alternative is to draw a fire on paper, cut it along the outline and attach it to the hearth. A dim lamp is placed behind it, and a very believable imitation of an open flame is obtained. The disadvantage of this method is that thick paper it will be difficult to see through the light bulb, and the thin one will fall forward or backward. The solution could be a wire frame, but it will need to be bent as accurately as possible along the contour, otherwise it will be clearly visible when viewed through the light.

You can put electric candles or a garland in the hearth. It is better to buy both of them with batteries, so as not to make a hole in the fireplace for the cord to the outlet.

For any choice of “flame”, twigs, branches or logs must be placed in the firebox for authenticity.

Fireplace care

All that remains is to ensure that the fireplace pleases you for as long as possible. If you chose self-adhesive as a finish, your “oven” will not require special care - such films are usually moisture resistant and can be wiped with a damp cloth. But if the fireplace has been painted, then in order to be able to maintain it later, you will have to varnish it. Then it can be wiped clean from dust or accidental dirt.

Now in the evenings you can sit in front of an almost real fireplace and feel like a medieval feudal lord.

We all want the interior of our home to be stylish and beautiful. To achieve this goal, designers around the world have come up with a great variety of decorative elements. Among them, not the least place is occupied by the fireplace. But what to do if the dimensions of the apartment do not allow you to install a full-fledged fireplace complex or you simply don’t want to spend money? There is a solution - you can make a decorative (fake) fireplace from cardboard boxes with your own hands!

Yes, yes, you heard right - from the most ordinary cardboard boxes that are often left behind after purchase household appliances. To make such an imitation fireplace, you don’t even need any special knowledge or construction skills - it’s easy and simple to make! How? Read on!

Materials

To make a fireplace with your own hands from boxes you will need the following materials:

Naturally, one or several large boxes - depending on what kind of fireplace you want to get in the end;
Wallpaper (one roll is enough) or white paper;
Stationery glue or PVA glue;
Three types of tape - regular, masking and double-sided;
Paint brushes, sponges, rags;
A stationery knife, scissors, a ruler, a pencil, as well as a tape measure and a building level;
A sheet of drywall or plywood to create a mantel;
Depending on the type of decoration chosen, you will also need:

a roll of wallpaper with a “brick” pattern or red cardboard – if you want to decorate your fireplace “like a brick”;
a roll of self-adhesive film with a pattern imitating natural stone, marble or malachite;
a can of white paint, ceiling plinth and foam moldings (columns, capitals, rosettes, moldings, etc.) - to create a more classic, elegant decor;
“liquid” volumetric wallpaper - to achieve the effect of embossed marble chips on the surface of the fireplace;
acrylic paint bronze, silver or gold color - for special decoration of fireplace decor elements.

Kinds

Surprisingly, from cardboard boxes you can make not only a home false fireplace, which can perform an exclusively decorative function, but also build a portal for an electric fireplace! Of course, such a portal excludes the installation gas burner, or bio-fireplace, since there is an open flame and a fire may occur. It is also impossible to install a heat exchange fireplace with a water boiler and casing in it - due to the bulkiness of this design and, of course, the danger of the cardboard igniting from overheating. You also cannot install electric fireplaces with an open firebox and a built-in heating function - for the same reason. Can be inserted into a structure made of cardboard boxes electric fireplace with a closed fireplace insert and flame imitation (on an LCD screen or using backlighting).

By style directions differentiate the following types fireplaces (fireplace portals) from boxes:

In modern style. This design style for a fireplace portal involves a variety of textures and colors, a combination of modern forms and ancient decorative elements (stucco molding, rosettes, etc.). This fireplace will fit well into almost any interior;
In high-tech style. It would seem that the high-tech style presupposes a kind of futurism, the use of such ultra-modern materials as steel, plexiglass - what does cardboard boxes have to do with it? However, even from them you can make a fireplace in this style - just make it of an interesting geometric shape and paint it black or steel, and insert a mirror into the firebox. Alternatively, you can place the glass on the mantelpiece;
In a classic style. As you know, classics are always in fashion. Strict lines, a minimum of additional decorations - such a fireplace can be installed in absolutely any apartment;
Country style. The “rustic” style loved by many. They differ in that such fireplaces are made of brick and natural stone. To give a boxed fireplace this look, just cover it with self-adhesive film or wallpaper with a brick or stone print. Be sure to put firewood in the firebox.

How to do it yourself: step-by-step instructions

First, determine the location of the future fireplace. This can be either a wall (frontal location) or a corner (corner location). If you need to disguise any defect on a wall or in a corner, a correctly positioned decorative fireplace will do just fine;
At the installation site, take all the necessary measurements to clarify the parameters of the future box using a tape measure and building level;
Develop your drawing carefully. Paint the fireplace onto it in as much detail as possible, with decorative details, observing all proportions. Carry out the drawing in color, so it will look more natural and, as a result, it will be much easier for you to understand what the original result will look like;
We are preparing materials. First, we select a box or several boxes. The ideal option would be a whole box for a widescreen flat-screen TV, but if you don’t find one, you can use sheets of cardboard, previously cut from other boxes and fastened together with tape;
We free up space in the room and lay out our materials. Carefully draw out all the details on the box. Follow the rational use of materials - for example, it will be easier for you if the corners of the proposed fireplace coincide with the corners of the box;
The main parts of the fireplace are the podium (base), the portal and the top shelf. Installation begins from the podium. Since it will have to withstand the weight of the entire structure, it is necessary to strengthen it. This is done by inserting special cardboard inserts (the so-called stiffeners) inside the prepared base. Place them perpendicular to the floor, securing them with tape. The height of the ribs is equal to the height of the side edge of the podium. By the way, you can strengthen the sides by gluing them with a couple more layers of cardboard. The base is usually made a little wider than the portal, about 8-12 centimeters;
Next, we create a portal.

There are two ways to assemble a cardboard portal - frame and with a back wall:

To make a portal on a frame, we take a pre-prepared sheet of cardboard, which will act as the front panel of the future fireplace portal. We mark the entrance hole of the fireplace, cut the upper part of it using a stationery knife, and then cut the window in the center. We bend the resulting flaps inward; these will be the side walls of the fireplace. Next, cut out a rectangular strip equal in width internal walls portal, and along the length - the width of the hearth. Let's get the ceiling of our fireplace, which we secure with tape. To strengthen the structure, we glue it inside frame panels, they must first be glued together from several layers of cardboard. We place the resulting portal on the podium, glue it with masking tape or strips of white paper coated with PVA glue. We wait some time for the glue to dry and check the strength of the joints;
As for the second option for making a portal - with a back wall - it is much simpler than the previous one. Essentially it's simple big box. The hearth is formed as follows: we transfer the prepared drawing to the front wall of the box, cut out a window with a stationery knife, just like in the first option, the flaps are bent inward and glued to back wall boxes. Formed from a separate sheet of cardboard top part hearth. That's it, the portal is ready for installation on the podium.

Installing a fireplace mantel. To make it, you can use drywall or a sheet of plywood, or glue it together from several cardboard sheets. The shelf is attached to the portal double-sided tape. Like the podium, the shelf can be slightly wider than the portal;
We begin finishing work. Carefully paint over all joints and unnecessary color spots on the surface of the box using several layers of paint. If it is not possible to use paint in a spray can, an ordinary water-based emulsion will do. If desired, you can pre-glue the resulting structure with white paper, or you can even putty it with drywall solution;
The last and probably most enjoyable stage of making a fireplace is decorating it. It all depends on your imagination. You can cover your new fireplace with self-adhesive film or wallpaper in marble, brick or wood colors; cover with elements of gypsum stucco. You can use liquid wallpaper - and then your fireplace will have the rough structure of marble chips. Decorate the fireplace hearth with fake firewood (they can be made from cardboard or twigs); use a garland or a flickering lamp to imitate a flame. You can also light candles there from time to time, however, this method of decorating the fireplace is not entirely safe, since cardboard is still not fireproof material. Remember this and do not leave an open fire unattended. Place photo frames, figurines and other nice decorative items on the mantelpiece.

Making a corner fireplace is easier than making a front fireplace. The materials used are the same, only the method of forming the box is different. Plan for its implementation step by step:

We draw a drawing and select a corner of the house in which the future fireplace is supposed to be located;
We will need a large cardboard box from which a flat canvas is formed, which is then joined in such a way that the side folds of the box perfectly coincide with the corners of the future location of the fireplace. As a result, you should end up with a triangular structure, which must be secured with masking tape;
For stability and strengthening of the structure, stiffening ribs are formed at the top and bottom. They are made like this: measure approximately 12 centimeters from the top and bottom of the fireplace and make small cuts with a stationery knife. By inside The boxes draw lines that connect these marks. Next, the same stationery knife is lightly drawn along the drawn lines to form an even bend of the cardboard, after which these strips are bent, everything unnecessary is cut off and glued together at the joints. Thus, stiffening ribs are formed at the top and bottom of the fireplace;
In the center on the front of the fireplace we cut out a hole for the firebox, the bottom must be rectangular, the top can be rounded like an arch. We do not cut off the lower part of this rectangle, but bend it inward, forming a right angle and forming the bottom of the firebox. We cut off everything unnecessary, fix the bottom with masking tape;
Creating the side walls of the fireplace. We take cardboard sheets, equal in height to the inlet of the firebox, and in length equal to its depth. You can install them in a triangle, simplifying your task; you can form a right angle on each side - then you will have to additionally glue the missing places of the firebox with sheets of cardboard. We fasten the structure using masking tape. To form the top of the firebox, we also take a cardboard sheet and adapt its shape to the existing structure, also carefully gluing the joints;
Now we need to attach the mantel and the bottom to our portal. To make them, you will need two triangular sheets of cardboard, which must be glued with PVA glue;
Let the structure dry thoroughly and begin decorating our fireplace. Its methods are identical to the methods of finishing a front fireplace, so we will not repeat it.

Upon completion of all work, we install the fireplace in the chosen location.

If you wish, to decorate your fireplace, you can make your own fake firewood from scraps of cardboard (corrugated is best). So let's begin:

First, we prepare everything you need: sheets of corrugated cardboard, from which the smooth upper layer, a stationery knife, sharp scissors, white paint and a thin rope;
In order for our future firewood to perfectly harmonize with the fireplace insert, it is necessary to measure its parameters and, based on this, calculate the optimal size of the firewood;
Measure the required dimensions of the “log” on the prepared sheet of cardboard and cut the strip. Roll it up. The thickness can be different, it depends on what you want to get in the end - a “log” or a “twig”. You can make “knots” into the firewood, this will give it a natural look;
After rolling the cardboard sheet into a roll, its edge is well coated with glue, tied with a rope and left to dry. Make a few blanks different sizes;
To make “knots,” we form a thin “twig” from cardboard, glue it and dry it, and then cut it with a stationery knife at an angle and glue it to the “logs” using glue and masking tape;
After the glue has completely dried, our “firewood” needs to be painted. To begin with, they are thickly coated with white paint, and then you can tint them to match the color of any wood. If you don’t want to bother, then put a few black strokes on a white surface - and you’re ready to go.” birch firewood»;
Gouache is well suited for coloring “logs”.

So our wonderful fireplace made of cardboard boxes is ready! Thanks to its portability and light weight, it can be easily moved from room to room, although this must be done with caution so as not to damage the structure. It does not require any additional care - just brush off the dust and do not place it in places with high humidity and in the open sun. Cardboard is environmentally friendly pure material, so such a fireplace will not cause any harm to your family members. If all operating rules are followed, a cardboard fireplace will serve you for many years, become stylish and modern decoration your home and will delight you with the knowledge that you created this beauty with your own hands!

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U You always want comfort and warmth, no matter city apartment or a country house. The desire to create a fireplace in the house especially appears when there is snow and a blizzard outside the window. And what could be better than your own fireplace in the house? If you remember about such a desire in the summer, then it is quite possible for residents of a country house to equip it, but the population of high-rise buildings can only dream about it. We have a solution: a less expensive and no less impressive DIY cardboard fireplace (step-by-step instructions included). If this solution interests you, then go ahead... get a large cardboard box. What else is needed and how to do it, we will now tell and show you.

The key and most important thing, without which you won’t be able to create a fireplace with your own hands, even if you have the most detailed instructions, is a large cardboard box. It can be from a TV, refrigerator, or even suitable from. The main thing is that it meets the following requirements:

Strong packaging cardboard. It has the necessary rigidity, which will allow you to apply finishing to the future fireplace and make a top shelf.
Have big size, so that there is room for imagination. If there is no very large box, then you will have to limit yourself to a laconic corner fireplace, for this you can take less.
The box should be unnecessary. For example, you just bought a refrigerator, then don’t rush to use cardboard for a good cause, because when problems arise with the device, without the original packaging they won’t accept it for warranty, and even if they do, it will probably be inconvenient to transport it.

In addition, you will need the following helpers: masking tape, glue gun, paint primer, stationery knife, ruler, paint brush, sponge for applying relief plaster, acrylic paint, spatula (not wide). These are the basic materials. If you are planning additional, then for these purposes you can use, depending on the fireplace design: polystyrene foam, drywall, baseboards and borders (decorative polystyrene foam), mosaic or any other, tile grout, varnish. For the convenience of cutting all this, use a grinder or jigsaw.

Cardboard is convenient because it can be used to make a structure of almost any shape.

Before starting work

Before you start making a fireplace out of cardboard with your own hands, step-by-step instructions for which are already available, you need to develop the design of the future fireplace, since even the most skillful hands They won’t go purely on fantasy and you need to rely on something before making a fireplace with your own hands from cardboard.

The development of the project includes marking the dimensions of the future product in accordance with the possibilities of its placement, and the following factors must be taken into account:

If space is limited and there is free corner, That excellent option there will be a small false fireplace with a corner placement.

Having received information about the free space, you can develop a fireplace layout. On a sheet of paper it is worth drawing to scale the height, width, depth of the furnace and its shape. After such detailing, you can start working in kind with our box.

Helpful advice! If you don’t have a large box, use several small ones, gluing them together in the shape of an arch-portal.

Fireplace frame

Now comes the most crucial moment: you need to make markings on the box and cut out the components of the future fireplace. The final result will depend on the accuracy of the work at this stage. appearance fireplace. Therefore, work carefully, clearly and accurately.

Lay the box on the floor and mark the future firebox and required places bending To avoid confusion, mark the cut line with one color and the bend line with another. In order for the cardboard to bend where it is needed, you only need to cut through the top layer, that is, the paper that covers the corrugated insides. This manipulation will allow you to clearly draw the contours of the future fireplace.

Next, we begin cutting out the firebox. Regardless of what shape you choose for it, the steps to form it are the same. First, cut out the window, then bend its lower part inward - this will be the bottom of the firebox. Next you need to organize the back wall and sides. For the back wall, cut out a figure identical in shape from such cardboard, but you need to make it a little larger, about 5 cm allowances are enough to make it convenient to glue it. We do the same with the sidewalls. Then we collect it all. You can fasten it either with a glue gun, or tape, or a stapler, but always from the inside out. If you plan to organize shelves and niches, then the stage of forming the firebox should be postponed. And carry it out after making the shelves, which are made according to the same scheme as the firebox.

After all the niches are ready, you need to worry about strengthening the structure. To do this you need:

Place cardboard, polystyrene or other lightweight material under the firebox and shelves. durable material, which would withstand the weight of what is supposed to be placed in the niches.
In places of probable deformation (at bends), fix the cardboard rolled into a tube: it will give a stable shape to the structure.

Helpful information! For durability and reliability of the structure, it is best to use drywall or. However, these materials require some skills, and gypsum boards will also require the construction of a metal frame.

Adjustment

If you made a fireplace out of cardboard with your own hands, step-by-step instructions for which you had, but there are irregularities and other shortcomings, then they need to be corrected. Putty will come to our aid. But here you need to work carefully. After all, cardboard absorbs moisture, so you need to apply it in parts and on small areas, the second layer only after the previous one has completely dried. Eat little trick, which will help out if the shortcomings are minimal. Stick regular rough paste onto the uneven areas - it sticks well to the cardboard, and the finishing putty fits just fine on it.

Lid

There is not a single fireplace that is without a cover, and ours is no exception. It must be made from any dense and light material. For example, from thick foam. First, you need to make recesses in it so that the lid falls into place. That is, it fixed the position of the fireplace. Before fixing it with glue, you need to try it on and check that all the protrusions match. If everything is good, you can record it. The joints need to be puttied.

Finishing

The last stage will be finishing. First you need to apply finishing putty using a spatula, and then let your imagination float freely. You can decorate the fireplace with foam borders, which are used on the ceiling. Or make it out of polystyrene foam and paint it accordingly, you can apply an ornamental design and much more. It is better to lay the lid with tiles or paste it over wooden clapboard. The final stage will be to coat all this splendor with varnish in order to fix the decor and give it a finished look.

conclusions

It’s not difficult to make a fireplace with your own hands from a cardboard box; you just need to use the key factors of our step-by-step instructions and use your imagination. Thus, you can create a truly cozy hearth in any apartment or country house, sit down with the whole family near it and spend a fun evening.

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A fireplace in a house is a symbol of comfort and warmth. Not every private home has a fireplace made of stone, but the owners standard apartment you don’t even have to dream about it. And you should always dream. If you can’t lay out a real fireplace, then even a housewife can make an imitation of it. Such a simple and available material like cardboard.

To make it you will need unnecessary boxes, glue, scissors and imagination. For decoration, various unnecessary remnants of colored paper, polystyrene foam and other materials found in the house are suitable.

Sketch of the future hearth

Before planning production cardboard fireplace, we need to study the experience of those who have already turned the idea into reality. Photos of cardboard fireplaces can be found in online sections on the relevant topic.

Planning:

Determining the location for the future structure. The most suitable ones would be empty corner or a wall.
Depending on the availability of free space, the dimensions of the structure are determined.
Making a sketch. It is necessary to mark the external and inner dimensions. The sketch can be done in color, complementing it with intended decorative elements. These elements do not need to be drawn, you just need to determine the places for them. This fireplace diagram will allow you to see the future product in its finished form.

Thinking through decorative details, we must strive to ensure that the final layout is as similar as possible to a real fireplace.

Manufacturing process

The basis of the fireplace structure will be a cardboard frame. For its construction, it is best to use thick cardboard boxes. Corrugated cardboard will be the most suitable for packaging large household products. If you still have the packaging from the TV, then the ideal frame is ready.

In addition to cardboard, you need to prepare:

Stationery and polymer glue, which will be used to attach decorative elements.
Wide tape, it is better to take double-sided masking tape.
White paint. For coloring cardboard, dispersion is the most suitable.
As cutting tool You will need scissors and a cutter.
Paint brushes and foam rubber or sponge.
Old cloth napkins or scraps of fabric.

Depending on the idea, other materials should be provided. For example, stucco molding made of foam material. If there is a remainder liquid wallpaper, then they will find a use for creating volume.

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 reverse side draw a line. 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.

Finish options

An interesting option is to imitate brick or stone masonry. For this you can choose self-adhesive film. Such materials are sold in construction supermarkets. You just need to calculate the size of the canvas and select the desired design in the store.

If the product is decorated with stucco, the fireplace will look more interesting. For these purposes, use the remains of ceiling tiles, foam baseboards, or purchase additional moldings.

If desired, the fireplace can be decorated additional elements. For example, a New Year's fireplace can be complemented LED lamps simulating candles.

And finally, the most important thing that allows us to call a fireplace a home is fire. Several logs wrapped LED strip, will make the hearth almost real. And on New Year's Eve, the flickering light of the fireplace will give the room comfort and a festive mood.

So, a simple and accessible, financially easy option for building a home is outlined. We can say that this is a basic instruction on how to make a decorative fireplace. The basis is there, and everyone can decorate it with decorative elements according to their own taste.