Fireplace made of cardboard

The fireplace is always associated with cosiness and comfort, therefore , even living in a multi-storey apartment, people often dream of creating such an original corner in one of the rooms. A fireplace made of cardboard with their own hands, made with love and accuracy, can replace the real fireplace in the interior, completely withstanding the style of decoration of the room.

It is necessary to say at once that nothing is particularly complicated in the manufacture of this element of decor, and it can be performed not only by a man who has skills in construction, but also the landlady of the apartment. Especially since the does not work laboriously and does not require of special devices and tools .The maximum that the will need for the process - is a fantasy in the exterior design of the fireplace, which can easily be diversified due to the that the on sale now has large assortment of polyurethane foam elements imitating stucco molding, columns and other decorations. If the sketch of the fireplace itself is designed independently, and for it the decorative details will be selected correctly, the design itself can turn out to be absolutely original and exclusive.

Preparing for the creation of the fireplace

Planning a future fireplace

while get to work, you must do a number of preparatory activities, without which it would be impossible to make an original interior decoration.

• First determine the location of the installation of the future fireplace. Usually an empty wall or corner is chosen for it, where it fits perfectly, unlike bulky pieces of furniture. In addition, the fireplace can be an excellent cover for unsightly corners.
• Next, the size of the future decorative structure is determined, which is calculated directly at the site of its installation.

• dimensions at hand. The next stage of the is the sketch of the future product, on which all the dimensions of the - are necessarily placed. Such a carefully prepared drawing will help to avoid distractions during measurements. It is also recommended to make a fireplace picture in complete with form, preferably - in color , that is with all supposed decorative elements that will give it completeness. This drawing will help you to immediately decide on the purchase of all necessary parts and finishing materials. Optional accurately draw out each of the decor elements - will be enough to determine their location and approximately determine the dimensions.

When selecting the finishes for the appearance of the fireplace, you need to take into account the fact that this element of the interior must be zadekorirovat most carefully. Friends who come to visit, even suspicions should not arise about the fact that the main material for the manufacture of this fireplace was the usual corrugated cardboard.

Materials for manufacturing and necessary tools

The next task to be solved in preparation for the work of - is the selection of suitable materials.

• For the manufacture of the case you will need to get a large box of corrugated cardboard, in which you usually pack large household appliances - TVs or refrigerators. Since the boxes are usually discarded after unpacking most of the customers, the main material can get in general for nothing. Therefore, if such an forge is conceived, it makes sense to address acquaintances or neighbors with a request to give such a package in case of acquiring such equipment.

Another one option mining boxes can become a "watch" in the hardware store. There you can negotiate with the buyer of the refrigerator that he is not in a hurry to throw out the package, since you will free him from the hassle and will take her when it will no longer be needed.

In a word, if the goal is set, then it will definitely be achieved, if desired to realize the developed projects.

• In addition to cardboard, two types of adhesive are needed - is a polymer, type "Dragon", for gluing foam polystyrene decorative elements, and PVA - for pasting cardboard and corners with pieces of thin paper.
• You can use a wide adhesive tape for gluing corners, which is easy to buy in any construction shops.
• White water-based paint - is required for priming and painting the finished fireplace.
• You may need a clear water lacquer.
• If the fireplace is multi-colored, color additives to the paint will be required in order to give the items of the desired shade to the parts. In addition, you can buy some acrylic paint( for gold, silver, bronze and , .), If any special decorative design of the elements is conceived.
• Some home masters use liquid volumetric wallpaper, to create on the surfaces of the future fireplace imitation of marble chips or other materials.
• The decorative parts - are purchased directly by moldings of the required length and corners to them, columns and capitals, stucco elements and others.

• For work, sponges and brushes of different sizes, long ruler and tape measure, office scotch tape, simple pencil will be needed. Always keep dry clean soft cloths at hand.
• In addition to the above, it is quite possible that other materials will be needed, if they are provided for by the completed project. You can buy everything you need in the shops of office and building goods.

The process of manufacturing the fireplace

In order to determine which fireplace is best for the for a particular room, it is better to consider the manufacturing processes of two variants of the fireplace - wall and corner.

Looking for how to make a decorative fireplace yourself?

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the step by step guide on how to make a decorative fireplace from an old closet with your own hands. In addition, this material details the process of decorating the fireplace stucco and the stage of connecting the LED strip!

Wall-mounted version of

The wall-mounted fireplace is quite compact and does not clutter the room. In addition, the mantelpiece, if you make the its enough rigid , may well serve as a stand for decorative figurines, candles, vases or watches.

First of all, you need to make room for work where you can freely spread a large sheet of cardboard. Acting, according to the sketch, in accordance with the dimensions specified on the it , on the spread out cardboard( the former box) all details of the future fireplace are marked and traced. Carrying this process, you need to remember that the folds of the box can also be used rationally and make them the angles of the fireplace.

Fireplace is made from of three components of - is the foundation that should be enough rigid , fireplace portal and upper shelf.

Basis of the fireplace

The base must be rigid in order for the fireplace to stand tightly on the floor, so the shape for the base must be properly reinforced. This podium is strengthened with the help of additional inserts - ribs rigidity , which are fixed inside.

ribs can be assembled in grating , and can be and are chaotically glued to the bottom and cover of the box.

The width of this part of the fireplace should exceed the length and width of the fireplace portal by 80 ÷ 120 mm. You can definitely determine with taking into account the preferences of the master and the area to which the fireplace will be installed.

You can make a base in two ways:

• Cut out the sideboard, install or paste of its bottom of the rib , on the PVA glue.
• Cut two identical panels of the correct size from the cardboard - it will be the bottom of the and the surface of the base. ribs - edges are attached and pressed to the bottom. They can be glued to glue or double-sided adhesive tape.

The lateral surfaces of this structure consist of flat strips that are glued from the two or three layers of cardboard, which will give an additional rigidity to the -based. They are installed between panels and glued to paint tape.

When making an stand - the basis of , you need to think about how the portal on the bottom structure will be fixed, since sometimes it is fixed to the bottom panel of the base.

Most often the portal is installed on the upper plane of the base and then fixed with an adhesive tape.

production portal is drawn out of the box along the lines marked in advance and can be manufactured also in several ways: on a frame basis or with a solid rear wall.

The first version of

• If the portal is constructed on a frame basis, then the fireplace will have more rigid design, as the frame partitions will be made of several layers of cardboard glued together.
• For the beginning, the front part of the portal is made, to which the frame will be attached, making the whole of this structure stiffer than the .

• On the cardboard, should be marked with a window for the future focus. The upper part of the window is cut with a stationery knife. Then the plane that is marked as the window is divided in half. The resulting "leaves" are bent inward - they will become the inner side walls of the hearth.

• To make the hearth ceiling, a rectangle is cut from the cardboard, the length of which is equal to the width of the hearth, and the width of the - width of the inner walls. This rectangle is fixed with adhesive tape to the place of the ceiling of the hearth.

The result is the front of the - portal, its needs to be reinforced from the inside with a frame.

Frame panels are sometimes made of solid rectangles of cardboard, which are glued together and dried under a press. Then they are attached to the front of the portal and are fastened together by means of paint tape or glue PVA and pieces of paper.

Another option for making skeleton partitions that will make the fireplace easier on weight - are not solid panels, but latticed partitions.

• Then sheets are attached to rigid gratings from of cardboard in one layer.
• Portal is mounted on the base-podium and fixed with a paint tape or glue PVA and paper.
• Once the framework is fully ready and the is attached to the , it can be converted using paint or gluing paper that will close all unsightly connections.

The frame can play the role of a rather of reliable shelves, which will serve as storage elements for handicrafts or other trifles that are not used daily.

If the portal niches are to be used as shelves, then the walls and the frame of the portal must be rigid , therefore they are also made of several layers of cardboard glued together.

The second version of

The second version of the portal is easier to make than the first one, because according to the dimensions set in the sketch, the usual box is assembled. In this case, the rear wall will be solid and it will not be possible to arrange convenient shelves in it.

. The box is also glued together with paint tape.

The front of the portal is formed from strips of cardboard cut to size. It will take three or four strips, depending on whether the lower part of the hearth closes by several centimeters.

Next, the rectangular stripes are fixed to the sides of the box, and then the - on top and bottom between the side strips, forming a window of the hearth. The next step is to attach the finished form of the fireplace to the marked place on the surface of the podium, first it is picked up with glue, and then is securely fixed with paint tape or paper overlays and PVA glue.

Installation of a fireplace shelf

If you do not further strengthen the top panel of the fireplace construction, it will not be possible to put any decorative ornaments on the on the .Therefore it is recommended to lay a mantelpiece.

It should be remembered that this element should not be heavier than the base of the fireplace, since the entire structure can fall. The weight of the mantelpiece should be about the same as that of the podium or even slightly smaller.

It is best to make a shelf of two or three glued together sheets of cardboard. For the top layer, it is possible to use a non-corrugated, rather than a conventional, dense material.

Fireplace shelf should be glued on polymeric glue or "liquid nails" - so it will be reliably fitting on the frame structure or a fireplace arranged in the form of a box.

You can use as a shelf plywood, thickness up to 10 mm, or a thin board made of light wood. As an option - it is quite suitable laminate panel.

Decoration

A very important stage is the transformation of the finished structure into an almost "real" fireplace. This can be done in different ways, because the appearance of the fireplace will look like the master wishes.

The first version of

In this version, decorative polyurethane foam elements are glued immediately onto the cardboard. Fireplace shelf from the front side and on the sides are framed with a molding having a width of 10 ÷ 12 mm.

• Thin molding divides the whole surface into separate zones, the hearth niche is allocated.
• Further on individual parts of the surface, symmetrically to each other, separate elements of stucco are glued.
• In addition to them, decorative columns can be installed along the sides of the portal.

All elements are glued to "liquid nails" or polyurethane glue.

• The next stage of the entire surface of the fireplace, including decorative details, painted with water-based white paint. The work is carried out with the help of a brush and a sponge, in order to paint well all hard-to-reach places. As a result, you can get an absolutely white design.

• water-based paint. Then, it is necessary to additionally work on the structure, for example, to coat moldings and stucco with gilding or paint of a certain color, which can be made from the same water emulsion with the addition of color.
• After the painting processes have been completed, it is recommended to cover all the gable and side parts with water-based varnish. It will protect the surface from various external influences, and also make the its more comfortable for cleaning, since dust with a rough, painted water-emulsion surface paint is relieved very reluctantly.

The second version of

Another option for decorating a fireplace using liquid wallpaper will give the surface of the fireplace relief, under the structure of natural materials.

But, before impose a finishing mix on the portal, it needs to be prepared and carried out to decorate the hearth and mantelpiece.

• The front and side surfaces, as well as the niche of the hearth, are painted with water-based paint and left to dry.

• A thin paper or newspaper - is attached to the top of the mantelpiece for further processing. When the surface dries, the of its is also coated with paint.
• The next stage under the mantelpiece for "liquid nails" is fixed molding, imitating stucco molding.

• Next, you can proceed to the design of the hearth fireplace. Corrugated cardboard is cut out the required number of rectangles that will mimic the brickwork. They are glued into the niche of the hearth, and the distance between the rows should be approximately the same and be 8 ÷ 10 mm. Details of this imaginary "masonry" need to be glued to "liquid nails" or polyurethane glue.

• After the glue has dried, the "brickwork" is covered with water-based white paint.
• The next step is painting "bricks".To achieve of the desired shades, I add t to the water-based paint. Do, as a rule, several close to each other shades of color, in order for the focus looked more picturesque.

• Next, on the prepared surface of the portal, carefully prepared "liquid wallpaper".To apply the mixture use a spatula, which its is distributed in the visible areas of the fireplace. It is very neat to apply wallpaper near the polyurethane decorative elements - the mixture should close the joint between the surface and the stucco.

• Having finished the work with the walls, you can proceed to decorating the mantelpiece. In this case, the usual wrinkled paper - was used, it will simulate a marble surface. Wet paper straightens on the shelf, but the crumpled paper still remains.

• After drying paper and "liquid wallpaper", if desired , you can apply a tint to the stucco with a soft brush, and on the mantelpiece - with a sponge, lightly touching the surface, so as to touchOnly protruding lines of crumpled paper.

• are suitable for creating the appearance of "stone foundation". The last stage of the fireplace conversion is the decoration of the base. The role of "stones" is quite possible to perform a conventional foam, which is glued to the "liquid nails", and also covered with paint with the addition of the chosen tone to it.

Video: an example of creating a wall fireplace from cardboard

Corner fireplace

A corner fireplace is even easier to make than a wall fireplace. This will require, in principle, exactly the same materials, and you can decorate it the way you want the master. For decoration, the above-described polyurethane foam elements in combination with paint and liquid wallpaper, or simply self-adhesive film , are also suitable.

• Before making a corner fireplace it is necessary to make a sketch and drawing . In order for to be accurate, take measurements from the corner where a decorative accessory will be installed. This is especially important if the fireplace is placed in the furniture wall or will be adjacent to it. In this case, it is recommended that the triangle's legs be made equal to the width of the side panels of the furniture wall.
• Next, the size of the box mounted fireplace shape. If a large box was found, from it make an even cloth, and folds from the corners will help in the manufacture of a triangle for a corner fireplace.
• The is formed from the triangular form , which is fastened with paint tape over the top of the corner.
• To make the triangle stand well on the floor surface, you need to give it an additional hardness .To do this, at the corners, from above and below, it measures about 100 mm and cuts are made with a knife.
• Next, a smooth line is drawn from the inside, which will connect the angled notches, and then a shallow incision is made along this line. It will help to make an even bend.
• Exactly the same prose ss pr is carried and with the other two sides of the triangle. Then the strips bend, the excess part is cut off, and the joints are glued together.
• The bottom part of the fireplace is done in the same way.

• Next, you need to make from a separate piece of cardboard or paper a pattern of the size of the hearth window. Then its is reduced from all sides by 70 ÷ 100 mm and the reduced part is cut out. Its is applied to the large plane of the resulting "triangle" - hypotenuse, delineate with a pencil and carefully cut with a knife.
• Now it is necessary to make incisions at the corners of the window, at the same 70 ÷ 100 cm, and then they should be carefully folded into the window at a right angle. Bend angles should be immediately sealed with adhesive tape.
• In order to make the rear walls of the hearth, you need a box angle, and for the ceiling and bottom of the - two triangles. The internal part of the "furnace" is measured according to to the opening .
• These dimensions cut out the necessary parts and are glued together. The ready interior of the furnace is mounted in the fireplace niche, attaching it with adhesive tape to the bends that were made earlier.
• For rigidity bottom of the furnace, under it can be arranged supports, glued from several layers cardboard in the form of columns. Two such details will be enough. They are glued between the lower plane of the fireplace construction and the bottom of the furnace.
• When the construction of the fireplace will be assembled, you can proceed with the decoration. In the , uses self-adhesive film to simulate the exterior of the fireplace, simulating brickwork.
• Bonding starts from inside the structure, ie .from the hearth. The process must be carried out very carefully, trying to observe the drawing of the to the brick masonry. Then the upper part of the portal is framed, then the lateral walls of the around the furnace, and the film lastly sticks to the bottom of the area of ​​the fireplace's fronts.

• Further, it is cut from cardboard or plywood, a mantelpiece is trimmed and glued to the surface of the structure, which will serve as an excellent surface for placing decorative figures or candles.

Decorative firewood

After making a fireplace and installing it in place, you can think about accessories that can decorate it. Since the fireplace is not a real , it is also suitable for decorative firewood, which can also be made from corrugated cardboard.

To make such firewoods decorate the fireplace fireplace, you need to prepare the material and the necessary tools. - is a knife, scissors, glue, paint, thin twine and peeled corrugated cardboard.

The work is done in stages, and its is quite simple.

• The size of the wood depends on how much the is large with the fireplace fireplace so that they fit well into this space. On the cardboard, the required length and width are measured, then the strips are cut off.

• Next, the material is rolled into a tube. Its thickness depends on the preference of the master - it can be a thick " log " or "branch", smooth or with knots.
• After the tubes of the are folded , the edge of the cardboard is greased with adhesive pressed and tied with with string until dry. It is better in this case to use polymer glue or "liquid nails".Blanks for poleshek are made several times at once.
• Next, from the cardboard folds thin "branches", which are marked, thus, as shown in the upper photo. After the glue dries, the "branch" is cut into several "knots", which are then glued to the " logs ".

• When the glue dries, the finished poles are covered with a thick layer of white paint, and then the of the logs can sink the under any kind of wood. For example, transverse black strokes of different widths on a white background will make them " birch wood", and dark brown strips, struck along logs , will show that "wood is chopped" from "oak wood".For decoration of logs well is suitable gouache - it is quite thick and well combined with water-based paint and, if necessary, thickly or translucently overlaps the white base.

If you include fantasy, then in the furnace you can make a safe backlight consisting of colored LEDs that will simulate smoldering or burning coals. The fabric is also made "flame tongues", blown from below by a weak fan in power. They, illuminated by the right light, will perfectly simulate a burning fire.

Video: tips for creating decorative home-made fireplace

It must be recognized that all materials for making a fireplace and accessories for it are affordable, so do not be afraid to spoil them. It is necessary to approach the process creatively and include your imagination, which, perhaps, will prompt additional design options. In the event that the master himself comes up with decorative elements, the is quite possible to get an exclusive version of the fireplace, which can not be distinguished from the present.