Today, special attention in the interior is paid to the issue of decoration. Most installed fireplaces perform decorative functions rather than heating. And the usual types of fuel are changing to biofuels or electricity. Therefore, making dummy firewood for an electric fireplace with your own hands is considered a fairly popular topic.
What are they needed for
Many will ask the question: why are such dummies needed? Well, firstly, it's a matter of aesthetics. And secondly, you don’t need deep knowledge of stove equipment to notice the difference between a fireplace with an electric heating element and a wood-burning fireplace.
Due to the absence of smoke and rapid heating of the room, electric fireplaces are an advantage when compared with a wood-burning fireplace. But with all this, a certain naturalness of the hearth is lost, its charm and charm are lost. If you add dummy firewood to such a design, the picture of the fireplace changes radically.
This situation is especially relevant for a city apartment, where installing a real fireplace is simply impossible.
Firewood imitation options and materials
In stores you can find many options for such products. They can be made of plastic or ceramic. Any imitation, purchased or made with your own hands, is designed to give realism to an artificial hearth to help you feel all the charm of home comfort and warmth.
Imitation of firewood or coals, made of plastic, has a very simple operating principle. Typically, such objects are illuminated with red light bulbs.
It is also possible that the light bulb is located inside each element. Of course, this is not entirely realistic, but still.
More expensive fireplace models are characterized by a flickering pattern or imitation of artificial flames, which occurs due to a special mechanism in which elements rotate around the lamp, alternating transparent and shaded sectors. This type of lighting can be located either behind a dummy of firewood or inside it.
The exact same lighting system can be used to achieve a burning effect, using real coal, which is placed in the fireplace niche.
In this case, the dummy and coals are illuminated from the bottom. Imitation of plastic firewood and coals, of course, is not ideal, and it has its own errors.
To hide all the shortcomings as much as possible, artificial firewood with lighting is placed as deep as possible in the fireplace niche, and the hearth is decorated with a fireplace grate, which serves as a mask for the shortcomings.
In expensive models of electric fireplaces you can find several techniques for simulating fire. To make the picture realistic, they use not only dummies of firewood, but also mirrors with strips of foil or ribbons in which the backlight lights are illuminated, creating the illusion of flames. In addition to everything, the models are equipped with various functions, steam supply, which imitates smoke from a fire, and a sound device that reproduces sounds similar to the crackling of firewood.
If your financial capabilities are not enough for such items, then as an option, you can try making dummies of firewood with your own hands.
Production of decorative firewood
Making decorative firewood with your own hands is quite easy; for this you can use materials that almost every person has.
Stores offer ready-made firewood made from plastic or ceramics, but the cost is quite high.
Therefore, it is more advisable to make decorative firewood with your own hands with minimal financial costs.
To make a dummy you need to prepare:
- cardboard;
- paint;
- glue;
- scotch.
The manufacturing process can be divided into four stages.
- The first stage is to prepare blanks that have different sizes. Some parts of future firewood may be longer, the side parts of the logs may be slightly smaller.
- The second stage consists of gluing the cut blanks. To do this, rectangular sheets of cardboard must be tightly rolled. For gluing, you can use glue or tape. Short rolls are attached at an arbitrary angle to a longer piece, forming the rest of the branch.
- The third stage involves painting the blanks. To do this, you can use paint of various colors, black, white or brown. The main goal of coloring is maximum realism.
The final step of coloring is coating the logs with varnish. - And the last stage is laying the logs in the niche of the electric fireplace. They can be laid in any direction, crossing or placing in a certain order.
Based on this, wood-burning imitation for a fireplace is very easy to do with your own hands, it will not require large financial expenses, and you will definitely get pleasure from the final result.
Decorative Firewood
Placing decorative firewood
Particular attention must be paid to the placement of firewood in the fireplace niche. You can do this yourself and give the hearth a more aesthetic appearance; it will become more believable.
To place a fake log in the fireplace niche, you need to decide on the installation option.
Imitation of firewood looks quite impressive in combination with other decorative elements, such as stones or candles.
If for some reason it is impossible to place artificial firewood in the depths of the firebox, you can place a separate emphasis on the firewood by placing it outside the hearth.
In addition, you can build a firewood shed with your own hands, into which decorative firewood is placed.
With a harmonious selection of stove equipment and decor for it, you can turn the hearth into an object of great attention. The combination of firewood and fire, regardless of whether they are natural or artificial, will add unique charm and comfort to any interior.
Video: How to make a fire (hearth) for a decorative fireplace
Today, a fireplace is not so much a heating installation as an exquisite interior decoration. But what should those who, for purely technical reasons, cannot build such a structure in their home, for example, residents of city high-rise buildings, do? They offer an electric fireplace, which you can make yourself.
Electric fireplace: device and principle of operation
An electric or false fireplace is an imitation of a real fireplace. This product consists of two parts:
The hearth is installed in the portal and performs three functions:
- lighting;
- heating;
- imitation of live fire in some way.
Hearths are available in a wide variety of designs. First of all, they differ in the way they create the illusion of burning fire. Here are the main options:
- The simplest and cheapest: several strips of red silk are attached to plastic pseudo-logs, and lighting and a fan are installed below. The light from the lamp resembles the heat of coals, while the silk strips flutter in the air flow forced by the fan, imitating tongues of flame. Along the way, the air blows over the heating element located in the upper part of the hearth, and thus distributes heat.
- An improved option: a rotating reflector is installed under the imitation firewood. The light from the lamp becomes flickering and oscillating, which makes the hearth more like a real one.
- A more expensive solution: there is an ultrasonic steam generator, the same as in air humidifiers (produces cold steam or mist), and under it there is a backlight of multi-colored LEDs that cast flickering reflections on the fog. Additionally, for greater similarity, an audio reproduction system is installed, broadcasting a characteristic sound pattern - the hissing and crackling of firewood.
- Latest technologies: hologram and 3D image. This imitation looks very impressive.
Also, electric fireplaces may differ in the presence of various options. Some of them, for example, are equipped with thermostats (they independently maintain the room temperature at a user-specified level) and a remote control.
Photo gallery: types of electric fireplaces
Hanging electric fireplace saves space 
An electric fireplace built into the wall is suitable for modern interiors 
The base of the false fireplace can be finished with artificial stone 
An imitation chimney makes a fake fireplace look like a real one
Materials and tools
When they talk about making an electric fireplace with their own hands, they first of all mean independent design and assembly by the user of the portal. In most cases, the hearth is purchased in a store.
Necessary materials
As already mentioned, a portal is simply a box with decorative lining. It is not exposed to high temperatures, even if the electric fireplace is equipped with heaters, so almost any sheet material can be used as frame cladding:
- drywall;
- plastic;
- aluminum panels;
- steel sheets in a polymer shell or painted with powder paint;
- glass;
- particle boards and fiberboards: chipboard, fibreboard, OSB, MDF (can be produced in laminated form);
- plywood;
- board: solid or parquet (multilayer).
The portal can also be made of piece materials - brick or stone, but due to their massiveness and high cost, these options have not gained popularity. Usually a frame is constructed, and plasterboard is used in most cases for sheathing. This is a fairly rigid material, it holds its shape well, at the same time it is easy to process, has a low weight and, most importantly, allows the use of quite impressive-looking cladding.
Decorative gypsum stone for portal cladding can also be made at home
Another useful feature: if you make a perforation in the cardboard using a needle and moisten the gypsum core through it, then you can make a curved surface from a rigid flat sheet, for example, an arched vault.
As for plywood and solid wood, these materials should be used with caution. Constantly circulating warm air can cause them to dry out with subsequent deformation. This also applies to the frame if it is made of bars and slats.
All wood must be at least well dried. But it is best to assemble a frame from a special metal profile designed for installing partitions and plasterboard ceilings.
Factory production is not the only option. In a simple version, you can reproduce it yourself, although, of course, the homemade product will look less attractive.
Instead of an electric fireplace, you can install in the portal:
- Electronic photo frame with a picture of a flame. A more interesting option is a photo frame with the ability to reproduce primitive animation, into which you need to load a “cartoon” with dancing tongues of fire.
- If the costs don’t bother you, you can go even further: install a small TV in the portal that plays video from a flash card, and record a video for it with a real fire.
- The image of fire is combined with a system of mirrors, thanks to which the observer sees a three-dimensional illusion of flame.
Tools
What tools do you need to prepare:
- plumb line and building level (for installation without distortions);
- metal scissors or grinder with a thin cutting disc;
- stationery knife;
- spatulas;
- sandpaper;
- screwdriver or screwdriver.
Preparatory stage
Before you start making a false fireplace, you need to think about its installation location and power supply.
Selecting a location
Work on creating a homemade electric fireplace should begin with choosing a place for it, since the shape of the portal will depend on this. The following options should be considered:
- Wall-mounted location: this is the most preferred option - it is the wall-mounted electric fireplace that is most similar to the real one. But such an installation is possible only under one condition: the room must be quite spacious. In the wall-mounted version, the electric fireplace is made rectangular.
- Corner: this method is used if the room is of modest size. The corner is usually the least used area, so installing a false fireplace here has almost no effect on the amount of free space. The corner portal will no longer have a rectangular, but a triangular base.
A corner electric fireplace will not take away useful space from the room
- Wall-mounted option: as you know, a floor-mounted fireplace is considered classic. But the mounted option will look good, provided that the space in front of it, at least a few steps away, is not cluttered with anything.
- Built-in fireplace. This option will significantly save space.
If the problem of lack of space is so critical that none of the above options are suitable, an electric fireplace can be built into a partition or furniture. Especially for such tasks, “ultra-thin” fireplaces with a depth of only 7 cm are produced. By the way, it’s worth considering that perhaps such an almost flat fireplace could be made wall-mounted.
When choosing a place for a fireplace, take into account the position of the window: it is advisable that daylight does not overshadow the backlight.
Some users are faced with a problem: no matter where they place the fireplace, it always ends up next to one or another piece of furniture - a table, sofa, pouf, etc. The way out of this situation is to create a wall-mounted fireplace located at a certain height. In this form it will not lose its decorative qualities. At the same time, at any distance from the wall and even under the fireplace itself, it will be possible to place a low piece of furniture.
Hanging electric fireplace significantly saves space
Electricity supply
An important point: at the preparation stage, you should think about the power supply to the fireplace. To prevent the impression of the decoration from being spoiled by an extension cord stretched across the entire room, you need to attach an electrical outlet to the wall near the installation site of the portal. In this case, it is useful to listen to these recommendations:
- You should not install the socket so that it is inside the portal, although this option seems to be the most successful from an aesthetic point of view. False a fireplace, like any other electrical device, is potentially dangerous, and the user must be able to quickly unplug the power cord if something happens.
- It is better to install an outlet with a switch. After installing the fireplace in the portal, the standard power button will most likely be difficult to access, and it will be inconvenient to constantly pull out and insert the plug into the socket to turn the device off and on.
Calculation of parameters and design
At the portal design stage, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Dimensions. The portal should have such dimensions that it and the hearth look proportional. Usually the body is made twice as wide as the hearth, and 1.5 times higher in height. Thus, if the width and height of the fireplace are 50 and 70 cm, then for the portal these same parameters will be equal to 100 and 105 cm. If you intend to install the fireplace not near the floor, but at a certain height, you should choose a wider model - with this placing the fireplace will look better. In this case, the width of the portal should not be doubled, but slightly smaller.
- Dimensions of the combustion hole. This hole should be such that its edges do not block the fireplace’s own frame. This rule should be followed regardless of whether the frame is neutral or made in any genre. If the electric fireplace is stylized, then the design of the portal will have to be made accordingly. If you want to maintain creative freedom, look for an insert hearth - a model that has no frame at all.
- Structural elements. The main structural element of the portal is the vents that ensure air circulation. If there are none, the heating element of the electrical fire may overheat.
It is also advisable to provide the portal with a shelf or hooks from the inside to secure the power cable.
It is better to start work on designing the portal after the purchased hearth is in your home. The fact is that the picture published on the website or in the catalog is often somewhat different from the device being sold and, if you rely on it, the portal will most likely have to be redone.
Drawing
Although it is difficult to imagine a more primitive design than an electric fireplace portal, it is better not to limit yourself to abstract design and sketch out a detailed drawing of the product.
Firstly, it will be easier to develop a specification - a list and quantity of all necessary materials down to the last screw. Secondly, the drawing will immediately reveal minor errors and shortcomings that were overlooked when designing in the mind.
Making an electric fireplace: step-by-step instructions
After all the preparatory work has been done, you can begin making the electric fireplace itself.
Making a pedestal
The pedestal is a tabletop laid on a frame made of a metal profile about 50 mm high. The tabletop can be made from various materials:
- thick plywood or several thin plywood sheets glued together;
- solid wood or a shield made from several boards;
- chipboard.
The most attractive look are countertops made of laminated MDF (the board is enclosed in a plastic shell). Such a product can easily be found on sale.
The pedestal for an electric fireplace can be made from chipboard
The tabletop for a wall-mounted fireplace has the shape of a rectangle, for a corner one - a pentagon. In size it should be several centimeters larger than the dimensions of the portal. A plinth of the same color as the table top is installed as side walls around the pedestal.
Assembling the portal frame
As already mentioned, the frame is best made from a metal profile specifically designed for the installation of plasterboard structures. It comes in two types:
- rack-mount (for a portal you will need a variety with section dimensions of 50x50 mm);
- guide (use standard size 50x40 mm).
To fasten profile sections together, you should use special short self-tapping screws 11–13 mm long, which are popularly called “bugs” or “seeds.”
Installation of the frame is carried out in the following sequence:
On the front side, profile sections are attached that limit the opening, and inside there is a frame on which the hearth will be installed (if one is provided for in the project).
Video: making an electric fireplace portal
Assembling the chimney frame
A false fireplace will look much more realistic if a box is laid from the portal to the ceiling, simulating a chimney. The frame of this box should be constructed from a profile with dimensions of 100x50 and 100x40 mm, then it will be enough to attach it with only one side to the wall. You need to do this:
The frame is strengthened by installing crossbars from a 100x50 mm profile in each face in increments of 50 cm.
Covering the frame with plasterboard
We cut drywall sheets using a stationery knife according to the project. Remember that the parts must be of such dimensions that the seams between them fit on the frame elements. Drywall is screwed with metal self-tapping screws measuring 25x3.5 mm, black in color. The screw must be tightened so that the top edge of its head penetrates 1 mm into the sheathing.
Take your time to completely screw in the trim pieces. First, secure each of them with one or two screws and check if the hearth is working well. After making sure that everything is in order, or making adjustments if necessary, the parts can be screwed “tightly”.
After checking that all the vents for air circulation have been cut out, you can begin puttying work. They include the following steps:
Finally, the entire portal is treated with a primer and allowed to dry completely.
Fireplace finishing
A false fireplace can be covered with tiles or artificial stone, and the bottom, for example, can be lined with brick. Decorative plaster also looks very impressive. You should use a gypsum composition, for example, Vetonit or Rotband brands. By making it slightly thicker than the recipe on the packaging requires, you can use your fingers or a special tool to create a decorative relief that imitates:
- brickwork;
- clay modeling;
- a natural stone;
- wood.
Plaster needs a protective coating with varnish or paint, which will prevent cracks from occurring during significant changes in temperature and humidity conditions.
The top of the portal can be covered with plasterboard, but a tabletop of the same type as that installed as a pedestal will look much more interesting.
Decorating an electric fireplace
You can decorate the portal of a false fireplace with stucco molding, which is fixed with glue. If the frame and cladding are strong enough, real plaster decor is used. It is better not to overload the plasterboard structure - use a lightweight imitation of polyurethane stucco.
A strong impression is made by the ambience created with the help of objects usually accompanying the fireplace. Tongs, a poker, a scoop for removing ash, a broom, etc. are hung on the portal or a stand next to it. Some of these items, for example, a scoop and a poker, can be installed next to the fireplace - as if they had just been used.
You can hang torch-shaped lamps on the wall on both sides of the portal.
Another technique from the same opera is to install a woodpile next to the fireplace. It is a box, quite high, but shallow - the bottom is cut in almost at the very top. Several real logs or dummies made of plastic or ceramic (sold in stores) are placed on it.
The surroundings in the form of a woodpile make the false fireplace more realistic
You can make a rather naturalistic dummy yourself using corrugated cardboard as a material. Here's how it's done:
A fireplace, even a fake one, significantly enriches the interior and brings into it a charming atmosphere of ancient romance from the times of chivalry. But such decoration will only be exclusive if the user makes it himself. We hope our ideas and tips will help you with this.
Many people like to look at the fire in the fireplace. The sight of a flame calms you down, allows you to relax and immerse yourself in your own thoughts. However, it is not always possible to install a real fireplace in your home; this is especially problematic for city residents, whose stress level is very high and who, more than anyone else, need an effective way to relax.
Fortunately, we can build a false fireplace in our apartment, which will adequately replace the real one. At the same time, it can have a real fire if biological fuel is used, or an imitation of fire in a fireplace, which you can also make yourself. In this article we will talk about how to make an imitation of fire in a fireplace with your own hands, we will analyze the most popular methods.
Raised fireplace with a skillfully filled firebox
Available options
A decorative false fireplace is created from various materials; you can use cardboard, plaster, foam plastic, drywall, plywood, chipboard and even brick. In most cases, these materials are flammable, so it is worth remembering fire safety standards and not placing real fire in the fireboxes. If you plan to build a bio-fireplace burner into the firebox, which will create a real flame, then you should take the choice of materials for construction more seriously. For example, build a brick structure, cover the firebox with sheets of metal.
We will consider options when it is necessary to make an imitation of fire that would be remotely or very similar to a real flame. And the simplest idea that immediately comes to mind is to create a suitable drawing. Anyone can draw a picture, but how this fire will look on canvas depends on the talent of the artist.
Painted hearth inside a fake fireplace
There are many other options to create an artificial fire in a fireplace so that it is more realistic than a painted one, and the most interesting of them are the following:
- using a water vapor generator is a modern way;
- the use of fabric and a fan is a theatrical solution;
- the use of LCD displays and televisions is an effective option;
- original illumination using a salt lamp is a useful technique;
- lighting using garlands is a simple method;
- the use of candles, a candle fireplace - a design approach.
If you want to create a high-quality imitation of fire in a fireplace, you can use any of the available options, but remember that each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. To understand which fire for the fireplace is easiest for you to make with your own hands, let's look at all these methods in order.
General description of popular methods
One of the most difficult methods is to create artificial fire using generated water vapor, so we’ll start with this method.
Steam
To create a steam unit inside your raised fireplace, you will need certain components and electrical skills. You can look for a ready-made solution, but finding it will be difficult.
To build a steam generator we will need the following components:
- small quiet fan;
- DMX controller and DMX decoder are devices that allow you to transmit digital data and balance the operation of all generator systems;
- light-emitting diode (LED);
- ultrasonic fog generators;
- pure water ;
- suitable box, boxing.
Installation diagram for creating an imitation of fire from steam
The principle of operation of the steam system is very simple. Fog generators are installed in a suitable box or box. Pure, distilled water is poured into them, which, under the influence of a fan and an ultrasonic vibration generator, begins to gradually evaporate. Note that the evaporation of water occurs at room temperature, and the steam itself is cold. The rising steam from the evaporation of water is illuminated by an LED lamp, which creates the effect of a real flame in the fireplace.
To make the fire look more realistic, a diaphragm should be installed over the entire structure. A diaphragm with holes of different diameters will allow you to vary the speed of the air around you, and therefore create more realistic flames.
If we take a deeper look at the processes taking place, we should remember Bernoulli’s law, which tells us that the smaller the hole, the higher the speed of air flow.
The components are selected according to the main characteristics of the fireplace, while at the same time, at the assembly stage, we plan the final result. You can buy such elements in stores that sell electric steam fireplaces, or in companies that sell equipment for concerts; there are also steam engines here. The design diagram can be easily found on the Internet.
Professional steam installation
After assembling the elements together, we need to get a machine that works on the principle of cold glow discussed above. This imitation of fire will be very impressive, very similar to real flames. Pay attention to the dimensions of the system and the fireplace insert, they must match each other.
It is worth noting that Real Fire professional technologies are based precisely on this principle. The main device in such devices is an ultrasonic steam generator, designed specifically for use in a fireplace. It is this that creates the steam that is illuminated properly. The vapor density at the bottom is greater, which means it glows brighter, resembling a real flame. Higher up the color becomes duller, which allows you to create a smoke effect.
Textile
Imitation of fire through fabric is actively used in theatrical productions, so this option can be proudly called “theatrical”. This method is also great for home use, so we will consider it.
To make an imitation of fire in a false fireplace with our own hands, we will need:
- a certain amount of white silk fabric;
- halogen lamps with reflectors;
- small but powerful fan, preferably quiet;
- several color filters with the main colors of fire - red, orange, blue;
- container or box for assembling all the elements together.
Using fabric to create artificial fire
Assembling the system is simple, the following step-by-step instructions will help you with this:
- We select a box that is suitable in size and decorate it properly on the outside.
- We place a fan or cooler in the box, which can be taken from the computer.
- We attach halogen lamps with colored filters above the fan and point them upward. The distance from the filters to the lamps should be a couple of centimeters.
- When placing color filters, we adhere to the following sequence - blue in the middle, and red and orange at the edges. With this arrangement, the fireplace fire will be bright, rich and natural.
- We cut the silk fabric into various pieces, which we attach to the box on different sides of the fan. To achieve a high level of realism, cut the silk into triangles.
That's all, the homemade imitation of fire in the fireplace is ready, all that remains is to launch it by connecting the lamps and fan to the network, test it, and then modify it. Pieces of fabric imitating flames look very natural, but the main thing is that they are of the required length to fit into the firebox of a false fireplace.
TV
One of the simplest and most popular ways to make a fire in a fireplace almost real is to use a TV, tablet, photo frame or LCD display. The only thing that immediately puts you off the method using a liquid crystal screen is the price, because such equipment costs a certain amount of money
You can save money by purchasing a display specially designed for this purpose. It is sold in the same place where decorative fireplaces with electric filling are sold. The display already contains a recording of real fire, you just have to install it and turn it on.
For greater realism, you can use optical systems made of light filters. They will help make the imitation more lively, rich in volume. It will be a pleasure to admire such fire.
Decorative system for installation in an apartment
Another option for improving the fireplace lighting with your own hands is to use mirrors. It's called Pepper's ghost, and is used by many theaters and magicians. By placing mirrors on the walls of the firebox and its bottom at different angles, you can give the artificial flame some volume. In this form, your hearth will look like a real one.
The most subtle connoisseurs of beauty use holographic systems that create full-fledged 3D copies of fire. Modern technologies make it possible to turn a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional one. Optical systems and LED lights, working together and properly configured, can create very realistic images in a small space. You can even make the image depth greater than the fireplace insert. This method is very impressive, but too expensive and unprofitable.
Salt lamp
Not only an effective, but also a useful method for creating an imitation fire in artificial fireplaces is the use of salt lamps. Such devices have recently appeared on the market, but are already in high demand due to their excellent characteristics and beneficial effects on the human body.
A salt lamp is made from a large piece of salt in which a lamp containing a regular light bulb is placed. During operation, the light bulb heats up and heats up the salt lamp, which begins to emit negative ions into the environment. By connecting with positive ions, which are abundant inside our homes, because... they come from working home appliances, they neutralize them. This creates an environment that is comfortable for human life, which you will certainly feel when you install a similar lamp in your home.
A good option for a salt lamp for a fireplace
Installing a salt lamp in a fireplace is not difficult, but you will need some budget to purchase it. Choose fireplace lamps with matching colors, or purchase several lamps at once to place them together to form a fire pit.
Fairy lights
An interesting way to illuminate the fireplace insert is based on the use of garlands, ordinary New Year's garlands that every family has. Of course, you will have to modify the garlands a little to make them look more realistic, but there are no particular difficulties here.
Garland in the form of a fire for the fireplace insert
To assemble a suitable structure you will need the following materials:
- several small tree branches;
- food grade aluminum foil;
- a small piece of lace or soft white fabric;
- several real stones;
- the garland itself, capable of flickering and having a suitable color background, for example, yellow or red.
Creating an imitation fire from a garland looks like this:
- Tree branches are completely wrapped in foil. The lace is glued onto the resulting silver sticks. The glue takes about a day to dry, so we wait until everything is securely connected. Now carefully cut the resulting lace case and take out the branches from it. The imitation firewood is ready.
- We place stones in a circle in the firebox of the false fireplace. We place the selected garland in the resulting circle, and on top of it we install improvised firewood made of lace. The result is a small fire.
All that remains is to plug in the garland and enjoy the pleasant flickering of the fire.
By the way, you can always use garlands with LEDs to illuminate the interior of the fireplace. Very original, cheap and simple.
This method will make it very easy to get a decent picture of the fire inside a dummy fireplace, but you can do it even easier by placing candles in the firebox.
Candles
It is not recommended to use real candles in an artificial fireplace, much less light them, so it is better to purchase small lamps in a similar shape and install them in the fireplace. If your dummy is made of brick, then you can also use the classic version.
Using candles to decorate a fireplace insert
The use of real candles when lit is not so popular, since they smoke when burned. If you don’t light them, then there will be no flickering or light from the fireplace. At the same time, from a design point of view, such a design for a false fireplace is acceptable, since such a design creates an atmosphere of coziness and comfort.
If you decide to use candles to decorate the fireplace, place other suitable decorative accessories around it, such as candelabra.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that it is not difficult to make an imitation of fire in your home fireplace, and besides, there are a number of methods from which you can choose the appropriate one. At the same time, the achieved result will certainly please you when you feel all the warmth, sincerity and beauty emanating from your fireplace.
Since ancient times, people have installed a fireplace in their homes both for heating and for cooking or lighting the room. Today, these issues are resolved by the heating system and household appliances, and the presence of a fireplace is often decorative. An imitation fireplace is a good addition to the interior of your home, which fills it with beauty and comfort.
What is a false fireplace and why is it needed?
It is impossible to install a full-fledged fireplace in a city apartment. This is due to the lack of chimney pipes, as well as the inability of the ceilings to withstand heavy loads. As an alternative, an imitation of fire is used, which can be done with your own hands without special skills.
Some people buy ready-made electric false fireplaces - they are inexpensive and do not require complicated installation. However, creating an imitation of fire in a fireplace with your own hands is a more interesting way of interior design, which allows you to realize any design ideas and fantasies, turning the living room into the most comfortable part of the apartment.
Decorative fire has the following advantages:
- Affordable price. All costs are associated only with the purchase of materials.
- Decor versatility. A false fireplace can be used for a whole year, and if desired, it can be modified by changing its appearance.
- Stylish appearance and combination with any interior styles.
Types of decorative fireplaces
A wide selection of ready-made designs are available for sale. If you are not considering making an electric fireplace with a live fire effect yourself, you can choose one of the following solutions:
- Cardboard or foam portal. It is the most affordable product. In addition, you can create it yourself with minimal time and effort. Considering the flammability of materials, it is impossible to place a fire source in them. It is also not recommended to install heavy decorative objects on the structure, because Styrofoam will not be able to support them.
- Fireplace made of plasterboard. Making an imitation of fire from this raw material is quite simple. The material is easy to process and is inexpensive. Unlike foam or cardboard, drywall is fire resistant. This allows you to use candles to simulate a flame.
- Plywood option. It features a stylish design and environmental safety. But in order to preserve the appearance of the portal and extend its service life, you need to isolate the material from moisture.
- Brick and stone fireplaces. These types are highly decorative and durable. To create a hearth, you need to have basic skills in laying bricks or stones. You will also need to spend a considerable amount on purchasing materials. Before installing the structure, you should make sure that the flooring can support such a weighty structure.
How to make an imitation fire in a fireplace
When creating a simulated fire in a fireplace, you need to understand that it will only be used for interior decoration, but not for heating. If you need a stylish decorative element that will create a cozy atmosphere in your home, you should consider the following options:
- Use of modern equipment that generates water vapor.
- Use of fabric and ventilation systems.
- Using LCD panels or TVs.
- Illumination with a salt lamp.
- Illumination with garlands.
- The use of candles.
To make an artificial fire, you can use any of the options listed. But before that, you should familiarize yourself with their advantages and disadvantages.
Fire using LCD screen
The method is considered one of the most popular, because it creates a high-quality imitation of a fireplace using a TV, tablet, electronic photo frame or liquid crystal panel. The only negative is the high cost of the equipment.
But special displays are available for sale that are designed specifically for these purposes. The user just needs to place the device in the desired location and turn on the ready-made fire recording.
To increase the realism of the invention, you can use optical systems made of light filters. They give the picture a lively tint, making it three-dimensional.
An imitation fireplace can also be improved with the help of mirrors. This option is often found in theaters. If you place mirror surfaces on the walls of the firebox and on the bottom, the simulated fire will receive a special volume and realism.
Simulating fire using holograms
For the most sophisticated connoisseurs, there are holographic devices that can demonstrate a copy of the flame in three dimensions. Such systems are not cheap, but this is justified by the depth of the picture and the impressive visual effect.
Cold fire with a fan
Imitating a flame using ventilation devices is an affordable and easy way to create a false fireplace. For such a project you will need to prepare a number of materials:
- Box frame made of cardboard or tin.
- Patchwork fabric.
- Ventilation devices.
- LED light bulbs with different colors.
- 3 small mirrors.
- Optical filters.
A fan must be placed on the cardboard frame so that the air flow is directed upward. Then you need to install LED bulbs and optical filters in the corners. Mirror surfaces are fixed on the sides of the frame.
Fire using a steam generator.
When creating an artificial fire using a steam generator, you will need to prepare the following components:
- 3 ultrasonic fog generators.
- Water reservoir.
- Purified liquid.
- Cardboard construction.
- RGB lighting.
- Ventilation devices.
Ultrasonic fog generators should be placed inside the cardboard container and a fan should be secured. Then you need to pour liquid into a special reservoir and start the fog generator. The presence of lighting fixtures will create a realistic flame effect.
Made from silk fabric
To make a false fireplace from scraps of fabric, you must follow these instructions:
- A small fan should be installed in a cardboard box, and multi-colored LEDs should be mounted above it.
- Pieces of mirrors are placed above the diodes - they will be used to create glare.
- Pieces of silk cloth are fixed near the fan.
- The box is decorated and placed inside the fireplace.
3D image
Artificial flames look unusual when using three-dimensional holograms. To realize such a plan, it is necessary to give a flat picture a three-dimensional shape using optical systems and LED lamps.
Artificial firewood for a false fireplace
If the room has an electric fireplace that performs a heating function, you will need to create an imitation of firewood. For this purpose, you can use finished products made of ceramics or other heat-resistant material. Together with LED lighting, this solution looks especially elegant.
You can also place traditional firewood near the fireplace - it will not catch fire from the heat of the fireplace and is safe to use.
Artificial fire for the fireplace: salt lamp
An interesting and useful way to create an artificial fireplace in your home is a salt lamp. This accessory appeared on the market relatively recently, but has already become widespread and popular. This is due to its stylish design and great benefits for human health.
To create a salt lamp, use a large piece of salt with an LED light. In a neglected state, the light bulb heats up, as a result of which the salt lamp heats up and emits negative ions into the environment. When combined with positive ions, they neutralize them. This fills the house with favorable living conditions.
To install a salt lamp with your own hands, you do not need to have any special skills. The main thing is to purchase such a device, decide on the color and perform the decorative part of the work.
Decorative firewood for the fireplace
To beautifully decorate a false fireplace, you need to purchase artificial firewood. They should make the design as similar as possible to the classic analogue, which operates using solid fuel.
Stylish decorative products made from ceramics, plastic and other materials are available for sale. Since they do not emit smoke or heat during operation, it is environmentally friendly.
To give the fireplace stove maximum realism, the firewood can be equipped with light filters with a red tint. More expensive options include internal lighting with a special flickering cycle.
Effects
Modern artificial fireplaces not only replicate the appearance of natural options, but also have some interesting effects.
The aroma of a burning fireplace
The main task of a false fireplace is to simulate a fire in an apartment. To improve the realism of sensations when in contact with such a structure, it is necessary to provide the room with the aroma of burning wood.
To do this, you will need to purchase any suitable incense or set fire to thin splinters, having first secured the room from ignition.
It is better to place the combustion chamber under the outer panel in a closed container. It will also be equipped with a forced ventilation system.
Crackling of dry logs
An indispensable attribute of the realism of a simulated fire is the characteristic sound of crackling firewood. This can be achieved by recording the sound of a fire or downloading a ready-made audio file. Having chosen a natural volume level, you need to turn on this sound on your MP3 player and install it in the overall circuit of the fireplace. When the structure is connected to the electrical network, the crackling sound will start automatically.
Real warmth from a cold fire
When installing a simulated fire in a home, most people install a fireplace without heating. However, achieving a realistic fireplace without a thermal effect is problematic. Therefore, you can install an air conditioning system above the fireplace. However, the presence of characteristic noise can worsen the atmosphere of peace.
As an alternative, a silent air heater is suitable, which will not only improve the realism of the simulation, but will also become an additional source of heat.
DIY decorative false fireplace
Creating a false fireplace is a labor-intensive process that requires some skills and experience in construction. To build a beautiful and reliable structure that will last without deformation for a long time, you should correctly draw up a drawing, calculate the amount of consumable materials and carefully study the step-by-step guide.
How to make a drawing and choose the right parameters
When creating a drawing of a fireplace design, it is necessary to take into account both the size of the room and the future decorative element. A classic floor-wall stove has the following parameters: the width of the lower part is 1500 mm, the depth is 345 mm, and the width of the upper part is 1490 mm.
What materials will be needed
Depending on the type of fireplace, you will need to prepare a number of materials and tools for their processing. If we are talking about a plasterboard product, you need to buy plasterboard sheets. When choosing a material, you should be guided by the characteristics of the facing layer. When finishing with a slab, it is necessary to consider the option of a moisture-resistant modification. Then you need to buy support profiles, on the basis of which the fireplace frame will be assembled.
To connect the frame elements, you should purchase self-tapping screws. The optimal length of the fastening elements is 1.4-1.6 cm. You should also prepare self-tapping screws with a countersunk head - they will be used to fix the sheets. You will also need dowel nails to attach the profiles.
Depending on the finishing work, wallpaper, paint and varnish compositions or primers and putties are selected. When finishing with tiles, you need to buy tile adhesive and grout for the joints.
The amount of consumables is determined by the size of the decorative structure.
Fireplace made of polyurethane
The option of constructing an artificial hearth from polyurethane is one of the most affordable and fastest. For the upcoming work, you will need to buy a polyurethane portal, calculate the dimensions and perform installation.
If you are using an electrical device with a fire image on the screen, you should measure it from all sides and then create a frame based on the data obtained. It is also important to consider methods of connection to the electrical network and the reliability of the ventilation system.
Plywood construction
Plywood portals are especially in demand when hiding any defects in a room, including an old heating radiator. To create a frame, you should use wooden blocks and then cover it with plywood.
The appearance of the fireplace is determined by personal preferences and interior style.
Imitation of a fireplace made of plasterboard
Building a decorative hearth using plasterboard is more difficult than using other materials. But in conditions of limited space, corner plasterboard may be the most optimal option. To create the frame, a thin metal profile is used, in which holes are made for dowels or screws. Then drywall is attached to the base, giving it the required shape.
New life for old furniture
An affordable option for creating a decorative fireplace is to transform old furniture. If you have an unnecessary closet or sideboard in your home, you shouldn’t throw it in the trash. With a little imagination, you can make a good imitation of a fireplace stove from this piece of wood.
Stages of work execution
To simplify the process of constructing a false fireplace, you need to study the sequence of actions and get to work. You will need to prepare drawings and calculations, then collect the necessary materials and tools, and begin creating the frame. Next, it is important to provide a communication connection diagram and perform the decorative part of the work.
A real, living fireplace is an unaffordable luxury for city residents. But don’t rush to get upset or despair, because you can make a false fireplace, and with it you can easily create an imitation of fire in a fireplace with your own hands. The main thing is to make a fireplace, for example, from an old TV box, using plasterboard and other things. False fireplaces with imitation fire will give your apartment unprecedented comfort and luxury. They are created according to different principles; below you will find out which effects and types are best suited for your home.
Types of simulated fire
We remind you that a false fireplace is a fireplace made by your own hands. There are several types of creating imitation fire, we will consider them below:
- Artificial fire using a liquid crystal screen.
- Simulate fire in a fireplace with your own hands using holograms and 3D effects.
- Illusion effect.
- Cold fire using a fan.
- Fire using water vapor.
- Salt lamp.
- Christmas tree garland.
- Electric motor.
Let's look at each type of fire simulation in more detail.
LCD screen:
- Select the LCD screen so that it fits into the fireplace connector.
- Find a video or GIF picture and record it on your TV.
The TV must have a USB input.
Important! Of course, such an imitation of fire will not be the worst, but it will definitely not be the best.
Let's learn about the following method.
Holograms and 3D effects
Here you will need a hologram with fire elements - choose it according to your taste and color.
The basic principle of operation and important points for creating an imitation of fire in a fireplace:
- A flat picture with a flame of your choice appears in three-dimensional format. Holograms of this type are created using special technologies.
- Place the hologram in such a way that its edges are not visible at a distance from the fireplace.
- LED, halogen lamps will help you so that you can give special lighting. Place them on opposite sides of the hologram.
Important! As a result, you get a believable, three-dimensional image, which, in turn, looks much better and more original than simple movement on the screen.
LED lighting functions as an optical illusion. The fire will seem real, and the comfort will remain.
Illusion
The meaning of this method is as follows:
- You take several glasses, place them at different distances from each other, the angles between them should be different - this is important.
- Now you take a virtual image of a flame, place it in the fireplace.
- Here again LED lamps are used to give the lighting you need.
Important! What happens: the glass reflects the virtual image from different angles, creating a three-dimensional appearance of what you have chosen.
Chilling Fire
Here is another good way on how you can make an imitation of fire in a fireplace with your own hands.
Get the following list of things you will need:
- Cardboard or tin box.
- Patchwork fabric.
- Fan.
- Three LED lights: red, yellow, blue.
- Three small mirrors.
- Optical filters in three colors: red, yellow, blue.
Repeat the following steps:
- Place the fan on the cardboard box so that it blows air upward.
- Then place three LED lamps in the corners of the box.
- In accordance with point 2, do the same with optical filters, that is, next to the lamps.
- Install mirrors on the sides of the box.
- Cut out shapes in the form of triangles from the flap and glue them onto the box.
Important! It is advisable to install the filters as follows: blue in the middle, and orange and red at the edges. This placement of filters will give the imitation greater brightness and relief.
- The process is completed, the last steps remain. You install it in a false fireplace, connect it to the network, and admire the flames, albeit artificial ones.
The next method is using water vapor.
water vapor
To create an electric fireplace with the effect of a living fire with your own hands, you will need the following list of items:
- Three ultrasonic fog generators;
- Liquid container;
- Distilled water;
- Cardboard container;
- Lighting from RGB lamps;
- Fan.
Step-by-step creation process:
- Place three ultrasonic fog generators at the bottom of a cardboard container.
- Install the fan on a cardboard box.
- Pour distilled water into a special container and place it on the generator.
Important! If you want to use this particular method of simulating fire, you need to provide the necessary equipment parameters and mount a hearth of the required size.
The effect of the work done is as follows: the generator produces steam, RGB lamps give the effect of a burning flame.
Important! Of all the above methods, this one is the most effective and believable.
Salt lamp
A salt lamp is a special lamp whose lampshade is made of raw salt crystal. Inside it is a regular light bulb. When the lamp is plugged in, the lampshade heats up and begins to release negative ions into the space.
Important! The downside is that this salt lamp is quite expensive. The advantages include ease of installation and operation.
Christmas tree garland
A Christmas tree garland can be used not only for the New Year, but throughout the year!
You will need these items:
- tree branches of various sizes;
- aluminium foil;
- lace - it can be cut off from an old dress;
- stones - several pieces;
- glue;
- Christmas tree garland with a background color of red, orange or yellow.
Important! If possible, take a garland with three, periodically changing colors.
Assembly instructions:
- Wrap the branches with foil without gaps.
- Spread the lace with glue, attach it to the branches, and wait for it to dry completely.
- Next, you should carefully cut the lace case and remove the blanks from them.
- Form a circle of stones.
- Place the garland in the middle, keep the cord and plug outside.
- You place “lace” firewood in the manner of a fire.
That's all: plug the garlands into the network - and voila, your home fire is ready.
