We create a decorative fireplace from drywall with our own hands

Nothing fascinates like flames dancing in the twilight. Happy owners of a private house with a real fireplace can enjoy this spectacle every day, which cannot be said about residents of small city apartments.

decorative fireplace

But we also have a great way out for them, they can make a decorative fireplace with their own hands with lighting or candles installed from the inside and enjoy the magic of fire. Making a decorative fireplace with your own hands is quite simple, it is enough to have imagination and desire, and you will find detailed construction technology in this article.

Gypsum decorative fireplace design

A real wood-burning fireplace, in the image of which decorative hearths are made, consists of:

1. furnaces;
2. chimney;
3. portal;
4. fireplace mantel;

As well as the elements necessary to create traction:

1. valves;
2. blew.

The chimney is usually covered with an apron with holes through which heated air enters the room. To give a decorative fireplace natural properties, it is decorated with facing materials, forged elements, stucco, and heat-resistant glass is sometimes installed to protect against fire.

The main details of a decorative fireplace are a firebox in which lights or candles are installed, portal - a pediment of a fireplace, and a chimney shelf. A decorative fireplace does not need a chimney, valves and a pipe, but an apron is sometimes made over it for greater resemblance. The frame of a decorative fireplace and the portal are easiest to make from drywall. They also sell ready-made portals decorated with stucco, in which case the frame must be made taking into account the exact dimensions. The fireplace mantel can be made of MDF, artificial stone or natural wood.

Sketch and material calculation

Any construction and repair work begins with a sketch, because without it it is sometimes difficult to imagine the result. Take a piece of paper and draw a picture of the fireplace you would like to have in your home. Options for the appearance of a decorative fireplace can be copied from a magazine, just choose the model you like or invent something new and original by combining several varieties. If you are going to do everything with your own hands, nothing limits you in terms of the shape or size of the fireplace.

Schemes and drawings of decorative fireplaces

Is the drawing ready? It's time to think about how to make a decorative fireplace of exactly the design you drew. Measure the room and determine the area your fireplace will occupy. It can be placed in a niche, in a corner, along any wall - the main thing is that it does not interfere with the passage and creates a cozy atmosphere. Think over the height of the fireplace - models in which the mantelpiece is at chest level of a standing person look best, and the firebox is at the level of the person sitting, then it will be most convenient for you to contemplate the play of light.

The width of the portal usually does not exceed one and a half meters, in any case, try to make the ratio of height and width harmonious.The depth of the decorative fireplace depends only on the size of the room, there are no strict requirements here. It can be made almost flat, only 25-30 cm deep, and the depth of the "furnace" can be visually increased using a mirror installed inside.

Apply the resulting overall dimensions to the paper on a scale, and then specify the details of the frame: roundings, decorative elements, protrusions. According to the received drawing, calculate the materials: profile and drywall. At the same time, remember that all joints of sheets *GCR must be supported by the frame, then the necessary strength will be ensured. If you are going to install a massive stone mantelpiece on the portal, you need to reinforce the frame with vertical posts.

According to the calculations obtained, purchase a gypsum board and a profile - you will need wall and U-shaped, as well as self-tapping screws for metal and gypsum plasterboard and the selected facing material. Prepare also the tool:

1. stationery knife;
2. hacksaw or scissors for metal;
3. screwdriver with a set of bits;
4. roulette;
5. level;
6. pencil;
7. painting supplies.

After all the necessary materials and tools are prepared, let's start building a fireplace!

* GKL - plasterboard sheet.

Step-by-step instructions for creating a decorative plasterboard fireplace with your own hands

Follow this instruction and you will succeed, do not skip the steps, everything must be done in the given sequence, it is written for a reason!

1. According to the previously completed drawing, cut the profile with metal scissors. Align the frame elements, fasten them to the screws. It is better to assemble the frame at the place where the fireplace is installed in order to correct possible floor distortions. Use profile trimmings as stiffeners and struts.You should get a "skeleton" of the fireplace, to which drywall will be attached, forming the walls, the portal and the interior of the firebox.
2. If you decide to use a thick MDF board as the base of the fireplace, install it in place and fix the frame on it through the lower ribs using self-tapping screws. Such a fireplace will be mobile, if desired, it can be moved or moved to another room. If the fireplace is installed in a permanent place, and the floor will be the base, it is recommended to attach the frame to it with dowel-nails.
3. GKL sheets, cut according to the drawing, are attached to the frame. For cutting drywall, you can use a regular clerical knife, it is cut quite easily. The sheets are tried on in place, the size is adjusted, and then fixed with red-hot black self-tapping screws. The caps of the self-tapping screws need to be twisted so that they do not rise above the plane of the sheet, you can even slightly drown them - they will be completely hidden during puttying and finishing.
4. An internal niche imitating a firebox is also made of GKL sheets. Moreover, if you plan to use LED backlighting, you must immediately remove the wires for connecting lamps or diode tape.
5. Start decorating the fireplace. First of all, it is recommended to finish the "firebox". In its rear part, as well as on the sides, you can install mirrors by fixing them with contact adhesive. The remaining surfaces are tiled with tile adhesive.
6. Cover the fireplace from the outside. If you want to paint it, you must first putty all the joints, screw heads, bumps and corners. To obtain the best result, the first layer of putty is applied with a layer of up to 2 mm, after which a paint grid is pressed into it and the solution is leveled.After the putty dries, the surface is sanded, dust is swept away and a finishing putty is applied.
7. If you decide to clad the fireplace with tiles, decorative stone or mosaics, then you can start work after applying the first leveling layer of putty. It is recommended to cover the surface with a primer, dry it, and then lay the tiles on a special glue. After the glue dries, the seams are filled with a grout of a suitable color.
8. To finish the pediment, you can also use a ready-made purchased portal or stucco molding. They are glued to drywall with contact glue, after which they are painted or covered with gilding, patina, paint.
9. A mantel made of MDF, stone or wood is laid on top of the fireplace. It is better to order it in a store that sells custom-made kitchen furniture - they can make a board of any size with water-repellent properties. However, you can also use a drywall sheet, finishing it with tiles or porcelain stoneware.
10. Install other decorative elements, for example, a fireplace grate. Mount the backlight inside the firebox or put candles of different sizes and shapes. Reflected in the mirrors, the flame will create the effect of multiple refraction of rays, and your fireplace will glow comfortably and mysteriously in the twilight of the evening room.

A decorative drywall fireplace compares favorably with the real one in that it is safe even for small children - the use of LEDs completely eliminates the possibility of burns. You won't have to buy firewood or worry about connecting gas and electricity, and the absence of soot will save you from frequent cleaning.

A decorative fireplace has only one drawback - it does not heat. But in modern city apartments, this lack is more than compensated for by the unique comfort and its safety, as well as ease of implementation.

Video: drywall fireplace - it's simple and everyone can do it!