A beautifully designed fireplace and mantel have a huge impact on the atmosphere of a room. However, many homes don't have a fireplace, and installing one can be cost-prohibitive. You can reach the same goal by building a DIY fireplace yourself!
Long ago, the fireplace played a huge role in a home. It was not only the main source of heat for staying warm, but it also served as the stove for cooking meals.
Today, fireplaces are mostly used as a striking focal point and design feature for any room, especially the living room.
There's just something so cozy and comforting about a crackling fire. The very thought of one makes me want to grab a hot chocolate (or tea) and curl up on the sofa under a soft blanket with a great book or a favorite movie.
Unfortunately, many houses now (along with apartments, dorms and other kinds of homes) don't have a working fireplace, and installing one can be too expensive, if it's even allowed at all.
If you're looking for a cheaper way to get the coziness and beauty of a fireplace, consider a faux fireplace! If you're cringing at the thought, don't! Today's faux fireplaces are gorgeous, as you'll see in this post.
Building a fake fireplace is the perfect solution for giving your home the cozy, stylish atmosphere you want while staying very budget-friendly.
How Do You Make a Faux Fireplace?
There are several options when it comes to making a DIY fireplace. The look you want in the end will determine which type of faux fireplace is right for you.
Here are some of those options:
- If you want a heat source, you could install an electric insert that gives the image of flickering flames and a little warmth. You could also insert a wood-burning stove for a rustic heat source.
- If you want the most realistic look of a fireplace without flames or heat, you can build out the fireplace area, complete with a mantel and framing.
- If you want a focal point for the room that's either removable or fits a small space, a freestanding mantel might be the best fit.
Once you narrow down exactly what you're looking for, you'll be ready to take the next step toward creating your dream fireplace.
How to Decorate a Mantel With a TV on It
A lot of times, the television ends up mounted above the fireplace. This can make decorating the mantel a bit tricky, which kind of takes away from half of the reason to build a fireplace in the first place!
I've done plenty of research on this topic, and I have a solid list of ideas for you. If you want to add a TV to your fireplace mantel, here's how to decorate around it.
12 Stunning Faux Fireplace Ideas You'll Want in Your Home
If you're looking to add an eye-catching focal point to your living room, bedroom or even dining room, but want to do it at an affordable price, look no further than a DIY fireplace.
Whether you want the cozy feel of a gas fireplace or simply a beautiful design element for your home, here are some drool-worthy fireplace ideas to inspire you.
1. Moveable Faux Fireplace Hearth
Here's a terrific example of a movable fake fireplace from Make it Love it. This DIY project is built like a small fireplace, and it fits into tight spaces. It can even be put away for the summer.
2. Fake Brick Fireplace
Believe it or not, this brick fireplace is completely faux – even the bricks are fake! This gorgeous, moveable DIY fireplace would look amazing in a bedroom. Grab the full step-by-step tutorial from Woodshop Diaries.
3. Faux Fireplace Surround
While some DIY fireplaces only rise as high as the mantel, this unit from The White Buffalo Styling Co goes all the way to the ceiling and looks completely amazing. It uses ventless gas logs (no chimney) to capture the feel of a real fireplace.
4. Stacked Wood Faux Fireplace
Wow, this DIY fireplace from Bless'er House is gorgeous! I love the shiplap planked wall behind the entertainment center, the chic mantel, the stone surround and the stacked wood facade.
5. Small DIY Fireplace
This faux fireplace from The Pursuit of Handyness would look gorgeous in any room, and because it's movable, you can relocate it anytime you like. I just love the tall candles in front of the distressed mirror insert for a glowing flame effect!
6. Faux Mantel
Rather than building out a whole fireplace unit, you could lean a faux mantel right up against the wall for a very vintage feel. I love this farmhouse look from A Bowl Full of Lemons.
7. Board and Batten
The Honeycomb Home used board and batten along with a brick insert and a chipped white mantel to give this room a very shabby chic focal point.
8. Logs Covered in String Lights
If you prefer the look of a more classic fireplace, try this stylish faux fireplace idea from Shabbyfufu. The elegant white mantel contrasts perfectly with a black marble design. I love the added glow from the birch logs covered in string lights too.
9. Shiplap Faux Fireplace
This DIY fireplace takes the idea to a whole new level by adding custom shelves on either side and the entertainment center above. If you have an entire wall free for a custom built-in look, this one is a great idea. This design from All Things With Purpose provides a beautiful focal point – and lots of room to display decor.
10. Go Simple
If you still have doubts that you can have a fireplace in your bedroom, this design from Making it in the Mountains should put them to rest. This simple but lovely design will work in almost any bedroom.
11. Crafty and Cute
Some spaces call for a more playful focal point, and that's what Jennifer Rizzo created with this fun and adorable faux fireplace insert, complete with yarn "flames".
12. Rustic Beam Dreams
Sometimes a dream isn't in the budget, so Ashley from Domestic Imperfection took matters into her own hands when a real gas fireplace wasn't going to happen for a while. The rustic beam for a mantel and the stone hearth with storage make this real electric insert fireplace even better than the dream!
If you've been dreaming of adding a fireplace to your home but the budget just doesn't allow it, add a faux fireplace instead! For a fraction of the price, you can create a truly special DIY fireplace that catches the eye and draws compliments from everyone who sees it.
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