Decorative fireplace in the apartment

Despite the urban motives that literally imbued with modern styles, a person still has a craving for natural, and sometimes even primitive elements. It is to this type of decor include fireplaces. Their first prototypes appeared in the Stone Age, when man learned how to mine and maintain fire. The ancient "fireplaces" were open fireplaces, the flames of which were maintained for heating and cooking. No decorative function was carried in those days. The way of life and the constant struggle for survival did not leave the ancient people to admire the beautiful time. When dwellings began to acquire a more “civilized” look, they began to install furnaces in them. At first they were built of stone, but they already had primitive chimneys, which made it possible to protect the room from smoke and soot. Then, more modern bricks were used for stoves, and fireplaces began to decorate expensive apartments. In the Renaissance, they began to decorate them with marble and mosaics. In large castles and fireplaces installed appropriate. Rumor has it that in the Middle Ages on knightly feasts they boiled boars entirely on a spit.

Then, more attention was paid to the finishing of fireplaces, their appearance and selection of accessories. Graceful forks for dusting coals, neat tongs and a scoop with a brush for scooping the ashes began to be supplied with the hot “heart” of the house. The “memory” of the ancestors may have an effect, but the fire continues to fascinate a person with a wild dance of “reeds”, and the crackling of firewood calms the pills from nerves better. Fireplaces are associated with home comfort and comfort. In any room, the decorative “oven” will be the highlight of the interior. Installing it in a private house is much easier than in a city apartment. However, this does not mean that the residents of megacities will have to give up the idea. There are a number of ways to create false-fireplaces, such imitation acts exclusively in the role of decor. Argued that the word "room" comes from the fireplace, as it implies a heated room where the whole family gathers. This ability to unite people has been preserved to this day. Decorative fireplace in the apartment plays the role of the conditional center of the premises of any type. Let's get acquainted with the most simple and popular ways of making them by hand, and also find out which materials are preferable to use.

What is a decorative fireplace?

In a residential environment, there is usually no opportunity to install a full-fledged fireplace: a large load on the floor, there is no place to hold a chimney, there is no place to store fuel. In addition, it is unlikely that anyone will dare to turn modern housing into a repository of bundles of firewood and buckets of coal. An open flame in a room is also dangerous, especially since not only the owners of the premises, but also all the inhabitants of an apartment building are at risk. In such cases, use the available analogues - bio, electrofireplaces and models working on gas. Full construction will inevitably be associated with additional expenses, and the budget option will cope with the main task - decorating the room, but the result will be inexpensive. A similar element will fit organically into the interior, since the models differ not only in size and materials, but also in styles of execution.

Varieties of decorative fireplaces

There are three main types of decorative fireplaces and one separate type:

• Bio Fireplaces They work on special fuel, give “live” fire and partially heat the room.
• Electrofireplaces. On the front panel set the screen, as in the TV, which simulates the tongues of this flame. Conventionally, they are classified in imitation, giving heat, and functional fireplaces, which are used exclusively for heating. The second models are usually not designed for decorating a room, so they are not considered as a designer art object.
• Gas fireplaces. Have a real flame, are used for additional heating of the room.
• Decorative structures that are made by hand. Simulation of fire is achieved through the use of candles or light bulbs. Most models do not heat the room. In some cases, ecofireplaces are installed in an improvised hearth.

By location, decorative fireplaces are classified into three types:

• Central. Installed in the middle of the room;
• Corner. Convenient for decorating small spaces, as they do not take up much space;
• The walls. Located at one of the walls. This type is considered the most popular.

Electrofireplaces in the interior of the apartment

Electrofireplaces by type of installation are divided into three types:

• Outdoor. Portable installation is the usual electric furnace, which is stylized as a fireplace.
• Suspended. Relatively new model, which is hung on the wall. Such options organically fit into modern styles: neoclassicism, modern, high-tech, minimalism.
• Embedded. They consist of a hearth and a “portal” - a box that mimics the original fireplace. Models are built into special niches in the wall or even furniture. To distinguish them from the original at first sight is almost impossible.

Electrofireplaces do not need constant cleaning, they do not give smoke and soot. In comparison with their gas "relatives", these models are safe to use, as they do not have a "live" fire. The models equipped with screens, can brag of the image of dynamically moving flame.

Biofireplaces in the interior

Bio or ekokaminy have become a real fashion "trend" in recent years. They do not imitate flames, but give real fire. The burning process is not accompanied by the release of smell, smoke and soot, that is, no by-products are released into the air. This miraculous effect is achieved through the use of a special type of liquid fuel - denatured ethanol. When burned, it releases water vapor and carbon dioxide. Both substances are absolutely safe for humans. The hearth is located in a well-protected “nest” of stainless steel, and the intensity of the flame is regulated at discretion. The range is rich and is presented as models with glass panels and elements of wood in the best traditions of eco style, as well as options "antique". The prices for such equipment are still slightly “biting” the wallets of buyers. The constant purchase of fuel canisters will also be associated with additional expenses, although ethanol is a renewable resource. Biofireplaces are versatile and able to decorate the decoration of the kitchen, living room or bedroom.

Gas fireplaces: live fire in the urban interior

Gas fireplaces at one time replaced the wood. These units can not be called cheap, as they themselves, and their installation will be costly. It is more convenient to install such models in apartments where central gas heating is installed. Otherwise, you will have to additionally purchase fuel in cylinders, and they, in turn, need to be stored somewhere. The design of the fireplace includes a firebox and chimney, and the ashpot, as unnecessary, is absent. Gas fireplaces are classified into closed and open types. In the first case, the flames flare up behind a fireproof glass partition. The requirements for a gas model chimney are less stringent than for wood-burning fireplaces: it can be narrower and have fewer “knees”. The device perfectly heats the room. Their actual use is in apartments where ordinary batteries do not cope with the main task. There is also another classification by the number of glass walls:

• Unilateral. The traditional model, where the flame can only be observed from the front;
• Double sided. Usually these are angular options, equipped with two glass walls;
• Trilateral. Wall models or central, built into the decorative column, which are open to view from three angles.

Gas fireplaces do not require constant fuel tossing, but its imitation usually decorates the hearth to create a greater resemblance to a wood original.

Gas models need to be operated with more caution than electric ones, since the former create a “live” fire. Before turning on the equipment, you must read the instructions for use.

Raised Fireplaces

An exciting process will be to create an exclusive fireplace on your own. In modern design such interior solutions are often found. You can make them from drywall, decorative brick, plywood, foam, polyurethane or a simple cardboard box. Simulation of course has two drawbacks:

• Visually, you cannot confuse it with the original, but a quality thing made will be beautiful in its uniqueness.
• False fireplace is not suitable for space heating. It is set solely for beauty.
  Imitations are made fairly quickly, if the “box” is made with high quality, then the décor will last more than one year. Also false models are classified into three types:
• Actual. Most reliably imitate the original. Usually performed in a classic style with stucco or artificial stone. A burner or a smaller ekokamin fireplace is installed in the hearth - a rather expensive option.
• Actual without heating. In fact, they are life-size mockups. To imitate the flame use candles.
• Conditional. Can be made of any available materials. This type even includes foci painted on the wall, as in the fairy tale about Buratino.

Decorative false fireplace do it yourself

It is quite realistic to make an imitation independently. If you do not have building skills, then resort to the simplest options, the work on which is more related to needlework. By the way, a similar piece of interior is able to hide the obvious defects of the wall, they just close them. If there is a niche in the room, then it is used as a natural deepening for arranging a fake hearth. Since such models do not require additional installation of the chimney and are small in size, they can be built and installed even in bay windows. The role of a chimney shelf will be executed by the decorated window sill. Consider step-by-step master classes where they work with different materials.

From plasterboard

Make a drywall fireplace can be a couple of days. Before performing the main works, it is necessary to prepare a project: draw the future product on a sheet of paper, having worked all the little things. Some go further and make mock-ups of cardboard in order to visually evaluate the appearance and make adjustments if necessary. The space for the future fireplace is freed from furniture and set about creating a frame. It is made of metal or wooden bars. Then cut the drywall sheets into modules of the required size. They are attached to the frame and ground to lining better lay on the surface. The final stage - decorative trim. Any material can be used here: from foam plastic to artificial stone. The use of imitation bricks with elements of stucco is widely practiced. Such fireplaces will plausibly portray the classics of the genre: wood originals that were used in the last century.

Out of carton box

When choosing a box are guided by its size and thickness of the cardboard. The denser the material, the longer the construction will last. On the wall of the box, which will be the front, they draw a contour of the future hearth with a pencil. It can be square, semi-circular or combined. The excess part is cut out, but in such a way that gaps remain in the front sidewalls and the "ceiling" part. They need to be bent inward and glued to double-sided tape. Only in this case, the contours of the hearth will get a neat look. If you plan to create a complex relief on the surface, then this will help the other smaller boxes, from which the necessary elements are cut out. After the cardboard frame is ready, it is decorated. Since the cardboard does not differ in special strength, it is not necessary to revet the construction with heavy finishing materials. The best option would be foam. With the help of a stationery knife, a soldering iron and paint, you can create high-quality imitation brickwork. The inner back wall of the hearth is painted black. Finishing the decoration by laying the slides of these chocks. Putting candles inside the structure is not recommended. Such a fireplace is good because of its mobility, if necessary it is transferred to another place.

When heating the foam with a soldering iron, the material emits toxic substances, work outside. It is possible to cover the surface only with water-based paint, and to attach it with adhesive without acetone in the composition. The foam melts when it comes into contact with aggressive chemicals.

Of brick

Although the structure cannot be used for its intended purpose, it is notable for its monumentality. Brick fireplaces perfectly imitate real ones, but have neither a chimney nor an ashpit. Keep in mind that moving this interior element is already possible, so determine the choice of place for its placement in advance. To create such a decor, cement mortar and the brick itself will be required. The work is performed by analogy with the construction of walls. For decorating the fireplace is usually used ceramic tiles, which are firmly fixed on the surface. Candles are lit in the hearth or light bulbs are installed, since the material is not afraid of real fire.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane fireplace will last a long time and you will not be frightened by mechanical damage. The material will endure the "blows of fate" in the face of random kicks or heavy objects falling on it. When heated, it does not burn, but melts, so the hearth will be purely nominal. The fireplace is made by analogue drywall, but without the frame. It is better to fasten modules with screws, and not with glue, because sooner or later parts can simply “fall off” from the construction. The main advantage of the material can be considered a variety of forms of its surfaces. The finished fireplace can have many bends and neat details that mimic stucco. Finishing work painting designs in the desired color. Usually choose a shade in harmony with the rest of the interior.

From plates with laminated coating

Perhaps the most difficult in working with this material will be cutting it into modules. For these purposes, hacksaws and saws with small teeth are used, and the plates are held at a certain angle to facilitate the process. Creating a fireplace from this material is similar to the manufacture of products from plasterboard. The frame is installed at will, if it is anyway, then the structure will acquire additional strength. During the final design, the plates are painted or pasted over with foam, imitating brick or stone.

What to put inside

Inside put candles, electric lamps or "naked" lamps, miniature ekokaminy. The latter option will require additional costs, as the equipment is still classified as expensive. The meaning of such a combination is only in cases where the fireplace is small and looks too modern for the interior in one of the classic styles. Decorative "box" will correct the situation. Candles are permissible to put only in the hearths of brick fireplaces. Models made of other materials can cause a fire by direct contact with fire. The optimal solution is electric light, but even with it you should be careful. Place the bulbs far away from the walls of the hearth, since with prolonged switching on they tend to heat up and may passively affect temperature-sensitive materials.

Fireplace decoration

When decorating, the following tools are used:

• Paper and cardboard. Suitable for those who can draw;
• Wallpaper. Cheap and practical material;
• The cloth. Nontrivial option that emphasizes the "artificial" imitation;
• Woody veneer. Lightweight material that does not weigh down the structure and give it a neat look;
• Styrofoam. It is pliable, therefore with the help of a soldering iron an original relief is easily created;
• Artificial stone or brick. Suitable for raised fireplaces with a "claim" to the maximum similarity with the original.

This list is not final, as any of the materials at hand may become part of the design. All that is required for this is fantasy.

Conclusion

The living fire in the house will become the attractive center of the room in which the family and guests will gather. Unconsciously, a person reaches out to heat and to the tongues of flame that give it. The feeling of comfort by designers is achieved in various ways, but the most “true” is the arrangement of the hearth in the room. He can “acquire” surroundings from any interior, but will remain an independent element outside of his framework.