If You're Going To Make It, Better Fake It--DIY Faux Brick Fireplace

Woodshop Diaries
by Woodshop Diaries
5 Materials
I’ve never been big on “fake” stuff. Fake wood, fake crab, fake friends, fake smiles at that coworker you want to punch in the throat (JUST KIDDING). I just don’t like things that try to be something they aren’t.
That’s why I always try to be real with you guys. Honesty is the best policy and I like to remind you all the time that I really have no idea what I’m doing here and am a complete amateur. Just keepin’ it real, yo.
But lately, I find myself embracing the fact that some things are just better fake. Not wood, though. NEVER WOOD. You either go real with that stuff or go home, friends. (Sorry to all my particle board and MDF lovers…it’s just a pet peeve. We can still be friends, ok?)
But things like fake fur are totally cool (because…bunnies!!). And fake antique mirrors. And fake fireplaces (because sometimes putting in a real one just isn’t worth it).
So when I decided I wanted a fake fireplace in our bedroom, I at least wanted it to look as real as possible. If you’re going to fake something, at least make it somewhat believable, right? Ironically, that required using even more fake stuff. Oh, the hypocrisy!!
But nonetheless, the fireplace turned out AWESOME (even if it is a total facade) and I’m going to show you how I did it :)
First I built the inside "shell" out of some 1x12s and 1x8s. I screwed everything together using pocket holes and screws. You can get all the measurements and details in the blog post below.
Then I lined the shell with faux brick panel.
After some paint and plaster (you can read exactly how I got this texture in the post link below), I let the pieces dry really well.
Then I sanded it and wiped it down with a damp cloth to get the coverage I wanted on the brick.
Then I built a "surround" to go over the brick. I added some baseboards, crown molding, and some cove molding to fancy it up a little then puttied and caulked as needed.


Once it was sanded really well and painted, I screwed the brick part and the outside surround together and set it in place.


I used some old books and throw blankets to decorate.


I thought it turned out better than I expected and I've fooled several people already who though the brick was real! See? Sometimes fake really is better :) Check out all the photos and the whole tutorial in detail (plus many more DIYs) in the blog post link below!
I thought it turned out really well and was surprised how realistic the brick panel looked!


For the full tutorial (plus many more DIYs) check out the link below!
Woodshop Diaries
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Tawny Devillier Tawny Devillier on Sep 19, 2021

    YOU ROCK!!!!! You have such a creative gift. I absolutely Love This.

  • Jutta Jutta on Jan 28, 2022

    It turned out absolutely beautiful. Have you thought about possibly putting in an electric insert to make the "fake" look even more real?

  • Louise Cushing Louise Cushing on Jan 28, 2024

    I would slightly blacken the interior as that would make it look like it at one time really had a fire in it. Maybe even darken a bit on the upper, outer section. Do you have some of the brick on the bottom? A real fireplace generally has something in front to protect the floor. You've got a good start...

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  • TheSeamstress TheSeamstress on Jan 29, 2024

    I think it's absolutely gorgeous. I moved into a condo that has an electric fireplace for heat in the living room. The previous owners made a hash of it by covering it in the same tiles as the kitchen backsplash and for the mantel they used the same wood that was used for the flooring. it is a monstrosity in my eyes. I'm going to at least whitewash the wood mantel.

  • Lisa Fauerbach Lisa Fauerbach on Feb 02, 2024

    Fabulous!! It came out so beautifully!!♥️♥️

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