How To Build A Faux Fireplace

8 Materials
$500
4 Hours
Medium

When we first moved into our home 3 years ago there was no focal point to our long narrow bowling alley of a living room. I was longing for a place to hang stockings and display art so I decided to build my own faux fireplace, here's how......

"Before" The space between the French doors and hallway entrance seemed like a natural spot for a fireplace.

I built the base of my fireplace out of 2x4's.

I then used a piece of high quality oak plywood for the surface of the hearth.

Using 2x4's I constructed a frame for the facade of the fireplace.

Thin MDF was used to "wrap" the frame. I like this MDF because there is no need to sand it, it's very light weight, can be cut easily and is just easily manipulated in general.

I added simple trim for interest. I also stained the hearth.

I added 2x4's to be the base of tiled inset trim around the open box area of the fireplace. I also added MDF to the onset box area on which I layed tile. I used a piece of cheap white wood as the top of the mantle and white wood 1x4 trim around the ledge.

I also added 1x2 trim to the hearth. For more details and specifics about the fireplace pop over to my blog!

Suggested materials:
  • Wood
  • Mdf
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Frequently asked questions
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  • Renee Renee on Sep 23, 2021

    What was the cost of the project? It looks great!!

  • Fiona Fiona on Sep 24, 2021

    could you put an electric fireplace in this or would it be too dangerous?

  • Ellen Day Ellen Day on Sep 06, 2022

    I love this fake fireplace. but I would like to know what your blog addy is

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  • Lulu Lulu on May 03, 2022

    nice job!


  • Kathy van der bill Kathy van der bill on Nov 27, 2022

    I would love to have this in my living room! Please share your blog address and also wanted to know if you added a backing to the fireplace which you covered with tile. I did not think you just tiled the wall it was built against.

    Thanks so much!

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