How to Make a Fake Fireplace Out of Cardboard

If you want the beauty of a fireplace, but it is impossible to have, you can make your own using cardboard and a few other simple materials. Not only can you have fun designing the fake fireplace, it will provide a wonderful focal point for the room when it is complete.

1. Fold the flaps of two boxes down so that they are in the closed position and then tape them down so that they stay in the closed position.


2. Stack the two boxes on top of each other carefully so that they are exactly lined up with each other.


3. Lay down a tarp or newspaper in the area where you are going to be making your fake cardboard fireplace. You will be working with paint so you need to ensure that your floor is protected before you begin your fake fireplace painting.


4. Mix together brown, white and red paint to form the base color of your fireplace color. You want to create a color that resembles the color of traditional red brick.


5. Use a sponge to apply the paint by dabbing it on the surface of the boxes. If you have too much paint on your sponge, use a Styrofoam plate to dab off the excess paint before applying it to the cardboard boxes.


6. Continue applying the paint to the surface of the cardboard boxes until the entire surface of the boxes is covered with paint. 


7. Use a ruler and draw straight lines across the boxes to form the lines of where the mortar would be on natural brick. You will be using these lines as a guide to paint white paint in to resemble the look of brick mortar.


8. Cut out the front opening of the fireplace using standard scissors.


9. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly and then move the fake fireplace to the location of your choice.


10. Add logs to make the fireplace look more realistic.