I have always wanted a fireplace and now I can say I have one! Well, a faux one. But that works for me. And I got it done just in time to start decorating for Christmas. ππΌ I also have a place to hang out stockings now! Side note, these are my FAVORITE stockings made by my sweet friend Rendi from @thevintagebucket CLICK HERE for more details on them!
I provided a list of the wood I purchased before the cuts and then a breakdown of the wood cuts youβll need. Sometimes wood cuts can be overwhelming when you have a ton of them for a tutorial, so I am hoping this will lessen the confusion.
Ok, letβs talk materials!Β
Wood: (before cuts)
2 – 1 x 7 x 8β
1 – 1 x 10 x 8β
1 – 2 x 10 x 10β
1 – 1 x 4 x 8β
1 – 1 x 12 x 4β
1 – 2 x 4 x 8β
Tip: I can only fit boards that are 8β long or shorter in my SUV, so I had an associate at Loweβs cut the 2x10x10 to 2 – 53β. You will probably need to do this unless you have a truck. π€ Bonus, this takes care of your mantle and base cuts.Β
Wood Cuts:
2 – 1 x 7 x 44β – outside fireplace pieces
2 – 1 x 10 x 44β – outside fireplace pieces
2 – 1 x 7 x 32 3/4β – inside fireplace pieces
2 – 2 x 10 x 53β – mantle and base
2 – 1 x 4 x 31β – front trim
2 – 1 x 4 x 6 2/16β – front trim end pieces
1 – 1 x 12 x 4β – center piece below mantle
1 – 2 x 4 x 4β – inside support piece for mantle
Tools & Materials:
Miter saw
Hammer
Electric screwdriver
Tape measure
Level
Kreg Jig
Clamp
1 1/4β pocket hole screws
1 1/2β wood screws
2β wood screws
1 1/2β finishing nails
Wood filler
Orbital sander
120 grit sandpaper
Paint brush
Paint
Note: For the paint I used SW Snowbound to match the trim.
Step 1: Cut all the wood.
Step 2: Using a Kreg, drill 5 pocket holes down one side of the 1 x 7 x 44β piece. Repeat on the other 1 x 7 x 44β piece.
Step 3: Align one of the 1 x 7 x 44β pieces on top of one of the 1 x 10 x 44β pieces (the 7′ wide board should butt up against the end of the 10″ wide board) and secure them together with 1 1/4β pocket hole screws. Repeat on the other side. These pieces are the ends of the fireplace. See below for reference.
Step 4: Lay the end pieces parallel to each other (with the 10β boards facedown) on a flat surface then place the 1 x 12 x 4β along the top edge of the ends. The ends of the 12β board should butt up against the top and ends of the 1 x 10 x 44β pieces. See picture below.
Step 5: Using 8 – 1 1/2β wood screws (4 on each side) secure the 12β board to the backs of the 10β boards. See above picture.
Note: The opening of the fireplace should measure 31β from end-to-end.
Step 6: Using a Kreg, drill 4 pocket holes down one side of the 1 x 7 x 32 3/4β piece. Repeat on the other 1 x 7 x 32 3/4β piece.
Step 7: Secure the 1 x 7 x 32 3/4β pieces on the other ends of the front facing 10β boards using 1 1/4β pocket hole screws. These are the inside pieces of the fireplace. Once secure the center should look boxed in. I will refer to this as βthe boxβ moving forward.
Step 8: Lay the box facedown and align the 2 x 4 x 4β along the back edge of the box, then secure it to inside of the box with 2-2β screws on each side. The screws will be on the outside of the box. I just painted over the screws, but you can use wood filler to hide them before painting if desired. See below.
Note:Β As you can see I did not complete the steps in the order I am showing you. Mainly because I was building from scratch and had to adjust the frame several times. The order I am sharing with you is the most efficient way to build the fireplace.
Step 9: Place the mantle (one of the 2 x 10 x 53β pieces) on a flat surface then place the box upside down on top of it, centered. You want to make sure the 2 x 4 x 4β piece is aligned with the back edge of the mantle.Β Then secure the box to the mantle by using 5 – 2β screws. The hangover of the mantle should be on the front side of the fireplace.
Step 10: (optional) secure the trim (2 – 1 x 4 x 31β pieces and 2 – 1 x 4 x 6 2/16β pieces) around the front center piece of the fireplace using 1 1/2β finishing nails. See picture below.
Step 11: Secure the base. With the box upside down, center the base to the box with the back edge of the base aligned with the back edge of the box (the overhang should be in the front just as it is with the mantle) then use 2β wood screws to secure the base to the box.
Step 12: Use wood filler to fill in the holes from the outside screws or just paint over them. If you use wood filler, allow the wood filler to dry completely. Then sand the fireplace to a smooth finish using 120 grit sandpaper.
Step 13: Paint the fireplace. I used SW Snowbound paint to match the trim. I applied two coats of paint, then let it dry overnight before decorating.
Step 14: Decorate your new faux fireplace!
I bought corbels to add to the front, but not sure if Iβm going to add them. They are a bit smaller than I thought they would be. So until I can figure out how I am going to incorporate the corbels, the fireplace will be left like this, which I am completely ok with.
If you want to know how to make the garland CLICK HERE. Also, if you are wondering what the wall color is, it’s SW Evergreens. Doesn’t it look so pretty with the Christmas decor? I might keep this up year round. Just kidding, but I do love it!
And thatβs a wrap! I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and find it inspiring to build your own. Itβs definitely not the real thing, but I love it just as much. π If you have any questions please comment below. If you use my plans to build your own, I would love to know about it! You can tag me on Instagram. My handle is @acarriedaffairdesigns
Until next time. Xo
5 Comments
Bethany
How much did it cost to build this???
Steven
How much paint did you use?
Just finished our fireplace
Btw. Your step by step helped me
Carrie
Iβm so glad it was helpful! I used less than a quart. You could buy a sample size from SW and that would be plenty. β€οΈ
Jessica
I am in love with this! What color are these walls?
Is it Sherwin Williams paint?
Carrie
Hi! Yes! The color is SW Snowbound.