Hi everyone! I already had a fireplace mantle, but as part of my all over home makeover I wanted to make it larger and more functional. So here’s how we added to it to make more of a faux fireplace.
When we first made it I had purchased a mantel at the Lakewood Flea Market in Atlanta and we just added a back to it so it would be freestanding (so we wouldn’t have to attach just a mantel to the wall). But it wasn’t deep enough to put candles in and it was hard to decorate as it was basically just a narrow ledge. You can find mantle kits at all the big box stores (also try thrift stores, Habitat Re-Stores etc).
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I love how it turned out! If you’re not interested in the process, just scroll down to the bottom of this post where the decorated mantel photos are 🙂
How to make a faux fireplace if you already have a mantel
I’m not going to tell you where to nail everything and what kind of wood to get etc. This is more of a pictorial how to make a faux fireplace so you can get an idea of how to do it yourself.
So here’s what it looked like. As you can see it’s quite narrow.
The first thing we did was remove the backing we had attached years ago. I also had a mirror attached which I removed. But if you just have a mantel you of course wouldn’t need to do this step.
The second thing thing we did was to add to the top. I could have chosen to build a new top so that it would be one piece but I liked the one I had. So you have to find a piece of wood that’s the same thickness as the original mantel top.
Then we added another piece of wood to extends the sides and make it deeper.
This is the how the new piece was added. You could also use metal brackets to attach the two pieces to each other.
That’s all for the sides. Then we started working on the inside or what would be tthe firebox.
We boxed in the opening by adding sides a top and re-attaching the back ((which we cut down to just fit the inside opening).
The firebox from the front. It took us about 2 hours to do all of this.
Here it is all painted! I threw this little display together just to see how much more space I have to work with.
The firebox area is so big now that I have to buy some more white candles. I didn’t have to fill the firebox area!
I’m not totally done with it.
I’m going to move it and I’m going to sit it on some tile so it’ll look more like a hearth. I’m also going to do something with the back so it won’t be just solid black. I’ll probably re-attach a mirror and tile around it or something like that.
Check out this fireplace after I added ceiling tins to the back & marble tiles as a hearth here!
What a creative project and well done. I’m looking real close at your photos since I will be doing this at some point. Love your white room with red accents, by the way!
It looks so pretty, Manuela! Are the candles real or the flameless ones?
They’re real. But if I can find a good deal on different size flameless candles I’ll change them out.
Manuela
Adding that depth really made a difference, Manuela! I found this post very informative and have forwarded it onto my daughter. She wants to do a faux fireplace in their new place. I’ve been keeping an eye out for mantels for her.
I really like this!! I have looked all around my home for a place to put a faux fireplace and it is just not going to happen.
Enjoy your evening.
I found some flameless candles that come with a remote to turn them on and off. Love them!
I have a room that’s in utter disarray right now too. It’s going to be worth it when I’m done though!
Those sound great! I’ll have to look for them. A remote would be so convenient. I saw some flameless candles on QVC or HSN and they looked like real candles.
Manuela
That is really awesome! I love it. I’ve always wanted to buy an antique mantel just to put against a wall but I don’t have any wall space to do it. Guess I need to move out some furniture. 😉
Hi Manuela,
What a lovely fireplace you have created and it will be so pretty with a mirror and a hearth. You are so creative, and I am so glad you are blogging regularly again. I love seeing your lovely home and seeing what changes you are making and how you are making them. I would love to see more of your kitchen, you gave us a glimpse of it in one of the photos and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it. It looks very pretty!
Hugs, Cindy
Thank you Cindy! I plan on showing more of it as I’m going to paint it and do a few other little changes to it. So it’ll be coming up!
Manuela
It turned out great! i would love to have a fireplace and we discuss it every so often. But we don’t have much room for one. We filled our house with furniture. Maybe I’ll bring up the idea again.
That was a pretty simple fix… I don’t mind the picture tutorial– I pretty much got the jist of it. You did a great job and it looks pretty all decorated up nicely.
Can’t wait to see more of the room as it comes together.
Have fun!
Pat
Did I miss or forget a post that you were changing your yellow walls? No matter what you do, it’ll look marvelous, I’m sure.
I love your improvements to the faux fireplace. They make it prettier and even more functional!
I’m trying to figure out how to make sure I keep following you. I did sign up for that blog love or whatever it is. I have tried to make a facebook page just to do the widget thingamajig, but I STILL can’t seem to be able to do it.
Just what I need. More bloggy stress…
We built a new knee wall so I have to prime and paint that. But yes, I was thinking of painting my yellow walls a lighter whiter yellow. Haven’t found the right color yet!
Manuela
UGh… Did I just lose another post?
In case I did, I’ll repeat that I love the improvements.
No it went to moderation for some reason.
Manuela
It looks terrific Manuela!
I love your DIY spirit…that is what gives you the ability to make your house into a home! Warm and cozy…
Deanna
I have several faux mantels in two houses and one real one. They add so much to the warmth appeal of a room…any room.
I noticed the basket of flowers match striker on the mantel. Mine is the original
color but I like the white on yours.
I enjoy your blog and great ideas.
Blessings…Betty @ Country Charm
It looks terrific! I think the extra depth will really increase it’s impact on your decorating and give you a lot more options to work with. On the inside, instead of of mirror, maybe consider a faux brick or stone treatment – a little trompe l’oeil smoke effect … maybe? It would look neat and I bet you could pull it off. So many fun possibilities I think.
WOOT!…love it love it…It is looking fantastic…just like everything else you take on…Mine is not even close to looking like a “real” fireplace with mantle…just a BIG decorative wall accessory in the LR….but they sure give a totally new LOOK to the room, and add ambience…don’t they!!? Thanks for sharing the tutorial, in case I ever decide to make mine look more “permanent”!! Hugs to you Manuela! gonna send some WINTER to Georgia…lol!! xoxo
so very glad you posted these pictures. I have a big mirror over our mantle, currently painted dark rose, and it needs to be a different color but I could not decide what. Your big mirror is similar to mine and I love how yours looks in black. So I hope to paint mine black soon too.
thank you!
Manuela, this is BRILLIANT. And it turned out so pretty! You must be proud of it–I know I would be! What fun you’ll have with all that depth to work with! 🙂
Well Done!!! My mom is a creative one too! She would love this as much as I do!
I could sure use your talents and vision at my house:) Love that fireplace! Your home is gorgeous and I know that you put so much work into all of your projects! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!
This is a great post! Love your faux fireplace! You did an awesome job! I’m having a linky party as well, and would love for you to join it! Here is the link http://www.thesouthernproductqueen.com/one-stop-s… Thanks for sharing!
I think your fireplace looks so pretty! Great job, and good instructions! I think it’s wonderful to add a fireplace, or faux, or a stove to any room! Makes it so cozy! You decorated it so beautifully! Thank you for the heads-up about Blogger changes, GFC.
I’ve joined Bloglovin today! Be blessed!