Have you ever dreamed of having a fireplace to decorate for the seasons, but it’s just not in your budget or space? This DIY faux fireplace mantel tutorial, shared by my friend Kristi from Making it in the Mountains, is the perfect way to bring charm and warmth to your room without the expense or hassle of installing a real fireplace. With just a little time and effort, you can create a stunning focal point that’s both functional and beautiful.
If you love the idea of seasonal decorating but don’t need a full faux fireplace, check out my post on how to Build a Faux Mantel Shelf For YOUR House to Decorate Each Season! It’s another easy project that lets you enjoy all the fun of a mantel in a smaller, more versatile way.
DIY Faux Fireplace Mantel: Step-by-Step With Pictures
Materials
- 2 – 2×6 cut to 48″
- 2 – 2×6 cut to 36 3/4″
- 2 – 1×2 cut to 48″
- 1 – 2×12 cut to 50 1/2″ (with a 4″ deep arch at its peak)
- 1 – 2×8 cut to 58″
- 2 – 1×3 cut to 44 3/4″
- 1 – 1×3 cut to 54.5″
- 1 – 50 1/2″ x 47 3/4″ (or cut to fit back) piece of 1/4″ MDF
- Wood screws
- Finishing nails
- Sandpaper
- Wood filler
- Paint
Tools
- Jigsaw
- Measuring tape
- Drill
- Paintbrush
Instructions
1. Create the Arch
- The first step was cutting an arch into that 2×12. My husband came up with the most brilliant idea for this – he drew a rectangle onto the front of the board outlining where he wanted to create the arch, making it 4″ tall all the way along and stopping 5 1/2″ in from either end (where it would meet with the sides of the fireplace).
- Then, to turn the rectangle into an arch, he used a nail at either end and one in the middle to hold and bend a thin piece of wood (we used a spare piece of trim) creating a perfect arch shape to trace.
- Then, he simply cut along this line with a jig saw making a perfect arch. There’s probably some fancy tool that does this very job, but I thought my hubby’s creative arch-making idea was super smart!
2. Assemble the Front
- With the arch made, it was time to start assembling the front. We started by attaching a 48″ 2×6 to the outside edge of one of the shorter 36 3/4″ 2×6’s, matching the bottom edges and securing it with several screws through the side, creating an “L” shape.
- We then matched the top of the shorter 2×6 to the bottom of the arch. After securing that all with a few more screws through the side into our 2×12, we were left with a front and side to our fireplace.
- We also added in a screw at an angle through the inside of the shorter 2×6 into the bottom of the 2×12, just outside the arch to help hold everything straight.
- Repeat on the other side.
3. Add Trim
- Next up was adding some 1×3 trim along the top and sides to cover the joining of the 2×6’s underneath. Nailing the long piece along the top and the shorter 1×3’s down each side, left everything looking much more polished.
4. Attach the Backing
- Next up we added a 1×2 piece to the back of our fireplace on the inside of each 2×6 side creating a spot to fasten the backing to.
- After cutting a piece of 1/4″ thick MDF to size (ours turned out to be 50 1/2″ x 47 3/4″), we simply nailed it to the back of our fireplace, into the 1×2’s on the inside of the sides.
Tip: Painting the fireplace is infinitely easier before putting this backing on!
5. Add the Mantel
- Finally it was time to add on our 2×8 mantel and, after several screws in through the top, we had ourselves a fireplace!
6. Finishing Touches
- To finish it all off, we puttied up all of the screw and nail holes and added a few coats of paint. In hindsight, I wish we would have filled the gaps where the 1×3’s joined together on the front too, so hopefully I can save you from making the same mistake.
7. Secure to the Wall
- Use L-brackets to anchor the fireplace to wall studs for stability and safety.
FAQs
Yes! While power tools make the process faster, you could use hand tools like a coping saw for cutting the arch and a hammer instead of a drill.
For safety, use L-brackets to anchor the fireplace to the wall. Attach the brackets to the underside of the mantel and secure them to wall studs.
A durable latex or chalk paint is ideal for a faux fireplace. Choose a finish that complements your room’s style, such as matte for a farmhouse look or semi-gloss for a more polished feel.
Absolutely! The measurements in this tutorial are a guide. Adjust the size to suit your room’s needs, ensuring proportions remain balanced.
Seasonal decor works wonderfully—think garlands, candles, or framed artwork. You can also lean a mirror or wreath against the wall for a layered look.
More DIY Furniture
- DIY Industrial Wood and Metal Shelves
- DIY Brickmaker’s Coffee Table
- DIY Balustrade Coffee Table + Where to Get Balustrades!
- Ikea Hack: DIY Rustic Cube Shelves
- How to Make a Reclaimed Wood Headboard With New Wood For Less Than $50
- DIY Blanket Ladder Made with 2 x 4s
- DIY Faux Fireplace Mantel
- How to Build a Faux Mantel Shelf (DIY Mantel Shelf Tutorial)
DIY Faux Fireplace Mantel Tutorial
Transform any space with this DIY faux fireplace mantel! Add charm and character to your room with this easy step-by-step tutorial.
Materials
- 2 – 2×6 cut to 48"
- 2 – 2×6 cut to 36 3/4"
- 2 – 1×2 cut to 48"
- 1 – 2×12 cut to 50 1/2" (with a 4" deep arch at its peak)
- 1 – 2×8 cut to 58"
- 2 – 1×3 cut to 44 3/4"
- 1 – 1×3 cut to 54.5"
- 1 – 50 1/2" x 47 3/4" (or cut to fit back) piece of 1/4" MDF
- Wood screws
- Finishing nails
- Sandpaper
- Wood filler
- Paint
Tools
- Jigsaw
- Measuring tape
- Drill
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Create the Arch:
Use the 2×12 for the fireplace front. Draw a rectangle 4" tall at its peak and 5 1/2" in from each side to mark the arch. Use a flexible trim piece to bend into an arch shape and trace it. Cut the arch with a jigsaw. - Assemble the Front:
Attach a 48" 2×6 horizontally to one 36 3/4" 2×6 vertically to form an “L” shape. Attach the shorter piece to the bottom of the arch, securing with screws. Repeat for the other side to complete the fireplace front. - Add Trim:
Nail 1×3 trim along the top and sides of the fireplace front to cover the edges of the 2×6 boards. - Attach the Backing:
Cut the MDF backing to size (50 1/2" x 47 3/4" or to fit). Attach 1×2 supports to the back of each vertical side, then nail the MDF backing into place. Tip: Paint the fireplace before attaching the backing for easier finishing. - Add the Mantel:
Secure the 2×8 mantel board to the top of the fireplace structure with screws. - Finishing Touches:
Fill screw and nail holes with wood filler, sand everything smooth, and paint. Be sure to paint any visible edges of the MDF backing. - Secure to the Wall:
Use L-brackets to anchor the fireplace to wall studs for stability and safety.
A huge thank you to Kristi from Making it in the Mountains for sharing this beautiful project with us! Her DIY faux fireplace tutorial is the perfect way to add character and warmth to a space without the hassle or expense of installing a real one. I hope you’ve been inspired to give it a try!
If you have any questions about the process, leave a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!
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