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close up of a mantle with garland on it
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3.57 from 51 votes

Faux Cardboard Fireplace

A faux cardboard fireplace is an easy solution for hanging stockings when you don't have a fireplace of your own. Make one for your home in just a few simple steps!
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 1 Fireplace
Cost: 25

Ingredients

  • cardboard boxes for the bottom and sides + extra to cut out "bricks"
  • pizza boxes for the top mantel
  • newspaper or kraft/wrapping paper
  • packing tape
  • spray adhesive
  • black wrapping paper or poster board OR black paint
  • faux wood contact paper or wrapping paper
  • joint compound/spackle
  • scissors

Instructions

  • ASSEMBLE THE BOXES. Start by taping assembling and taping your boxes together to create your sides and hearth. Then, using either packing tape or spray adhesive, cover the boxes in newspaper or wrapping paper. This will hide the seams of the boxes.
    making a fireplace from cardboard
  • MAKE THE BRICKS. Using scissors or a box cutter, cut out your cardboard "bricks". I eyeballed the size, but they ended up being around 3" x 8". Then tape them on in a staggered pattern around the outside.
    layering pieces of cardboard to look like a brick wall
  • COVER THE BRICKS. Using your hands (it's easier than a putty knife), spread the joint compound all over, making sure to cover all the cardboard bricks and paper.
    covering pieces of cardboard in putting to look like bricks
  • MAKE THE MANTEL. Tape your pizza boxes together (it depends on your fireplace size, but we used 3), then wrap them in the wood contact paper and them tape to the top of your fireplace.
    pizza boxes getting covered in wood contact paper
  • MAKE THE INSIDE BLACK. With your packing tape, attach the black poster board (or a sheet of cardboard) to the back of the fireplace. Then cover the inside with black wrapping paper or paint.
    finsihed fireplace, not decorated
  • Place your fireplace where you want, decorate, and enjoy! You can add fairy lights, faux (or real!) wood logs, etc. just to make it even more realistic and fun!
    close up of a mantle with garland on it