Y’all I am so excited to be tackling my next DIY project! As I have said in the past, we have been striving to make our downstairs area more enjoyable and esthetically pleasing.
And with this DIY fireplace, we have done just that! I was gifted a beautiful fireplace from SimpliFire. The unique thing about this fireplace is that it installs flush into a very small footprint!
And you can use my code “MACEDONIA10” here to get 10% off ANY SimpliFire fireplace through December 31, 2021! It turned out to be incredible, so I wanted to share the process with you.
It’s a lot of different steps so I thought I would break it up into two parts. That way it is easier to understand in case you want to do one as well. For this post, I will be sharing just how we framed it out to create the built-in look.
And in my next post, I will share more about how we finished it. Including how we added the subway tile.
I was gifted this electric fireplace from SimpliFire, but all opinions are my own. This post also may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my disclosure policy.
Take Measurements
The first thing you want to do is to take measurements, obviously. You want to make sure you have the right dimensions for your space and take into consideration how large your fireplace will be.
This will vary for everyone, but I will show you just what we did based off of our specific measurements.
The fireplace we ordered was the SimpliFire 50-inch Allusion Platinum Electric Fireplace. It is 51″ W by 5″ D by 19.5″ H. The viewing area on it is 48″ by 15″.
So taking all that into consideration, plus our wall length is how we came up with the dimensions for the built-in.
Frame The Fireplace Out
To frame the fireplace out, we used 2″ by 10″ lumber (this fireplace will actually fit into 2×6 construction, but we wanted extra room for the outlet).
Then, we cut everything down to size which was as follows: 70″ W by 10″ D by 49.5″ H. We just wanted to go halfway up the wall and not all the way up behind the TV.
We thought about doing that, but it would have been way more complicated to do so.
Then, my hubby and his friend assembled the frame in the garage before bringing it into our space. After getting it framed out, it is now ready to be attached to the wall downstairs.
Attaching the DIY Fireplace Frame to the Wall
Once we got it all built, we attached it to the wall where we wanted it. We used a stud finder to find the studs in the wall to attach the frame to.
And I know it looks off centered in the photo below, but no worries! We can easily move the TV over to where it is completely centered on the wall as well.
After attaching the frame to the wall, now it’s time to add in the backer board for the subway tile and grout that will come later. You want to make sure everything is nice and level for this process as well.
This whole process was done in one day but it did take all day long. As you can see below, the DIY fireplace is really starting to take shape!
As I mentioned above, I will share everything in my next post about how we added subway tile to the fireplace and how we actually installed the fireplace itself.
So be on the lookout for that one coming up soon and please let me know if you have any more questions or anything you want me to cover more in depth regarding the fireplace for my next post.
I would love to hear some feedback from y’all as well! And also let me know, if you have ever tackled your own DIY fireplace as well.
I would love to hear all about your experience too! And don’t forget if you’re interested to check out SimpliFire and use my code “MACEDONIA10” for 10% off any fireplace your heart desires!
Learn more about how to turn your builder grade home into something more here too!
You guys done an amazing job! We’ve been meaning to jazz up our fireplace area for ages now. This has really spurred me on to get started in the new year!
Thank you so much! I am so glad it gave you some ideas then too!
This is a really lovely fireplace! You guys have done an incredible job with it 🙂
Awe thank you! I really appreciate it!
What an incredible idea this is! I adore this DIY fireplace you have made x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you so much Lucy. I appreciate it!
I’d love to have a fireplace — this one looks so good and reminds me of cozy nights in! Great DIY project!
Thank you! It is very nice to have cozy nights in by the fire for sure!
Wow!! This turned out amazing. This fireplace is so cool! I’d love to do this too. Thanks for sharing your process!
Awe thank you so much Sarah. I am so glad you enjoyed it too!
I love this DIY fireplace! The subway tile is a nice touch. I look forward to reading about how you put that on.
Thank you! I will be sharing next week all about it so stay tuned!
What a beautiful fireplace and what talent to make this! This is a wonderful addition to your home. Thanks for sharing how it was created.
Thank you so much. I am so glad you enjoyed reading about the process too!
I love fireplaces, thank you for sharing your renovation and DIY tips x
Thank you! I love fireplaces too. They are so cozy!
We have a wood-stove now, but my previous childhood home had a fireplace and I loved it! It was big and heated the house nicely. Fireplaces also have a more cozy feel than stoves and it is so nice to see the flames in full breath. Your electric version adds a delightful touch to the room!
Yes I totally agree. You can’t really beat how cozy a fireplace makes a space for sure!
I love this post. How rewarding to make your own fireplace. Thank you for sharing and including the steps you and your husband took.
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
Thank you. It was very rewarding to do for sure!
This looks fantastic especially with the wall behind! I’d love to hire you to do my house up!
Awe thanks so much Jenny! I’d love to do that too!
WOW, this is so impressive! Great job and it look so cozy and lovely now. Congrats on finishing this up and having such a beautiful space now to enjoy over the winter.
Thank you so much! We are definitely enjoying it for sure!
this turned out beautiful! you are very very talented!! 🙂 i remember seeing this on your IG stories and i was like wowwww
Awe thank you so much! I really appreciate you following along the journey with me!
Oh wow the fireplace turned out amazing & if I had enough room in my apartment, I would love to do this too!
Awe thank you so much. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
This is incredible! One of the only things I was disappointed about when we purchased our home was that it didn’t have a fireplace – but adding one like this seems like it isn’t the most challenging thing in the world. I might have to convince my husband to take on a good ol’ DIY next year!
Yes, you should definitely add one in! It would be a game changer!
This is so cool! My uncle will have so much fun doing this. I appreciate your DIYs so much. Right now, very Christmassy, perfect! You make it look so easy to make.
https://lifebeginsattwenty.com/
Awe thank you so much! It was pretty easy to do actually. I thought it would be harder honestly lol