14 DIY Faux Fireplace Ideas in Time for Christmas
For years in my old house, I had a real fireplace, and decorating the mantel was one of my favorite parts of Christmas. In this new place, the rooms felt so average and boring without one. I finally built a faux fireplace surround, and it gave me back a little piece of that magic. Now I can hang stockings, add garland, and enjoy a cozy spot that feels festive again. If you’ve ever wished for a mantel at Christmas, you’re not alone. A fireplace doesn’t have to be real to make your home warm and welcoming. Here are 15 beautiful faux fireplace and mantel ideas you can create before Christmas arrives.
DIY Faux Fire Mantel
When I built this faux fireplace for our current home, it completely changed how the room felt. Suddenly, I had a mantel again to decorate for Christmas, complete with garland, stockings, and twinkle lights. The surround is simple to build and gives you that cozy fireplace look without needing a chimney or gas line.
DIY Faux Fireplace Surround – A Beautiful Mess
This project shows how easy it is to build a faux fireplace surround and instantly add a mantel to decorate for Christmas. It’s simple, stylish, and brings back that cozy holiday feeling even without a real fireplace.
DIY Faux Fireplace with Hidden Storage – Addicted to DIY
This fireplace project is not only beautiful, but also practical, with hidden storage space, a large drawer and two cupboards. A smart way to add a mantel and extra space for Christmas decor.
DIY Wood Mantel – Artsy Chicks Rule
A simple wood mantel built on an existing old fireplace makes decorating for Christmas so much easier. Clean lines and classic style make it a versatile fit for almost any room.
DIY Fake Brick Fireplace – Woodshop Diaries
This project shows how to build a faux fireplace with a realistic brick look. It’s a full tutorial that makes adding a Christmas mantel totally doable.
DIY Movable Electric Fireplace Wall – The Merrythought
This diy tutorial walks you through building a modern electric fireplace that doubles as a cozy Christmas mantel. It’s a great option if you want both function and style.
How to Install a Vintage Faux Fireplace – Dabbling and Decorating
This vintage mantel shows how a simple piece can become the centerpiece of a room. It adds a full and cozy style they can use year around.
DIY Faux Farmhouse Fireplace – Twelve on Main
This farmhouse-style faux fireplace adds instant character to a plain wall. It’s a full build tutorial that creates a beautiful spot to decorate for Christmas.
DIY Faux Fireplace with Smart Tiles – Jen Woodhouse
This project uses peel-and-stick tiles to create a realistic fireplace surround. A clever and budget-friendly way to get a mantel ready for Christmas.
How to Build a Faux Fireplace – Remodelaholic
This tutorial shows how to build a classic faux fireplace mantel from scratch. It’s a timeless project that creates the perfect spot to decorate for Christmas.
How to Refinish a Vintage Mantel – DIY Decor Mom
A clean and modern faux fireplace build that adds instant charm. This project creates a simple mantel you can decorate beautifully for Christmas. Its clean lines mean it fits in almost any decor style, traditional or modern.
Scrap Wood Mantel – Country Design Style
This tutorial shows how to make a spectacular mantel with scrap wood pieces. It’s an amazing post to read. I am sure you will be impressed with her creativity.
DIY Faux Fireplace with Wood Mantel and Herringbone Tile
A beautiful faux fireplace mantel with classic details, the wood tone is so beautiful and cozy. It’s perfect for adding stockings, garlands, and those lovely twinkling lights.
Creative Ways to Use a Reclaimed Fireplace Mantel – the Ponds Farmhouse
Even if you live in a small home or an apartment, a faux fireplace is a perfect way to add that cozy Christmas feeling. These projects don’t need a chimney or special hookups, just a little space for a mantel to decorate with stockings, garlands, and twinkle lights.
I always enjoy curating ideas from other bloggers; it makes me happy and more than a little awed at the creativity and energy in blog land. I found 14 different faux fireplaces and mantel ideas in all sorts of styles and sizes to suit every space. Whether you want to build from scratch, repurpose a vintage piece, or try a small-space option, each project comes with a complete tutorial. You’ll have a beautiful new focal point ready to decorate for Christmas before the holidays arrive.
Christmas Drinks with Bailey’s
If you’re ready to relax after all that DIYing, why not try a cozy holiday drink too? I put together a roundup of Christmas drinks made with Bailey’s that are just as festive and alot tastier than your new mantel.
Enjoy! Leanna
Some great looking faux fireplace.
You have come up with an awesome roundup.
Thanks for this cool share. 🙂
What a great round-up! I really enjoyed seeing all the creativity that others have come up with. I am so grateful to have a fireplace and mantel. We don’t use the fireplace, which is why I fill it with candles, but I truly appreciate having a mantel, and being able to dress it up whenever the mood strikes!
So true Kristine. My two favorite parts of my home is the mantel and the front porch. The working fireplace is secondary.
The shiplap fireplace is awesome! I haven’t seen faux fireplaces before, pretty cool!
I had not though of one when I needed one. I thought sharing a roundup may inspire some people to make one for the holidays. Glad to hear it inspired you.
I’ve been dreaming of a faux fireplace mantel to decorate for the longest time! I have a real fireplace, but it’s not functioning and doesn’t have a mantel and is in such an awkward angle that it’s impossible to put a mantel. The struggle is real, lol.. just kidding. I’m glad to see your ideas here, such beautiful mantels Leanna! Thanks for the inspiration!
I think I know of the type of fireplace your referring to. My son had one but of course he didn’t care about a pretty mantel, he just thought it was perfection for his big ole flatscreen TV.
These are stunning! I am slowly trying to redecorate my house in this farmhouse theme, and these are great inspirations!
Thank you very much for commenting. I think anyone of these is easily achievable especially given the tutorials for guidance.
I have a fireplace that is used once a year if that. The faux fireplaces are so lovely it makes me wonder why I thought I needed the real thing. The last two that you showed are very realistic.
These ideas are so cute! I’ve never thought about making a faux fireplace, but I can see why someone would want to now! Hope you are having a good week Leanna!
You have rounded up some beautiful ideas here Leanna! I so miss having a wood burning fireplace, we had one in two different houses over the course of ten years and now it feels awkward.. Maybe I should style a faux one, at least of the holidays so we can hang our stockings there instead of the stocking post I made two years ago:) Quite a bit of inspiration in this post:)
Thank you Milena. I lived in various apartments and duplexes while raising the boys. I never much missed the fireplace so much as the mantel. I wish I had thought of this in those days. I tried to find a variety to please most people.