How to Create a Faux Fireplace With a Mantel & Candles

Remove the shelves from your old particle board bookcase. The shelves should lift right out of the case. You may leave the shelf supports in the case; you won't be able to see them when the fireplace is finished.

Measure the height and width of the inside of the bookcase. Draw a rectangle matching those measurements on your ¼-inch-thick particle board (i.e. a 2-foot-wide by 3-foot-tall case requires a rectangle the same size). Use a pencil and a carpenters square to keep the lines straight. Cut your rectangle out with a jigsaw. Work slowly and keep the wood moving as you cut.

Cut a hole in your particle board rectangle for your fireplace opening. The hole should be about 1-foot-wide and 2-feet-tall, or half of the case's width and two-thirds of the height. Cut the hole starting at one of the narrow edges and working up so the rectangle becomes a squared-off U-shape.

Glue each of your bookcase shelves on edge to either side of the fireplace opening in your U-shape.

Cut a piece of particle board to top the U-shape that is as long as the top of the fireplace opening and as wide as your case is deep. In this case, the piece should be about 2-feet-long and 8-inches-wide. Glue this piece along the top of the fireplace opening, bridging the gap between the bookcase shelves. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

Flip your fireplace opening over so it sits up on the boards forming the opening. Run a bead of wood glue around the outer edges of the rectangle and press a picture frame into place. The frame should have very wide sides and may be as ornate or sleek as you like. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

Run a bead of wood glue around the edges of your bookcase opening. Slide the fireplace opening into your bookcase. The boards on the back of the opening should bump into the back of the bookcase. Wrap a bungee cord around the entire fireplace to keep the opening against the glue on the case and let it dry for 24 hours.

Cut a piece of MDF with your jigsaw measuring about foiur inches longer than the top of your bookcase or 2 feet, 4 inches, in this case.

Cut a piece of crown molding as long as the front edge of the MDF and glue it in place with wood glue. This creates a mantle for your fireplace. Let the wood glue dry overnight. Set it on top of the bookcase. You shouldn't need to secure it; MDF is very heavy.

Paint the entire fireplace with primer. Paint the primer on thickly and let it dry and cure overnight.

Paint everything except the inside of the fireplace opening with the color of your choice. Whites and greys work well for modern décor, while rust, browns and creams work well for vintage or rustic styles. Paint the inside of the fireplace opening black. Allow everything to dry overnight.

Set a tiered candle holder inside the fireplace opening. Ideally, the holder should have deep glass cups to hold your votive candles. Set votives on the holder and light them. Make sure the candles are all at least 3 inches away from the painted sides of your fireplace opening.