Note: I am not a professional and do not claim to be an expert. Please be sure to always read instructions for all tools and products. Safety is very important and should be your top priority. Wear necessary protection when using tools (eye wear, hearing protection, gloves, etc.) and dust masks when sanding or cutting. Sarah Flips It is not responsible for any injury or damage. All of my designs are not professionally designed and are for private use only.

I wanted to add a little architectural interest to the wall on my DIY murphy bed, so I decided to build a DIY faux fireplace surround. Since there’s no real fireplace behind it, this project is purely decorative—but it adds so much charm and character to the room.

The best part? It’s lightweight, beginner-friendly, and made mostly with primed MDF boards.

Here’s exactly how I built it!

Table of Contents

Supplies for DIY faux fireplace

Tools:

Materials:

  • Primed MDF boards
  • Decorative molding
  • Construction screws
  • Brad nails
  • Joint compound
  • Paint (trim paint + watered-down version for texture effect)

Step 1: Tape Out the Frame

Before cutting any wood, I taped out the size of the fireplace directly on the wall of my murphy bed.

This step helps you visualize the finished project and make sure the scale feels right for the space. I adjusted the tape lines a few times until the proportions looked balanced with the bed and surrounding wall.

Trust me—this quick step can save you from rebuilding later!

Step 2: Build the Frames for Your DIY Fireplace Surround

Next, I built the framing that gives the DIY faux fireplace surround its depth.

First, I constructed a smaller rectangular box using 1×4 primed MDF boards. I lovee primed MDF because it paints really well and is super cheap! I used my pocket hole jig to create pilot holes, then connected the boards using corner clamps and my brad nailer. This inner frame creates the recessed fireplace opening.

The total depth of the box ended up being about 5 inches, which keeps the surround lightweight while still giving it enough dimension to look substantial.

Next, I built a larger outer frame using wider MDF boards. You can use whatever size works for your space! I measured the boards against my inner rectangular box to ensure they were the perfect length. Then I cut the corners at 45-degree angles with my miter saw so they would fit together cleanly.

Step 3: Attach the Facing Boards

Once the inner frame was complete, I made sure it was perfectly level before drilling the construction screws directly into the wall.

Then I attached the larger outer facing boards to the edges of the inner rectangle using a brad nailer.

At this stage, the fireplace surround starts to look like it’s floating slightly off the wall, which gives it a really nice built-in effect.

To finish building out the box shape, I cut additional MDF boards to match the outer edges of the facing boards and nailed them into the framing around the entire perimeter. I finished by drilling those into the wall with construction screws.

This step closes in the structure and gives the surround its finished depth.

Step 4: Add Decorative Molding

Next, I added decorative molding around the outside of the surround. I made sure everything was level before nailing it into the framing with my brad nailer.

This simple step makes a huge difference. The molding adds dimension, shadow lines, and character, making the DIY faux fireplace surround look much more custom and high-end.

STEp 5: Install the Outer Trim

After the molding was in place, I framed the outside perimeter using more MDF boards.

I used a pocket hole jig to secure the trim pieces together so the corners stayed tight and seamless. Then I attached the trim to the outer fireplace box with my brad nailer.

At this point, the entire structure was complete!

STEP 6: Create a Textured Stone Finish

Instead of leaving the surface flat, I wanted my DIY faux fireplace surround to have a subtle stone-like texture.

Here’s how I created the finish:

  1. Applied joint compound with a putty knife
  2. Spread it unevenly to create natural variation
  3. Let it dry completely
  4. Lightly sanded any harsh edges

Once the texture dried, I watered down my trim paint and layered it over the surface.

The diluted paint settled into the texture, creating depth and a soft, stone-like appearance. This finishing step really elevated the whole project and made it feel much more high-end.

OPTIONAL: ADD AN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE INSERT

Right now this is a decorative DIY faux fireplace surround, but I’m considering adding a small electric fireplace insert later.

Since this surround sits on a murphy bed wall, I’ll need to check with an electrician first to make sure the unit would automatically shut off if the bed moves.

For now, I just painted the inside black to simulate the look of a fireplace!

FINal thoughts

This DIY faux fireplace surround ended up being one of my favorite projects in the room. It adds instant architectural charm and makes the Murphy bed wall feel much more intentional and styled.

If you’re looking for a way to create a focal point without installing a real fireplace, this project is a great beginner-friendly option!