Q2 - 2025

Atmospheric fireplace with acrylic windows for electric heater

UphN0wxbTKmamO7cWDd2uxCmQY1zmX3VjoDNLO7iMIE

diXWHmdKCWwaOft_ztTrfjrngLEfnBj2H2HJurMtAJg

NHAWZEosyMJ1shyN-G-usw0kNlSCPYKSZZSNgshoBGc

E8G7okEovhVa2QVgyplep1lI9L4qpFQa9WuzwrXNQFg

Submitted byNel

Nel has crafted an atmospheric mantelpiece around a new electric heater, with acrylic as the main material for the windows around the enclosure. When the wood burner was taken out, Nel missed the cosy fire but quickly found an electric alternative. The only issue: a lovely enclosure needed to be made. By creating a working drawing and having materials cut precisely to size, she built something that perfectly fits and is easy to move around. An ideal project for a dull lockdown winter!

The project

Nel designed and built a mantelpiece around an electric heater. The mantelpiece features windows made from acrylic. She ensured that the mantelpiece could be easily taken apart and assembled, making it portable. "We didn’t want to lug around wood anymore, so we bought an electric heater. Now we’re enjoying the result thanks to the enclosure I made," Nel shares enthusiastically.

Step-by-step guide to making this yourself:

Design

Begin with the design and prepare a detailed working drawing.

Cut

Have wood and acrylic cut to size according to your drawing.

Assemble

Assemble the mantelpiece following the 'flat-pack' principle so you can easily put it together.

Materials and tools used

Clear cast (GS) acrylic sheet 3 mm

Satin acrylic sheet anthracite 4 mm

Tools

Woodworking tools

Other requirements

Wood for the structure

Nel’s tips for others

“Make a makeshift model beforehand. Since I didn’t do this, mine turned out quite different from what I had envisioned. Also, make sure you have a good working drawing so everything fits.”

Nel’s tips for others

“Make a makeshift model beforehand. Since I didn’t do this, mine turned out quite different from what I had envisioned. Also, make sure you have a good working drawing so everything fits.”

Other DIY Awards

Get inspired by other people’s DIY Awards entries. Or enter too and stand a chance to win fantastic prizes!

Mirrored plexiglass on wardrobe doors

Find out how Phil Eberle used sheets of mirrored plexiglass to replace the glass on his wardrobe.

View the project

VzKHAsS8AOfZlyN4eiDM8-t1prMLaVnZbIpQJLXPUI

Decorative garden wall with acrylic and LED lighting

Paula has crafted a stunning decorative wall for her garden using acrylic and Acrifix. This unique creation features a cut-out …

View the project

0rlJqDq8QX-kjKWkMF6HYCOZlJidJjjvukI7b1QAcTg

Industrial sliding door room divider with polycarbonate

Industrial sliding door room divider with polycarbonate. Discover how Rob crafted a stylish and functional room divider from wood and polycarbonate.

View the project

Mirrored plexiglass on wardrobe doors

Find out how Phil Eberle used sheets of mirrored plexiglass to replace the glass on his wardrobe.

View the project

Decorative garden wall with acrylic and LED lighting

Paula has crafted a stunning decorative wall for her garden using acrylic and Acrifix. This unique creation features a cut-out …

View the project

Industrial sliding door room divider with polycarbonate

Industrial sliding door room divider with polycarbonate. Discover how Rob crafted a stylish and functional room divider from wood and polycarbonate.

View the project

Unkown dynamic block (Blocks) > type: submitted_by

Share this article