20. The Zombie Apocalypse Outbreak
For the ultimate horror fan, transform your mantel into a thrilling, action-packed scene from a zombie survival story. This high-concept design is incredibly engaging and fun to put together. Start by “boarding up” the space above your fireplace. You can use lightweight, faux wood planks made of foam or cardboard, painted to look like weathered wood, and secure them across the wall as if barricading a window against a horde of the undead.
Along the mantel, create a scene of chaotic survival. Place survival gear like vintage flashlights, old walkie-talkies, and a first-aid kit splattered with faux blood. Have realistic, decaying zombie hands reaching up from behind the mantel shelf, grasping at the air. Add warning signs printed on distressed paper, reading “Quarantine Zone,” “Don’t Open, Dead Inside,” or “Biohazard.” Use cool-toned blue or green spotlighting beneath the mantel to give the entire scene a cold, clinical, and apocalyptic feel that will thrill any fan of the horror genre.
