How I Turned a Boring Entryway Into a Mossy, Mushroom Goblin Den

Here’s the tutorial, written like a real person explaining it to you over coffee.

# How I Turned a Boring Entryway Into a Mossy, Mushroom Goblin Den

My front entryway was the room I’d ignored the longest. The rug was bunched up and nasty. The bench was scratched up by cats. The shoe rack was broken. And the wall had a big hole where the old thermostat used to be.

So I decided to fix it. Not with a full renovation, but with a bunch of small DIYs. Here’s what I did, in order, so you can do it too.

• Moss (sold in sheets or bags at craft stores)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Chalk paint (I used dark emerald green)
• Lighter green paint (for distressing)
• Gold metallic wax or rub (optional)
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
• Wood filler
• Mod Podge (matte and gloss)
• A print or poster you like
• A frame (thrifted or new)
• Custom mat (optional)
• Mushrooms (clay or store-bought)
• Decorative wood pieces (for the bench)
• New drawer pull or knob for the bench
• Cat scratch deterrent spray (optional)

I already had a plain mirror hanging in the entryway. Instead of buying a new one, I glued moss to it in a crescent moon shape.

• Cut the moss into smaller pieces with scissors so it’s not stringy.
• Apply hot glue directly to the mirror and press the moss on.
• Work in sections. Step back and look for bald spots.
• Once the shape is right, glue on mushrooms. I used clay mushrooms I made in a previous video.
• Let it dry. That’s it. It’s not rocket science.

The bench was scratched up by my cats. I decided to paint it instead of throwing it out.

• Sand the whole bench to rough up the surface.
• Fill deep scratches with wood filler. Let it dry, then sand again.
• Glue decorative wood pieces onto the front of the bench with wood glue.
• Paint two coats of dark emerald green chalk paint.
• Dry brush a lighter green over the edges to add distressing.
• Rub gold metallic wax onto the scroll details to make them pop.
• Replace the old knob with a new one.

The fabric on the cushion is still red for now. I was supposed to get it reupholstered but forgot. It’s a little festive, but it works.

I thrifted a frame for a dollar at the Goodwill bins. It had broken pieces and missing scroll bits. I turned that into a feature.

• Order a custom mat online. (Mine came bent, so I painted it dark green to hide the crease.)
• Apply Mod Podge to the print to give it a canvas texture. Start with matte, then gloss. Use crosshatch strokes.
• Put the print in the mat, then put the mat in the frame. Don’t put the mat in the frame first and then try to slide the print in. I made that mistake.
• Glue moss into the broken spots on the frame. Let it look like it’s growing out of the cracks.
• Add mushrooms to the frame and the mat.

I didn’t buy anything new for the desk. I walked around my house and grabbed things that already fit the look.

• Use trays or small bowls to hold keys, wallets, and change.
• Keep it functional. This is a catch-all spot, so give everything a home.
• Add a few decorative knickknacks that match the green and gold vibe.

• Level the mirror. I had my husband help because I don’t trust myself with power tools.
• Hang the framed print on the wall where the old thermostat hole was. The moss and mushrooms distract from the hole.
• Move the umbrellas to the other corner so the bench is centered.
• Put the new rug down. (Mine was delayed, but it eventually showed up.)

• The mat came bent. I painted it dark green and you can’t tell.
• The frame was broken. I used moss to cover the missing pieces.
• The cats still scratch the bench. I bought scratch deterrent spray and added more scratching posts nearby.
• The print came out a little wavy in the frame. I put cardboard behind it to stabilize it.

This took a few weeks because I kept waiting for things to arrive or dry. But I love how it turned out. It’s cozy, green, and full of mushrooms. The cats love the new scratching posts. I love that I didn’t throw away the old bench or mirror.

If you’re working on a similar project, let me know. I’m always looking for ideas.