Minecraft wiki entry for Nomadic_experience, associated text: First plant your red mushroom on a dirt block, then use your bonemeal on that mushroom. Remove the central stalk to make it easier to maneuver. Fill the area between the edges of the mushroom and the ground with your blocks of choice, place a torch or two, place your bed, and you've finished your makeshift base. Some people like to think of it as a tent. It also has the plus side of producing even more mushrooms to make food. As of Java Edition 1.2.4, you need to plant the mushroom on Mycelium to build the shelter unless the mushroom can't see the sun.