Create A Kawaii Kitchen

I’m a big fan of practical kawaii products that are both useful and cute. My rented kitchen is very brown but there’s plenty of ways to add colour and happiness and make daily chores more fun. Here’s some top tips from my own kitchen and some shopping inspiration.

Cute up your fridge with magnetic items

Refrigerators are notoriously boring blank spaces and easy to decorate with magnets and photos, but don’t stop there! There are all kinds of fun magnetic gadgets and cute things to stick on your fridge now, plus you can glue a magnet on to just about anything yourself.

In my kitchen: A magnetic shopping list is a must for me to jot down groceries as I run out. I’ve picked up quite a few kawaii magnets over the years and also had some Instagram photos turned into magnets – many photo printing companies offer this. The little bud vase was a gift and I’m keeping a paper flower in it for now. I even redesigned my local waste collection calendar to be more colourful and readable!

Shopping picks: Sumikko Gurashi pop up magnets at Cuteness (EU), UK & US seasonal fruit and veg charts by Asking For Trouble (UK), magnetic mini planters at Amazon (US), Pusheen magnetic shopping list at ARTBOX (UK).

Use jars & tins for storage and display

You can never have too much storage in a kitchen and biscuit tins, cookie jars and ceramics will add some cuteness to your counters and shelves too.

In my kitchen: I use colourful ceramics and tins (and a label printer) to organise my tea collection and to store biscuits and treats. Vintage tins have amazing designs and if they’re a bit too rusted or no longer airtight for food, use them for storing other items. I have cooking utensils in a Pusheen Box cookie tin, added a Miffy decal to a glass for chopsticks and keep my teaspoons and cake forks in a mini vintage Mr Men mug. A cute soy sauce dish can also double as a spoon rest.

Shopping picks: handmade ceramics by Sun Sprinkles (US), storage jars at IKEA (worldwide), tea canisters at Japan Centre (UK), Karel Capek tea tins at Rainbowholic Shop (JP).

Add some kawaii art & wall decor

One of the most obvious ways to make your kitchen cuter is to add something on the walls or bring in colourful textiles. It’s the perfect space for food and drink themed designs or you can create your own theme.

In my kitchen: This is something I’m still working on but I’ve added a clock I designed (from Society6), hung up cute aprons on a hook and painted a Japanese cafe matchbox design on to an art store canvas. I also have a lot of patterned tea towels that I hang on the radiator or oven door.

Shopping picks: art prints by Sugar Bunny Shop (US), customisable banners by hannahdoodle (UK), Sanrio aprons at A Cute Shop (TW), tea towels by emseeitch (UK).

Add some cute kitchenware

Of course there are lots of cute kitchenware and electrical items available so if you need to add or replace something, see if there’s a more fun option in your budget. Make sure to check electrics are compatible for your country though.

In my kitchen: I don’t have anything big but some smaller items that I (try to) use regularly include spatulas, trays, measuring cups, sponges, oven glove, bunny-shaped chopping board and so many mugs, glasses and bowls. The bunny mug is from the Usagito Wonderland rabbit cafe in Nagoya.

Shopping picks: Hello Kitty toaster at Sanrio (US), Fuku Fuku Nyanko pancake maker at HAPiNS (JP -requires forwarding service), wooden spoons by I Like Cats (UK), Kiiroitori chopping board at Amazon (JP)

Hope this has given you some ideas! We have more in our Home & Kitchen category or you can check our shopping guide for kawaii shops near you that sell kitchen goods. Would you like to see posts in this format for other rooms in the house?