Because I love food and I stay indoors most of the time, I spend a lot of time making my home cozy.
A kitchen should make you want to curl up with a warm bowl of stew and never leave.
Maybe it’s that cluttered charm of Howl’s cottage kitchen, with herbs hanging from the ceiling and teacups that never quite match.
Or maybe it’s the simplicity of the kitchen in My Neighbor Totoro, where every creaky wooden cabinet and steaming pot feels like a quiet act of love.
Either way, I live for cozy feels.
For me, Ghibli kitchens aren’t just beautiful — they’re comforting.
They remind me of the homes I dreamt about as a kid.
The kind where something is always baking, where there’s a teapot forever humming on the stove, and where even the mess feels magical.
A place where time slows down and you can breathe.
Where everyday routines like making rice or washing veggies turn into tiny, sacred rituals.
This is also why I write a lot of posts about slow living.
But if you’re like me — living in a rental with bland countertops, generic cabinets, and absolutely no permission to paint anything — recreating that warm, Ghibli-style kitchen can feel… impossible.
You might think you need a country home or a cottage with stained glass windows and a big garden outside to get the look just right.
The truth? You don’t.
You can create a Studio Ghibli-inspired kitchen no matter where you live — even in a tiny apartment or a beige rental.
It’s not about buying a whole new set of furniture or completely transforming your space.
It’s about bringing in little pieces of that Ghibli magic: cozy textures, mismatched ceramics, lived-in corners, and an atmosphere that feels soft, handmade, and full of heart.
This is what I want to talk about!
So if you’ve ever watched Kiki’s Delivery Service and thought, “I wish my kitchen felt like that,” this post is for you.
Let’s turn your everyday kitchen — rental rules and all — into a space that feels straight out of a Ghibli movie.
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1. Add Little Vintage Details That Feel Handmade
Studio Ghibli kitchens are never perfect.
They’re full of old wooden spoons, chipped mugs, cast iron pans, and lived-in objects that tell a story.
Start by adding small, second-hand finds: a mismatched set of ceramic bowls, an old floral tin for your tea, or a wooden crate to store your garlic and onions.
Don’t worry if things aren’t matching or brand new.
The charm lies in the imperfections. Think “grandma’s kitchen” energy.
I found these extremely simple but pretty Ceramic Vintage-Look Bowls Set – perfect for soups, snacks, or tiny fruit piles that look like still-life paintings.
2. Hang Herbs, Garlic, and Dried Flowers for That Cottagecore Touch
Remember Howl’s kitchen with the dried herbs hanging from the rafters?
You can totally recreate that look without damaging your rental walls.
Use removable hooks, command strips, or a tension rod above your window to hang small bundles of rosemary, lavender, or eucalyptus.
Not only does it look dreamy, but your kitchen will smell amazing too.
Here is a beautiful Dried Lavender Bundle – tie them with a little jute string and you’ll feel like Sophie brewing something magical.
3. Layer with Soft, Cozy Textures
Kitchens in Ghibli films never feel cold.
They’re full of texture: gingham curtains, crocheted potholders, hand towels with little strawberries on them.
Add a soft rug by the sink, a cute checkered tea towel over the oven handle, or a quilted table runner on your counter.
It doesn’t have to be fancy — even one or two cozy fabrics can change the entire mood.
These Checkered Kitchen Towels – Pack of 4 in soft cottagecore colors like peach, sage, and lavender so pretty!
4. Keep a Ghibli-Inspired Cooking Corner
Dedicate a little space for slow, cozy food rituals.
Maybe it’s a wooden tray with your favorite tea, honey, and spoon. Or a mini shelf with your favorite ramen bowls and chopsticks.
Light a candle while you cook.
Keep a book open on the counter while your soup simmers. Make this little corner feel like a sacred, quiet pause — like something Sophie would do in Howl’s Moving Castle.
I absolutely love my Studio Ghibli Ceramic Ramen Bowl Set— absolutely adorable and perfect for those quiet noodle nights.
5. Add Whimsical Wall Art (Printable or DIY!)
You don’t need to repaint your kitchen to make it feel magical. One of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to Ghibli-fy your space is to add art!
Search for:
- Totoro cooking printables
- Spirited Away food scenes (like the bento on the train!)
- Quotes from the films about home, food, or magic
I got this Studio Ghibli Art Print Set (8×10) – frame them or hang them with clips and twine for a soft, handmade look.
6. Use Warm Lighting (Always)
Nothing kills cozy faster than harsh white LED lighting. Swap out your overhead bulbs for warm, yellow-toned ones if you can. Or add a small lamp to your counter for nighttime tea rituals.
Ghibli kitchens glow. They feel safe. And that warm glow? It’s a big part of it.
This Mushroom Touch Lamp – USB Rechargeable is so friggin’ cute – It feels like it belongs in the forest outside Totoro’s tree.
7. Cook the Cozy Ghibli Recipes
So, I have a few Studio Ghibli recipes in this post.
But they’re all based on this beautiful cozy Studio Ghibli Cookbook.
It’s not just how the kitchen looks — it’s how it feels when you’re using it. And nothing feels more Ghibli than cooking simple, wholesome food that warms your heart.
Try making:
- Haku’s onigiri (rice balls)
- Kiki’s chocolate cake
- Howl’s famous breakfast: eggs and thick bacon (or veggie bacon!)
- Miso soup with tofu and scallions
- Steamed buns or cozy bento boxes
And get this cute Japanese Bento Lunch Box with Chopsticks – perfect for trying out your own Ghibli-style lunch scene.
8. Include Small Ghibli Touches You Love
You don’t need a giant Totoro mural (unless you want one!). It’s the little things that matter.
Add them one by one.
Your kitchen will slowly become your own Ghibli scene, filled with your heart and your favorite cozy things.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a cottage in the countryside or a huge renovation budget to create a kitchen that feels warm, magical, and just a little bit Ghibli.
You just need intention.
A little softness.
A few cozy textures.
And most importantly — a willingness to slow down and notice the magic in your everyday rituals.
So light a candle. Hang a dried herb bundle. Make something warm and slow and sweet.
You’re living in a Studio Ghibli scene already — you just didn’t realize it yet.
