My Kitchen Traditional Kitchen

Tip: Keep oils, drink supplies and other kitchen items on trays for easy removal and cleanup. Taylor has all the makings of a terrific cocktail on this cute tray, which can be picked up from the counter in a flash when she needs more space. Q. How do you make cooking in a small kitchen easier? A. My biggest challenge is finding enough counter space, especially since I tend to make a big mess! I like to place my big, cheap cutting boards underneath prep bowls to help catch some of my mess, and it definitely helps if I put dishes directly into the dishwasher instead of piling them into the sink.

No room for a full cart? Place a bar tray on a credenza or tuck it among the stacks on your bookcase for a speakeasy feel.

Restock the bar. Replenish libations such as gin, vodka and Scotch, and lay on a supply of beer, wine and sodas. Don't forget mixers, lemons and limes and other staples.Clear out the fridge. Make plenty of room for a 20-pound turkey or a tray of hors d’oeuvres. Toss aging food, clean out storage containers and polish off the two inches of juice in the bottom of the carton. Give the fridge shelves a good wipedown while you're at it. Spruce the guest room. Relatives coming in from out of town? Fluff your guest quarters to welcome them. Freshen the bed linens, add a bedside carafe, put out a stack of towels and make sure they have a stash of reading material.

All bottles on one platter and can grab easily at any moment