Mixing Center

In the words of an old song, "Can she bake cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?" She can — if her organized kitchen includes a well-planned mixing center.

The focus: mixing, preparing and assembling food. The mixing center is the place where cookie dough and piecrusts, marinades and muffins make their appearance. Star player in the drama will be the electric mixer, with supporting roles filled by measuring cups, baking supplies, canisters and sifters.

The mixing center is the most movable of all the kitchen activity centers. Since it's not tied to a fixture, such as the sink or stove, it can be located in any designated area with counter space available. Storage includes cabinet, drawer and wall areas around the designated counter space.

Other Items Found at This Center:

Food processor, automatic bread machine, mixing bowls, batter bowls, mixing spoon, rubber spatula, rolling pin, cookie cutters, biscuit cutters, herbs and spices, shortening, sweeteners, cupcake papers, cake decorating tools

Dishwashing/Tableware Center

The meal is over and it's time to clean up — and turn to the dishwashing/tableware center to get the job done. Chances are, this activity center will lie right next to the cutting center, since both share the kitchen sink as a designated space and use the same washing tools. The automatic dishwasher is the second compass point for this activity center.

The center's focus is the washing and storage of dishes and tableware — in a manner that will help family members to get the job done fast. Find storage for these items in drawers and cabinets convenient to the dishwasher. Shelf paper helps prevent scratching when putting dishes away; plastic skid-resistant shelf-liner cushions delicate china and glasses, preventing breakage. Assign dishes a home according to their function and use. Just because you purchase dishes as a set doesn't mean you should store them that way. A "breakfast shelf" holds cereal bowls, salad plates and mugs — and lets children set the breakfast table each morning.

Seldom-used serving dishes live in the inaccessible way-back of the cabinet shelf, while plates and soup bowls enjoy the air and light of the shelf front.

Keep plastic food storage containers nested and handy. They'll help build the next day's lunches from the evening's leftovers. Corral lids separately in a plastic basket or drawer to prevent fallout — the descent of multiple containers onto your feet when the cabinet door is opened.

Other Items Found at This Center:

Cutlery (knives, forks, spoons), serving utensils, napkins, dishpan and dish drainer, rubber gloves, liquid dishwasher detergent, hand towels, dish towels

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