This 17th century pot storage is the smartest feature in Meghan Markle's kitchen – it makes use of 'dead' space I never knew existed

Meghan Markle's Montecito kitchen is an established source of décor inspiration, from the beautiful mosaic tiles to the wooden cabinets that emphasize its French country aesthetic. Arguably the best design features, however, are those that are as functional as they are good looking – and nothing epitomizes this like her pan rack.

The copper pan rack, seen above Meghan's white marble island, taps into a kitchen storage idea with roots in the 17th century. In the 1600s, pot racks and hooks became more prominent in kitchens, used to conveniently display pots and pans and save space.

While Meghan's kitchen is certainly not compact, it's remains an incentive for us to rethink how we use space that would otherwise go unutilized. In hanging her pots, she's turning cookware into decor (that inevitably fit her French country kitchen theme), without taking up space in her cabinets. It's beautiful yet so intelligent, and surprisingly easy to recreate in the smallest of spaces.

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Whether you're working with a small kitchen or a larger room like Meghan's, real estate agents reassure it's worth following her example.

'When it comes to making your kitchen both functional and beautiful, the space around your kitchen island often gets overlooked. However, as someone who’s spent years designing spaces that balance practicality with style, I’ve seen how a thoughtfully designed kitchen island can completely change how a kitchen feels and works,' begins Eric Bramlett a realtor and owner of Bramlett Real Estate, on this age-old method.

'Using vertical storage space is very useful. You can add hooks to hang pots and pans and hang them to free up counter space but still keep them within reach.'

Similarly, if you're looking to make your storage work harder, Eric suggests following a 'seasonal storage' method. 'Rotate items based on what you need – holiday dishware during the winter, summer serving sets when it’s warm. This keeps your kitchen feeling fresh and makes the most of the available space,' he adds.

'Lastly, lighting can also elevate the look and feel of your island storage. Adding LED strip lights under shelves can highlight your favorite items and make it easier to find what you need. I’ve used this trick in kitchens with darker finishes, and it made the space feel brighter and more inviting.'

With storage, it's not about having a lot of room, it's about knowing how best to use what you do have, and Meghan's space is the perfect blueprint.