One of the most versatile pieces of furniture in the home is the Ottoman, or footstool.
And in space-starved flats, one can prove particularly useful - injecting comfort and added usefulness to a room.
Gracie Chung Pik-sum, sales manager of upholstered furniture manufacturers Cetec, says Ottomans are popular because of their practicality. 'They are easy to move around within the living room or apartment,' she says. 'Many clients like to place a tray on top, so they can use it as a coffee table and, when they want to relax, they can use it as a footstool, or for extra seating when they have guests.'
Other Ottomans are made to double-up as a storage box - opening on hinges or with a separate lid and convenient for hiding magazines.
'They are like a treasure box,' Chung says. Some are also on wheels to make pushing them around easy.
Ottomans don't have to just be confined to the living room. Try using them in the bedroom at the foot of the bed, or even in the bathroom when putting on makeup.