Maximising the design and functionality of a small apartment is a common challenge for today's homeowners who are searching for ways to get the most from the limited space they have.

Manufacturers and designers are meeting this demand with inventively shaped furnishings, also called "multi-functional", making it easier than ever to create a welcoming area within a smaller space.

The Royal Gazette spoke to Janice Burke, owner of Eye4Design, an interior decorating and design company, about using multi-functional furniture.

While many apartments have reasonably sized living rooms, bedrooms are almost always the smallest room in the home and Mrs. Burke suggests finding a bed with hidden storage, or making use of bed risers.

You can buy risers from both Masters and Gorhams, while many furniture stores now stock beds with hidden storage.

If you use risers, clothing, linen and even towels can be kept in flat plastic containers that are easily slid under the bed and out of sight. Another tip: hang a shoe bag at the back of your door and free up space inside your wardrobe.

"Mirrors are always good, as they bounce light around the room and can help any small space, but use large mirrors," she suggests.

When it comes to the living room, try and find tables that allow chairs to slip completely underneath and out of sight. This will create the illusion of more space.

Mrs. Burke suggests finding a table that completely folds down to no bigger than a sideboard and can be stored against the wall until you need it.

However, the worst thing you can do for a small room, Mrs. Burke says, is buy furniture that is too big.

"You need to get the scale of the furniture right against the scale of the room," she points out. "Think of your wall space as additional 'floor space' by putting up shelves or cabinets."

Another idea is to use wooden chests as coffee tables, ottomans, benches or even couches with hidden storage — similar to the bed.

Mrs. Burke says the biggest myth is that dark colours will make a room look small: "If you were to paint an entire room a dark colour, like chocolate, of course you will be bringing it in, but don't be afraid of colour just because you have a small room."

One idea is to paint one wall a darker colour and leave the adjacent walls a lighter shade. And by keeping your window treatments the same colour as the walls, you will create the illusion of unbroken space.

Mrs. Burke isn't afraid to mix textures and finishes: "You should mix wood with other finishes like metal and glass. I like the eclectic look and believe you can mix old and new, modern and traditional or contemporary."

When it comes to lighting, she says you can never have too much. "But it is very important that you distribute it around the room evenly." She suggests placing lights on tables placed between seating.

Because of the current economic situation, many people will not be able to afford a complete makeover for their home, but there is hope: "If you have no money, but want to change the look of a room, paint! It isn't expensive and you can transform the room simply by adding colour."

Another idea is simply to shuffle your furniture. "Many people insist on pushing their couches up against the wall, but by arranging your furniture around a focal point, you can make the room look better and it doesn't cost a thing," she says.

If for example, you watch a lot of television, by making the television your focal point and arranging your furniture around the TV, you can make the room look more balanced.

But there is a warning. Many people are tempted to buy a huge flat screen television, but Mrs. Burke warns that it's important to take the scale of the room into consideration.

"The last thing you want to do is put a huge television in a room in which you're forced to sit up against the screen."

Also, mounting these enormous televisions against the wall will not always work because you still have to hide the cables and will need to keep your cable box and DVD player somewhere.

For more tips and information, visit her website at www.eye4design.bm.