As the name suggests, when people downsize their home, they usually find themselves dealing with less square footage.

That's where multipurpose furniture can help, such as a storage ottoman with a seat that flips over to become a side table, or an entryway bench to use while putting on shoes, with shelves underneath for footwear and a built-in rack above for hanging winter jackets.

Making the most of a small living space

Visitors to this year's Calgary Fall Home Show might have come across a feature area called Small Space Living.

Designed by Rosalyn Lazaruk, owner of Wicket Blue Interiors, the 1,000-square-foot display showcased ways to optimize a smaller living space.

Lazaruk says people downsizing into a smaller house or condominium don't have to give up style and livability just because they have less square footage.

The 2017 Calgary Fall Home Show offers tips, tricks and inspiration for every type of homeowner

"The show for every home." That's how Marketplace Events show manager Teri Salazar describes the Calgary Fall Home Show, which runs from Sept. 21 to 24 at the BMO Centre.

"It doesn't matter if you have a condo, a new build, a fixer-upper or a McMansion, if you want to do a simple update or a complete renovation overhaul, we have something in the show for everyone," she said.

There'll be some 350 exhibitors at this year's show, which Salazar says has been refocused to highlight those aspects exhibitors and attendees have been looking for, including more sources for inspiration.

"This show will be better than ever," she said.