If you're wondering whether it's the right time to say goodbye to your family home and downsize to a home more suitable for your lifestyle and needs, consider these scenarios:

As more and more people take the plunge into simplified living – moving into spaces that are smaller and offer a lock-and-leave lifestyle – downsizing is becoming a well-heeled buzzword.

"We like to call it right-sizing," said Ismahan Omer, sales manager at Partners Development Group, known for its popular Arrive townhome.

Too much clutter in your home can make you feel the same way you do after too much turkey dinner: stuffed and uninspired. Though it may have taken years to accumulate all those useful, somewhat useful and utterly useless items, you can get unstuffed in a fraction of the time by following a few simple guidelines.

For many empty nesters, downsizing means selling the family home where they have lived for decades.

Every nook and cranny of the home contains vivid reminders of their life, from pencil marks on a wall to record the heights of growing children, to cherished photos of family and friends.

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.

Popularity of condo living among seniors is on the rise

When it comes to choosing a home later in life, age often brings thoughtful consideration of what really matters. More and more in Calgary, that wisdom is leading seniors to choose condominiums as the place to live out their golden years.

"Five years ago, when we tracked inner-city demographics, you saw maybe 1-2 per cent of seniors purchasing condos," said Oliver Trutina, vice-president of Calgary-based builder Truman.

"Today, that number is around 20 per cent. Since this is often their third or fourth home purchase, they know what they want and are asking for it."

Condo developers respond to 'downsizing' needs

As the largest segment of the population in North America, baby boomers have shaped our world more than any other age group. And their impact on housing is profound.

Now, while this generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is becoming increasingly gray, the real estate industry is responding to their needs for housing.

Many developers in Alberta are turning their attention to high-density high-rises in centrally located neighbourhoods to reflect boomers' demand for stylish, worry-free living, said Parham Mahboubi, vice-president of planning and marketing at Qualex-Landmark — a Vancouver-based development firm which is the force behind Park Point in the Beltline along 12th Avenue S.W.

Aging demographic continues to shape Calgary's housing market

As the largest segment of the population in North America, baby boomers have undoubtedly shaped our world more than any other age group. And their impact on housing is profound.

Now, while this generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is becoming increasingly gray, the real estate industry is responding to their needs for housing.

Many developers in Calgary are turning their attention to high-density high-rises in the Beltline and other centrally located neighbourhoods to reflect boomers' demand for stylish, worry-free living, said Parham Mahboubi, vice-president of planning and marketing at Qualex-Landmark—a Vancouver-based development firm which is the force behind Park Point in the Beltline along 12th Avenue S.W.

Boomers see opportunities in growing city

Laura Routledge already had a lifetime of large-home living in her rear-view mirror when she first started thinking about moving to Airdrie

"I raised my two kids in Carstairs, so I (was) familiar with the area and watched it grow," said the 61-year-old. "I had a huge house in Chestermere and my husband passed away suddenly six years ago, so that was the incentive to downsize."

With a son and daughter-in-law already established in the growing city just north of Calgary, Routledge packed up her belongings, her two cats and hopes of a more tranquil life in Airdrie.

Smaller stature doesn't have to mean lower expectations

Whether it's empty nesters no longer in need of a family-sized home or homeowners discovering they no longer need so much space, downsizing has become a popular trend in the real estate industry.

The opportunity to shed excess space – usually for a profit – and purchase something smaller has proved too alluring to resist for many Calgarians.

"Making a move to a more affordable house and renovating it to make it more efficient and organized will ensure I enjoy living in it even if it's not a mini mansion," said Angela Hendry, who recently downsized to a smaller home due to a change in her marital situation. "So the upside is I will have a very reasonable mortgage right now, and when the interest rates go up I will still have a beautiful home to live in that I can still afford."