Haha, your shovel and wheelbarrow situation sounds way too familiar. Isn't it funny how we accumulate yard tools without even realizing it? When we downsized our yard, I remember standing in the garage staring at two lawnmowers and thinking, "Wait, why do we even have two of these?" 😂
Did you find it tough deciding what to keep and what to let go of? For us, it was a bit tricky at first—especially with tools that had sentimental value (like the rake my dad gave me years ago). But once we started clearing things out, it felt surprisingly freeing. Like you said, less stuff really does make the space feel bigger somehow.
I'm curious, did downsizing your yard change how you use your outdoor space? We noticed we actually spend more time outside now, probably because it's less overwhelming to maintain. It's funny how having less yard actually made us appreciate it more. Have you experienced something similar?
Anyway, glad to hear you're enjoying the breathing room. It's always reassuring to know others have navigated the same process and come out happier on the other side.
I totally get the appeal of downsizing and decluttering, but I think there's something to be said for having a bit more yard space—even if it means extra maintenance. For me, having room to experiment with landscaping and outdoor design is worth the hassle of a few extra tools in the garage. Sometimes, having too small an outdoor area can feel limiting creatively... although I admit, fewer lawnmowers does sound pretty nice.
I can definitely relate to your point about having enough yard space to get creative. We just moved into our first custom-built home last year, and deciding on lot size was honestly one of the trickiest parts. We ended up going slightly bigger than we initially planned, mostly because I had visions of raised garden beds and a fire pit area dancing in my head, haha.
Now that we've been here a while, I can say the extra space has been worth it. Sure, mowing takes a bit longer, and I've had to buy a few more tools than expected (who knew edging required its own special gadget?), but the freedom to experiment with landscaping ideas has been really rewarding. I even tried my hand at building a small stone pathway last summer—turned out pretty decent for a first attempt!
That said, I totally see the appeal of keeping things smaller and simpler. A friend of mine went the minimalist route with their yard, and their weekends are definitely less chore-heavy than mine. Sometimes when I'm wrestling with weeds or lugging mulch around, I envy their low-maintenance setup. But overall, I think having that extra breathing room outdoors has made our home feel more personal and inviting.
Anyway, sounds like you're already leaning toward a bit more space, and from my experience, it's probably worth the trade-off. Good luck figuring it all out—it's a fun problem to have!
It's great to hear your experience validated the decision to go bigger. As an architect, I often see clients underestimate how valuable outdoor space becomes over time—especially once those creative ideas start flowing. Sounds like you're making the most of it!
"clients underestimate how valuable outdoor space becomes over time—especially once those creative ideas start flowing."
That's definitely true in my experience. When we bought our place, I thought the yard was plenty big...but fast forward a few years, and between gardening, a patio, and the kids' play area, it feels smaller every season. Curious though, has anyone found there's a sweet spot where more outdoor space actually becomes too much upkeep? I'd hate to cross that line without realizing it.
