7 things I’ll always keep close to the house

After living on land for a while, you figure out pretty quick what you want nearby and what you don’t. Some things belong close to the house because you’ll use them every day, rain or shine. It’s not about being lazy—it’s about making your daily life smoother. These are the things I’ll never place far from the house again.

The Water Spigot

Seems obvious, but I’ve seen folks forget this. Having a spigot right near the house saves time, effort, and hoses.

Watering plants, rinsing boots, filling up buckets—you’ll use it daily. Don’t rely on one way out by the barn.

The Garden

I used to think putting the garden way out by the fence line made sense. Wrong. You’ll neglect it if it’s too far.

The closer it is, the more likely you are to pull weeds, pick produce, and keep it watered. Convenience keeps it alive.

Trash and Burn Pile Area

You don’t want trash right outside the back door—but putting it way off in the corner of the property will get old fast.

Find a middle ground—close enough to haul daily but not in sight of the porch. Same goes for a burn barrel.

Tool Storage

Keep your most-used tools nearby. That means shovels, loppers, buckets, gloves—whatever you reach for weekly.

You’ll use them more often and put them away faster when they’re not across the property in some distant shed.

Chickens

If you’re raising chickens, keep them close. You’ll thank yourself every cold morning you don’t have to hike to the coop in the dark.

You’ll need to check feed, collect eggs, and close the coop door daily. Don’t make it harder than it has to be.

Parking Area

You’ll be loading kids, groceries, feed bags, and tools in and out of your vehicle constantly. Keep that parking spot close and accessible.

Mud, snow, or hauling lumber—if it’s a chore to get from the truck to the house, you’ll regret it every week.

Emergency Shutoffs

Electric panels, water shutoffs, and propane tanks should all be within quick reach. When something goes wrong, you want to get to them fast.

Don’t bury them behind buildings or fences. Make them easy to spot and even easier to access.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.