"IF THERE"S A SPACE - FILL IT"! Karen's railway sleeper answer to creating more planting space

Yes, it's a popular saying that is shared by many gardeners! Lawns are gradually nibbled away by the additions of endless planting areas, veg plots and railway sleeper raised beds, until the main grass area has been reduced to narrow walkways between the herbacious borders! It's the unstoppable and exciting natural progression of creating more and more growing areas. Of course, there may be objections to this. What is this obsession (by mainly men) to have large striped lawns, as though they were recreating Wimbledon, Wembley or a croquet lawn? I'm sure it's connected to the power and excitement of turbo lawnmower gadgetry!