The 3 Key Components of Yard Design

A well-designed yard is broken up into three areas. Here's what they are and how best to use them.

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Photo by Neil / Adobe Stock

1. Public Area

The part of your landscape that’s visible from the street or driveway; typically the front of the house.

2. Service Area

A utilitarian area not seen from the street or the private areas, but still easily accessed from your driveway. Here, you may store trash cans, composting station or a tool shed.

3. Private Area

This is your space to play, enjoy the fruits of a vegetable garden, hang out on a deck or patio or meditate along the edge of a tranquil water feature.