Landscape Design
8 Ways to Create Zones in Your Landscape
Add interest to your yard by breaking it into separate areas for different activities or views
An effective way to turn your yard into an interesting space for entertaining and relaxing is by creating a few different zones. Take a look at these eight ideas to see how you could break up your landscape with materials, plantings, screens and more.
2. Build an Outdoor Room
Another way to differentiate areas is by building an outdoor room. Not only does a covered area add interest to the yard, but it also can be used in inclement weather.
If you’re worried about blocking light to the house, why not consider locating your outdoor room away from it? The owners of this space can step right out to their sunny patio or follow a straight path to the covered area at the back. The outdoor room features an outdoor fireplace and a spot for comfortable sheltered lounging without impeding the view from the house.
Another way to differentiate areas is by building an outdoor room. Not only does a covered area add interest to the yard, but it also can be used in inclement weather.
If you’re worried about blocking light to the house, why not consider locating your outdoor room away from it? The owners of this space can step right out to their sunny patio or follow a straight path to the covered area at the back. The outdoor room features an outdoor fireplace and a spot for comfortable sheltered lounging without impeding the view from the house.
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3. Create Contrast
Zone your yard by adding interesting contrasts. Try using different materials or plantings in each area.
In this landscape, a bluestone path leads from a concrete driveway to a lounge area on a brick patio. The path crosses through a gravel ring edged in brick before heading into the softer planting area.
Zone your yard by adding interesting contrasts. Try using different materials or plantings in each area.
In this landscape, a bluestone path leads from a concrete driveway to a lounge area on a brick patio. The path crosses through a gravel ring edged in brick before heading into the softer planting area.
4. Screen for Privacy
Give each area in your landscape even more of a separate feel by using screens. The designer of this yard, for example, framed the lounge area with a lattice fence. The design creates a gentle screen, which lets in light while adding privacy. The screen gives the area a calm, secluded feel while being less intrusive than a solid wall.
Give each area in your landscape even more of a separate feel by using screens. The designer of this yard, for example, framed the lounge area with a lattice fence. The design creates a gentle screen, which lets in light while adding privacy. The screen gives the area a calm, secluded feel while being less intrusive than a solid wall.
5. Put In a Place to Pause
When zoning your yard, think about where you could add an extra space to relax. Perhaps you could break up some planting beds the way the designer did here.
A pathway leading to a water feature at the back of the yard is interrupted by two seating areas along the way. The spots provide a place to rest while adding a touch of character to the design as a whole.
Read more about this walled garden
When zoning your yard, think about where you could add an extra space to relax. Perhaps you could break up some planting beds the way the designer did here.
A pathway leading to a water feature at the back of the yard is interrupted by two seating areas along the way. The spots provide a place to rest while adding a touch of character to the design as a whole.
Read more about this walled garden
6. Slow Your Journey
Subtle zones help make this terraced area feel more like a destination than simply a path. The wood decking encourages you to slow down, while the variation of materials in each zone creates different atmospheres as you move through the space.
Subtle zones help make this terraced area feel more like a destination than simply a path. The wood decking encourages you to slow down, while the variation of materials in each zone creates different atmospheres as you move through the space.
7. Include Secret Spots
Create secluded zones in your landscape by building pathways and including dense plantings. In this yard, for example, meandering paths lead out from a central brick walkway to hidden areas. A mix of flagstone and pebbles adds character, while plants conceal the space behind, giving the yard a secret garden ambiance.
Create secluded zones in your landscape by building pathways and including dense plantings. In this yard, for example, meandering paths lead out from a central brick walkway to hidden areas. A mix of flagstone and pebbles adds character, while plants conceal the space behind, giving the yard a secret garden ambiance.
8. Play With Levels
To maximize space in your yard, try creating different levels. This yard features a few zones, including a sunken fire pit lounge. The other side was built at a slightly higher level and is now an informal lounge spot.
This beautiful project was quite complex, but a simpler idea would be to build a raised deck alongside your patio.
Tell us: How would you create different zones in your yard? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
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To maximize space in your yard, try creating different levels. This yard features a few zones, including a sunken fire pit lounge. The other side was built at a slightly higher level and is now an informal lounge spot.
This beautiful project was quite complex, but a simpler idea would be to build a raised deck alongside your patio.
Tell us: How would you create different zones in your yard? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about landscape design
Browse landscape photos for inspiration
Find a home pro for your project
Shop for outdoor products
A sandstone pathway divides this yard into a series of curved lawns before reaching a seating zone. The meandering path allows the owners to take in the flower beds along the way, and the circles help disguise the yard’s somewhat awkward taper toward the back.
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