In the context of a house, a service area is a space that supports the main activities in the house and supplements the living and sleeping areas. It is a functional area that provides equipment and space for maintenance, storage, and service. A service area usually includes a prep kitchen, a laundry-drying-ironing room, a warehouse, and a garage. Sometimes, it also includes a work space, a domestic helper’s bedrooms, and bathrooms. Ideally, a service area should be easily accessible and should not hinder other activities. It should be easily accessed by homeowners but kept hidden from the view of guests. The limited space in today’s housing forces homeowners to get the design right for this service area.

In addition to houses, service areas can also refer to public facilities found along large thoroughfares that offer travelers a place to rest, eat, refuel, or use the restroom without needing to exit onto secondary roads. These service areas may include fuel stations, public restrooms, water fountains, vending machines, restaurants, convenience stores, and park-like areas.

In the context of building measurement terms, a building service area is a portion of a building that provides services that enable occupants to work in the building. These areas include, but are not limited to, areas that serve the entire building such as mechanical rooms, janitor closets, and bathrooms.

Overall, the definition of a service area can vary depending on the context in which it is used.