A backyard kitchen should feel effortless to use—and built to handle Midwest weather. Saint John homeowners love outdoor kitchens for the same reason they invest in a great patio: it expands the livable part of the home. The difference is that outdoor kitchens add utilities, appliances, heat, grease, and water exposure—so the planning matters as much as the finish. At Forest Landscaping, we design/build outdoor living spaces across the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana with craftsmanship that’s meant to last (and look great doing it). What a “great” outdoor kitchen really needs (beyond the grill) A strong outdoor kitchen isn’t just a built-in grill with a counter. It’s a system—foundation, drainage, utilities, traffic flow, and materials—working together so you can cook comfortably and keep everything safe and clean. 1) A stable base that won’t settle In Northwest Indiana and the Southland, freeze/thaw cycles and heavy clay soils can shift surfaces […]