Plan it once. Build it right. Enjoy it for years. An outdoor kitchen should feel effortless when you’re hosting—food prep, cooking, serving, and cleanup all flowing naturally. In Saint John and the surrounding Northwest Indiana / Chicago Southland area, the best results come from a design/build approach that considers drainage, freeze-thaw conditions, traffic patterns, utilities, lighting, and the hardscape base before the first paver is set. This guide breaks down what homeowners should look for when working with outdoor kitchen contractors—and how to avoid the common “beautiful but annoying” backyard layout mistakes. What a great outdoor kitchen design includes (beyond the grill) A “kitchen” outdoors is really a set of zones. When each zone has enough space, the entire backyard feels calmer—especially when guests are moving around with kids, drinks, and plates. 1) Cooking zone Grill, side burner, smoker, or pizza oven—plus heat-safe landing space on both sides so you’re […]