Naperville Outdoor Living Contractors

Have you always dreamed of the perfect outdoor space for entertaining your friends and guests? Maybe you have a large backyard, but nowhere to sit and enjoy your space. Our landscaping experts can turn your dream into reality. 

We can create the perfect elegant outdoor entertainment and kitchen area for you. Keep an eye on your kids as they play outside. Share a meal or a drink with family, friends, and neighbors in the privacy of your own backyard.

A scenic view looking over an outdoor kitchen and dining area

Whatever outdoor living space you choose, Ware Landscaping will customize it to meet your needs. We’ll match the aesthetics of your home and create a free-flowing indoor-to-outdoor area that provides just the right ambiance for your family. You can show off your custom outdoor entertainment area to guests for years to come.

The Perfect Entertainment Area in Your Backyard

Consider the type of outdoor space you want to entertain others. Do you enjoy hosting intimate dinner parties? Are you a sports buff? Maybe you want a great place to spend quality time with your kids. Whatever the reason for your outdoor living area, Ware Landscaping can help.

Depending on your home’s design and any existing exterior structures on your property, we will design a space that fits perfectly among your current landscaping.

Patios and Decks are Part of Outdoor Entertainment Design

If you have a patio or deck or want to add one for entertaining, consider the layout you want.

  • Space: Make sure there’s enough room in your backyard for a patio or deck that can fit your guests, furniture, and decorative structures.
  • Seating areas: You can add built-in seating or stand-alone furniture surrounding your kitchen or in front of an outdoor TV.
  • Flooring: Choosing the right material for your outdoor flooring can add an element of luxury or functionality to your kitchen or entertainment area.
  • BBQ and fire pits: If you enjoy entertaining regularly, adding a built-in BBQ or fire pit could provide the perfect setting for a daytime gathering or nighttime event.

Arbor or Pergola

Building an arbor or pergola creates an elegant outdoor space while providing shade from the sun. You can customize one to put above your entertainment area to reduce glare on your TV. Or, you can shield yourself from the outside elements while you’re cooking a meal in your outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor Entertainment Lighting

Accent lights along pathways or at the edge of your outdoor space can enhance the look of your entertainment area and allow guests to walk safely at night. A single porch light might not be enough to fully light the exterior kitchen, dining area, or living room. Try adding lighting to the following areas:

  • Around the edges of a patio or deck
  • Along steps or stairs
  • At the edge of a walkway or path
  • Surrounding beautiful features, such as a water fountain, artwork, or plants

Play Area

If you have children or pets, you might want to consider building a designated area for them to play. You can ensure they have fun and remain safe while you’re in the nearby outdoor kitchen.

Water Features

A fountain, pond, or waterfall can add a dramatic effect to your entertaining space. Relax on the built-in couch while listening to the soothing sounds of a nearby waterfall.

Music

Place wireless speakers in your backyard for background music. Create a specific mood, depending on the type of entertainment you’re providing in your outdoor space.

 A very clean and cozy outdoor dining setup

Tips for Planning Your Outdoor Space

Ware Landscaping’s professional team of artisans can help you with each of the decisions needed to create your personalized outdoor entertainment space. Some of the choices we’ll review with you are:

  • Picking a spot in your backyard that will fit everything you want for your entertainment area
  • Creating zones in your outdoor living spaces to maximize functionality, such as a place for cooking, food preparation, dining, and socializing
  • Calculating dimensions for countertops, bar tops, tables, and seat heights that make sense for the size of your backyard
  • Choosing a layout for your entertainment area that matches the style and design of your home
  • Starting with the right framework by choosing materials to build various structures, such as brick, wood, concrete, etc.
  • Choosing from durable flooring that can withstand weather and routine wear-and-tear
  • Utilize space-saving built-ins for small outdoor living area
  • Comparing material options for the countertops and tabletops within your entertaining, dining, seating, and kitchen spaces
  • Choosing cabinetry for your exterior kitchen that is waterproof, heat resistant, and can keep out bugs and dust
  • Thinking about the different appliances and cookware you’ll need for the kitchen, such as griddles, warming drawers, and side burners
  • Deciding whether a stand-alone grill or built-in grill matches your specific needs
  • Determining what finishes and exterior walls will best match the aesthetics of your home and backyard
  • Locating problem areas or structures on your property that could prohibit the size of your entertainment area or kitchen

Placement Matters in Your Outdoor Entertainment Area

The area where you decide to build your kitchen on your entertainment space can influence how much you use it. If it’s far away from your home and indoor kitchen, bringing out supplies could seem like a chore. Prepping, cooking, and cleaning in your outdoor kitchen should be just as easy as if you were inside.

Ensure your outdoor kitchen is self-sufficient to get the most out of it. Hot running water, a refrigerator, and storage areas for goods, dishware, and cooking utensils will save you a lot of time and effort and make your outdoor living space more enjoyable.

When we help you design your new outdoor space, we’ll show you how to take full advantage of the natural landscaping around your property. Make the most of your existing trees, bushes, hedges, and flower gardens to create privacy for you and your guests.

Your Outdoor Kitchen is Finished. Now What?

When the hard work of installing your new outdoor kitchen and entertaining area is complete, it’s time to enjoy your new space with friends and family. As with your interior rooms, it’s also important to remember to protect your investment. You’ll want to maintain the flooring, structures, and appliances, so they last a long time.

To enjoy your new outdoor spaces long into the future, don’t forget to budget time and expenses for the upkeep of your beautiful new outdoor structures. Some outdoor wood features may benefit from a protective coating, each year for example. We can help with this, too.

Like any kitchen in a home, you’ll want to clean your outdoor kitchen regularly. To save yourself trouble down the road, make sure to avoid porous materials like limestone that absorbs stains. Choose sealed granite and stainless steel appliances, so you don’t have to replace anything for a long time.

A group of family and friends with a pet dog enjoying their meal outdoors

FAQs

Can I build my own outdoor kitchen or entertainment area?

You can try to DIY your new outdoor kitchen or living  area, but it will take a lot of work and technical know-how. That’s in addition to purchasing all the materials you’ll need. The safest and most cost-effective way to build an outdoor entertaining space that will last you a long time is by hiring a contractor to take care of it for you.

Is it worth it to build an outdoor kitchen?

Yes! Having an outdoor cooking space or luxurious entertaining space can increase the value of your home. You’ll fetch a higher price when it comes time to sell, and the price increase will likely be between 70-100% of what you spent on your outdoor kitchen. You can’t put a price on all the good times you’ll have with friends and family in your backyard, though. 

To know if an outdoor kitchen is really worth it, consider how much use you would get out of it and your family would appreciate having it. Think also of the maintenance that’s involved with keeping it up, and whether that’s something you want to take on.

How do I arrange my outdoor living space?

The best arrangement for your outdoor living space depends on how big your yard is and what you plan to use it for. If you want to cook meals, you’ll need a space for food preparation and dining, perhaps in addition to couches and chairs for lounging. If you plan to entertain outside but not cook, you’ll mostly just have furniture and smaller exterior structures to worry about.

To arrange your outdoor entertainment area, it helps to have a focal point. This could be a seating area with a coffee table, a fire pit, or a big dining table. You could also use some of the same styles outside as you have in your indoor living space, for consistency.

If you want to add an elegant, custom outdoor living area to your property but aren’t sure how to create the layout, you can also work with expert landscapers or hardscapers. At Ware Landscaping, we can offer you a free assessment and advise you on the best arrangement for your property.

Contact Ware Landscaping for Your Free Quote

We can provide you with all your outdoor entertainment needs. The landscaping experts at Ware Landscaping will review your requirements, come up with a detailed design plan, and construct the perfect space to make memories that last a lifetime.

Choosing the right landscaping company can significantly impact the end result of your project. We believe in bringing your ideas to life and creating an outdoor oasis for you and your family to enjoy.

Whether you want to build your own personal haven for cooking, or a seating area that allows you to watch TV under the stars, or both, we can help you. Call (630) 885-6370 today for a free quote. We’re ready to build your dream space.

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