New Lenox Outdoor Kitchen Design
Outdoor Kitchens Designed for Effortless Entertaining
Thoughtfully designed outdoor kitchens that elevate how you gather, cook, and host — all seamlessly integrated into your landscape.
Custom Outdoor Kitchen Design in New Lenox
Bret-Mar Landscape, Inc. brings more than 40 years of experience to New Lenox outdoor kitchen design, turning underused outdoor space into a beautiful outdoor kitchen built for the way you cook. As a second-generation, family-owned firm serving Chicago's southwest suburbs, we treat every outdoor kitchen project as an extension of your home, designed around your unique needs and built with weather-resistant materials made for Chicagoland seasons.
A well-designed outdoor kitchen becomes the heart of your outdoor living space. It gives you a real cooking area for everyday meals, a comfortable dining area for hosting, and an inviting outdoor retreat all season long. For culinary enthusiasts who want more than a simple grill, we design a fully equipped outdoor kitchen that makes cooking outdoors as easy and enjoyable as cooking in your indoor kitchen.
Create an Outdoor Destination You’ll Love Coming Home To
An outdoor kitchen transforms your backyard into a true extension of your home.
Whether you’re hosting summer gatherings or enjoying a quiet evening outdoors, a well-designed kitchen brings comfort, functionality, and style together in one cohesive space.
Designed for Hosting, Built for Everyday Use
From casual family dinners to entertaining guests, our outdoor kitchens are designed to support the way you live.
Every layout is planned with flow, durability, and long-term enjoyment in mind, so your new outdoor kitchen works as hard as your indoor kitchen.
Outdoor Kitchens Tailored to Your Lifestyle
Custom Outdoor Kitchens
Fully customized layouts featuring premium appliances, countertops, storage, and seating — designed to complement your home and landscape.
Built-In Grilling & Cooking Stations
Integrated grills, pizza ovens, prep areas, and bar seating designed for both performance and visual harmony.
Designed for the Way You Actually Cook
A great outdoor kitchen is not just about the grill. It is about how the whole cooking area works together. We plan each outdoor kitchen layout around the work triangle, the same principle that makes indoor kitchens efficient, so your grill, prep, and cleanup zones flow naturally from one to the next. That means ample counter space on both sides of the grill, additional counter space for meal prep, and easy access to everything you reach for while you cook.
For serious cooks, the details matter. We design in the equipment that takes your outdoor cooking experience to the next level:
A built-in grill, with charcoal grills or flat-top grills for cooks who want options
A side burner for sauces and sides, and a grill hood for ventilation
A pizza oven for wood-fired cooking
An outdoor sink and prep zone so cleanup does not send you back indoors
Wet bars and a beverage station to keep drinks close
Ice makers, stainless steel storage, and enough inches of counter space to work comfortably
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, a well-planned work triangle is one of the foundations of a functional kitchen, and the same principle makes an outdoor kitchen a pleasure to cook in.
Smart Design for Any Size Yard
A functional summer kitchen does not require a huge yard. We design innovative layouts that make the most of limited space, from a compact grill station for smaller spaces to a full U-shaped kitchen with grill islands and kitchen islands when you have room to spread out.
Whatever the footprint, we focus on the design elements that make the space work for your daily life.
Quality Materials That Stand the Test of Time
The materials you choose shape both the look and the lifespan of your outdoor kitchen. We combine natural stone, stainless steel, and other durable materials rated for exterior use that hold up through Chicago area winters and summers. We can also tie your kitchen into surrounding paver patios and outdoor kitchen structures for a cohesive look. Building with quality materials protects your investment, supports long-term property value, and keeps maintenance low.
Add Fire Features and Outdoor Living Elements
Fire features are popular choices for good reason. Fire pits and stone fireplaces give guests a warm gathering point after dinner and add a striking focal point to the overall design. Paired with patio heaters, outdoor lighting, and comfortable seating areas, these outdoor elements turn a simple patio into an outdoor oasis you will enjoy far more of the year.
Our New Lenox Outdoor Kitchen Design Process
We keep every step clear so your project stays on track.
Design consultation. The first step is a conversation about your goals, your cooking habits, and your project budget, followed by a look at your outdoor space.
Custom design. We refine your ideas into a final design built around your yard, from material selection and layout to appliances and fire features.
Build and installation. Our team handles the foundation, gas lines, and local building codes with the quality craftsmanship your project deserves.
Final walkthrough. We finish with a walkthrough focused on the small details and your complete satisfaction.
Serving New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, and Beyond
We design and build outdoor kitchens for homeowners across New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Lockport, and the surrounding southwest suburbs of Chicago. Our local roots mean we understand the homes and yards throughout the area and design each project to fit right in.
Experience Outdoor Living Ambiance
A professionally designed outdoor kitchen enhances both daily living and long-term property value.
Our design-led approach ensures every element feels intentional — from materials and layout to lighting and finishes.
Meet the Team
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![A man with a beard sitting outdoors in a garden, smiling at the camera, wearing a gray cap with a logo and a blue shirt, surrounded by green plants and a red building in the background.]()
Adam
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Adam was raised in the landscape industry and developed an early fascination with heavy equipment and hands-on construction. From a young age, he was drawn to understanding how things work—spending hours building and rebuilding projects with Legos, which naturally evolved into a passion for operating equipment and constructing outdoor spaces. He joined the family business after studying Agriculture and Soil Science at South Dakota State University, where he was also a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity. Adam oversees the operations side of the business, managing project construction and field execution. Outside of work, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys spending time with his dog, Charlie, and ice fishing.
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![A woman with long brown hair smiling next to a brown dog with black markings, in front of a bush with pink and green hydrangea flowers.]()
Ashley
PRESIDENT
Ashley grew up in the landscape industry and studied Landscape Architecture and Business at South Dakota State University, where she was also a NCAA Division I equestrian athlete. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Landscape Illinois and is a past president of the organization. Ashley is passionate about landscape design and the ability to thoughtfully design outdoor spaces to enrich people’s lives—creating environments that encourage gathering and reflect pride of ownership. Outside of work, Ashley and her husband, Tim, enjoy spending time outdoors with their three dogs, hiking and fishing. She also competes in jumper competitions with her horse, Stella.
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![An older man with white hair and a mustache smiling outdoors, standing in front of blooming pink and cream hydrangea flowers and green foliage.]()
Kurt
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
An avid outdoorsman, Kurt developed an early passion for land management. He studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he met his wife, Sharon. Kurt leads the development and care of the nursery grounds at Bret-Mar, taking great pride in growing and nurturing plants that go on to thrive in clients’ landscapes. Outside of work, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family on fishing trips.
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![A woman with glasses smiling and sitting on a large rock in a garden, with a white dog with its tongue out beside her. The garden has green trees, shrubs, purple flowers, and large rocks.]()
Sharon
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
From an early age, Sharon knew she wanted to pursue a career in the landscape industry. Her first job, while in high school, was at a garden center, where she developed a strong passion for plants and horticulture. She studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she also met her husband, Kurt. The landscape industry remains a lifelong passion for Sharon, and she enjoys spending time in her garden harvesting vegetables and cut flowers alongside her dog, Elly.
Transform the Way You Entertain Outdoors
Let’s design an outdoor kitchen that feels effortless, refined, and built to last.