Willow Springs 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 Willow Springs
Bret-Mar Landscape, Inc. brings more than 40 years of experience to Willow Springs outdoor kitchen design, turning underused outdoor space into a well-designed outdoor kitchen built to work for your yard. As a second-generation, family-owned firm serving Chicago's southwest and western suburbs, we treat every outdoor kitchen project as an extension of your home, built with durable materials made for Chicagoland seasons.
A well-designed outdoor kitchen becomes the heart of your outdoor living space. It gives you a comfortable dining area for outdoor cooking, a cooking station for food preparation, and a seating area for hosting all season long. The difference between a good outdoor kitchen and a great one often comes down to careful planning, and that planning starts long before we choose materials.
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.
Smart Site Planning Makes the Difference
Where and how we place your outdoor kitchen matters as much as what goes in it. Before design decisions are finalized, we develop a site plan that accounts for the key factors most homeowners never think about. We study wind direction so prevailing winds carry grill smoke away from your dining table instead of toward it. We use natural shade and add a shade structure where the afternoon sun is strongest. We plan the layout options around how you move through the space, whether that is a U-shaped kitchen for a larger yard or a compact design for narrow spaces.
Good planning also means getting the foundations right:
Running natural gas lines and a dedicated electrical circuit for appliances, overhead lights, and sound systems
Pulling the necessary permits so your outdoor kitchen project is built to code
Setting a durable base, often on concrete block, so the structure lasts
Mapping entertainment needs like casual seating, bar stools, and a spot for a large grill
For homeowners weighing their options, This Old House offers useful guidance on the planning considerations that go into a successful outdoor kitchen.
Materials and Finishing Touches
The right materials keep your outdoor kitchen looking sharp with low maintenance. We build with natural stone, stainless steel appliances, and weather-rated counter tops chosen for both durability and your personal style. Cabinetry comes in a range of powder coat colors and finishes, with practical touches like stainless steel cabinets, garbage drawers, an outdoor refrigerator or mini fridge, ice makers, and side burners. These finishing touches turn a simple barbecue grill setup into a fully equipped, luxurious outdoor kitchen with clean lines that suit your home.
Add Fire Features and Outdoor Living Elements
Fire features are popular for good reason. Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces give guests a warm gathering point after dinner and add a striking focal point to the overall design. We can also coordinate your kitchen with surrounding outdoor elements like a backyard patio, pool, or hot tub area for one cohesive outdoor living space.
Our Willow Springs 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 budget limits, followed by a look at your outdoor space.
Site plan and custom design. The next step is a site plan and layout built around your yard, including material selection, appliances, and utilities.
Build and installation. Our team handles the foundation, natural gas and electrical, permits, and local code compliance with real craftsmanship.
Final walkthrough. We finish with a walkthrough focused on the finishing touches and your complete satisfaction.
Serving Willow Springs, Lemont, Burr Ridge, and Beyond
We design and build outdoor kitchens for homeowners across Willow Springs, Lemont, Burr Ridge, Palos Hills, Homer Glen, and the surrounding southwest and western 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.