As the allure of outdoor living continues to grow in the Windy City, creating a stylish and functional outdoor kitchen and dining area has become a top priority for many Chicagoans. Here, we explore innovative design concepts and practical tips from our RNDD design experts to transform your urban backyard or rooftop into a culinary oasis. From sleek, modern kitchen setups to cozy, intimate dining spaces, discover how to blend aesthetics with functionality and make every meal an alfresco experience to remember.
Bring the Ambiance of Italy to Your Backyard
Eating outside in Italy is a social experience, and with Elm Surfaces‘ Italian roots it is in their blood to be “Al Fresco”. In Italy, this allows the opportunity for people to connect over food and drink, so why not create your own outdoor oasis right here in Chicago? Set the ambiance with a beautiful fireplace, fresh greenery, and comfortable furniture. Keep in mind that no space is completed without a refreshing Aperol Spritz ready to be enjoyed!
Elm Surfaces encourages you to enjoy great food, with amazing company, and relax in a beautiful outdoor space with the Marseille collection. This highly performing porcelain veneer allows for the authentic stone feel and beauty but in a better material. It is durable, sustainable, and low maintenance to meet all of your design needs. Marseille is made in the USA, and can be used for both interior and exterior walls, and floors, along with wet and outdoor environments. It is available in three different styles, and in two neutral color ways.
Reach out to Elm Surfaces at www.elmsurfaces.com to schedule a showroom tour, get samples and learn more about the endless solutions they offer.
Think Beyond Grilling
Luxury outdoor kitchens are not just for grilling! Consider what you love to eat and add the ability to create it in your outdoor kitchen. Consider these outdoor kitchen ideas from OUTDOOR LIVING by eggersmann USA.
Pizza is a favorite party food and game day go-to. Imagine fresh hot pizza straight out of your own outdoor pizza oven.
Concealing an induction cooktop under a stone countertop is a great way to add versatility to your outdoor kitchen. When the cooktop is not in use, it is a perfectly level surface for spreading out a buffet. Plus, for safety, the surface is never hot enough to burn you, the kids, or pets. Want to add an in-stone induction cooktop to your outdoor space? Contact eggersmann today.
If your favorite way to enjoy delicious food and the great outdoors is grilling, then, by all means, choose a grill. Select a standalone grill unit or one integrated the grill into your countertop. Before investing in a grill, consider if you want a smoker and what accessories can be added on such as rotisserie, rib rack, or warming rack.
Visit eggersmann Chicago online or visit their showroom in the River North Design District to design your dream outdoor kitchen.
Invest in Quality Outdoor Furniture
Dine in style with the enduring beauty of premium natural teak accented with intricately hand woven extruded rope. These elements are combined in Arteriors Del Rio Outdoor Dining Table and its companion Del Rio Outdoor Bench. Pull up a Chilton Outdoor chair (or ten!) for additional elegant seating.
Available through your Casa Bella representative. casabellaonline.com
Start with the Perfect Backdrop
While aesthetics are crucial, the true essence of an outdoor kitchen lies in its ability to create a remarkable outdoor dining experience. It’s not just about the design but also the perfect space that can elevate your outdoor dining experience to a new level.
As a realtor, Joanne Nemerovski of Joanne Sells Chicago frequently hears from clients about their dream of finding a wonderful home with plenty of outdoor space to construct their dream kitchen. And why not? That extra outdoor living space can bring years of personal enjoyment and often enhance your home’s value. However, many outdoor spaces in today’s market don’t offer enough space to truly deliver a unique outdoor kitchen. However, currently on the market, Joanne is listing a truly unbelievable 6-bed, 5.1-bath home in the heart of Lincoln Park that offers not one, but two unique outdoor entertaining spaces. One deck measure, 23′ x 22′ and the other is a whooping 18′ x 36′. Both spaces are ready for a true outdoor dining enthusiast to bring them to life. With plenty of room for an outdoor bar, pizza oven, and enough space for a large dining party, this home’s outdoor dining potential would blow anyone away!
For more information on these properties, contact Joanne Sells Chicago.
Don’t Sacrifice Form for Function
Your outdoor dining space doesn’t have to sacrifice form for function. While the outdoor furniture category used to be practical and uniform in offerings, brands have recognized the desire for more varied and sophisticated outdoor dining options. Two brands that do this particularly well are Draenert and expormim, both available through Mobili Möbel.
Draenert, a leading German brand known for their innovative, well-engineered tables, has brought their ingenuity to a new line of high-quality outdoor tables designed to withstand the elements. Their sleek and contemporary designs, crafted from premium natural stone, will add a touch of modern sophistication to your outdoor space.
expormim, a Spanish company known for their beautiful handwoven furniture, offers a more rustic feel with their outdoor dining tables. Made from durable materials like concrete and stainless steel, their tables are both stylish and sustainable, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your next gathering.
