Father’s Day, graduations, family weekends, out-of-town guests are all wonderful summer occasions to get together and celebrate life’s special moments. Here in Naperville you can make those celebrations even more memorable by holding them in your own outdoor space, with a landscape design custom-fit to your family’s style.
Start with three basic elements of a great outdoor space; cooking facilities, seating, and lighting. Whether you are building on what you already have or are starting with a clean slate, you can create an outdoor kitchen and living area that will add value, enjoyment and living space to your home.
Cooking: Outdoor cooking has become an art form, with 
many choices to suit your taste, budget and space. Design a cooking area with a grill, side burners and rotisserie, surrounded by a granite counter for prep work or for your guests to sit and chat. Consider installing a wood-burning pizza oven to create endless varieties of crowd-pleasing breads, desserts and even meats. Smokers are popular to create meat, chicken or fish dishes. Choose your favorite cooking method, decide if you want privacy while you cook or if you want to be surrounded by admiring friends, and design your perfect cooking space.
Seating: Picnic tables are nice, but to create comfortable seating where people want to linger and enjoy, consider dedicating an area for a table and cushioned chairs. Some prefer the ambience created with outdoor sofas and chairs surrounding a low table. Or, build a seating wall to encourage conversation, an island near the grill, and a separate spot reserved just for the kids. Seating designs can be effective and comfortable whether you have a large, open property or an intimate courtyard.
Lighting: Today’s lighting products offer flexibility for seasonal use and add safety and security. Solar lighting and low voltage pathway lights provide safety and create mood. Overhead lighting will direct attention to specific areas, and provide a wide, well-lit area for cooking and conversation. Of course, an outdoor fire pit will create light while providing warmth and encouraging conversation.
After considering these top three elements, it will be easier to add features to suit your style. An outdoor fan will ward off pesky flying insects, and additions such as a refrigerator, wine cooler, ice maker, sink and even deep fryer will increase the usefulness and enjoyment of your outdoor kitchen, both for this summer’s celebrations and for years to come.
O’Donovan Landscaping has been designing, installing and maintaining outdoor kitchens, hardscapes and landscaping for over 45 years in the Naperville area. We will design and install an outdoor space with your lifestyle in mind. Contact O’Donovan Landscaping at 630-355-3370 to schedule an appointment!
