Kitchens, fire features and pergolas
Outdoor Living Spaces in Northbrook, IL
Custom outdoor living spaces for homes in Northbrook, IL and across the North Shore. We design and build outdoor kitchens, fire pits, fireplaces and pergolas around your patio.
Designed and built by one team
Northbrook, IL
Custom Outdoor Living Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits and Pergolas
North Shore Landscape Design & Build designs and builds outdoor living spaces from our office at 900 Skokie Blvd #219 in Northbrook, for homes in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka and Wilmette.
An outdoor living space is a patio that works like a room: a place to cook, a place to sit by the fire and shade for the afternoon. On the North Shore, it is what lets you use the yard from the first warm week of spring into October.
What we build
Outdoor Living Spaces We Design and Build
Each feature can be added on its own or planned together as one outdoor room.
Outdoor Kitchens
Stone or veneer kitchen islands with a built-in grill, counter space, storage and room to add a sink or refrigerator.
Fire Pits
Round or square fire pits in stone or block, gas or wood-burning, with seating around them.
Outdoor Fireplaces
A stone fireplace that anchors the seating area and blocks the wind on cool nights.
Pergolas and Shade
Wood or aluminum pergolas over the dining or kitchen area, with room for lights and fans.
Planning
Planning an Outdoor Room
The plan answers the practical questions first:
- Where the kitchen goes relative to the back door and the wind
- Gas, electric and water lines the space will need
- Seating for the number of people you host
- Shade and lighting for afternoons and evenings
- Materials that match the patio and the house
Built for North Shore winters
Extending the Season on the North Shore
Chicago-area summers are short, so the best outdoor rooms are built to work in the cool months on both ends.
Heat
A fire pit or fireplace makes spring and fall evenings comfortable.
Shade and cover
A pergola or covered area keeps the space usable in summer sun and light rain.
Light
Lighting on the steps, the kitchen and the seating area lets you stay out after dark.
How it works
Our Outdoor Living Process
- 1
1. Site visit and goals
We walk the yard with you and talk about how you cook, host and relax outside.
- 2
2. Design and estimate
You get a plan with the layout, materials and utility lines and a written estimate.
- 3
3. Base and utilities
We build the patio base and coordinate the gas, electric and water lines the plan calls for.
- 4
4. Build and walkthrough
We build the kitchen, fire features and structures and walk the finished space with you.
Why us
Why Hire North Shore Landscape for Outdoor Living
One team designs and builds
Patio, kitchen, fire and lighting planned as one project.
Based in Northbrook
Our office is on Skokie Blvd, and we work across the North Shore.
Built for the climate
Materials and details chosen for freeze-thaw winters.
A written estimate first
You know the layout, materials and price before work starts.
Pricing
How Much Does an Outdoor Living Space Cost in Northbrook?
Price depends on what the space includes, the size, the materials and appliances, and the gas, electric and water work. As a national reference, Lawn Love puts an outdoor kitchen at about $13,180 on average, with most between $5,060 and $17,280 (market ranges, not a quote). Fire features, pergolas and the patio itself add to the total.
For a price on your outdoor living space in Northbrook, send the form and we will set up a site visit and a written estimate.
Source: Lawn Love, How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost? 2026
Keep exploring
Related Services
Patio Installation
Paver and natural stone patios built on a compacted base, sized for dining, lounging or a fire pit.
Patio Installation
Landscape Lighting
Path, step and accent lighting for patios, walls, trees and the front of the house.
Landscape Lighting
Service areas
Outdoor Living Spaces Near You on the North Shore
We design and build outdoor living spaces in Northbrook and these nearby towns:
Questions
Outdoor Living FAQ
What is included in an outdoor living space?
It depends on how you want to use the yard. Most include a patio plus one or more of an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit or fireplace, a pergola or covered area, seating walls and lighting.
Do outdoor kitchens hold up to Chicago winters?
Yes, when they are built for it: a frame and countertop rated for outdoor use, water lines that can be drained before the first freeze and a cover for the grill.
Gas or wood-burning fire pit?
Gas lights with a switch, makes no smoke and needs a gas line. Wood gives a real crackling fire and costs less to build, but it makes smoke and needs firewood. Many Northbrook homeowners choose gas for patios close to the house.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor kitchen or fireplace?
Gas lines, electrical work and permanent structures such as fireplaces and pergolas usually need village permits and licensed trades. Permits are part of planning the project.
Can you add an outdoor kitchen to my existing patio?
Sometimes. If the existing patio has a sound base and enough room, a kitchen or fire pit can be added; if not, the patio is rebuilt as part of the project.
How much does an outdoor living space cost?
It depends on what it includes. National ranges from Lawn Love put an outdoor kitchen at about $5,060 to $17,280. For your project in Northbrook, send the form for a written estimate.
Free estimate
Get a Free Outdoor Living Estimate in Northbrook
Tell us how you want to use your backyard. We will get back to you to set up a site visit and an estimate.