Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens designed like the one inside.
Custom outdoor kitchens planned around how you cook, serve and gather, designed to match your home and built to last, season after season.
From sleek modern layouts to warm stone bars made for entertaining, VizX Design Studios designs outdoor kitchens throughout Chicagoland and nationwide, as part of one complete outdoor living plan.
More Than a Grill
A real kitchen, not a grill set into a counter.
Many outdoor kitchens go unused because they were built around a single appliance. A true outdoor kitchen is designed for the way meals actually happen: prep, cooking, serving, cleanup and the conversation that happens around all of it.
We plan your kitchen as part of the whole outdoor living space. Where it sits changes everything: the walk from the house, the view from the grill, sun and wind, where smoke drifts, and how guests move between the kitchen, dining, lounge and fire. Get those right and the kitchen becomes the place everyone gathers.
The biggest outdoor kitchen mistakes happen before construction starts: a patio poured without the kitchen in mind, or gas, power and water run to the wrong place. Designing the kitchen first prevents both.
What Goes Into a VizX Kitchen
Designed with intention, down to the inch.
Four decisions shape every outdoor kitchen we design. Get them right and the kitchen becomes the heart of your outdoor living space.
01
Custom Design
Every outdoor kitchen is tailored to your space, your cooking style and your home, with the appliances, finishes and features that fit how you live.
02
Premium Materials
Weather-rated cabinetry, stone and countertops selected to look stunning and hold up to sun, rain and the elements, year after year.
03
Full Functionality
Grills, burners, refrigeration, sinks and smart storage, laid out so every task has its place and nothing is more than a step away.
04
Entertainment Ready
Bar seating, sight lines and room to move, so the cook stays part of the party whether you’re hosting family dinner or the whole neighborhood.
Layout & Flow
Planned around how you cook.
The right layout depends on your space, how you cook and how many people you host. Bigger isn’t automatically better. A smaller kitchen planned around a good workflow outperforms a large one that isn’t.
Layout
Straight Run
A single line of cabinetry along the house or a wall. Simple, efficient and ideal when space is tight.
Layout
L-Shape
Two connected runs that create separate prep and cooking zones and a natural corner for conversation.
Layout
Island
A freestanding kitchen that lets the cook face guests, the view or the pool instead of a wall.
Layout
U-Shape
Three sides of workspace for serious cooks, with room for multiple appliances and a bar.
Design Standards
The details that make it work.
- Landing zones. At least 24 inches of clear counter beside the grill, so a hot pan always has somewhere to go, plus a separate prep area so plating and serving don’t crowd the cook.
- Counter and bar heights. Work counters at about 36 inches and bar tops around 42 inches, with roughly 24 inches per stool and a 10 to 12 inch overhang for knee room.
- Room to move. At least 36 inches of walkway, and 42 to 48 inches where guests pass behind the cook. We also design accessible kitchens with lower counter sections and wheelchair clearance.
- Clearances and ventilation. Grill manufacturer clearances, smoke away from doors and windows, and an outdoor-rated vent hood whenever the kitchen sits under a roof or pergola.
Our Kitchen Partner
Built with Ground & Table.
VizX works directly with Ground & Table Outdoor Kitchens to build the cabinetry at the heart of our outdoor kitchens. We design the space and the kitchen together, then Ground & Table builds it to match.
Their cabinet system needs no concrete footing and makes every linear foot usable, with storage, trash pull-outs, utensil drawers and pot storage, unlike masonry islands with appliances set into gaps. Stone can still be part of the look, as the finish and backsplash rather than the structure.
One design, one kitchen partner. No hand-offs between a designer, a mason and a cabinet supplier.
Start With a Conversation
Ready to see what your space could become?
Schedule your 15-minute discovery call. We’ll talk through your goals, your property and how our 5-Step Design Process works.
Materials & Features
Built to live outside.
Every surface, cabinet and appliance is chosen to work together and hold up season after season.
01
Cabinetry & Structure
Choose a classic stone or masonry kitchen, or a modern cabinet-based kitchen built from weather-rated outdoor cabinetry. Powder-coated aluminum and marine-grade polymer won’t rust, rot or swell, and give you real storage with clean lines. Indoor cabinets never belong outside.
02
Countertops
Granite, quartzite, porcelain and concrete all perform beautifully outdoors. Most engineered quartz can discolor in direct sun, and dark stone gets hot in afternoon light, so we match the surface to your exposure and how you cook.
03
Appliances & Features
Built-in grills, side burners, griddles, pizza ovens and kamado cookers, plus refrigeration, ice makers, beverage taps, sinks, trash pull-outs, lighting and heat. We balance the lineup so the whole kitchen gets used, not just one showpiece.
Utilities & Infrastructure
Planned for gas, power and water before the patio is poured.
Utilities are where outdoor kitchens most often go wrong, and they’re far easier and less expensive to run before pavers or concrete go in. Every VizX kitchen includes a utility plan that maps each line from the house to the appliance.
Gas
Natural gas for convenience with no tanks to swap, or propane where a line isn’t practical. Grills, burners, fire features and heaters are sized and routed before anything is ordered.
Electrical
Dedicated GFCI circuits for lit grill knobs, refrigeration, ice makers, heaters, fans and lighting, installed by licensed electricians.
Water & Drain
Supply and drain for sinks and ice makers, with shut-off and drain-down valves designed in so the system is easy to maintain.
Permits
Gas, electrical, plumbing and covered structures usually require permits. We handle permitting and coordinate the licensed trades.
The VizX 5-Step Design Process
From first conversation to first meal.
Design typically takes 3 to 5 weeks, and cabinetry and appliances can take several weeks to arrive, so starting early means your kitchen is ready when you are.
01
Discovery & Lifestyle Assessment
How you cook, who you host, what you grill most and the appliances you already love.
02
Site Analysis & Precision Mapping
We map the site, utilities, sun, wind and the walk from the house to find the right spot.
03
Design Language & Mood Boards
Cabinetry, stone, countertops and finishes chosen to match your home’s architecture.
04
Conceptual 3D Design
See the full kitchen layout, zones and clearances in 3D before anything is built.
05
Budget Review & Project Planning
Your kitchen, appliances, utilities and timeline aligned to a clear investment.
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
It depends on the size of the kitchen, cabinetry or masonry construction, the appliances, the countertops and how far gas, electrical and water have to run. Covered structures and new patio work add to the total. We give you a kitchen layout and a budget range during design, before anything is ordered. Our Outdoor Living Price Guide walks through typical ranges.
How long does it take to design and build an outdoor kitchen?
Design typically takes 3 to 5 weeks. Cabinetry and appliance lead times can add several weeks, and installation with the final gas, electrical, plumbing and countertop work follows once materials arrive. Larger projects with structures or new patios take longer, so starting early keeps everything on schedule.
What is the best outdoor kitchen layout?
It depends on your space and how you cook. A straight run is simple and efficient, an L-shape separates prep and cooking, an island lets the cook face guests or the view, and a U-shape suits serious cooks with room to spare.
What is a landing zone in an outdoor kitchen?
A landing zone is clear counter space right beside the grill where you can set down something hot immediately. Plan at least 24 inches, kept clear, plus a separate prep area so raw food, plating and serving don’t crowd the cook.
Can I put a grill under a covered patio or pergola?
Yes, with the right planning. A grill under a roof needs an outdoor-rated vent hood, proper ceiling clearance and the manufacturer’s required clearances. We design for this from the start, including under louvered pergolas.
What countertops work best for an outdoor kitchen?
Granite, quartzite, porcelain and concrete all perform well outdoors. Most engineered quartz is not recommended in direct sun because it can discolor, and dark stone can get very hot in afternoon light.
Will an outdoor kitchen hold up over time?
Yes. When it is built from outdoor-rated cabinetry, stone, countertops and appliances chosen to work together, an outdoor kitchen is made to perform for years. Routine cleaning, seasonal care and covers keep it looking its best, and we provide care guidance for your specific materials.
Do I need gas, electrical or water run to my outdoor kitchen?
It depends on what goes in it. Gas grills and burners need a gas line, most grills also need power for lighting, refrigeration and lighting need dedicated circuits, and a sink needs water and a drain. It is far easier to run utilities before a patio is poured, which is why we plan them first.
Can you match my outdoor kitchen to my home’s architecture?
Yes. Cabinet finishes, stone, countertops and layout are chosen to complement your home’s style, so the kitchen feels like part of the house rather than an add-on.
Do outdoor kitchens require special maintenance?
With quality materials and professional installation, maintenance is minimal: regular cleaning with mild soap and water, seasonal care and covers when it isn’t in use. We provide care guidance for your specific materials.
Can I build my outdoor kitchen in phases?
Yes. We design the complete kitchen first and run the utilities you will need later, so you can build in stages without tearing out finished work.
Client Reviews
What our clients say.
★★★★★
“Details were more important to him than quick volume orders. If you’re looking for quality, then VizX is it.”
Zavean C.
★★★★★
“The communication, the design and the construction was top notch!”
Lamon F.
★★★★★
“They were able to translate my initial vision into a stunning and functional plan.”
Wes R.
Start Your Design
Let’s design your outdoor kitchen.
We take on a limited number of projects each season. Tell us a little about your home or property and we’ll schedule your discovery call.
