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Outdoor Living Features · Chicago Suburbs
Kitchens · Fire · Lighting · Screens · Heaters · Entertainment · More
The deck or patio is the foundation. What you put on it — and how it's integrated — is what transforms it from a structure into a space you live in. We design and install every feature as part of the original build.
Outdoor Kitchens
An outdoor kitchen isn't a grill on a deck — it's a fully functional cooking and entertaining station designed as part of the outdoor environment. We design outdoor kitchens around how you actually cook and host, integrating every component into the architecture of the space.
Every component below can be included and positioned to match your layout — from a simple grill station to a fully built-out cooking environment.
Premium gas grills built into custom stone or stainless steel cabinetry — properly vented and positioned for cooking flow. The centerpiece of most outdoor kitchens.
Dedicated outdoor-rated refrigerators and beverage centers built into the counter run. Keeps drinks and prep ingredients at temperature without running inside.
Granite, porcelain, or stainless steel countertops rated for outdoor use. Designed around your cooking workflow with adequate prep space.
Dedicated bar areas with sink, beverage taps, ice storage, and bar-height counter seating. Designed for entertaining rather than cooking.
Wood-fired or gas pizza ovens integrated into the kitchen run or as a standalone station. Requires dedicated gas or wood storage built into the design.
Side burners for sauce work and wok cooking. Rotisserie attachments for the main grill. Extends what's possible without going inside.
Hot and cold water runs to the outdoor kitchen for cleaning, prep, and bar service. Requires plumbing planning built into the initial design phase.
Marine-grade or powder-coated aluminum cabinetry rated for outdoor exposure. Keeps tools, accessories, and supplies organized without weathering.
Under-counter task lighting, overhead pendant lighting, and integrated accent lighting planned as part of the kitchen layout — not added on after.
Outdoor Lighting
Architectural outdoor lighting extends usability into the evening and creates a finished, intentional look after dark. Done well, it's invisible by day and transforms the space at night. Done poorly, it looks like hardware-store fixtures bolted on after the fact.
We plan lighting during the design phase so wiring runs are clean, fixture placement is intentional, and the result looks like it was always meant to be there.
LED fixtures integrated directly into deck posts and railings. Provides ambient light at the edge of the deck surface without separate fixtures.
Low-profile LED step lights integrated into risers or stringers. Creates safety lighting on stairs while adding architectural depth.
LED lighting integrated into louvered pergola structures and overhead frameworks. Extends evening use and creates a finished architectural look after dark.
Low-voltage LED landscape lighting along paths, garden beds, and grade transitions. Designed to complement the hardscape as one cohesive environment.
App-controlled and timer-based systems that integrate with your existing smart home setup. Set scenes, schedules, and zones without separate switches.
LED strips and accent fixtures under railing systems, beneath counters, and in niches. Creates depth and drama in the evening lighting scheme.
Fire Features
A fire feature extends the season, creates a natural gathering point, and gives the outdoor space a sense of permanence that no other element delivers. Fire is consistently the most-used feature in any outdoor living space we build.
Round or square fire pits set into paver surrounds or freestanding on the patio. The most natural gathering format — seating wraps a central fire. Available in gas or wood-burning configurations.
A dining or lounge table with an integrated fire bowl or linear burner. Combines function with fire — you can eat, gather, and warm around the same piece. Gas only.
A long, architectural gas fire element built into a wall, countertop, or paver surface. More modern and dramatic than a traditional pit — designed as a focal point rather than a gathering center.
Retractable Screens
Retractable screens create a defined, protected outdoor environment without enclosing the space permanently. They're one of the highest-impact upgrades for daily usability — blocking insects, reducing wind, and adding privacy while keeping the outdoor feel intact.
Heaters & Fans
Heaters and fans extend the usable season in both directions. Radiant heaters let you push into cooler spring and fall evenings. Ceiling fans make summer afternoons significantly more comfortable. Both integrate cleanly into the structure — never surface-mounted as an afterthought.
The Complete Picture
Every feature on this page is most successful when it's part of the original design — not bolted on after the deck is built. We plan everything before construction begins.
Start Your Design
Entertainment & AV
An outdoor entertainment wall brings the functionality of an indoor living room to your outdoor space. Properly weatherproofed TV mounting, integrated speakers, and organized wiring turn a deck or patio into a space where people actually stay.
Under-Deck Waterproofing
An elevated deck creates a naturally sheltered space below — but without a waterproofing system, that space is unusable when it rains. Under-deck waterproofing captures water at the deck surface and drains it to the perimeter, creating a dry, protected area below.
Putting Greens & Turf
Custom putting greens and high-quality artificial turf give the yard a finished, low-maintenance surface that gets used more than natural grass ever does. Putting greens create a dedicated activity space. Turf creates a clean, green zone between hardscape elements that requires zero maintenance.
Common Questions
Yes — many features can be added to existing decks and patios. During your in-person consultation ($150), we assess what's possible with your current structure, what might require framing modifications, and what makes the most sense for your budget and space. Some features — like under-deck waterproofing — require specific framing to perform correctly, so we evaluate that early.
For the best result, yes. Features planned during the 3D design phase allow us to run all electrical, gas, and plumbing during framing — so everything is hidden and clean. Adding features after construction typically means surface-mounted conduit, patch work, and compromised integration. We design everything together before the first board goes down.
Pricing varies by feature type and complexity. Outdoor kitchens: $15,000–$60,000+. Fire features: $5,000–$25,000+. Retractable screens: $5,000–$7,000 per opening. Heaters: $3,000–$5,000 each. Lighting: $3,000–$10,000+ depending on scope. All pricing is built into your line-item estimate before construction begins — no surprises.
The most common combination on mid-range projects is architectural lighting + retractable screens + radiant heaters. This extends usability into the evening and into shoulder seasons without a major kitchen build. For entertainment-focused projects, outdoor kitchen + fire feature + lighting is the most frequent combination we design.
Yes. Gas line work, electrical, and structural modifications all require permits in most Chicago-area municipalities. We handle every permit submission, coordination with inspectors, and final approval. You don't manage a single form or phone call.
Get Started
Every feature is most impactful when it's part of the original design. Start with a free discovery call and we'll walk you through what's realistic for your space and budget.
Ace of Decks LLC designs and installs outdoor living features throughout the Chicago suburbs — including outdoor kitchens, built-in grills, fire pits, fire tables, architectural lighting, retractable screens, radiant heaters, ceiling fans, entertainment walls, under-deck waterproofing systems, and custom putting greens and artificial turf. All features are designed and integrated during the 3D design phase before construction begins. Serving Naperville, Bolingbrook, Barrington, Hinsdale, St. Charles, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Palatine, Wheaton, Plainfield, and Aurora throughout DuPage County, Kane County, and Will County, Illinois.
