In Somerset Hills, the backyard is no longer just the space behind the house.
For many homeowners, it has become the second living room. The summer kitchen. The quiet morning coffee spot. The place where kids, friends and family gather without having to leave home.
That shift has made outdoor design more important than ever. A thoughtful landscape can improve how a property lives, how it looks and how it holds long-term value.
But at the luxury level, the details matter.
Drainage, grading, pool placement, masonry, lighting, privacy, plantings and maintenance all need to work together. The best outdoor spaces do not happen by accident. They are planned with the home, the property and the family’s lifestyle in mind.
That is where the right landscape partner makes all the difference.
For homeowners in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and surrounding Somerset Hills communities, choosing the right landscape partner starts with understanding the scale of the project and the level of support needed. Three local firms stand out for their design experience, craftsmanship and ability to create outdoor spaces that feel intentional from the first sketch to the final planting.
What Makes a Luxury Outdoor Living Project Different?
A high-end outdoor project is not just about adding a patio, pool or new plantings.
It is about designing the property as an extension of the home.
The best projects consider how the family actually uses the space. Where guests gather. How the property flows from indoors to outdoors. Where privacy matters. How the space will look in every season. What maintenance will be needed after the project is complete.
Luxury outdoor living also requires practical planning. Drainage, grading, lighting, masonry, materials and long-term care all matter.
This is where experienced landscape design firms separate themselves. They are not just installing materials. They are solving for lifestyle, beauty, function and property value.
The Todd Group
For homeowners looking for a full-service landscape partner, The Todd Group brings deep roots and serious capability.
Based in Far Hills, The Todd Group has been creating outdoor spaces for New Jersey homeowners since 1975. Their team includes licensed landscape architects, certified arborists, craftsmen and trained landscape professionals.
Their services include landscape design, site planning, masonry, pool installation, lighting, irrigation, excavation, seasonal displays, tree care and long-term estate management.
What makes The Todd Group especially relevant for Somerset Hills homeowners is the range of what they can manage.
They can help with the big vision, then stay involved long after installation. That matters for larger properties where the landscape is not a one-time project. It is an ongoing investment.
Homeowners with larger properties can also learn more about what to expect from an estate landscape management partner in Bedminster and Somerset Hills.
The Todd Group is a strong fit for homeowners looking for:
Estate-level landscape design
Large-scale outdoor transformations
Pool and patio projects
Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces
Stonework and masonry
Tree, shrub and turf care
Ongoing property maintenance
Their work should feel timeless, established and connected to the property itself. For Somerset Hills homes, that matters. The goal is not to force a trendy backyard onto a beautiful property. The goal is to make the outdoor space feel like it always belonged there.
Bruno Design Associates
Bruno Design Associates brings a boutique, highly personal design-build approach to luxury outdoor living.
Their work focuses on custom outdoor spaces, including landscape design and construction, pools and spas, patios, masonry, hardscaping, outdoor kitchens, lighting, irrigation, drainage, pergolas, fencing and site work.
They are a strong fit for homeowners who know their property could be better but do not want to manage a complicated process on their own.
Bruno Design Associates helps guide clients from early ideas through design, planning and construction. Their process can include consultation, conceptual design, 3D renderings, material selections, engineering, permitting and project execution.
That is valuable for homeowners who may have a general vision but need a professional team to make it real.
Bruno Design Associates is a strong fit for homeowners looking for:
Custom outdoor living spaces
Pools and spas
Patios and hardscaping
Outdoor kitchens
Fire pits and gathering areas
3D design concepts
Hands-on project guidance
A more personal design-build experience
Their work should feel custom, high-touch and visually driven. Think outdoor spaces built for the way a family actually lives, entertains and relaxes.
Twin Oaks Landscape Design
For homeowners looking for a full-service landscape and hardscaping company with a practical, construction-focused approach, Twin Oaks Landscape Design brings nearly 30 years of professional experience to projects throughout Somerset County.
Based in Hillsborough, Twin Oaks works on landscape design, grading, drainage, plantings and complete outdoor transformations. Its hardscaping capabilities include patios, walkways, retaining walls, driveways, outdoor kitchens, fire features, pergolas, pavilions, lighting, natural stone and decks.
The company’s approach focuses on more than how the finished project looks. The team considers how the property flows, how water moves across the site, how the family will use the space and how the work will hold up over time.
Twin Oaks Landscape Design is a strong fit for homeowners looking for:
Custom patios and hardscaping
Retaining walls and boulder walls
Outdoor kitchens and fire features
Pergolas and pavilions
Landscape design and plantings
Grading and drainage solutions
Walkways and driveways
Ongoing landscape maintenance
Their work should feel practical, well-built and designed around how the property actually functions. They are a strong option for homeowners who want one experienced team to manage both the structural and landscaping sides of an outdoor project.
Homeowners can learn more about owner Rob Jorgensen’s planning-first approach to outdoor construction in “Substance Over Show.”
Outdoor Living Ideas for Somerset Hills Homes
The best outdoor spaces are both beautiful and usable.
For Somerset Hills homeowners, popular luxury outdoor living projects include:
Pool and spa retreats
Covered patios
Outdoor kitchens and bars
Stone fireplaces
Fire pits
Landscape lighting
Privacy plantings
Pergolas and shade structures
Walkways and retaining walls
Four-season gardens
Estate entrances
For Somerset Hills homes, the best projects usually feel established, not trendy. The goal is not to make the backyard look like a resort in Miami. The goal is to make the outdoor space feel like it always belonged there.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Living Partner
Not every landscape firm is built for every property or project.
Some homeowners need a large-scale estate partner with deep resources and long-term property management. Others want a highly personal design-build experience centered around a custom pool or outdoor living transformation. Some need an experienced landscape and hardscaping team focused on construction, functionality and year-round property care.
The Todd Group, Bruno Design Associates and Twin Oaks Landscape Design all serve homeowners investing in high-quality outdoor spaces, but each brings a different strength.
The Todd Group is a strong fit for estate-level design, installation and long-term property management.
Bruno Design Associates is a strong fit for customized design-build projects, pools, hardscaping and hands-on guidance throughout the design and construction process.
Twin Oaks Landscape Design is a strong fit for homeowners seeking durable hardscaping, landscape construction, grading, drainage and ongoing maintenance from one experienced team.
The right question is not just, “What should we build?”
It is, “How do we want to live outside?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Landscape Design in Somerset Hills
What does a luxury landscape design project include?
A luxury landscape design project often combines site planning, grading, drainage, masonry, pools or spas, outdoor kitchens, landscape lighting, irrigation, privacy plantings and long-term maintenance planning.
The goal is not simply to add individual features. It is to make the property function as one connected outdoor environment that complements the home and the way the family lives.
How much does a luxury outdoor living project cost in Somerset Hills?
The cost depends on the size of the property, existing site conditions, materials and the overall scope of the project.
A focused patio or hardscaping project is very different from a full-property transformation involving a pool, retaining walls, an outdoor kitchen, lighting, drainage and new landscaping. The most reliable estimate comes after a site visit and a clearly defined design plan. Larger projects can also be planned and completed in phases.
How long does it take to design and build an outdoor living space?
Timelines vary based on the size of the project, municipal approvals, engineering, material availability and the season.
A smaller patio or planting project may move relatively quickly. A pool and full landscape transformation can take several months from the initial design process through construction. Homeowners hoping to enjoy a new space by summer should begin planning well before spring.
Do pools, patios and outdoor living projects require permits?
Permit requirements vary by municipality and the type of project.
Pools, retaining walls, covered structures, outdoor kitchens, electrical work, plumbing and major grading changes may require zoning, building or engineering approvals. An experienced landscape architecture or design-build firm can help determine which approvals are needed and coordinate the process.
What is the difference between a landscape architect and a landscape design-build firm?
A landscape architect typically focuses on the overall site plan, including grading, drainage, circulation, plantings, structures and how the outdoor environment connects to the home.
A design-build firm manages both the design and construction process. Some full-service landscape companies provide both services, giving homeowners one team to manage planning, materials, contractors and installation.
Can drainage and grading problems be addressed during a landscape redesign?
Yes. Drainage and grading should be evaluated before patios, pools, retaining walls and new plantings are installed.
Addressing how water moves across the property early in the process helps protect the finished space and can prevent expensive corrections later.
Can a luxury outdoor living project be completed in phases?
Yes. Many homeowners begin with a complete master plan and complete the work over several seasons.
Planning the full property first allows drainage, utilities, irrigation, lighting and future structures to be considered before the first phase begins. This can prevent finished areas from being disturbed when later features are added.
How should homeowners choose a luxury landscape company?
Look beyond the project photos.
Ask who will handle the design, grading, drainage, engineering, permitting, materials, subcontractors, construction and ongoing communication. Homeowners should also consider whether they need an estate-level property partner, a boutique design-build experience or a full-service landscape and hardscaping company that can provide ongoing maintenance.