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 Somerset Hills homeowners considering a major outdoor upgrade, two 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.
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.
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 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 with one consistent point of contact.
The Todd Group and Bruno Design Associates both serve the luxury outdoor living market, but each brings a different strength.
The Todd Group is a strong fit for estate-level design, installation and long-term property care.
Bruno Design Associates is a strong fit for customized design-build outdoor living projects, pools, hardscapes and hands-on project guidance.
The right question is not just, “What should we build?”
It is, “How do we want to live outside?”