--- title: "Kristen Rudger Landscape Design — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/kristen-rudger-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1451241024 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1451241024.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Kristen Rudger Landscape Design" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/d2c3507e0f74fb05_8528-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1025 Alameda Suite 107, Belmont, California 94002, United States" latitude: 37.5174 longitude: -122.2927 phone: "(650) 576-1935" website: http://www.rudgerlandscapes.com rating: 5 review_count: 34 best_of_houzz_awards: 7 followers: 244 last_updated: 2026-08-15 --- # Kristen Rudger Landscape Design Original Houzz profile: [Kristen Rudger Landscape Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/kristen-rudger-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1451241024) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Belmont, CA - **Serves:** San Mateo, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Foster City, Burlingame, San Carlos, Belmont, Hillsborough, Atherton, Emerald Lake Hills, Highlands-Baywood Park, West Menlo Park - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (34 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2015–2025), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Award winning - 17 years in business Kristen Rudger, CPLD is an award winning designer who brings expertise, creativity and enthusiasm to every project she designs, from simple garden borders to elaborate outdoor entertainment spaces, every design is uniquely and thoughtfully executed. Kristen approaches her designs with the belief that a garden should be a place that is reflective of one's lifestyle. By working collaboratively with our clients, we can fulfill the dreams you have for your outdoor space while at the same time making a difference in how your landscape affects the natural environment around you. Feel free to reach out to us, we would love to hear from you! ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Site Planning - Pool Landscaping - Custom Fire Pits - Swimming Pool Design - Custom Water Features - Gazebo Design & Construction - Outdoor Lighting Design - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Organic Gardens - Edible Gardens ### Areas Served - San Mateo - Redwood City - Menlo Park - Foster City - Burlingame - San Carlos - Belmont - Hillsborough - Atherton - Emerald Lake Hills - Highlands-Baywood Park - West Menlo Park ### Typical Job Cost $150,000 - 600,000 Typical design cost is $8,000-$20,000. The above cost range reflects typical Installation costs. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Kristen Rudger Landscape Design | | Address | 1025 Alameda Suite 107, Belmont, California 94002, United States | | Phone | (650) 576-1935 | | Website | http://www.rudgerlandscapes.com | | Followers on Houzz | 244 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/KristenRudgerLandscapes/ - Blog — http://www.rudgerlandscapes.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Kristen Rudger Landscape Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/kristen-rudger-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1451241024) - **Website:** http://www.rudgerlandscapes.com - **Phone:** (650) 576-1935 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - CPLD Certified Professional Landscape Designer - Rescape Qualified Professional - 2022 APLD Silver Award for Residential Design - 2023 APLD Silver Award for Planting Design - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2015–2025), for Service. **Affiliations** - [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 34 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — aninom, Jan. 2026** > Kristen is the best landscape designer I've ever worked with (and I've worked with three over the last 12+ years). Her vibe is chill, calm and thoughtful. She's great at listening to what you want and taking your ideas and actually putting them together into a design that will look beautiful and be functional. She also contributed a few awesome ideas of her own which we never would have thought of (e.g., creating a fire pit table top, adding an arch of vines over a backyard bench, and adding a 'berm' to deliver more of a forest look.) She was very open and enthusiastic about our project even though it was both smaller than her normal projects and a bit more natural/organic (i.e., we asked her to help us convert the back half of our backyard into a tiny forest and meadow) She was incredibly patient with us when we originally requested some elements that we then asked her to take away from the final plans. She was super responsive over email and text throughout the process. She also worked seamlessly with Alex the contractor (whom she introduced us to) and that really helped during the demo, construction and planting phases to address and resolve any unexpected issues that arose. **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you! I really enjoyed working with you and can't wait to see your garden in bloom this summer! **★★★★★ — Lisa M, Oct. 2024** > We recently completed a full backyard redesign with Kristen Rudger Landscape Design after struggling for several years on our own to figure out how best to update the space. > > We selected Kristen after discussing the project with several different designers and viewing a job that she had recently completed in our neighborhood. Kristen's personalized approach and her in-depth knowledge of Belmont were key factors in our decision. She did not disappoint. > > We met with Kristen onsite to agree on our goals for the project, view the space and share a mood board so that she could get a sense for our aesthetic. Kristen listened closely, if quietly, and produced two design ideas that hit the nail on the head. Kristen was able to turn our wishlist of ideas into a practical solution that fully realized our goals. With very little modification, we were able to finalize the design and choose materials for the project. Throughout the design phase, she worked diligently to remain within our stated budget and helped us make key tradeoffs to maximize the impact of our spend. > > At the conclusion of the design phase, we were free to quote the project to any installers we wished. She made herself available to review tradeoffs in the quotes. During the installation phase, Kristen worked seamlessly with the team, providing guidance as needed to correctly implement the design and was helpful with suggestions when changes on the fly were required. We are very pleased with our beautiful new backyard. Kristen has our highest recommendation. **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Lisa, thank you so much for your kind, detailed review! It was my pleasure to work with you and Kevin to create a beautiful outdoor space for your family to enjoy. I am so happy we were able to make your dream backyard a reality! **★★★★★ — durtsay, May 2024** > Kristen was a joy to work with and the quality of her work was top notch. She was great at listening to our project goals and then creating a design that far exceeded our expectations. Kristen was extremely helpful in picking out materials, finishes and furniture to truly tie the outdoor spaces together. As a result of Kristen’s expertise, we now have the backyard we’ve always dreamed of. **★★★★★ — gabrielekim, May 2024** > We worked with Kristen on a big back- and frontyard makeover that included landscape and hardscape (new driveway and new deck). > She was great to work with, she listened to our ideas and came back with a lot of good suggestions and ideas for design, keeping our budget in mind. > Kristen was always very responsive and available for the many questions that we had. She was flexible and came up with alternative ideas when we wanted to change the original plans. She had really good referrals for companies for installation and also for material and outdoor furniture. > We can highly recommend Kristen and would work with her again in the future any time. **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you Gabi!I loved working with you! Thank you for your support! **★★★★★ — scott1597, April 2024** > We could not be more delighted with Kristen and our project! Kristen did a complete re-design of our front and back yard and delivered a fantastic outcome. > > She takes the time to really listen to a client's ideas and carefully guide them through the pros and cons of various options. In our case, she was able to synthesize two differing viewpoints into a cohesive and thoughtful design. Along the way, her patience, counsel and proactive recommendations enabled us to try on various ideas while usually choosing her recommendations. Importantly, she quickly got to know us as people and too the time to understand each of our styles. > > She is a creative problem-solver and works diligently to offer alternatives when needed. Importantly, she introduced us to wonderful contractors and vendors who performed outstanding work, on-time and on-budget. They, too, shared her collaborative style and were able to help us engineer significant savings. Throughout the construction phase, Kristen was on-site making sure everything was just so and, when needed, providing guidance to the contractors. > > Over the years, we have unfortunately had our share of headaches, problems and never-ending projects with other designers and contractors. Our experience with Kristen and her network were completely the opposite. We wish she did interior architecture and design; we'd hire her for everything. > > We can't thank you enough! **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Scott and Christy, I am truly humbled by this amazing review. You were both a joy to work with and I love what we created together! Thank you for bringing me along on the journey! **★★★★★ — Mary Welch, April 2024** > Kristen is a brilliant landscape designer! Because of her skills and talent, our backyard is a masterpiece. She carefully listened to our concept for our backyard and developed a design that was impressive and exceeded our expectations. She is also wonderful to work with...thoughtful, calm, competent and responsive. We loved working with Kristen and love the dramatic transformation of our backyard. **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you Mary! It was fun working with you and Ed and I am so pleased that you love the space! It looks fantastic! **★★★★★ — Shashi Deb, April 2024** > I truly enjoyed working with Kristen Rudger. She is professional, thoughtful and very responsive. From the beginning of the project to the final planting (and then beyond, to check in), Kristen was easy to work with and demonstrated a wealth of knowledge. She also made sure to involve me in the project to the extent I wanted to remain involved and keep me continually updated. Specifically, Kristen designed our new outdoor pavilion (full dine in with appliances), a new firepit area, and helped refresh the remainder of our large backyard. She also helped facilitate and guide the work with the contractor and landscaper, as well as other vendors involved in the project (including stone, water fountain, engineering, pots, electricians, etc.). > > Although the execution of the project took much longer than expected (this was not related to her work, but the contractor), she remained persistent and involved the entire time, and very patient. > > The final result is stunning and everyone loves it - but most importantly, me. I would highly recommend her! **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you Shashi! It was truly a pleasure to work with you and it makes me so happy to hear that you are enjoying your new space! **★★★★★ — fandpbelmont, March 2023** > We could not be happier with our yard renovation. Kristen was key to getting us there. She designed the yard and managed to include everything we wanted in her design, which was very thoughtful, especially as the project was quite extensive and included a significant hill in the backyard. The project involved hardscape, landscape, drainage and irrigation. Kristen helped us find our contractor, engineers, and other professionals needed for the job. She visited the site several times during the construction project and was available when changes were necessary which greatly helped lessen the stress of the project. The result is truly fantastic! **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to work with you and I am also thrilled with the results! **★★★★★ — Scott Hartley, July 2022** > Kristen has been fantastic to work with as we designed and then put into place our yard. She is knowledgeable and very responsive throughout. She stayed on our budget. We had our own ideas and also needed her creative energy and experience to get our yard together. Even now when we are largely through the construction process Kristen has remained an active part of our "team." > I give Kristen the highest possible recommendation without hesitation. I am happy to answer any questions if you want to reach out. **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you Scott! I enjoyed working with you and Sharon and I am so happy with the results! I know you will enjoy your new outdoor space for many years to come! **★★★★★ — idumans, Jan. 2022** > Kristen is very accessible and very knowledgeable of everything outdoors. She redesigned our super basic backyard into a wonderful space. She was very good at listening to what we wanted and articulating it into a great vision for our backyard. She was very creative with some great ideas for a more modern design. She was also very patient with us as we changed out minds many times during the process. She was very prompt in her replies and updates on the plans. She did the hardscape and the landscaping as well. Lots of great plants and trees. We love our new backyard and are outside enjoying it a lot more now! **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you Isabelle. I love how your space turned out and am happy to hear you are enjoying it! **★★★★★ — Linda Sonne-Harrison, Jan. 2022** > Kristen helped us with a large project that involved changing terraces/ elevations in our yard, replanting with drought-resistant plants, and building an outdoor kitchen. She was attentive to our needs and came up with a solution that worked really well for our family and fit into our budget requirements. It was helpful that she is very familiar with our geographic area and local building requirements. Our yard looks great and fits perfectly with our intended use. **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you Linda! I enjoyed working with you and am so happy you are enjoying your new space! **★★★★★ — MARK GUREVICH, Jan. 2022** > Kristen was a fabulous designer with whom we worked over the long process of entirely redoing our yard. She was always communicative, listened to our concerns and ideas, and implemented and managed the actual construction with the GC doing the work. The project started before the pandemic, was put on pause, and then restarted and completed in mid-2021. We love our yard, and how everything is done now. From the thoughtful lighting, to the various patios, and walkways. We have our own little Versailles now, thanks to Kristen. So glad we found her. **Comment from Kristen Rudger Landscape Design:** > Thank you Mark! It was great working with you to create your little slice of heaven! I love how it came together and can't wait to capture some pics this Spring! ## Selected projects - [Burlingame Outdoor Living Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/burlingame-outdoor-living-room-pj-vj~7541726) - Location: Burlingame, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: We’ve designed a fully custom outdoor living space that’s perfect for family and friends to gather, grill, and enjoy the game—while leaving plenty of room for the kids to run and play! The centerpiece is a beautifully crafted, roofed pergola featuring built-in lighting, heaters, and a gas fireplace, providing year-round comfort and ambiance. The space includes bar seating for eight, alongside generous cooking and prep areas, making it a chef’s paradise for entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a… - [Hillsborough Modern Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillsborough-modern-farmhouse-pj-vj~7418179) - Location: Hillsborough, CA - Photos: 15 - [San Mateo Contemporary in a Natural Setting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-mateo-contemporary-in-a-natural-setting-pj-vj~6276701) - Location: San Mateo, CA - Photos: 11 - [Resort Living in Belmont Hills](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/resort-living-in-belmont-hills-pj-vj~7541735) - Location: Belmont, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: We transformed a once-dull hillside property into a stunning resort-style outdoor living space, thoughtfully designed to make the most of every inch. With careful attention to detail, we blended functional outdoor areas with luxurious elements, creating a seamless flow between nature and comfort. From inviting lounging zones and custom patios to lush landscaping and a hilltop view deck, every corner of the property now offers a place for relaxation, entertainment, and connection with the surroun… - [San Mateo Resort style living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-mateo-resort-style-living-pj-vj~7418219) - Location: San Mateo, CA - Photos: 12 - [Belmont Outdoor Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belmont-outdoor-living-pj-vj~7418222) - Location: Belmont, CA - Photos: 12 - [Belmont Outdoor Livingroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belmont-outdoor-livingroom-pj-vj~6805280) - Location: Belmont, CA - Photos: 11 - [Hillsborough Estate Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillsborough-estate-garden-pj-vj~6289280) - Location: Hillsborough, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: Award winning garden APLD International Landscape Design Silver Award for planting design - [San Carlos Contemporary Patio and Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-carlos-contemporary-patio-and-kitchen-pj-vj~7418227) - Location: San Carlos, CA - Photos: 8 - [Hillsborough Outdoor Living Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillsborough-outdoor-living-room-pj-vj~6453671) - Location: Hillsborough, CA - Photos: 21 - [Fun for the whole family](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fun-for-the-whole-family-pj-vj~4634710) - Location: San Carlos, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: Terraced a sloped backyard into several zones including space for play and entertaining. - [Hillsborough Mediterranean Resort Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillsborough-mediterranean-resort-living-pj-vj~6042789) - Location: Hillsborough, CA - Photos: 16 - [French Country Poolside](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/french-country-poolside-pj-vj~7418214) - Location: Hillsborough, CA - Photos: 14 - [Hillsborough traditional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillsborough-traditional-pj-vj~6451032) - Location: Hillsborough, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: Formal garden with modern touches, gravel path and low water meadow plantings in the front yard, custom swimming pool and fire pit in backyard. - [Belmont Modern Rustic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belmont-modern-rustic-pj-vj~2987251) - Location: Belmont, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: Front yard is sloped and house is set far from the street. We designed a contemporary entry path/steps with rustic plantings including raised beds for growing edibles. The entry to the house is set off with bluestone tiles set in a running bond pattern. - [San Carlos Outdoor Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-carlos-outdoor-living-pj-vj~6457777) - Location: San Carlos, CA - Photos: 16 - Description: Backyard perfect for entertaining. Including custom fountain, custom fire pit and outdoor kitchen. Side yard includes small putting green. - [Belmont Rustic Family Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belmont-rustic-family-space-pj-vj~4634986) - Location: Belmont, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: We created a natural play space in this backyard with areas for adults to enjoy too! - [San Carlos Fabulous outdoor kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-carlos-fabulous-outdoor-kitchen-pj-vj~673210) - Location: San Carlos, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: The two spaces were previously separated by a retaining wall, making for cramped disconnected space. We connected the two levels by opening up the retaining wall, creating a gourmet outdoor kitchen on the lower level and a cozy outdoor living room on the upper level. - [Belmont Family Fun](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belmont-family-fun-pj-vj~7425246) - Location: Belmont, CA - Photos: 10 - [French Country Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/french-country-estate-pj-vj~1966075) - Location: Burlingame, CA - Photos: 10 [See all 38 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/kristen-rudger-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1451241024) ## Ideabooks - [Voon](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/177873125/list/voon) — 4 ideas - [Searight](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/181630167/list/searight) — 1 idea - [Rice](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/176146752/list/rice) — 2 ideas - [Liong](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/175152170/list/liong) — 9 ideas - [home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75897864/list/home) — 51 ideas - [Minasian](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/173885461/list/minasian) — 7 ideas - [Vraspir](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/173460175/list/vraspir) — 18 ideas - [Singer](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/174492341/list/singer) — 9 ideas - [Davis](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/172635709/list/davis) — 8 ideas - [Pergolas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32524020/list/pergolas) — 13 ideas - [Grudzinskaya](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/138424305/list/grudzinskaya) — 12 ideas - [Benbarak](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/130583440/list/benbarak) — 16 ideas - [Gaber](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/170659277/list/gaber) — 4 ideas - [Mendell](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/167423133/list/mendell) — 6 ideas - [Katz](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/167423160/list/katz) — 3 ideas - [Trinklein](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/158736430/list/trinklein) — 20 ideas - [hardscape](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32523971/list/hardscape) — 34 ideas - [Tsay](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/165395170/list/tsay) — 1 idea - [steps](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7581001/list/steps) — 29 ideas - [Somani](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/156643247/list/somani) — 13 ideas [See all 95 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/klrudger) ## Community Q&A **Q: teak chairs by pot** *(in Photo Questions)* Where do they come from? A: Unfortunately I do not know. My client purchased these. **Q: hello. what brand/color is the patio?** *(in Photo Questions)* hello. what brand/color is the patio? A: Calstone Versaille pavers- color is Sequoia Sandstone **Q: Is this safe for use in a pergola, where it will get wet?** *(in Product Questions)* A: Can you tell me what is the diameter of the mounting plate? **Q: could you please tell me the height of this structure?** *(in Photo Questions)* I would like to know the dimensions of this structure A: It is 8' high 6' wide and 3' deep **Q: where can I buy the swing seat & attachments?** *(in Photo Questions)* Thanks A: The arbor was custom made but the swing and attachments were purchased on Amazon. **Q: Magenta color shrub** *(in Photo Questions)* Love the magenta color shrub over the wall. What is the name? Thanks. A: Grevillea 'Coastal Gem' --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-15.*