When The Real Housewives of New Jersey couple Joe and Melissa Gorga moved into their Franklin Lakes home in November 2022, they updated several parts of the property, including the backyard. On the RHONJ Season 13 reunion, which aired in May 2023, Melissa noted they were “still doing a lot of work” on that outdoor area, and, in the tour you can watch above, all that hard work certainly paid off.
On September 3, Melissa hopped on her Instagram page to share a new glimpse at her gorgeous backyard and pool, capturing an unexpected guest in the process.
In her video showing a buck walking around her outdoor space, Melissa declared, “Look at the size of this thing! Oh my god… I’m scared.” Later she quipped, “Santa needs you soon! Go back to the North Pole.”
We can’t blame the the animal for simply wanting to check out the resort-like details of Melissa’s stunning backyard, considering the large, rectangular pool surrounded by white deck chairs with black cushions, cabana beds, and a Baja shelf in the pool with built-in white lounge chairs, and more.
Melissa’s outdoor patio also has a serene veranda with midcentury-style black chairs with white cushions and large round black table. The patio also features an impressive kitchen and grill, complete with a smoker — perfect for entertaining.
Melissa Gorga’s Backyard Details
In the video tour you can watch above, Melissa showed brought her fans inside — and out — of her jaw-dropping home, revealing more intimate details about the backyard area.
“I really wanted to backyard to look like a resort,” Melissa explains in the video. “So I wanted the cabanas. I wanted lots of lounge chairs. We also did lots of fireplaces that you can kind of sit around. Hearing the waterfalls, that is my favorite thing. It makes everything feel so peaceful and tranquil.”
Melissa Gorga’s pool at her New Jersey home. Photo: Bravo
In an August 2023 Instagram post, Melissa thanked New Jersey pool builders The Pool Boss for their handiwork on the design layout.
“My very good friend happens to be an amazing pool designer […] [The Pool Boss] thank you for giving my family exactly what we wanted,” the New Jersey mom captioned the post, which also shouted-out furniture retailer The Wickery for her day beds.
In addition to the pool and deck, Melissa created another space for entertaining friends and family with a firepit and seating area. The space features a woven black furniture set with cream-colored cushions with two large chairs and a large loveseat.
The furniture pieces sit atop concrete pavers amid round gray stones. The space is complete with a long, rectangular-shaped fire shelf.
Melissa Gorga’s fire pit at her New Jersey home. Photo: Bravo
Melissa Gorga’s outdoor patio at her New Jersey home. Photo: Bravo
Melissa Gorga’s barbeque grill at her New Jersey home. Photo: Bravo