Thumbtack has dubbed 2026 "The Year of Self-Expression" for curb appeal, but when homeowners make bold exterior choices, their design statements can sometimes become a neighborhood controversy and even affect neighboring home values.

From colorful front doors to curated landscaping, the latest curb appeal trends center on self-expression rather than following a neighborhood playbook on creating unity and cohesion. But homeowners are becoming keenly aware of how that is playing out near their property, and what they want—or don't want—to see next door.

The Biggest Curb Appeal Offenses

Not every design choice wins over the neighbors. According to Thumbtack's survey, respondents say this is what "irritates homeowners the most about their neighbors' yards":

• Excessive outdoor lighting
• Bright or unconventional exterior paint colors
• Neglected landscaping
• Yard signs
• Loud water features

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Why the Yard Next Door Matters

A neighboring yard often influences how potential home buyers perceive a home and even if they're willing to purchase it, according to a survey of more than 1,000 homeowners conducted by NaturaLawn of America. Among the survey's findings:

• 95% say a neighbor's lawn influences their first impression of a home.
• 93% believe a poorly maintained neighboring yard signals lower home values.
• 56% say they would hesitate to buy a home next to a poorly maintained lawn.
• 87% would worry that a neighbor's neglected yard could hurt the sale of their own home.
• 45% say they would even consider helping pay to improve a neighbor's lawn if it meant selling their home faster or for more money.

The survey found that well-maintained lawns are often associated with homeowners who take pride in their property and invest in maintaining their home's value. Those exterior cues can even shape perceptions of what buyers expect to find inside the home, too.

On the flip side, neglected lawns often lead people to assume the homeowner doesn't care for the property, has a cluttered or poorly maintained interior or is generally disorganized. Millennials appear to be the most judgmental when it comes to curb appeal, the survey found.

"Our research shows a well-maintained yard does more than boost curb appeal—it shapes how homeowners are perceived in their community and can even influence buyer and seller confidence during the home-selling process," Theresa Smith, senior vice president of NaturaLawn of America, said about the survey's results.

Find more insights on improving the home's yard appeal:

5 Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade a Home's Curb Appeal

Indoor-Outdoor Layering: How to Make Patios Feel Like Extra Rooms