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

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Whether getting ready to put a home on the market or just looking for ways to better protect a home's value, curb appeal remains one of the easiest ways to make a property feel more inviting and potentially more valuable. Boosting curb appeal doesn't have to mean taking on a costly renovation project.

Thumbtack's newly released "2026 Curb Appeal Report" found homeowners are increasingly focused on small outdoor upgrades that improve how their homes look, feel and function. But this year's trend is about more than simply keeping up appearances.

"It's less about maintaining perfection and more about self-expression," says Kendra Sinclair, home trends expert at Thumbtack. "It's more about: How do I inject some self-expression into the front of my property?"

It's about creating a more customized look, whether that's through the use of personalized accents—like a colorful or terracotta planter near the entryway, outdoor pillows or cushions for color pops, or window boxes filled with seasonal flowers.

The report, based on a survey of 1,000 homeowners, found most owners are spending between $100 to $500 on outdoor upgrades this year. Here are five budget-friendly ways homeowners can improve curb appeal.

1. Repaint the front door 

Your front door is often one of the first things guests notice. A fresh coat of paint can instantly update a home's appearance and create a polished first impression. Design experts say homeowners are increasingly moving away from cool grays and embracing warmer tones, earthy neutrals and bold greens.

Related: 3 Ways to Use Paint to Revive a Dated Home 

For many homeowners, the front door is one of the easiest DIY projects and often costs less than $100 to repaint, Sinclair says. "It can totally transform how your house pops when someone walks or drives by," she says.

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 2. Refresh landscaping 

Thumbtack found nearly two-thirds of homeowners are updating plants, flowers or greenery this year. Fresh landscaping can send the message: This property is well-cared for.

Simple updates can include:

• Fresh mulch around flower beds
• Seasonal flowers near walkways
• Pruned shrubs and trees
• New planters near the front entrance

Sinclair says ornamental grasses are increasingly popular because they offer year-round visual interest while requiring relatively low maintenance. "I love a zebra grass or Karl Foerster" feather reed glass, she says. "They tend to work across climates."

© Joanne Dale / Getty Images

3. Upgrade outdoor lighting 

Outdoor lighting can be one of the most overlooked curb appeal improvements but can dramatically improve both appearance and functionality.

Simple additions like solar-powered pathway lights, updated porch fixtures or subtle landscape lighting can make a home feel more inviting in the evening hours.

Sinclair says lighting upgrades can also improve safety while highlighting landscaping, architectural details and spotlighting outdoor gathering spaces.

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4. Add small pops of color

More than 40% of homeowners say they're adding color accents to their outdoor spaces this year, according to Thumbtack's survey. From painted shutters to colorful planters and statement front doors, homeowners are moving away from playing it safe and adding more personality to their exterior design.

"Warm tones and creamy whites for the body of the house, paired with bold greens and browns for accent areas, are especially popular right now," says Juliano Da Cruz, a Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member and operations manager at Paint LAB Painting.

© Mtreasure / Getty Images

5. Create a backyard sanctuary

One major finding from Thumbtack's survey is that homeowners increasingly want outdoor spaces designed for relaxation, spending time with family and gardening. Patios, seating areas, privacy fences and backyard retreats are becoming bigger priorities.

"The goal is really around comfort and a sense of escape—taking your inside approach to life and bringing it outside," Sinclair says.

Even simple additions like a porch chair, small bench, cozy seating area or string lights can help transform underused outdoor spaces into areas people want to spend time in.

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