The Front Yard Eyesore Your Neighbors Want You To Get Rid Of

Your front yard does more work than you think, being the first (and often only) glimpse into your home that people get to see. And of the many front yard eye sores that could be bringing down your home's vibe, one of the most popular is using plastic lawn décor. You may think it looks whimsical or playful to scatter your front law with plastic statues or other decorative pieces, but the truth is they often end up looking cluttered at best ... and tacky at worst.

When you first buy them, plastic yard décor is bright and clean but over time, and with exposure to the elements like sun and rain, they can become worn out and faded. According to interior designers, plastic garden decor's tendency to fade quickly actually cheapens the look of your garden. Even if it's a functional item, it can have the same effect. If you've ever struggled to keep plastic patio furniture clean so it doesn't look dull and weathered or used large plastic pots for your plants and immediately felt like they made your aesthetic look shabby, then you know what we're talking about. 

With plastic décor, it's often the more decorative pieces such as brightly colored statues, novelty signs, and synthetic planters that stand out the most. While these kind of items have become a way to personalize an outdoor space, your neighbors may not appreciate it as much, and it could end up being a garden idea you later regret. Discussions on Reddit complain about the visual clutter of overly busy yards, with users griping about "tacky" or mismatched décor that overwhelms the space rather than enhancing it.

If it's important for you to decorate with a strong sense of personality, garden design experts tend to suggest more durable and natural materials such as terracotta, stone, and wood. Or you could incorporate more visual interest in your space through lighting and unique plants instead. But regardless of their criticism, plastic décor remains popular for the simple fact that it is affordable, easy to set up, and is (in the case of the holiday decorations in particular) quite undeniably festive. The key, if you really enjoy this type of decoration, is moderation. There's no problem in wanting to find budget-friendly pieces for your garden, but the best advice is actually to invest in fewer pieces that are higher quality. This will allow you to inject a little personality into your space but not let it tip into feeling cluttered, overwhelming, or cheap-looking.