Have you noticed your neighbors aren’t exactly friendly lately? Maybe they nearly block your driveway or don’t wave back when you smile at them. There's a chance you’ve been less-than-neighborly without even realizing it. If your yard is visible from the street or other homes, there could be a few eyesores you’re unaware of.
Want to restore the peace? It might be time to tidy up your outdoor space. Here are five things in your yard that might be annoying your neighbors.
Overflowing Trash and Recycling Bins
According to Wendy Zanders, professional organizer and declutter coach, overflowing trash and recycling bins definitely won’t score you an invitation to your neighbor’s pickleball league. While this might feel minor, constantly overflowing bins can become a major issue, especially during the warmer months when they can smell or attract pests.
“When I'm working with clients, it’s common that during our very first decluttering session, the trash and recycling bins are already full," she says. "Sometimes they’ve just missed trash day or it’s still a few days away, and we’re adding even more during the session ... If collection day is still several days away, I help my clients break down boxes as flat as possible and store them discreetly in the garage or tuck them behind a recycling bin. For trash, we can press what we can so the lids can close fully, then place the bins out of sight behind a gate.”
To remedy this problem in the future, Zanders advises tucking your trash and recycling bins behind a privacy screen, in the side yard, or inside a small shed.
Unused or Broken Furniture
While many of us have outdoor seating like dining tables or lounge chairs for our families, we often bring out extra folding chairs or a table when guests come over. But if you don’t put them away after the gathering, they can quickly become an eyesore for those around you.
Or, we simply end up leaving broken or old furniture outside that we plan on disposing of, but don’t end up doing it in a timely manner. “When I'm working with clients, so many times we are dragging out broken or unused furniture," she says. "All will be kept in the garage to either be given away in the local Facebook group, taken to a donation or to go out with bulk trash. The goal is to get it out of the home as soon as possible and be kept away from the public so as to not have visual clutter in front of the house,” explains the pro organizer.
Bright Lights
Whether it's festive string lights or wall-mounted sconces, overly bright outdoor lighting doesn't just illuminate your yard—it spills into your neighbors’ spaces too. While it might not seem like a true nuisance, lights as bright as car high beams can disrupt their privacy, interfere with their quiet enjoyment, and even wake them from sleep. So, be mindful to turn off your lights when you head inside or opt for lower-wattage bulbs.
Poorly Maintained Landscaping
We all get busy, but forgetting to prune your hedges or trim your trees can truly annoy your neighbors. From landscaping that encroaches to piles of leaves from trees that aren’t located on their property, your landscaping should be your responsibility—not the person who lives next door.
Dog Poop
Who let the dogs out? You did. And you probably didn’t notice that your dog pooped in your yard. While this might not feel like a problem—after all, it’s your yard, your neighbors may not be such big dog lovers. Not only is this unsightly and potentially smelly, but dog poop can also attract rats, which is not something you or your neighbors want in their yard. So, try to clean up after your pup in a timely manner.
Read more at Real Simple
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