Your front porch is truly your home’s chance to make a first impression, so you mustn’t treat it as an afterthought. That said, while no one wants a bare porch, going all in with decor isn’t always the best idea, either.

There are many styling choices that professional interior designers find to be tacky rather than tasteful, proving that there can be such a thing as too much decoration.

Below, three experts outline six common pieces of front porch decor that they would prefer not to see ever again. Steer clear of these design decisions and your neighbors will likely thank you, too!

Lawn Ornaments

Too many lawn ornaments, such as gnomes, fairies, dolls, or flamingos, read as tacky to Emily Roose, the founder of Emily Roose Interiors.

“A porch should feel welcoming, comfortable, and relaxing with touches of personality,” she says, noting that, on the contrary, such figurines appear “creepy, like you are being watched.”

If you must incorporate them, keep your display to just one or two so as not to overwhelm your visitors and neighbors. You can also rotate pieces out seasonally rather than displaying your entire collection all at once.

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Oversized Decorations

Your front porch should be charming, not chaotic. As such, it’s best to avoid any sizable decorations, Roose shares, noting that anything that makes it difficult to enter or use the space is a no-no.

This means skipping giant inflatables during the holiday season and clearing a sizable path for visitors so that your guests aren’t worried about tripping as they make their way to your front door.

After all, you’re going to need to maneuver yourself (as well as shopping bags, boxes, suitcases, and the like) in and out of your home on the regular, so you don’t want to create a challenging setup.

Kitschy Signs and Welcome Mats

JoAnna Baum, the founder of JoAnna Baum Interiors, considers large welcome signs on the front porch to be tacky, particularly those that feature vertical lettering. You’ve likely seen such signs with the words “welcome,” “fall,” and the like.

“As a former graphic designer, I can say that stacked totem lettering is a surefire way to make a designer’s skin crawl,” she says. “Then, placing it right outside your home? It almost makes you not want to enter.”

You’ll also want to think twice before opting for a welcome mat featuring a singular word or cheeky phrase, adds Jennifer Jones, the founder of Niche Interiors, who notes that these are one of her personal icks.

If you must adorn your welcome mat somehow, spelling out your last name or street address numbers will appear much more classic and luxe.

Fake Plants

Greenery is an excellent way to liven up your front porch, but you’re best off skipping the faux florals if you can, Jones states. If you’re going to opt for fake plants, at least take a subtle approach. Brightly colored plastic florals are one of Jones’s biggest pet peeves.

 “They don’t look real and cheapen the aesthetic of your home,” the designer says.

Bows

While the idea of adding a bow to your front door during the holiday season (or any time of year) may seem like a festive touch, Baum isn’t a fan of front doors wrapped in ribbon.

“Your home isn’t a gift, and it can feel a little over the top rather than warm and inviting,” she says.

Wind Chimes

Last but not least, skip the wind chimes. They’re not necessarily as cute and quirky as you might think, Jones explains.

“Not only are they an eyesore, I guarantee they also annoy your neighbors,” she says.