Do your neighbours ever copy you?

[RedBlu]

We recently purchased our first home, its a new build on a new development so our house isn't unique and is nearby several other identical houses so we have done small things to make our house a bit different from the rest.

However, these small things are being copied by our neighbours within weeks and it is really starting to annoy me. I swear one in particular watches to see what we do, then rushes out to buy the exact same stuff.

For example, we painted out shed a bright colour, put bunting up, some decorative bits and pieces and it looks really nice. This particular neighbour copied us within weeks, painting their shed a slightly different tone but in the same colour, putting up bunting, etc.

They have also copied the plants we planted at the front and the topiary we have near our front door.

They have never introduced themselves to us, keep themselves to themselves but are seemingly "single white female-ing" our house.

Anyone else ever had this issue? I am considering seeing how far I can get them to go with the copying, may have to buy some really hideous lawn ornaments and see if they go for it?

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I planted lot of lavender and rosemary in our front, looks beautiful. When I walk around my neighbourhood I'm amazed at how many identikit versions (but a few years less mature) there are. I take it as a compliment.

Buy dirty gnomes.

[OrangeVase]

Yes. Neighbour did a similar extension - same doors, same colour kitchen, same paint in living room, same garden furniture. It really upset me at the time.

I then changed my style and did something completely different in the kitchen. As we each got more clutter in our houses though and lived differently it was less obvious and to be honest they are nice people and it matters less now.

There have been other threads about this before so it isn't an unknown phenomenon.

[ReginaBlitz]

Bit precious...shabby chic colours/bunting are in so obviously you won't be the only one to have things like that! And even if they did see yours and think oh that's nice and did similar take it as a compliment. I really don't see what the issue is I wouldn't give two flying fucks if my neighbours did this

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

It's understandable IMO. If you get used to seeing something day in, day out it grows on you. A bit like a baby name.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I'm not sure what the issue is tbh. Does it matter?

[CruCru]

Hmm. With planting, it often will be similar plants in all the gardens (at least in my area) because only certain plants will like the conditions there.

[NKfell]

My neighbour at my previous house copied my front door- I got a new composite and quite 'different' front door in a bright colour, my neighbour came round and said how nice it is and asked if I had a brochure- I gave it to her and she got the EXACT door, same colour and everything! She said "oh I thought yours was the best, I hope you don't mind!"

[OhMittens]

I understand it's a bit annoying but at least your neighbours are keeping their house & garden looking good. That's a good thing.

[Theycallmemellowjello]

I agree with regina -bunting is definitely trendy atm and actually a google image search for painted shed bunting reveals that this is something that a few people have done. Both you and your neighbour are part of the zeitgeist.

[marujadelujo]

Why would you be peeved that the neighbours are making their houses and gardens look more to your taste?

[FayKorgasm]

So many houses around me have bright sheds,bunting and stripey decking. Its the in thing. Next year it will be something else. My landlord doesn't care for such modernisation like working electrics bunting.

[Badgerwife]

I'd take it as a compliment. We've also just moved into a new build and I keep looking around other people's gardens from our top window to see what they've got in there. I have no qualms in admitting it's pure nosiness. It's our first owned house and I haven't a single clue about gardening so I'm just gathering ideas more than anything.

[ShatnersBassoon]

No, my neighbours love meerkat garden ornaments and swirly carpets.

If you go for something that is in fashion, the chances are your neighbour or someone else on the street will have something very similar. Don't take it as a direct copy of your decor, they just like the same trend.

[RachelWatts]

My mum did this. It was embarrassing.

My parent's neighbours wanted their house to look different.

My mum felt equally strongly that the two houses should 'match'.

Every time their neighbours put up new fencing, cut a new border around the tree in their front lawn or planted some new plants, my mum would be annoyed that she was now obligated to do the same, even if she didn't particularly like what they'd done.

[Notso]

Don't take this a criticism but topiary, bunting and a colourful shed are hardly unique.
Just be happy your neighbours take care of their house. Mine adorn their garden with overflowing wheelie bins, an old sofa, an abandoned wheelchair and an array of dodgy looking characters drinking special brew.

[Notso]

RachelWatts post has just reminded me. DD's friends family moved into a brand new estate a few years ago. The first couple to move in visited them and told them they had decided it would look better if all the houses got white roller blinds with a tassel to match theirs, and they felt it would look best if residents stuck to blue or white planting in the front gardens.

[Sighing]

When it comes to changing the building (extensions) it is easier to point at what you want and to know you'll likely get consent.
When it comes to decor/ fashion ... if it's fairly easy to find and nice then accept someone may "copy" you (but you're just as likely to be copying someone else).

[DXBMermaid]

My neighbours bought the exact same table for outside. To be fair, they did first ask if we didn't mind and then asked again if we really didn't mind. I took it as a compliment. They've gone now and I still miss them

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

Wow. My neighbours never copy me.

Am I not cool and stylish?

[AndDeepBreath]

No but I'm really tempted now just to try and freak them out

[Wagglebee]

Your shed sounds nice. What colour did you use?

And which brand? And where did you get your bunting?

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

At least they are decorating in a way that conforms to your taste. It could be worse...

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

?

[LaurieFairyCake]

See it as you 'setting the tone for the neighbourhood'

Much like the Queen or Hyacinth Bucket

Instead be sniffy about people who don't follow your lead, perhaps with some passive aggressive comments

Totes more fun

[patchesofhappiness]

A few of my friends have copied some aspects of the inside of my house. It is pretty scruffy really, and hardly of show home standard, but I have started a little localised trend of putting toys in labelled boxes on shelves and having neat storage solutions for everything, so that the kids can play and tidy up on their own with minimal supervision. Also, I have done a lot of work on the house myself, and this has inspired other folk to get on with their own diy instead of waiting for their husbands to get round to it.

I'm chuffed to bits about this. If I do something well, or come up with a good idea, then I want everyone to feel the benefit and I also take it as a huge compliment.

Of course I realise that this is not the same as having somebody copy the colour of your front door, our other individual style decisions, but I honestly don't think I'd be upset about people copying anything I did.