Ideas for Hiding an Air Conditioner

Air conditioners may be useful during summer months, but they can spoil the look of a room.

During hot summer months, air conditioners are usually necessary to cool off sweltering apartments and houses. Unfortunately, most air conditioning units have a utilitarian design with little aesthetic appeal. Because you probably are not willing to give up your air conditioner, finding a way to hide the appliance allows your home to be cooled and still maintain a stylish appearance. Several creative ways will mask the appearance of your air conditioner, so you likely can find an option that fits your home's design style and your budget.

Paint It

A simple, inexpensive way to hide your in-wall air conditioner is to paint it the same color as the wall. The air conditioner does not totally disappear, but using color to blend it into the wall makes the unit much less noticeable. You can also cover the air conditioner's bare plastic or slats with decorative paper meant for scrapbooking or gift wrap in a pattern that matches the rest of the room's decor so it becomes an accent piece instead of an eyesore.

Box It

Covering your air conditioner with a custom-made box or cabinet is another effective way to hide your unit. If you enjoy do-it-yourself projects, you can create a simple wooden air conditioner cover that meets your specifications exactly. Setting it on hinges allows you to open the box when it is necessary to reach the air conditioner's controls. You may also decorate the cover with a mirrored front or ornamental wood work. For a more elaborate solution, hire a carpenter to build a custom wall-mounted cabinet to fit around your air conditioner. The cabinet hides your unit and also provides additional storage space or an area to display photos and other accessories. Because the cabinet has doors, you can access the air conditioner whenever necessary.

Use a Curtain or Screen

Curtains or a screen are an easy, effective way to hide your air conditioner. Fabric screens can be purchased in a variety of colors and patterns and placed in front of your unit to hide it. They are also easy to move, so you can reach the air conditioner's controls or remove the screen if you want to change your decor. You can also mount a curtain rod on the wall above your air conditioner, so curtains may be draped over it to hide it. The curtains can easily be opened and closed so the air conditioner is not blocked when it is turned on.

Try a Metal Frame

For a window air conditioning unit, use a decorative iron or metal frame to hide the unit. The frame can sit on a table in front of the unit to block it from view. Place a piece of mesh-like material in the frame so the air from the unit can pass through it into the room.

References

• New York Magazine: Hide This Ugly Thing
• Apartment Therapy: Tips for Camouflaging Thermostats, Radiators and Air Conditioners