When designing our house, our need for comfort is often at odds with aesthetics. Case in point: Our air conditioning units. They are both a necessity and an eyesore.
It will probably take a while before most manufacturers can design more AC units that match our homes’ motifs. It is up to us to make our rooms cozy and stylish.
To hide your air conditioner, you can build custom cabinets or use curtains or folding screens to cover it.
Several interior designers, woodworkers, and homeowners have devised creative ways to cover different home HVAC systems.
In this article, I’m sharing tips on improving your room’s design without sacrificing your AC unit’s performance.
Can You Cover an Indoor AC Unit?
In short, yes. Covering your indoor AC unit can make your living space instantly gorgeous. This, in turn, can increase your property value if you’re looking to rent your home out.
Another advantage of hiding away your AC unit is that it will not be immediately seen by burglars breaking into your house.
Still, you can’t simply build a structure to camouflage your AC unit. On top of the yearly preventative maintenance, it needs an open space to promote airflow.
Things to Remember When Hiding Your Window Air Conditioner
Whether you are going to hire a professional to build a custom cover or do it yourself own, I strongly recommend taking note of these pointers:
Understand How AC Units Work
Knowing how your air conditioner works will be useful in designing a decorative casing and prolonging the appliance’s lifespan.
As you know, AC units come in different shapes and sizes. According to Carrier, the company founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning Willis Carrier himself, these are the three primary types of ACs:
- Slip-system air conditioner
- Packaged air conditioner
- Ductless air conditioner
Generally, all of them have the same basic function: To provide cool air. This is done by removing the heat and humidity in an enclosed or indoor space. However, each type needs to be installed differently.
If you have not installed your air conditioning unit or HVAC system, I suggest informing the technician about your plans to cover your indoor and outdoor units.
You can also read the AC unit’s manual to check if the manufacturer provides recommendations regarding the distance for enclosures.
Design a Cover That Promotes Good Airflow
Since the air conditioner removes the heat from indoor spaces, it must be well-ventilated. Otherwise, the lack of airflow will cause your AC units to work twice harder to ensure the room stays cool.
This will shorten the lifespan of your AC unit, but it will also cost you a lot of money on repairs.
Keep Your AC Unit Accessible
Another important point is that all AC units require regular cleaning and maintenance per the manufacturer’s directions. At some point, you will also have these appliances repaired or replaced.
Ensure that the enclosure features doors or openings that enable you or your technician to retrieve the unit or perform routine maintenance.
How To Hide Air Conditioner Unit Inside?
Regardless of your room’s layout or budget, there are many ways to tuck away unsightly air conditioners. Here are some ideas:
Use Wall-mounted Cabinets Or Freestanding Storage
If you are into woodworking, you can construct a wall-mounted cabinet around your AC unit.
Alternatively, you can fabricate freestanding cupboards and wardrobes with a section for the air conditioner and multiple shelves.
These functional pieces will hide your appliance and store other items. They have doors that let you easily access the AC unit’s control panel when you need to adjust the settings or perform regular maintenance.
Just make sure that the doors keep the air flowing freely. Laser-cut wood panels, slatted wood panels, or Solihiya weaves are just some of the many styles you can look into.
Hide It Behind Decorative Yet Functional Pieces
Aside from providing privacy, curtains and folding screens accentuate the room with colors, textures, and patterns. That said, they can be useful for hiding air conditioners.
For instance, if your AC unit is placed below the window, you can use curtains long enough to drape over it.
Another option is to install cafe curtains. This option lets you open your window’s curtains or blinds while keeping the AC out of sight.
On the other hand, folding screens are generally easy to move around. From laser-cut patterns to fabric fronts, finding a piece that suits your taste is not impossible.
While this technique does not require much time and effort, you need to carefully consider the space size and the location of your AC unit.
This way, you can ensure that your curtain or folding screen is not awkward in the room.
Get One Of Those LG’s Art Cool AC Unit
The Art Cool Gallery is one of LG’s latest innovations that combines art and functionality. It is a picture frame air conditioner that lets you change the artwork or pictures.
If you are considering replacing your AC unit or are about to buy one for your new home, consider this option.
