15 ways to hide the air conditioner

Asha Bogenfuerst Asha Bogenfuerst
Outdoor Patio , Papersky Studio Papersky Studio 트로피컬 발코니, 베란다 & 테라스
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As the hottest days in India are slowly approaching, the air conditioner becomes an essential part of the home. Although we can all appreciate the comfort air conditioners bring to our homes, they don't much for the aesthetics of a home. In fact, air conditioners sometimes awkwardly stick out like a sore thumb, disrupting the harmony and design of a home. What's even more unsightly is the outside part of the air conditioners, which tend to protrude out of the facade of the house, ruining your beautifully decorated patio, garden or balcony. If you're lucky enough to have an outdoor space in your home which you can utilize, the last thing you want is the ugly air conditioner vent ruining the curb appeal of your home. However, the good news is that it doesn't have to be this way. 

In today's idea book, we have compiled 15 brilliant ways to hide the air conditioner in both the interior of the house and also the outside part of the house. Don't worry, there are a variety of techniques suitable for different spaces of the house as well as for different budgets. We hope you will find a suitable solution to hide the air conditioner in your home after reading this article. 

1. Above wall shelving

This method involves installing wall shelving below the air conditioner so that it looks like a continuous vertical element, instead of a random box in the middle of an empty wall. For best results, the shelves should be the same colour and same width as the air conditioner unit. Take note that it always helps to try to match the dimensions of the air conditioner to what's below it, whether it's a TV cabinet or a sofa. 

2. Recessed in a fake ceiling beam

If you have the budget to make architectural adjustments to your home, fake ceiling beams is the answer you've been looking for. Not only does it look great and add more dimensions to a room, a fake ceiling beam is also the perfect tool for hiding the air conditioner unit in the house. The fake ceiling beam can also be used to add some recessed lighting. 

For more inspiration, here are 11 false ceiling designs you can't stop looking at!.

3. Above the door

This is the most suitable idea for small rooms with scarce wall space, like the kitchen. As we mentioned before, try to match the dimensions of the air conditioner with what's below it. In this example, we see a door with the same width and colour as the air conditioner unit. Ideally, installing the air conditioner above the door is better than above the window when it comes to being energy efficient. This is because the cold air can escape easier if the unit is located above a window. 

4. Tall plants

Tall plants are one way of hiding the air conditioner vent outside the house, and it doesn't cost too much either. The plants will also add to the curb appeal of your home by creating a more aesthetically pleasing view of the house. 

For more ideas, here are 10 tropical perennial plants for small gardens.

5. Room divider screen

A room divider screen is a practical way to hide the air conditioner in both the interiors of the home as well as the exteriors. For best results, match the room divider screen with the colour of the walls so that when you hang it from the ceiling, it flawlessly blends into the room and discreetly hides the air conditioner unit as well. 

For more inspiration, here are 6 pictures of room dividers for Indian homes.

6. Wooden board

A simple painted wooden board could be all you need to hide the ugly air conditioner vent from protruding into your beautiful patio. You can also use vintage doors and shutters or even pallets. In fact, there are probably a lot of things you could recycle to be used as a cover board to hide the air conditioner from the facade of the house. 

7. Arbor, pergola or trellis

Plants are a great way of covering up stuff, and with the help of an arbor, pergola or trellis it could be even more effective. If you're on a tight budget, you can make your own trellis easily, but if you can afford it, you could even buy a whole gazebo to cover up the ugly area with the air conditioner vent, and it could serve as outdoor seating as well. 

8. Vertical garden

Vertical gardens can be created in various ways – pictured here is one example. You can also use recycled pallets or broad PVC pipes to create vertical gardens yourself. For more examples of vertical gardens, have a look at our article titled indoor plants and vertical gardens. If you're having trouble creating a vertical garden yourself, consult with some of our landscape architects on homify. 

9. Tool storage box

Instead of just hiding the air conditioner vent, you can also make the space useful. For example, you can place a tall tool storage box against the wall. Pictured here, we see a compact slim wooden tool storage box which is perfect for the outdoors and blends into the natural garden environment beautifully. 

10. Artistic fence

Swimming Pool wallcovering and seats Kreoo 모던스타일 수영장 대리석 수영장

Any type of fence will do to cover up the air conditioner outside the house, but if you have the budget for it why not go for the most artistic looking fence you can find. After all the fence is not really serving the traditional purpose here, so it might as well be used as a decorative element as well. 

11. Bamboo

Jardin japonais à Enghien-les-Bains, Taffin Taffin 아시아스타일 정원

Bamboo can be easily sourced in India and is relatively inexpensive compared to using other types of wood. It is also more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

12. Stone wall

A stone wall can be a great DIY project for the whole family and it can end up looking great as well as hiding your air conditioner outside the house. All you need is fencing, lots of rocks, stones and pebbles. Using natural material such as bamboo and stones is a good idea for harmonizing with the garden. 

13. Hanging wall piece

A suitable hanging wall piece with dimensions which match the air conditioner unit could be an excellent idea for hiding the unit in the interiors of the house. As a plus, it also adds another decorative element to the room. 

14. Hanging garden

A hanging harden can be easy to create and it's a brilliant way of hiding the air conditioner for both the interiors and exteriors of the house. You can even use fake plants if you're not really well known for keeping your plants alive. 

15. Hanging decorations

Last but not least, there is always the option to go crazy! You can create your very own hanging artistic masterpiece, hang some decorations up, or maybe even a a fancy art installation which will definitely keep all eyes off the ugly air conditioner unit or vent. 

We hope you've enjoyed the ideas here. For more inspiration, check out our article titled 8 tips on how to save energy with air conditioning.

Choosing how to hide AC pipes in rooms

Living Room, Comfold Comfold 모던스타일 거실

Depending on whether it’s your house or a rented one, you can decide how to conceal pipes from the AC, so they don’t take away from the attractiveness of the room décor. Your budget will also influence the decision. A permanent solution would be to hide the ducts and wires behind a false or drop ceiling so that the room has a better finish. 

Concealing AC pipes on the exterior walls

If you live in an apartment, be sure to check the building bye-laws before you get your AC ducting done by electricians. Many apartment associations in India have restrictions regarding any changes to the exterior façade of the building, which also includes the ugly appearance of AC pipes and wires on the exterior façade. Besides ensuring that the pipes do not extend for a considerable length on the exterior wall, other solutions would be to use AC pipe covers to conceal the wires or hide them behind the greenery.

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