11 Creative Ways to Hide Your Air Conditioner Unit Outside

Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: June 21, 2022 References

You've spent a lot of time and effort designing the perfect oasis in your backyard or patio. The only problem? That ugly air conditioner unit ruining your aesthetic. No worries—covering it up is quick and easy. As long as it stays accessible and there's enough space for airflow (manufacturers recommend at least 12 inches (30 cm) on all sides) you're good to go.^{[1]
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Research source} Read on to discover the best ways to keep your air conditioner unit hidden in plain sight.

1

Outdoor privacy panels

Use outdoor privacy panels for a quick, temporary fix. If you're a renter, you're likely limited as to the structures you can build on the property. With outdoor privacy panels, you can hide the air conditioning unit when you need to without doing anything permanent to the property.^{[2]
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- Pros: temporary, easy to remove, lots of versatility
- Cons: not very wind- or weather-resistant, will need more frequent replacement than other options

2

Planter boxes

Surround the unit with planter boxes for a temporary solution. The beauty of planter boxes is that they can be easily moved (as long as they're not too big), so you never have to worry about access to your air conditioning unit. Use planter boxes you already have or easily build your own. You don't even need to surround the whole unit—just cover the side or sides facing your outdoor living area.^{[3]
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- Pros: relatively quick and simple fix, opportunity to upcycle old objects into planters, no need to plant in the ground (important for apartment-dwellers)
- Cons: probably won't be an effective screen year-round

3

Shipping pallets

Shipping pallets can hide your air conditioner with shabby chic flair. Search online marketplaces or call local stores to find used shipping pallets. Use a saw to cut them down to size. If the ground's not level, dig a trench to even things out and allow the pallets to stand on their sides, then lash them together with zip ties.^{[4]
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- Pros: shipping pallets are usually pretty cheap, temporary structure that can be easily removed
- Cons: can look junky if not treated and maintained well, not as stable as other options, shipping pallets can be hard to find

4

Upcycled window shutters

Turn old window shutters into a one-of-a-kind screen. This is a fun and creative idea if you have some old window shutters laying around (or can easily find some locally). Paint them a bright, fresh shade and put them together with hinges so they'll wrap around your unit. You might also leave them in their distressed state for a more shabby chic look.^{[5]
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- Pros: fun and whimsical look, sustainable, inexpensive, easy to remove
- Cons: not incredibly stable, shutters might not be tall enough to fully hide unit, can be hard to find if you don't have any lying around

5

Living fence

Plant trees or bushes around the unit if you have a green thumb. For a garden or backyard that's already thick with foliage, a living fence will blend right in and help conceal that unsightly air conditioner unit.^{[6]
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Research source} Choose upright evergreen shrubs that work well in your area considering the amount and quality of sunlight they'll get.^{[7]
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- Pros: sustainable option, naturally allows airflow and relatively easy accessibility
- Cons: plants take time to become established, might require more extensive upkeep than you have time for

6

Iron trellis with vining plants

Block your unit with a trellis that supports delicious fruit-bearing vines. Plant any sort of vining plant that suits your region, then train the vines up a trellis you've set up in front of your air conditioning unit. In the southeastern US, you might try muscadine grapes—they're particularly low maintenance and the vines can live for decades.^{[8]
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- Pros: provide airflow while blocking view of the unit, annual crop of delicious fresh fruit
- Cons: plants may require more extensive upkeep than you have time for

7

Commercial air conditioner enclosure

Buy a pre-made enclosure if you're not looking for a project. No worries here if you're not a DIYer—there are plenty of pre-made air conditioner enclosures on the market. Just measure your unit (don't forget to add in at least 12 inches (30 cm) on all sides) and pick the box that best suits your budget and aesthetic.
- Pros: minimal effort to install, made specifically for the purpose
- Cons: selection might be limited, can get pricey

8

Lattice panels

Use lattice panels to form a box around your unit. Buy pre-made lattice panels in the size you need to hide your air conditioning unit. Put them on hinges or lash them together with simple zip ties.^{[9]
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- Pros: plenty of airflow, cheaper than traditional fencing and can be nearly as stable
- Cons: takes some time and effort, DIY project can be a bit to take on for beginners

9

Traditional fencing panels

Fencing panels that match your existing fence provide consistency. Typically, you'll want to get your panels from the same place where you got your existing fence. If it's been a while, take photos of your fence with you for easy matching. You could use pressure treated or cedar treated panels. Depending on the size of your unit, you might need to get the fencing cut down to size as well.^{[10]
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- Pros: consistent aesthetic, extremely stable
- Cons: fence posts take some time to install, airflow might be more limited depending on the style of the fence, potentially more expensive than other options

10

Masonry wall

Build a brick wall around the unit to match your home. Using brick or other masonry gives you a more consistent aesthetic. This works particularly well if your unit is next to your house and you use masonry that matches the brickwork of the house. Just remember to leave a path for access to the unit.^{[11]
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- Pros: strong and stable, might suit your aesthetic better than other options
- Cons: more labor-intensive and expensive than other options

11

Storage shed

Build a storage shed around your air conditioning unit. Do you need more storage for gardening and lawn equipment? Hiding your air conditioner with a storage shed might be the perfect solution. This can be a big project, but buying a shed kit makes it a little easier.^{[12]
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- Pros: gives you more storage, keeps your unit clean and dry
- Cons: more expensive than other options, build requires greater time and effort

Warnings

Before you install a more permanent structure to hide your air conditioning unit, check with the manufacturer to make sure you're leaving the recommended distance around the unit for airflow.

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