Have a window unit AC. Any ideas on how to make it look nicer?

First frame with the same material as your woodwork, or get a fancy trim & make a picture-frame look. Attach curtain rod brackets on wall just outside the frame & 1 inch (or a little) higher. FYI NEVER install curtain rod brackets on the frame... no... no... no. & always set them on the wall to the side & a little higher, makes your windows appear a lot larger than they are, instead of looking like a quart stuffed in a pint. When the AC is in use swag the curtains to the side using hooks screwed in the wall &/or fancy cording. Even though a window or AC doesn't take up the full height of the wall you can place the curtains to hang from ceiling to floor. Or put shallow brackets that stick out at least the depth of the AC & hang a picture/mirror, etc.

Disguise it with flowers!

A simple inexpensive solution is to velco a sheer fabric (or beads) all around (preferably to match curtains). When the unit is operating you can either put up or take down the front piece or let it blow .

Is it actually located in the window?

If so, can you relocate it to insert the unit into the wall?

Like it framed with same trim as baseboards and doors.

If it's older and discolored, spray paint can give it a clean fresh look.

Perhaps in NC you don't use the unit in the winter(?), and want to cover it with a box framed picture or something? ... but the rest of the year this AC has a wonderful function. Wouldn't want anything to inhibit that.

Its really hard for an AC unit located in a window to fade into the background, the way outlets, switches and regular AC vents do.

Good Luck!

Please post a pic of the solution you chose!

Buy some tall louvred privacy screeens to cover the unit. Yet it allows the air to still circulate. They are great for directing the air as well

If you don't want louvres on porch. Buy lattice sheets at Home Depot and build frames around them Use long nails to attach to wall leaving space for unit or nail to floor and ceiling.do whole wall it's really cool looking and air still flows through unit.