How can I decorate around a small air vent on a soffit?

You can trim it out with wood.

Don't block the soffit area with anything. They're installed to provide adequate ventilation.

Don't cover it obviously but decorating around it can be nice. As someone above mentioned you could "frame it" with wood. But another idea would be to stencil something around it.

Take it down and spray paint it copper...or a metallic to match your fixtures.. you may also find a decorative floor vent to fit, There are some very nice scroll designs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=2KVQPKQSS2V7N&M=urn:rtn:msg:201807071802286db7c56d6d68499bbe3204615ee0p0na&R=2MBL0CHWHM15M&T=C&U=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDecor-Grates-SPH408-NKL-Register-Brushed%2Fdp%2FB002UPISFC%2Fref%3Dcm_sw_em_r_dp_dz_U_3.pqBb4340ZRG_tt&H=7OAPNEYQAQR2WS4WQBUKMZ0W1RIA

I'd would put a 1 X 8 walnut - oak or even pine shelf across the soffit just about 3 or 4 inches below the vent and put collectables on the shelf. I collect old pint milk bottles, straight sided coke bottles from Freeport il, and old medicine bottles from W T Rawligh and Frust Mcness, but anything that you like would be Okay also !!

Most home improvement big box stores carry beautiful vent covers in different metals and designs, also in wood.

Hi there, here are few ideas you can try to hide or camouflage that aircon - https://hvac.ninja/articles/hide-outdoor-ac/

Hello do you think spray painting it would be an option? We have done that with our floor vents.