How do I cover this air conditioner?
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I was thinking of cutting a piece of plywood that just covers the space and put hinges on the left side so when I need to use it in the summer, then I just open the cover. But I need to decorate it somehow?
How about getting two cabinet doors and putting hinges on both side for a shutter look. There are shutters for indoors that would look nice too. Or you could build a frame around it like a picture.
I like Shore Grandmom's idea about using shutters. A good place to find them is at the Habitat for Humanity stores.
DIY shutters add some trim for frame so edges are cleaned up https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=DIY+indoor+shutters another https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvnGkrgIfmQ
I also like Shore's idea. Doulble shutters. Paint or decoupage a picture on them. Paint them same color as walls. Stain them.
How about using the barn door sliders with a art piece on the front that you can slide back and forth. Make the art look like the outside or a window.
I have seen some done with shutters and they look very nice but I think Doreen's barn door sliders with artwork is brilliant. You could change the art work for a new look whenever you wanted to.
I do like the shutters idea but if your looking for something simple you could hang a curtain their. It would be simple to open when in use and close when not in use.
I purchased louvered shutters on ebay for $40. Looks great! Easy to do.
I'm thinking of something much easier. Get a picture frame or make one to fit around the opening. Take a piece of foam board and cut to fit inside the frame. Cover it with fabric or a picture. This part would stay on in the winter and then u take out the picture part in the summer. The frame of course would stay up all year and the picture part could easily be changed out based on seasons or holidays.
Make sure you put some insulation of some sort on the open areas all around the air conditioner. The shutter idea is a really nice one and would definitely hide it when you aren't using it. Build a nice frame around it and stain the wood, or paint it with the paint you used on the walls and you can Mount the shutters to that to make the wall around the air condition look better.
My son and granddaughter cut a sheet of plywood to fit in the area. He painted a Texas flag looks like a custom design for on our country house.
You might also clean up the boards you have holding up the unit by making it on all four sides with framing strips & don't forget to insulate those open sides too. You could use magnets o r Velcro and cover with that art work hanging above, looks about the same size and cover during winter and move up when in use.
You also need to hide the large cord hanging down on the left side as well...it too is an eyesore....my suggestion is to go to your local Home store and see what covers are available for wires going into wall sockets....
Thank you so much for all your ideas! I very much appreciate it. I’ll let you all know what I decide and I’ll take a picture of the finished product.
My son put a China cabinet in front of it in his mobile home.
I trim mine out with Molding.
Cabinet doors sounds awesome. I can't tell from this picture, but did you install a sleeve for your unit first? You should buy a trim kit too. Both are easy to install and will make everything look neater and benefit the unit.
Get a curtain rod that goes with your decor, drape one end of an interesting patterned small rug over it so it hangs from about eye-level down low enough to cover the unit and some of the cord. Much less work, and more unique.
Can't tell how much space you have at each side, but I envision a wall hung box around the the air conditioner but twice the width with the air conditioner centered in the middle of the box frame. The ends could be book shelfs or curios nooks. Cover with 2 sliding type "barn doors". When the air conditioner is in use they slide to the outside, covering the nooks. When not in use they slide to the center.
Hi there, it's not a good idea to cover air conditioners, since you'll be blocking the air flow and they won't work anymore. You can hide it using one of these methods - https://hvac.ninja/articles/hide-outdoor-ac/
I would hang a large picture or painting on an unframed canvas over it during the winter months. And I would frame around the hole/area around the AC with a nice wood trim and paint it white for the summertime when you're using it. Or you could put the trim around it and use some shutters on each side of the AC during the winter and open them when you use it during the summer.