Concealing Air Conditioners with Artificial Outdoor Plants

We work so hard to enhance the curb appeal of our homes but it is inevitable that either your front yard or your side yard is going to feature a large, metal, unsightly air conditioning unit. Many homeowners also place their trash bins next to their air conditioning units. I have a great way to conceal air conditioners and improve your curb appeal with real or artificial outdoor plants.

Plants Concealing Air Conditioners

Can you believe that what you are looking at here is actually a trash and air conditioning area? Don’t believe me? Look again.

Air Conditioning Units Concealed by Landscaping

This home is an excellent example of how you can enhance curb appeal and conceal air conditioning units and trash receptacles all at the same time. I love the thought that went into the design of this front landscaping. This house had a small concrete walkway that takes you back to the garage side door and trash area. They were able to camouflage the entire walkway by wrapping a flower bed around the entire walkway and then defining it with concrete pavers stacked two-high.

Once the flower bed was created, a couple big full low plants do most of the work of concealing while an established palm tree brings your eye up and away from the side of the house. When the air conditioner is running, the sound of the concrete water fountain masks the hum of the air conditioner. The topiary tree to the right of the garage adds some extra interest while remaining trim enough to allow residents to still access the walkway.

If  you have an air conditioner that you just hate looking at from street level, think about ways that you can conceal it with real or artificial outdoor plants. While this design works beautifully for this home, you have many more options available to you. Artificial hedges are available in a wide range of widths and heights. Select a couple that can be arranged in an L shape to conceal the air conditioning unit from the front and side. Flowering bushes, such as hibiscus, are also a great way to draw attention away from the eye-sore. Why not try trellises holding winding vines as well? Place a couple potted plants in front of the trellis for a multi-level landscaping design that is sure to impress. Which artificial outdoor plants did you use to hide your most unsightly areas?