7 ways to hide your outdoor AC unit and other unsightly objects around your house

You can't put your AC in a shed, but you can place one strategically to draw the eye elsewhere. A shed also adds plenty of extra storage room, which can help keep other unsightly outdoor knick-knacks out of view.

"From plastic to wooden sheds, the options are endless, as is the price tag," says Yost. You can also find small sheds made especially for concealing trash cans. "Just make sure to check the dimensions of your bins first and consider pests that you need to keep out," she adds. "For example, raccoons can be very sneaky and figure out how to open a basic cover!"

Yost cautions that adding raised beds around an AC unit or other unsightly area may draw attention to it. But if you have limited options for where to build a garden, she recommends placing the beds far enough away to promote air circulation. 

She says that it's also essential to ensure you still have easy access to the equipment. If your AC unit requires maintenance, the HVAC specialist should have room to do their job. 

It can be impossible to hide certain unsightly yard accessories completely. Blocking or covering an AC unit or heat pump, for example, can cause problems with the unit. A lattice panel can help conceal this kind of machinery while allowing for necessary airflow. 

"Make sure you position it so that you have enough space to have access to it," says Yost. "These are great for small spaces as they are thin and can be cut at different dimensions to perfectly hide whatever you are looking to mask."

In some spaces, flower pots and planter boxes can make all the difference. Yost explains that a carefully chosen planter can help hide pool or HVAC equipment and beautify the space all at once. 

"When planning this, make sure to consider the sun and shade in the area and select plants that will work well," says Yost. "I'd also recommend not drawing too much attention to the space with color or attention-grabbing flowers as it's an area you are looking to cover, not be a focal point," she says. 

If you're trying to hide exposed sewage pipes but don't love the idea of using shrubbery or lattice, Yost recommends painting things like well pumps and smaller unsightly utilities. The right color of paint can help these items blend into the area. 

"I love painting them a matte black or a beige if you are out west, a color that will mesh with your soil and blend in with the scenery," she says.

Yost recommends using breathable materials such as louvered fencing if you're planning to add fencing around an AC unit or other equipment that needs adequate air circulation. She points out that most municipalities have codes about how far to place fencing, but a good rule of thumb to follow is to ensure at least 24 inches of breathing room between the fence and the equipment. 

Vines are an excellent option for covering up unsightly areas. In addition to covering up whatever you want to hide, they also add a natural element to the space. 

"Different vines have different methods of climbing, and some will require more help than others," Yost says. "For those without self-adhering abilities, use twist ties or small bits of string to train the vines as they begin to grow up the trellis." Yost's favorite climbing plants include climbing roses, clematis, and annuals like black-eyed Susan vine, jasmine, and hyacinth bean. 

Yost points out that sometimes doing nothing to conceal unsightly equipment is the best decision. "While this sounds counterintuitive, sometimes trying to mask something actually draws more attention to it," she says. "Leaving it alone and focusing on the rest of your yard can sometimes be the easiest and best option." 

Keep the rest of your yard tidy and clean, and you probably won't notice the bulky outdoor equipment or exposed trash cans. That's where accessories like a garden hose reel come in, helping you keep things stored and out of the way.