How to Hide AC in Your Kitchen Design — 5 Clever Ways to Keep Cool in the Summer, Without Introducing an Eyesore to Your Space
You don't have to pick between comfort and beauty. Our experts have all the tips for hiding your kitchen HVAC system, so you can stay cool while looking good
HVAC systems, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions, are the backbone of a comfortable home. However, they also happen to be a bit of an eyesore. These two truths can leave you stuck between a rock and a hard place, forcing you to choose whether you want a kitchen that feels comfortable year-round, but has a bulky obstruction cluttering up your space, or a neat, cohesive design that feels like a sauna in the summer and an igloo during winter.
Or, so we thought. But, as it turns out, there are actually plenty of ways to discreetly conceal your AC, so your modern kitchen can remain as beautiful and sleek as ever. With the right design technique, you can easily keep your HVAC completely hidden from view, or, if you'd rather, turn it into a design feature, adding to the overarching look of your kitchen.
The experts have shared their 5 favorite methods for keeping HVAC systems out of sight, with ideas that work for all types of kitchens, no matter how small or awkwardly-shaped.
Article continues below1. Use Trendy Surfaces As Disguise
In this home, designer Greg Natale used perforated covers to conceal the AC system, while adding an extra layer of interest to the design.
When it comes to keeping your AC unit out of view, the most helpful approach relies on the all-powerful force that is foresight.
"The most effective way to deal with an air conditioning unit in a kitchen is to design around it from the outset, rather than trying to disguise it later," comments Charlotte Butler, kitchen design manager at BK Eleven.
Think of this as one of the first steps of your kitchen renovation, not just a nice finishing touch. For you to fully disguise your HVAC system, it can be helpful to place it in the context of your wider kitchen design, considering where you can most easily slot it in and cover it up, without disrupting the flow of your space.
As Charlotte suggests, "Building it into cabinetry works well, particularly when using slatted or perforated fronts that allow for airflow." This means that the design can remain as functional as possible, while looking relatively discreet, too.
Plus, slatted and perforated surfaces have become increasingly trendy at the moment, so this can be an easy way to incorporate the trend into your home, while fulfilling a practical function, too.
Holding a degree in Interior Design, Charlotte began her career in hotel interiors before specialising in bespoke handmade kitchens in 2014. With more than 14 years of design expertise, she is known for her ability to blend style with practicality, creating kitchens that are both beautifully tailored and effortlessly functional.
2. Work With The Joinery
In this project, an AC system was concealed within the custom drink cabinet, for a super discreet finish.
The more you understand how a room is visually perceived, the more power you can have over the design. Knowing the elements that will capture the most attention, as well as the features that are more likely to fade into the background, can be a surprisingly useful design tool. This is especially true when it comes to hiding your AC, so you can keep your kitchen cool without the visual disturbance.
For example, Magnus Nilson, lead designer at Blakes London, suggests, "Air conditioning units can be effectively concealed within joinery, ensuring they are discreet and do not draw the eye away from an elegant interior scheme."
This approach relies on a considered understanding of the sightlines in your room. For example, Magnus says, "In an arched display unit, the vents can be positioned at the top of the arch so they are entirely hidden from view while still allowing effective airflow."
Or, he continues, "Within timber door units, vents can be crafted to appear as decorative elements, integrating seamlessly with the overall joinery language."
This classic Danish design has a simple, modern look that would work in any room.
This arched, glass-fronted drinks cabinet has plenty of storage, making it as practical as it is beautiful.
Another icon of Scandinavian design, the much-copied Wishbone Chair is instantly recognisable, yet still subtle.
A professional photographer by training, Magnus spent time living and working in Australia and south-east Asia before hanging up his camera to pursue a career in kitchen and joinery design. With more than 18 years’ award-winning design experience, he consistently offers clients considered, fresh and exciting ideas for their one-of-a-kind kitchens.
3. Go Up High
By dropping a section of your ceiling, you can easily conceal your AC system within it, while creating a cool, architectural feature, too.
In small kitchens, where storage space is already at a minimum, concealing your HVAC within your kitchen cabinets isn't always the best option.
Luckily, there are plenty of other approaches you can rely on instead, while still maintaining that degree of subtlety.
One particularly clever idea is switching your focus to above, instead. As Charlotte says, "A ceiling bulkhead can be useful where wall space is limited."
This design, Charlotte notes, will be led by technical requirements, so a certain amount of foresight will be necessary. But, with proper planning, it can be one of the most effective approaches.
4. Follow The Lines
Slatted wood creates a cool, Scandi-look in a modern kitchen.
In design, you'll often be told to draw outside the lines, to think outside the box. However, when it comes to hiding your AC, the opposite is true.
To keep your HVAC looking cohesive with your design, as opposed to a random, bulky obstruction, it's best to follow the pre-existing lines within your home. "Positioning the unit above tall cabinetry or aligning it with existing architectural lines helps it feel integrated," says Charlotte.
"It is also worth thinking about placement in relation to the rest of the kitchen," she says. This doesn't just refer to the visual aspect of the design; you'll also have to consider the functional side.
"Access for servicing and sufficient clearance for kitchen ventilation are essential," explains Charlotte, "so working closely with both the kitchen designer and HVAC supplier early on will ensure the solution is properly embedded into the kitchen."
5. Toe-Kick Discretion
Hiding your HVAC system within the toe kick of your kitchen cabinetry can be especially helpful in rooms with lower ceilings.
While most of these approaches rely on hiding your HVAC as high up as possible, either behind your top cabinetry or within a ceiling bulkhead, in some cases, taking the opposite approach can often work even better.
"If you have floor vents," says Paul McManus, from McManus Kitchen and Bath, "You can sometimes move the vent into the toe kick of a cabinet."
Hiding your HVAC unit within your kitchen flooring, leaving it accessible through the underside of your cabinetry, makes for a practically unnoticeable design, allowing your kitchen design to be completely free from visual disturbances.
These simple brushed brass knobs bring a subtle shine to your kitchen, quietly elevating your space.
While white gloss can often present as sterile, the rustic finish on these tiles keeps them feeling soft, and welcoming.
A beautiful wooden chopping board is the ultimate piece of functional kitchen decor, perfect for those with minimal storage space.
Summer may still seem like a long way off, but it's always best to get prepared early, or else you'll end up desperately scrambling for ways to cool down a room. These portable air conditioners will save you when the time comes, and they don't look half-bad either.
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