The cabinet is fine as long as you are meeting the ventilation requirements per your HVAC system. I would add some color to your room with an area rug.

Masada Rugs, Modern Contemporary Area Rug

Bad idea to cover it !! keep it free when in use , if you like to hear the true then I must say that the cabinet makes it worse , I agree with the idea of adding a rug instead , get a clear plastic shelf or sofa table and a couple plants but do not block the ventilation at all.

Agreed. The cabinet just draws attention to it. The view is gorgeous, and get some other pretty thing to draw the eye *away* from the AC unit rather than towards it.

Any thoughts on painting the cabinet the same color as the walls to camouflage it? I'm concerned it could look cheap, but I'm not sure.

Thank you for the suggestions so far!

In addition to a rug, a tall plant in that right hand corner would be great, and would further draw the eye.

Safety before beauty. Use the cabinet somewhere else. If you used the clear one in the picture, you an put pretties on top of it. I agree your room needs a rug and some color.

I guess i'm in the minority. I think the cabinet looks fine, as long as doors are opened when in use. Also, a tall plant to the right of it would add interest.

PS: your unit is heating AND air conditioning? And you're in an apartment in a city... do your windows even open? I'd suspect that you've got AC or heat running nearly all the time, no?

I don't think you need the cabinet, but if you decide to keep it, I'd add some hardware so it doesn't look like such a plain big box.

I don't like the cabinet there. I would look for an ultra modern fireplace screen and put that in front of it. Maybe not these particular ones but something artsy fartsy sculpture looking. Maybe black? So, the unit sort of disappears?

I like the cabinet as well - the view draws your eye away from it anyway.... however those fireplace screens are great!

Not to be a no no Nellie, but you live in NYC (I think) and everyone has an air conditioning unit, but few have windows and a view like yours. Most people I know would not even notice it and those who did would only notice it if it was off and it was August. LOL. Units like that can not be enclosed, it is bad for the unit and in NYC against fire code. If you want in the winter put a screen or plant in front of it, but in the summer when it is running, leave it clear. Also in the summer you are going to need some kind of window covering or the air conditioner probably will have trouble keeping the apartment cool enough.

They make radiator covers and your problem reminds me of radiators. You must allow air circulation and remember it is what it is.

A perforated metal screen would work well. These are from a NYC company. https://www.archgrille.com/products/decorative-panels-screens

Some of the stuff in their catalogue is drop dead gorgeous.

I think the cabinet is fine if it provides adequate air circulation. If there was a way you could replace the solid door fronts with louvres or radiator mesh, you wouldn't have to leave the doors open at all.

i like the fireplace screen ideas or radiator covers

i also like the cabinet used but i think its too big and black, if you could get something lower and white and span the entire area to the right as well it would look cohesive and not stick out


the big black cabinet takes more away from your view than the radiator by itself does

This look would work and easily accessible to the knobs.solution

Thank you to everyone who provided input! I decided to get rid of the cabinet entirely. You guys are right -- no one is looking down there when there's a good view through the windows! Thanks again for your help.

Beautiful apartment, totally off topic, but reminds me of Christian Grey's (Fifty Shades) apartment because of the view.

memlex, what fabulous windows! Glad you decided to just let it be. It really will disappear and you won't even notice it after a bit!

Paint the air-conditioning unit black
with ondustrial fireplace or appliance paint

Peter, check dates before posting, this one is 2 years old.

Yes got carried away thanks