How to Build Fitted Wardrobes Around Air Conditioning Units (London Guide)

Over the past few years many homeowners started to use AC systems without an external condenser unit for their houses. It’s especially popular for modern apartments and renovated homes in London. These systems are often installed inside cupboards or wardrobes, which creates a design challenge. As a result, the amount of bespoke furniture projects built inside the wardrobes increased dramatically.

1. Why Air Conditioning Units Are Often Placed Inside Wardrobes

A common question we get at Urban all times is why people would install an air conditioning unit inside a wardrobe in the first place. The reason is actually quite simple.

In many modern London apartments, external condenser units are often restricted. Because of this, homeowners frequently choose internal air conditioning systems instead.

At the same time, and it’s a very well known fact: bedrooms in London apartments are often quite small. So there isn’t always the luxury of placing the air conditioning unit somewhere else in the room. And of course, in a small bedroom an exposed AC unit does not always look particularly attractive.

For this reason, many people prefer to hide the unit inside fitted furniture, and a fitted wardrobe is usually the most practical place for it.

Although this solution is most common in bedrooms, it is not limited to them. The same idea can also be used in living rooms, for example above TV cabinets, or even in hallways where bespoke storage units are installed.

This approach works especially well with water-cooled air conditioning systems and internal condenser units. These systems are sometimes installed in utility cupboards or storage rooms, and we can also design bespoke cabinetry to house those units if required.

However, the most common situation we see is the main indoor air conditioning unit being positioned above a fitted wardrobe in a bedroom, where it can be neatly integrated into the wardrobe design while remaining accessible for servicing.

On the pictures above, you can see a beautifully fitted wardrobe that was made from scratch for a project in the Earl’s Court area of London. The wardrobe follows the full height of the room, reaching approximately 3.2 metres, which is the height of the ceiling. And you can also see not so beautiful picture of the wall before the renovation with already installed AC unit.

Because the air conditioning unit is positioned above the wardrobe, the decision was made to install ventilation grilles in the top section of the wardrobe. These ventilation grilles allow air to circulate properly around the unit, ensuring that the system can operate safely while remaining neatly concealed within the fitted wardrobe design.

This type of ventilation is important because air conditioning systems require a constant flow of air to prevent overheating and to maintain efficient performance. By integrating discreet ventilation grilles into the wardrobe design, it is possible to keep the technical equipment hidden while still allowing the system to function exactly as intended.

As you can see in the picture above, the solution is not simply leaving the space open around the air conditioning unit. Instead, we created a dedicated wooden channel inside the wardrobe (made from the same colour Egger board as the rest of the carcass).

This channel is positioned directly in front of the air conditioning outlet and is aligned with the external ventilation grille installed on the wardrobe facade (which we sprayed in the same colour as the doors). The purpose of this design is to guide the airflow in a controlled way.

In other words, the air coming from the unit does not spread inside the wardrobe itself. Instead, it travels through the channel and directly towards the external grille, allowing the air to flow properly into the room.

This approach helps maintain efficient airflow while protecting the contents of the wardrobe, ensuring that clothes and stored items are not affected by the air coming from the system.

At the same time, the technical elements remain neatly integrated into the wardrobe structure, keeping the interior design clean and well organised.

2. The Challenges of Building a Wardrobe Around an AC Unit

The first challenge is that the wardrobes must be fully bespoke and made to measure. With standard or modular units, this type of installation simply does not work. And sometimes, it’s not easy to find such company as all others are claiming to be bespoke till the moment they have to produce detailed design drawings.

There are many companies on the London market that claim to produce fitted or fully bespoke wardrobes. However, in reality, as soon as the project involves complications, such as sloped ceilings, chimney breasts, or air conditioning units installed on the wall – they often cannot deliver on that promise. Building furniture around technical equipment requires a genuinely bespoke approach.

For this reason, the first thing a homeowner should look for is a proper bespoke company that understands ventilation and technical integration, such as Urban Wardrobes. And also has a portfolio of completed projects.

The second challenge is that it is not enough just to build the wardrobe around the air conditioning unit. It is equally important to include removable access panels around the system. These panels allow engineers to reach the unit for servicing and maintenance when needed.

We think about these details starting with designs and make sure all accessible panels can be removed for maintenance of filter change.

At the same time, as mentioned in the previous section, the design must also allow proper air circulation and airflow through the system. A wardrobe cannot simply cover an air conditioning unit, because the system requires ventilation in order to operate efficiently and safely.

For all our projects, we ensure the top grills are designed and manufactured in the required way to allow the proper airflow from the AC unit.

In short, the two main challenges when building wardrobes around AC units are true bespoke construction and proper ventilation with service access. When both are considered from the beginning of the design process, the air conditioning system can be neatly integrated into the wardrobe without compromising either functionality or aesthetics.

3. Design Options

When it comes to design, we are not particularly limited in terms of style. The wardrobe can be created in many different finishes and designs, depending on the interior and the client’s preferences.

In several of our recent projects in Central London Victorian apartments, shaker and slim shaker wardrobe styles have been especially popular. These designs work very well with traditional interiors while still allowing the technical elements, such as ventilation grilles, to be integrated neatly.

The top section of the wardrobe can be designed in different ways. The ventilation grille can either be integrated directly into the wardrobe doors or installed as part of a separate pelmet section above the wardrobe. Choosing the right approach is important so that the ventilation elements blend naturally with the overall design.

Below you can see a gallery of some of our recent projects where air conditioning units have been successfully incorporated into fitted wardrobes.

Of course, we are always open to different design ideas. Depending on the interior style, we can produce shaker wardrobes, minimalist wardrobes, wood veneer wardrobes, rattan wardrobes, or modern wardrobes with integrated handles, all fully bespoke and made to measure.

FAQ

How to hide an air conditioning unit in a wardrobe?

Yes, an air conditioning unit can be neatly hidden inside a fitted wardrobe if the furniture is designed properly around it. The key is to include ventilation grilles and a dedicated airflow channel, so the air can circulate freely while the unit remains concealed. With the right design, the system becomes almost invisible while still functioning exactly as intended.

Can you build wardrobes around air conditioning units?

Yes, wardrobes can absolutely be built around air conditioning units, but they need to be fully bespoke and made to measure. Standard modular wardrobes rarely work in these situations because the design must adapt to the exact position of the unit. A bespoke approach allows the wardrobe to integrate the system neatly while maintaining ventilation and service access.

What are the ventilation requirements for wardrobes with AC units ?

Air conditioning systems require consistent airflow and proper ventilation in order to operate safely and efficiently. This is usually achieved by installing ventilation grilles and internal channels that guide the air from the unit into the room. Without this airflow, the unit could overheat or lose efficiency.

What exterior design you can use for fitted wardrobes built around HVAC systems ?

Almost any wardrobe style can be used when building around HVAC systems, as long as ventilation is integrated into the design. In many London homes, shaker or slim shaker wardrobes work particularly well because ventilation grilles can be incorporated neatly into the doors or a top pelmet. Other options such as minimalist wardrobes, wood veneer finishes, rattan panels, or modern integrated-handle designs can also be used without compromising functionality.