How to Design a Wine Cellar

Homeowners are prioritizing designs that let them pursue hobbies at home, driven by a desire to tailor amenities to match lifestyle. Wine cellars are leading trends in hobby-related rooms, along with cigar lounges, reading rooms, home theaters, and golf simulators. While wine cellars are traditionally associated with luxe, custom homes, different designs span price points, from basic racks to high-end spaces with tasting bars and more. 

Wine cellars increase a home’s value and enhance lifestyle. They provide a unique space for entertaining, and with a host of bespoke features and finishes can play a key role in setting the aesthetic tone, especially when integrated into main living spaces.  

Where Should a Wine Cellar be Located? 

Typically, wine cellars are in basements because they are dark and cool, but style-conscious homeowners are looking beyond the lower level. 

“Custom cellars can be built into almost any space, whether it’s a walk-in room, under-stair alcove, or statement wall in a living or entertaining area. Key considerations include bottle capacity, temperature control needs, access for installation, and visibility if the cellar will be on display,” says Carlos Navarro, general manager of Millesime Modern Cellars . 

Placing the wine cellar in a prominent location, integrated into the design, is trending. “A lot of people want wine cellars as a focal point in their home, so they might have it as a centerpiece just off the kitchen,” says Adam Eigenberger, senior account manager, with WhisperKOOL/Ultra Wine Racks. 

For homeowners with large collections, it’s common to have a couple of cellars: one on the main floor as a focal point, styled with select bottles, with a second, storage-oriented cellar in the basement. 

Wherever the wine cellar is located, the area needs to be cool, stable and ideally, dark, or at least protected from sunlight. “Think about building a wine cellar like building a large refrigerator inside of your home, " says Stephen Dade, sales manager with WhisperKOOL/Ultra Wine Racks. 

That means adequate cooling tech, insulation, moisture and vapor barriers, and a solid door that shuts tightly. For new-build homeowners contemplating a wine cellar, the timing is perfect at the construction phase to integrate the design and necessary infrastructure, even if you don’t plan to complete the cellar right away. Retrofitting down the road is a more complex job. 

Upgrading insulation at the construction phase helps with energy efficiency too, as you may be able to get away with a lower capacity cooling system to keep the temperature regulated, states Dade. 

What’s Trending in Wine Cellar Design? 

Homeowners are creating an indulgent backdrop to showcase collections and heighten senses for tasting. “

We’re seeing a growing demand for mixed materials that blend modern aesthetics with natural, timeless finishes. Brushed metals in matte black and gold tones continue to be popular, but many clients are gravitating toward warm woods, such as walnut and white oak for depth and texture,” says Navarro.

Wine walls are in demand, where bottles are placed with labels out, and appear to be floating, states Dade. This design supports a number of different looks, depending on how you stagger the bottles, with zipper-style patterns particularly popular. Glass enclosures, metal uprights and airplane cables are all trending, with a sleek minimalist vibe.  

Special Features for a Luxe Experience

 Wine racks are a must, but what other features create a statement-making cellar? “The features that truly elevate a custom wine cellar are those that combine function, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling. Drawer-style storage for easy access, floating side bottle displays for visual interest, and dedicated display rows for your favorite vintages are a few standouts. For collectors who entertain, incorporating a central cabinet for decanting or storing spirits adds both utility and luxury,” says Navarro. 

• If your wine cellar has a tasting area, include comfortable, stylish seating, such as a tasting bar with stools, built-in banquettes or barrel tables with stools, creating the right environment for entertaining. 

• Lighting is crucial in a wine cellar, as they are often dark. LED light strips, dimmable lighting and statement light fixtures will enhance the overall experience, and aid in functionality. 

• Adorn the walls with wine-themed artwork, maps of wine country or a label collage.

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Hero image courtesy of WhisperKOOL