Choosing or designing wine storage for residential or commercial settings can be a satisfying and creative experience. However, with all the options available it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few key points to consider when selecting wine racks, or a wine cellar or cabinet, for your home or commercial space.

Design feature or functional element?

In many cases, wine storage can become an integral part of a kitchen or living area’s design. With everything from ornately crafted suspended racks to built-in under counter wine storage, the options are endless. One of the first decisions to make is whether the wine storage will become a visual feature or simply a functional part of the room tucked away for occasional use. 

Display wine racks

If the choice is made to create a wine storage area that becomes a key part of the design, then materiality, style and fixings are central to making the best decision. From here, it’s important to consider how many bottles on average will be displayed to determine the best dimensions for the rack. 

Generally, areas with direct sunlight are not ideal for storing wine so the light and temperature of the intended space needs to be considered. 

Modular and adaptable wine racks

Most wine racks allow for the bottles to be stored horizontally, showing the cap or cork. The majority of wine racks are open cabinets - those without glass or doors shielding the bottles. A bottle wine rack can offer a distinctive element to the decor, especially if different types of wines are displayed. Often, wine racks can create a burst of colour and texture in a room so it’s important to consider the surrounding decor and select materials that work well within the wider setting. A modular or adaptable/expandable wine storage system can be a good option for those collections that may ebb and flow in size over time. 

Wine cellars

In many cases, large home wine cellars are an expensive addition to the home, requiring excavation and considerable building elements to create. When this is achievable, a wine cellar can create a unique point of difference in a home. However, when that’s not the case, recreating the ideal temperature for wine storage that would be maintained in a cellar can be important for those collectors that store wines for longer periods of time. 

To achieve optimal storage conditions, temperature and ventilation must be considered. The ideal temperature for a wine storage system will depend on the type of wine being stored. In general, though, ventilation is key as is ensuring humidity levels aren’t too high. Those storage solutions incorporating double doors or enclosed elements with temperature control can provide the best temperate conditions for above ground wine storage.

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