Wine cellar in the house: design and nuances of creation

A private house has many advantages over an apartment. One of them is that you can use the space underground. It is ideal for creating a cellar, including a wine cellar. And what lover of this drink has not dreamed of an ideal place to store it? A wine cellar can become a real highlight of your home. We will tell you how to organize it correctly and stylishly below.

Organization of space

It is worth starting from the peculiarities of wine storage. It is recommended to keep it at a constant temperature of 13-15 degrees and humidity of no more than 70 percent. There are many technical means that can support the necessary conditions. But in general, if you are not ready to bother, you can do without them. By itself, the cellar space (due to being underground) creates the necessary characteristics.

Also, wine categorically does not like sunlight. Therefore, there should not even be small windows in the cellar. Drafts can also cause problems, so the door to the cellar should be quite massive. In general, preference should be given only to natural materials: this is the item of expenditure on which in this case it is impossible to save.

As for the bottles, they should be stored in a horizontal position. Ideally, there should be a separate cell for each bottle on the shelf, so there is less chance that they will break. A week before drinking, the wine should be placed vertically. Therefore, it is better to provide shelves for this in advance.

It is convenient when there is a refrigerator in the cellar, which can store snacks for wine: meat, cheese, olives. And also a small cupboard with dishes. It will be great if you manage to run water into the cellar: then it will be easy to solve the problem with washing dishes.

Also a big plus will be the organization of the tasting area. If there is not enough space, you can put a table for two, and if space allows – a large dining table. An argument can be made against this proposal, saying that it is too cold in the cellar. But the problem is easily solved with the help of blankets, and you can’t exchange the atmosphere of this space for any comfort.

Minimalism style

Usually wine cellars are associated with a certain style: stone vaults, massive wooden doors, intricate chandeliers. But in the modern world, these are far from the only options. If your whole house is made in the Art Nouveau or loft style, the medieval basement will not look too organic. But a concise design without unnecessary details is quite suitable. Let wine be the main decoration of this interior.

Do neutral colors and simple shapes seem too boring to you? You can play with a combination of interesting textures in the decoration, choose two or three-color shelving. A combination of different ways of storing bottles will look original – you can come up with many options. The main thing is that it is convenient for you to use the shelves. This is exactly the case when beauty is not worth the sacrifice.

Medieval style

Perhaps the most common style in the design of wine cellars. Rustic, Mediterranean and Gothic styles have similar motifs. What unites them all? First of all, the solidity of the structure. The effect should be created that the cellar was built for centuries.

To achieve this, you should choose certain materials: brick, natural stone, tile, wood. No synthetic substitutes! Laminate and artificial stone are definitely not suitable. Firstly, they will not last long, and secondly, the cellar will not look at all as we would like. Choose those materials that look a little shabby. Finishing “with history” will win in front of shiny new samples.

If you want to give the space a certain mood, it is not necessary to choose all the furniture and decoration in the same style. You can create a neutral background and select active details that will set the atmosphere. Lamps, furniture, masonry on the walls, homemade objects (for example, wine storage boxes), and even arches and vaulted ceilings cope well with this task. Such an interior can easily be created without buying anything new, but by conducting a thorough revision in the attic of the older generation.

Use of barrels

Even if you do not prepare wine yourself, barrels in the design of the wine cellar will definitely be useful to you. In general, they can be called a universal subject, since they can perform many functions at once. A barrel can be made into an excellent table or stools, a barrel can be converted into a convenient rack, a barrel can become a central accent in the interior of the cellar.

Usually the height of the barrel is great to use it as a buffet table. It will become an indispensable item if you have a very small cellar. By the way, several functions can be combined even in one barrel: turn it into a table, and inside make closed shelves for storing wine. Only in this case it will be impossible to move the barrel from place to place: wine does not like shaking.

Tasting area

If you are still in doubt whether a table is needed in the wine cellar, discard all doubts: you definitely need it. No owner has regretted his appearance yet. The table will help to make the cold room pleasant and cozy. It does not necessarily strive for maximum comfort: sofas and an abundance of pillows will be inappropriate, besides, the fabric can absorb odors. Most likely, you will not spend more than an hour in the cellar, so you can stop at simple models of chairs without upholstery.

But the table can be large and attract everyone’s attention. Models made of aged wood will look great, metal decor will also look appropriate. If you often receive guests, a visit to the wine cellar can be a great tradition to start the evening.

By the way, the table does not have to be supplemented with chairs. Remember about the temperature! The format of the buffet is quite appropriate for wine tastings. In addition, it will allow you to move freely around the cellar without exposing the bottles to the risk of being touched by an accidental movement.

Alternative storage methods

There is a stereotype that you can equip a wine cellar only at great expense. But this is not necessarily the case. For example, instead of an expensive decorative stone finish, you can choose a neutral tile or just paint. And instead of expensive shelves made of natural wood, use metal fasteners on the walls.

If the design involves fixing bottles along the wall, the step between the holders should be large enough – at least 30 cm, so that when you take out one bottle, you do not touch the others. If the bottles are stored perpendicular to the wall, then the distance between the cells may be quite small. This method is more compact and safer. But the first one cannot be denied the showiness.

Another storage method is drawers. It will be optimal if you have a large collection of bottles, but too much space to store it. There is only one thing: pulling out the drawers, you need to be very careful, since wine does not like unnecessary movements.

If we talk about the decor of the wine cellar, it is better to do without unnecessary items: vases, baths, souvenirs. But everything related to wine will be most welcome. For example, you can make an entire wall of traffic jams or fill the world map with traffic jams from different countries. By the way, do not forget to think over the wine storage system in advance. The easiest and most convenient way is by country or by region.