What's more romantic than having wine with your partner? A partner in wine
DIY wine cellar Old Man's Cave


If you’re a wine drinker, nothing’s worse than having a bottle of wine go bad because it was improperly stored. It can feel like you’re pouring cash down the drain along with the wine, and that definitely doesn’t feel good. Instead, we suggest building your very own wine cellar (or storage area). Not only can a wine cellar be an impressive finish to a basement remodel, but you won’t have to worry about where to store the expensive bottle you just bought or the possibility of it going bad. Get ready to start a new project and impress that special someone on Valentine’s Day!

Rows of wine and champagne in your home
Basement remodel Opulence

Some things to consider as you make a plan: how many bottles will you store at a time? For how long? Experts like WineSpectator say wine should be stored between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, though 55 is pretty much perfect. You’ll need to avoid any area where there are more extreme fluctuations in temperature. Bottles also need to be kept out of direct sunlight and in a place that’s relatively humid - about 70% humidity is the ideal to shoot for.

Project Level: Beginner

Kitchen remodeling done right with wine
Kitchen wine rack Cooler Wines

If you’re new to the home remodeling game, the easiest way to have an at-home wine cellar is to buy one. Brands like Wine Enthusiast and Vinotemp offer anything from a smaller, refrigerated cabinets to larger standing solutions. It’s not as fancy as building your own wine cellar, but it’ll do in the short-run until you figure out exactly what you’re looking for.

Project Level: Moderate

Custom DIY wine racks that look great in the home
DIY rack Memorable Decor

Moving into the realm of really customizing your wine storage options, you can choose to build or assemble your own wine racks and personalized storage area anywhere you already have space in your home. From inexpensive wine rack options to more expensive, customizable systems, you’ll just need to design exactly what you want and take the time to assemble it. With a little more time you can build DIY wine racks if you’re into woodworking but not ready for a permanent space just for wine. Remember, the space needs to be out of the sunlight and exposure to extreme temperatures. One upside is you can always add later if you find you don’t have enough storage for all your wine, but you won’t necessarily be able to control the temperature in the same ways.

Project Level: Experienced

Entire basement remodel for the perfect wine cellar
Classy basement Eva Designs

If you’re serious about your wine, it’s definitely worth it to invest in a full-scale wine cellar that you build yourself. From insulated walls, ceilings, and doors to built-in shelving, humidifiers, temperature controls, and cabinets for glassware, the options are endless. One homeowner built an in-closet wine cellar that didn’t alter the existing closet but fit inside; others choose to remodel a basement space for the impressive, romantic, walk-in experience. Either option takes time and hard-work, but the finished project is absolutely worth the effort.

Need a Shortcut?

Custom DIY wine rack in your home
Custom wine rack Coldwell Banker

It’s tough: you love the look of custom built wine cellars, you have the perfect space for one, you can see exactly what it would look like...and you realize you don’t have the time or the skill to complete that kind of a project. Well, our favorite shortcut to achieving exactly what you want has been to sketch out what you’d like it to look like and get in touch with a contractor who specializes in building closets or finishing basements. They can help you figure out what’s reasonable and realizable, and based on your ideal finished project they can take care of the more intensive construction aspects, leaving you to install a few wine racks and enjoy showing off your new space!

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