Wine and Design: Storage to Keep Your Collection Within Reach
Take inspiration from these built-in shelves, racks and fridges that make viewing and selecting a bottle easy
If you enjoy the pleasures of drinking and collecting wine, these storage ideas may have you reaching for a glass to celebrate. Built-in wine shelves, racks and cabinets in the kitchen will keep your collection where you can quickly and easily view and select a bottle, as well as adding a wine-lover vibe to the space. It’s also important to keep wine where it is least affected by temperature, humidity and light, so here’s some inspiration and practical tips on storing wine in your kitchen.
The end of this kitchen bench has a built-in wine rack, conveniently using otherwise ignored space and adding an extra dimension to the kitchen/dining area.
Tip: Store bottles with natural corks horizontally, and bottles with screw caps or synthetic stoppers upright.
Tip: Store bottles with natural corks horizontally, and bottles with screw caps or synthetic stoppers upright.
At the end of the kitchen island
Similarly, the end of the kitchen island can be used for storage. The bottles add hints of colour to this striking white and natural timber kitchen.
Similarly, the end of the kitchen island can be used for storage. The bottles add hints of colour to this striking white and natural timber kitchen.
This kitchen has a more traditional look and colour palette, and open shelving at the end of the kitchen bench that has slats to keep the wine in place.
Browse traditional kitchens
Browse traditional kitchens
A diamond wine rack keeps bottles grouped and stored on top of each other in this warm timber kitchen.
Tip: Wine stored in the kitchen is intended to be consumed rather than saved. However, humidity and temperature can affect how quickly a wine matures. The cooler wine is kept, the slower it will develop; the warmer the place where it is stored, the faster it will mature. For long-term storage of wine, avoid storing it where there are widely ranging daily temperatures. It should be stored in an area that is cool, but not cold; humid, but not overly so; and relatively dark.
Tip: Wine stored in the kitchen is intended to be consumed rather than saved. However, humidity and temperature can affect how quickly a wine matures. The cooler wine is kept, the slower it will develop; the warmer the place where it is stored, the faster it will mature. For long-term storage of wine, avoid storing it where there are widely ranging daily temperatures. It should be stored in an area that is cool, but not cold; humid, but not overly so; and relatively dark.
In a shelving unit
Create a small shelving unit among the kitchen cabinets. This discreet shelf has space for 12 bottles as well as room for cookbooks and a jug.
Create a small shelving unit among the kitchen cabinets. This discreet shelf has space for 12 bottles as well as room for cookbooks and a jug.
There’s no need to show off your collection either. Feel free to place them behind a cupboard door. Easy access is the main thing.
A diamond wine rack serves as a decorative feature at the end of this spacious kitchen. And despite its size, it stores a deceptively large number of bottles of wine.
Tip: Avoid storing wine by a stove, oven or on top of a fridge where it is subject to frequent changes in temperature and humidity.
Home bars in all shapes and sizes
Tip: Avoid storing wine by a stove, oven or on top of a fridge where it is subject to frequent changes in temperature and humidity.
Home bars in all shapes and sizes
In a kicker drawer
For a space-saving solution, create a slimline drawer under a kitchen cupboard, a space that traditionally acts as a kitchen kickboard.
Tip: Keep wine in a darker area as too much sunlight can cause wine to age quickly and adversely affect its taste.
For a space-saving solution, create a slimline drawer under a kitchen cupboard, a space that traditionally acts as a kitchen kickboard.
Tip: Keep wine in a darker area as too much sunlight can cause wine to age quickly and adversely affect its taste.
On wall shelving
These simple timber shelves on the wall keep wine in sight and in reach of the kitchen bench.
These simple timber shelves on the wall keep wine in sight and in reach of the kitchen bench.
Or if you’d like them to be more of a feature…
In a wine fridge
If you are serious about wine, or for long-term storage, invest in a wine fridge. Like an artificial cellar, these temperature- and humidity-controlled cabinets keep reds and whites in optimal storage conditions.
They maintain stable temperatures and humidity levels, have anti-vibration systems and protect wine from light.
11 cellars built for wining and dining
If you are serious about wine, or for long-term storage, invest in a wine fridge. Like an artificial cellar, these temperature- and humidity-controlled cabinets keep reds and whites in optimal storage conditions.
They maintain stable temperatures and humidity levels, have anti-vibration systems and protect wine from light.
11 cellars built for wining and dining
Wine fridges come in a variety of sizes, from tall and narrow…
… to short and squat, and most everything in between. They even come in walk-in cellars with space for up to 4,000 bottles. All that’s left is to select your favourite tipple, sit back and enjoy.
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Browse outstanding wine cellars
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Browse outstanding wine cellars
Transform one section under your kitchen bench into a wine rack that you can easily slide bottles in and out of. In both of these kitchens, the racks have been installed on the outer faces of the units where they can be accessed from the dining table – perfect if you have guests over and don’t fancy going far to get another bottle.
You can be flexible with the width of the rack in order to cater for the size of your wine collection. And depending on whether you want the unit to blend in or stand out, you can play with the same or contrasting materials.