Budget and Design Tips for Wine Cellars

In many cases, homeowners taking part in a kitchen remodel don’t even consider an amenity like a wine cellar as one of their options. Some of us intuitively assume these are only for uber-rich people, and definitely not the sort of thing us normal folk can afford.

At Swirl Woodcraft, we’re here to tell you that this isn’t the case. We can provide beautiful, high-quality wine cellars as part of our custom woodworking services, and we can do so at a cost that doesn’t break the bank or force you to sacrifice other important parts of your remodel. Let’s go over why your budget concerns might not be anywhere near as great as you had imagined, plus some various options for integrating a wine cellar with the rest of your kitchen design.

Budget Concerns and Questions to Ask

It’s true – if you want to, you can spend a virtually limitless amount on a wine cellar depending on your desires for it. At the same time, though, it’s easily possible to design a cellar that doesn’t require you spending an outrageous sum.

The first big step here involves deciding exactly what you want the cellar to be there for. You may simply assume “to hold wine,” but while this is indeed one factor to consider, it doesn’t come close to telling the whole story. A few others that will get you closer to a final budget number include:

• What kinds of storage do I want? There are several options, including displays, cases, splits or wine magnums.
• How many bottles do I want to store? A cellar housing a couple dozen bottles will be far less expensive than one that stores several hundred, for obvious reasons.
• Will the cellar be refrigerated?
• Should the cellar be large enough for guests? If so, how many should it comfortably hold?

Wine Cellar Integration Options

If you’ve decided a wine cellar is within your budget, your next big task is figuring out how to integrate it into your space. A few basic ideas here, ranging from simple up to highly complex:

• Cabinetry: A small wine area can begin with nothing but base cabinetry topped or complemented by granite or another storage material. This allows you to display a few bottles prominently, but also store both other bottles and glassware properly as well. Add a small wine fridge to this room and you’re in business.
• Pantry style: Some choose to go further, creating an all new “butler’s pantry” design for their wine cellar that flows with the kitchen and open living space. These are perfect places to set out drinks or appetizers during a hosted party.
• Cabinetry wall: You might consider a wall rather than an entire cellar – stacking or tiering bottles is a great format. Some people blend the pantry and cabinetry look, with a pantry foundation topped by cabinetry and granite or engineered stone.
• Basement: For the truly involved wine lover, a full wine cellar in the basement could be in your future. You have several options here, from smaller rooms to larger areas filled with redwood slats and stone walls. You can also infuse these with lower floor entertainment areas, and some homeowners have gone so far as to dedicate refrigeration to an entire wine cellar itself.

For more on budgeting and integrating a wine cellar as part of your kitchen remodel, or to learn about our custom cabinetry or any of our other kitchen design services, speak to the pros at Swirl Woodcraft today.