Of all the rooms in my house, I love my wine cellar the most. It’s where I go to relax and unwind after a long day at work or enjoy an evening with friends over a bottle of wine. It’s also where I store my favorite bottles for safe-keeping—not just for safe-keeping but for aging as well!
It’s pretty obvious that having a great space to store your collection is vital to enjoying it properly. But how do you go from owning bottles on your countertop (or around your ankles) to having an actual cellar? How do you create a perfect storage space that protects your precious booze from sunlight and heat while still being accessible? Keep reading for everything you need to know about creating this magical place for your fine wines:
The Basics of a Wine Cellar
A wine cellar is a space to store your collection of wines. It’s important to keep your bottles in the proper conditions–both temperature-wise and humidity-wise–so that they will stay fresh for as long as possible. It’s also worth noting that you should use corkscrews or other types of tools when opening your bottles, rather than pulling off their corks with brute force or using an electric opener (although both methods work).
Wine cellars can be built from scratch or converted from existing spaces like basements or attics; they’re usually located in cool areas such as basements or attics where there is little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year. Some people choose not to build their own cellars because it takes time and money, but if you have space available then this shouldn’t stop you!
When building your own cellar consider these things: size/shape; lighting; ventilation; insulation against sound leakage; humidity control systems such as dehumidifiers which remove excess moisture from inside walls – this prevents mold growth while also helping prevent condensation build up on bottles stored inside racks above ground level shelves where temperatures tend fluctuate daily due fluctuations caused by sunlight entering through windows at different times throughout each day – this prevents mold growth while also helping prevent condensation build up on bottles stored inside racks above ground level shelves where temperatures tend fluctuate daily due fluctuations caused by sunlight entering through windows at different times throughout each day.
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Cellar
The first thing you’ll want to do is find the right location for your wine cellar. If it’s not in the right place, your collection won’t age properly and could become damaged over time.
Location should be cool, dark and dry. Avoid basements or attics because they’re often damp or hot–and even if they aren’t now, they could easily become so later on as moisture moves through walls into these areas from outside sources like rainwater runoff or snow melt.
You also don’t want an area with high humidity or low air circulation; these conditions can cause mold growth that will ruin bottles before their time (or at least make them taste pretty nasty). And finally: avoid areas with high levels of dust or other contaminants; these are bad news for both wines and collectors alike!
The Design of a Wine Cellar
The design of your wine cellar is the most important aspect of creating a perfect collection. The first thing to consider is temperature stability, which can be achieved by ensuring that the room doesn’t get too hot or cold. You’ll want it to be dark and cool; if your home has natural sunlight, make sure that there are shades or curtains on any windows in the room where you plan on storing your bottles (and keep them closed!).
Next, think about materials used in construction–they should not impart flavor onto the wine itself! This means avoiding woods like oak or cedar if possible; instead choose more neutral options such as concrete or stainless steel for shelving units. Finally, remember that this space needs regular cleaning so make sure every surface is easy-to-clean before investing in expensive materials like marble countertops (which may look nice but aren’t practical).
The Functionality of a Wine Cellar
One of the most important aspects of wine storage is choosing the right shelving for your cellar. The size, material and design of your shelves will affect how well they protect your bottles from light, heat and humidity. For example, wooden racks are better than metal ones at keeping out moisture because wood absorbs water whereas metal does not–meaning that wooden racks can be used in wetter environments like basements or kitchens where there may be more moisture present in the air.
As far as size goes, it’s generally recommended that you choose a rack based on how many bottles you want to store at once rather than by individual bottle capacity (i.e., don’t buy a 15-bottle rack if all you have is 12 bottles). This is because it’s easier to rotate through your collection when they’re all together instead of spread out over several different locations throughout the house!
Creating the Ultimate Experience
The next thing you will want to do is create a comfortable environment. This means that you need enough room to move around, but also have enough storage space for all of your wine bottles. You may want to consider adding lighting, seating and a bar if possible as well.
The next step is making sure that the temperature and humidity levels are right so that they don’t damage any of your precious collection! Finally, consider airflow: if there isn’t enough circulation in the cellar then mold spores can grow on some older bottles making them undrinkable (and quite disgusting).
Hire a Professional Wine Cellar Builder
If you’re going to build a wine cellar, it makes sense to hire a professional wine cellar builder in the UK. A good wine cellar builder can help you design and install your dream collection. They’ll also be able to advise on how best to maintain it, so that your wines stay in excellent condition for as long as possible.
If you want the most out of your collection–and if you’re willing to invest in expensive bottles–then hiring an expert is worth every penny because they know what they are doing!
Conclusion
Now that you know what to look for in a wine cellar, it’s time to get started! We hope this guide has given you some ideas on how to make your own perfect space. Remember that there are no rules when it comes to designing and building your own cellar. You can let your imagination run wild with all kinds of creative ideas–just make sure they’re practical enough for everyday use!
