Lovely Custom Home Wine Cellar Under the Stairs
A custom home wine cellar can be transformed into stunning, eye-catching designs when your hire a wine cellar specialists. In this article, we are excited to showcase an impressive under-stair wine cellar, meticulously constructed by the experts at Coastal Custom Wine Cellars and Custom Wine Cellars San Diego.
This remarkable wine cellar features exquisite wooden wine racking arranged in various orientations, a split system cooling unit, dedicated cigar storage, and a plethora of other incredible features. We invite you to delve deeper into the details of this extraordinary wine cellar and draw inspiration from its beauty and functionality.
What Makes the Under the Stairs Home Wine Cellar Exceptional Yet Challenging?
The homeowner, a lawyer with a fondness for traditional and rustic aesthetics, aimed to maintain a classic and cozy atmosphere throughout his entire house. For his custom home wine cellar, he desired a blend of this timeless charm with a modern twist.
The opportunity arose when he identified the unused space beneath his open-well staircase as the perfect spot for his wine collection. As part of our standard operating procedure, our team visited his exquisite home, carefully examined the space, partially demolished the walls to assess the situation, and began crafting a concept design.
Designing under-the-stairs wine cellars presents more challenges compared to open wine walls. Here are some reasons for the added challenges:
– Ensuring the stability of the staircase.
– Necessitating additional framing work.
– Uncovering the unknowns that lie behind the walls after demolition.
– Guaranteeing the structural integrity of the wine cellar design, considering the weight capacity of both the wine collection and the staircase.
– Finding the optimal location for the cooling unit within the confined space.
– Managing the unconventional slope of the ceiling.
Despite these challenges, our team is well-equipped to overcome them, leveraging our expertise and experience to fulfill this wine cellar project that harmoniously integrates with the existing structure while meeting the client’s vision.
Introducing the Wine Cooling Unit for this Home Wine Cellar
In contrast to open areas such as the living room and kitchen, the spaces underneath staircases are typically not designed to accommodate through-the-wall cooling systems.
There is limited or no air space on the ceiling, insufficient extra space on the walls, and certainly no space on the door for a storage room.
However, as you step into this traditional home wine cellar, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that it is fully refrigerated without any visible obtrusive cooling system.
How was this achieved? Despite the challenges, the team found a solution. There was a small, almost-crawl-height space beneath the staircase, which proved to be just enough room to accommodate the coils and evaporator.
To install the wine cooling system, the design team had to demolish the walls to gain access to this compact area.
They opted for a split-system cooling unit, where the condenser was housed in a separate machine. This condenser, measuring about 30×30 inches, was affectionately referred to as a “doghouse.”
It was thoughtfully designed to optimize airflow and constructed using exterior-grade materials, ensuring it could withstand various elements such as heat, wind, and rain while protecting the condenser.
Thanks to these innovative measures, the custom residential wine cellar remains fully refrigerated while maintaining a clean and unobstructed appearance.
Here is the Thick Insulation for that Extra Boost of Humidity
Once the electrical work was completed, we proceeded to apply a layer of 4 inches of closed-cell foam insulation on all the walls. This insulation was crucial in preventing moisture from entering the wine cellar.
Typically, in spaces with floating floors, insulation is also added beneath the floorboards to effectively seal any gaps and further enhance insulation. However, in the case of this wine cellar, the concrete floor had a design that matched the rest of the house, eliminating the need for additional insulation in that area.
Classic Home Wine Cellar with a Modernized Door
When collaborating with the wine cellar contractors in San Diego, there are always two key objectives: creating a wine cellar that is structurally solid and fully functional, while also ensuring its aesthetic appeal. These principles are evident throughout this particular wine cellar, visible in the design of the wine racks, doors, and windows.
To the right side of the partially-glass wine cellar, facing the staircase and living room, you’ll notice a captivating “peek-a-boo” window. It features an arched shape and is made of dual-paned, tempered glass, encased within an alder wood frame. Standing in front of the window, you’ll be treated to a beautifully framed view of the wine cellar’s racking and collection, resembling a piece of artwork.
On the front side of the wine cellar, there is a generously-sized glass door, also crafted with dual-paned glass and an alder wood frame. The wood framing incorporates laminated veneer lumber (LVL), renowned for its resistance to moisture and warping. The team paid meticulous attention to the door itself, even installing an automatic door lock at the bottom. The lever rises when the door is opened and securely lowers when the door is closed.
The incorporation of glass elements within the enclosure truly sets this wine cellar apart, as it allows for mesmerizing glimpses of the interior. Whether you’re in the hallway, living room, or ascending the stairs, the allure of the wine cellar captivates your attention.
Stylish Wooden Wine Racks with an Elegant and Natural Tone
Wine enthusiasts who prefer a traditional look for their wine cellar favor wooden wine racks because of its ageless appeal and warmth.
The wine collection of the owner was thoughtfully stored in a custom-designed racking display. While many under-the-stairs wine cellars opt for the common cork-forward storage style to maximize capacity.
The team made sure to incorporate various storage configurations to avoid a mundane look, precisely as desired by the owner.
On the upper sections of the racking, you’ll find the traditional 750ml storage units, designed to display bottles with the cork-forward orientation.
Following that, there are lower open storage spaces that are currently utilized for storing books. In the middle section, a row with LED strips was constructed, cleverly concealed by a light valance.
Towards the bottom, lattice X-cubes and horizontal lattice displays were added to accommodate additional bottles, while case storage was incorporated for boxes and larger-sized bottles.
To the leftmost side of the racking, a column of lattice horizontal display shelves was installed, facing the doorway.
Overall, this custom wine cellar rack can hold 405 bottles, with an additional 100 bottles accommodated through crate storage. Such a wise and minimalist idea for a small wine cellar!
Collaborate With Custom Wine Cellars San Diego and Design Your Dream Home Wine Cellar!
Elevate your contemporary wine cellars to extraordinary levels with a tailor-made home wine cellar crafted by the skilled master builders of San Diego! Our team of experts specializes in crafting breathtaking and personalized wine cellar solutions that seamlessly blend functionality with unmatched style.
Whether you prefer sleek and modern designs or timeless and classic aesthetics, we recognize that your wine collection deserves a showcase that truly reflects your unique taste and refined sensibilities. With an unwavering commitment to meticulous attention to detail and superior craftsmanship, we bring your vision to life.
From custom-designed racking systems to cutting-edge climate control technology, Custom Wine Cellars San Diego ensures that your precious wines are stored in optimal conditions while displaying elegance.
Contact us today at +1 (858) 429 – 9190 or visit our gallery to see more custom home wine cellar inspirational ideas!