A room that is too warm will make your wine age faster, oxidise and lose its character and flavour. Your bottles need to be kept out of direct sunlight, and away from the heat and steam of kitchen appliances. How should I store my wine? Temperature control is at the core of a functional wine cellar. Essential bar accessories include wine glasses, corkscrews, carafes and aerators. If you’re a beginner or have a small collection, a home bar with mini fridge and wine rack will suffice. If you enjoy quaffing, you may want to invest in a walk-in cooler with wall-mounted wine racks and several tall wine fridges, as well as a tasting area with bar stools.

What should I include in my wine cellar? This depends on the size of your collection – or how big you hope it becomes. For more wine cellar ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz. Browse the photos on Houzz for an array or wine cellar designs, and strike up a conversation with the architect or wine cellar specialist of your favourite picks. Short on space? Transform an entire wall into wine storage, and showcase your collection, too. A small wine cooler can keep 20-odd bottles chilled to perfection and can sit within your kitchen, whereas a freestanding all-glass wine cellar could act as a feature or functional room divider in your home. You don’t need 500 bottles or more to reap the benefits of a wine cellar, either. Just add seating and a tasting area to take yours to the next level. A wine cellar, on the other hand, can provide ample wine storage within a controlled temperature, and a place to entertain friends. When you’re an avid wine collector, wine racks don’t always cut it.

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