Whether you have an enviable collection of fine wines or like to stock up on cases of your favourites tipple, it's essential to store your vino properly so it keeps well. You may not be blessed with the space for a dedicated cellar. We've scouted round for some clever designs that show how you can sneak your wines into the space under your stairs, in your hallway or kitchen – no basement required.
WINE ROOM
Forget about walk-in wardrobes and dressing rooms, the ultimate room at the top of our wish list is a walk-in wine room (opens in new tab).
As each one has to be made bespoke, they don't come cheap, but if you have a spare room (and a penchant for a cheeky Bordeaux) a temperature-controlled display room that makes a feature of your prised wine collection can be yours.
You can have the modern, clean lines of frameless glass and stainless steel with bottles that appear to float; or the warmth of timbers paired with other luxurious materials, more reminiscent of a Pall Mall clubhouse.
We also love the idea of giving your wine room a window that offers an enticing teaser of what's inside.
WINE WALL
If you want the wine room effect but are a little short on space,Wine Walls (opens in new tab)give the same effect but are built into wall storage.
A wine wall is essentially a wall of wine bottles, beautifully displayed behind frameless or framed glass, climate controlled with feature lighting. It requires a depth of around 60 cm – that's not much more than a bookshelf.
Here's a great way to make the most of that awkward space under a staircase.
Make the most of an empty wall and turn it into a striking display.
WINE POD
Create the effect of a wine room by encasing a wine wall in a glass bubble-like Wine Pod (opens in new tab). Sleek and visually stunning, these walk-in frameless class pods provide maximum impact without having to undergo any major building work.
They'd make a stunningfeature within an entertaining space, either with a curved or square glazed corner wall. Or for something ultra modern, opt for a three or even four-sided frameless glass enclosure.
UNDERGROUND SPIRAL CELLAR
These undergroundSpiral Cellars (opens in new tab)don't even require an existing basement. But they do give you instant access to your collection via a top door and a – you guessed it – spiral staircase.
Made from concrete and withan external diameter of 2.3 metres, they're capable of holding up to 1900 bottles of wine.
They can be installed under any ground floor room – great for kitchens but striking in a hallway too.
Installation is short with little to no mess, you won't need planning permission to have one installed, and the built-in ventilation system continuously replaces warm air with cool air. We're sold.
WINE BAR
Why stop at wine storage, when you can't your home fitted out for a bespoke home bar (opens in new tab)?
Aside from offering the prerequisite wine storage,temperature and humidity regulation, the wine bar also offers wine glass holders, and drawers for corkscrews and other bar accessories.
Plus, the almond gold plated racks, laser-cut leather panel backing, marble counter tops and dark wood shelving units make it a rather elegant and glamorous display.
DISPLAY CABINET
If you have an unused alcove or corner in your kitchen, dining room or living space, then a climate controlled free-standing display cabinet (opens in new tab) makes an eye-catching and impressive focal point. With a walnut wood body, gorgeous brass hinges, glass doors and enough room to house up to 136 bottles, this guaranteed to be a talking point.
You just plug in into a wall socket and you're good to go.
WINE CUPBOARD
With beautiful walnut wood, horizontal and vertical storage for bottles, hidden drawers for corkscrews and accessories, plus a whole door dedicated to wine glasses, the Cambusa Wine Cabinet (opens in new tab) is a nifty addition to our wishlist.
At £10,639 it costs a lot less than a wine room – but when you move you can pack it up and take it with you.
