If your wine collection is spilling out of your mini fridge and your wine rack is always full, it may be time to upgrade to a retro wine cellar. If space permits, a temperature-controlled room will not only give your bottles the best chance of improving with age, but can also provide you with a spot to entertain friends – just add seating and a tasting area. Don’t have a spare room or basement? A spare wall can be transformed into wine storage, while a freestanding wine cellar can double as a feature or room divider.

What should I include in my retro wine cellar?

This depends on the size of your collection – or how big you hope it becomes. 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. If you’re a beginner or have a small collection, a home bar with mini fridge and wine rack will suffice. Essential bar accessories include wine glasses, corkscrews, carafes and aerators.

How should I store my wine?

Temperature control is at the core of a functional retro wine cellar. Your bottles need to be kept out of direct sunlight, and away from the heat and steam of kitchen appliances. A room that is too warm will make your wine age faster, oxidise and lose its character and flavour. If bottles are corked, they also need to be laid down. Your architect or designer will be able to help you create the ideal conditions for your home collection.

Where should I position my retro wine cooler?

The most important thing to consider is ease of access, which is why kitchens are the most common place to position wine coolers. Should you have minimal floor space, a small one could even sit comfortably on your benchtop. If quaffing requires an occasion or you frequently host dinner parties, consider your dining room, so you can top up people’s glasses without having to leave the room. You could also make your bar fridge or cooler a destination within your entertainment or games room.

Whether you want inspiration for planning a retro wine cellar renovation or are building a designer wine cellar from scratch, Houzz has 42 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Asteya Design Rénovation and WINEST. Look through wine cellar photos in different colours and styles and when you find a retro wine cellar design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful retro wine cellar ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.