The 3 Styles of Wine Cellars: Contemporary, Traditional, Transitional

With a designer’s touch, there are literally endless styles that can be featured in the modern wine cellar. (Modern as in the sense that wine displays are more than basement storage, not necessarily the aesthetic).

• Need more wine cellar construction guidelines? Check out our guide to building a wine cellar.

But all wine cellars — small or large, cooled or not — generally fall into these three design categories:

Contemporary or Modern Wine Displays

 

Wine displays are open, light, and airy, often putting design ahead of long-term storage functionality. This style is trending hot in Southern California and other markets where both home and restaurant design lands itself on the modern spectrum.

Key elements:

• Glass walls
• Metal wine racking
• Natural, pass through light
• Prominent placement in entertaining zones

Transitional Wine Rooms

Perhaps the most popular style of wine cellaring today, transitional wine displays blend the classic, old-world sensibility with the chic style of mod design practice. This means the rooms are warm with wood and natural tones and wide open with glass viewing areas and display-style racking.

Key elements:

• Metal and wood racking, blended
• Reclaimed wood
• Glass viewing areas
• Other natural elements
• Located in entertaining zones

Traditional Wine Cellars

Inspired by 19th century European design, traditional style is perfect for those who want to pay homage to Old World wine heritage. The only difference between traditional wine cellars of the past and today — they are being designed thoughtfully.

Key elements

• Wood and metal racking in dark tones
• Little or no natural light
• Decor enhancements like reclaimed wine barrels or wooden staves
• Basement location

Additional Wine Cellar Resources:

• Planning a Wine Cellar: 5 Questions to Ask 
• Types of Wine Cellar Cooling Units