Constructing this wine cellar under the stairs took a few weeks because the team had to ensure the line sets and insulation were installed perfectly.
Have you been looking for a space to store your wine collection but you don’t think your home has some free space to built a wine cellar? Look again! Under the stairs areas are the perfect compact spaces for wine storage. With help from the right professionals, your wine cellar under the stairs will be a feature you won’t regret!
Here, we’re sharing an exciting project from Coastal Custom Wine Cellars—a stunning under-the-stairs wine cellar that’s both stylish and functional.
Surfaces, like floors, are always protected during construction to prevent damage.
Under-the-stairs wine cellars are becoming a go-to option for homeowners looking to make the most of unused spaces. They’re compact, stylish, and fully customizable to fit your unique vision. Whether you want a sleek, minimalist look or a cozier, traditional vibe, these cellars can be tailored to blend seamlessly into your home while elevating your wine collection.
Not only do under-the-stairs wine cellars make smart use of unused space, but they’re also a brilliant way to showcase your collection in style. Let’s dive into what makes this project special and how expert wine cellar builders turned a vision into reality.
Why Choose a Wine Cellar Under the Stairs?
Wine cellars under the stairs are always a trend, and for good reason! They’re compact yet customizable, making them perfect for modern homes. Here’s why they’re so popular:
1. Space Efficiency: Maximizes storage in an area that’s often overlooked. Instead of letting the space beneath your stairs go to waste, you can turn it into a compact wine cellar that efficiently uses every square inch. With customized racks and shelving designed to fit the unique angles and dimensions of the space, you can store a surprising number of bottles while keeping them organized and easily accessible.
2. Stylish Design: Adds a unique architectural feature to your home. With endless design possibilities, such as sleek glass doors, dramatic lighting, and custom finishes, you can create a wine cellar under the stairs that reflects your personal style and complements your home’s interior design.
3. Functional Storage: Keeps your wine in optimal conditions for aging. By maintaining consistent temperature and humidity levels, your wine collection is safeguarded against spoilage, label damage, or premature aging.
For this project, the homeowners wanted a sleek, modern design that fit seamlessly with their contemporary home. Challenge accepted!
Every detail of this wine cellar under the stairs was built with impeccable craftsmanship.
Behind the Scenes: Planning and Building the Wine Cellar
Every great wine cellar starts with meticulous planning. For this project, the Coastal team:
1. Measured the Space: Ensured the area under the stairs could accommodate both storage and cooling systems.
2. Designed the Layout: Mapped out where racks, shelving, and cooling equipment would go to optimize functionality and aesthetics.
3. Selected Materials: Used high-quality materials to ensure durability and a polished look.
Our team, led by master designer Steve Pantalemon, made sure the cellar met the homeowners’ style preferences and storage needs.
The Secret to Perfect Wine Storage: Spray Foam Insulation
One of the most critical aspects of any wine cellar is climate control, and spray foam insulation is our go-to solution. Here’s why:
1. Temperature Stability: Keeps the cellar cool and consistent. By maintaining a stable temperature—typically between 55°F and 58°F—your wines are protected from the harmful effects of heat spikes or temperature fluctuations that can cause premature aging or spoilage.
2. Humidity Regulation: Protects corks and labels from damage by maintaining ideal humidity levels, typically between 50% and 70%. Proper humidity prevents corks from drying out and shrinking, which could allow air to seep into the bottles and spoil the wine. It also minimizes the risk of excessive moisture, which can lead to mold growth on corks, labels, or shelving.
3. Energy Efficiency: Reduces strain on cooling systems, saving on energy costs by creating a well-insulated and thermally stable environment. With high-quality materials like spray foam insulation, the wine cellar minimizes heat transfer, keeping the interior at a consistent temperature without overworking the cooling unit. This energy efficiency not only lowers electricity bills but also extends the lifespan of the refrigeration system by reducing wear and tear.
After they ran the electrical lines, insulation was sprayed in between the studs.
4. Pest and Mold Prevention: Seals cracks and crevices to keep unwanted guests out and maintain a pristine environment for your wine collection. Proper insulation, such as spray foam, creates an airtight barrier that blocks access for pests like insects and rodents, which can cause damage to the cellar and its contents. Additionally, the airtight seal prevents excess moisture from entering, reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth. This not only protects the wine labels and corks but also ensures the cellar remains hygienic and odor-free.
For this project, they applied closed-cell spray foam, which creates an airtight seal and ensures long-term protection for the wine collection.
Using spray foam insulation ensures tiny holes and air gaps are also sealed.
Cooling Systems: The Heart of a Compact Cellar
Choosing the right cooling system is essential for smaller spaces like this one. They recommended a ductless split system, which is compact, efficient, and easy to install. Other great options for small wine cellars include:
1. Ceiling-Mounted Units: Perfect for confined spaces and virtually silent, ceiling-mounted wine cellar cooling units offer a discreet, efficient cooling solution without taking up valuable floor or wall space. Installed between the ceiling joists, these units seamlessly blend into the room’s design, making them ideal for small or compact wine cellars, like those under stairs or in tight corners.
2. Through-the-Wall Units: Easy to maintain, with built-in temperature and humidity controls, through-the-wall wine cellar cooling units are a practical and efficient solution for wine storage spaces. Installed directly through an exterior wall, these units have all of their components — compressor, condenser, and evaporator — housed within the same unit, making them less bulky and more integrated into the space. This streamlined design reduces the need for complex installation and allows for easy access when maintenance is required.
In this case, the ductless split system was a perfect match, delivering precise climate control without sacrificing aesthetics.
The Final Touches: Design and Aesthetics
The design process is where we bring your vision to life. For this project, the homeowners wanted a clean, minimalist style. Here’s how the Coastal team achieved it:
Even the surface directly under the stairs was sealed and insulated!
1. Custom Racks: Label-forward designs for easy viewing and access.
2. Ambient Lighting: LED lights to highlight the collection without generating heat.
3. Premium Finishes: Sleek, modern materials that matched the home’s overall aesthetic.
The result? A wine cellar that’s both a conversation starter and a functional storage solution.
Ready to Build Your Dream Cellar?
Whether you’re a casual collector or a wine connoisseur, Coastal Custom Wine Cellars can turn any space into the perfect wine storage solution. From design to insulation to cooling systems, they handle every detail so you can enjoy your collection in style!
If your located in and around Star Island, Gables Estates, Tahiti Beach, Golden Beach, Snapper Creek and all the other beautiful neighborhoods in Miami, our team at Custom Wine Cellar Miami Fl can assist you with full service wine cellar solutions from conceptual design to construction, repair, and maintenance!
📞 Call us at +1 (305) 517 – 7353 or visit our send us a message schedule a consultation.
🍷 Your dream wine cellar under the stairs is just a call away—let’s start building today!