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Before you start your wine cellar design there are several things that you must know about wine cellars. Some guides make it seem like it is easy to make your own cellar at home when in reality the only easy part is assembling the wall mounted wine racks. The rest of it can be very difficult to get right and you have to get quite technical before you can get it right. You may be better off cellaring your wine at a facility that allows you to store your wine and then pick it up when you want to drink it.

Proper Temperature

The proper temperature range to store wine is 50-60 degrees fahrenheit. It can be harder than you think to keep wine at this temperature constantly. Central heating is the main culprit in disrupting potential wine storage. Your heater is on during the day raising the temperature well past the ideal storage temperatures.

In the evening your wine may be subject to a temperature drop and it gets cooler. Then due to temperature change the wine will have expanded and contracted. Using your basement is the best way to get around this, which will be a great substitute for controlled climate environments.

Temperature fluctuations are not good for wine.  If you have a boiler in your basement, you should make sure that the wine cellar is well insulated with quality insulating material.

Natural Lighting Effects

Since there is a low exposure to light, your basement is the best location for your wine cellar design to protect your wine collection. Light speeds up deterioration in your wines. Because red wines normally come in dark colored bottles that reduct the light exposure this type of problem will be less likely to occur.

Champagne and lighter wines are extremely light sensitive plus they normally come in light colored bottles which amplifies the effect.  So make sure your wine cellar design will accommadate this and prevent minimal sunshine.

Heavy Appliances

Wine is sensitive to vibrations and movement. Ideally when wine is put in a cellar it should be lying horizontally with the label facing upwards. If washing machines and dryers are anywhere near your wine cellar then it could cause some problems for your wine. These factors should help you decide if cellaring at home is right for you.