Closet Wine Cellars: An Under-the-Stairway Conversion Project in California

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Get ready to raise your glasses because another incredible closet wine cellar project has just been uncorked! Our team worked our magic once again, transforming a tiny closet under the stairs into a jaw-dropping custom wine oasis in a stunning residence nestled in the heart of Coto de Caza, Orange County. This was not your ordinary closet makeover. We’re talking about a mind-blowing combination of wine racking styles, wine barrel flooring, and a mesmerizing wine cellar art painting that will make your taste buds tingle with anticipation. So grab a glass and join us as we dive into the dazzling design details of this innovative wine cellar creation!

The installation of a climate controlled closet wine cellars in a home offers both practical and aesthetic benefits. A carefully designed and constructed wine cellar provides wine collectors with the proper storage environment, in which to grow their liquid collection. A wine cellar enhances the appearance and increases the value of a private abode, as well. It’s all about finding the right style and configuration of custom wine racks, flooring, doors, cooling system, lighting, and more that not only maximize the storage capacity of your wine room but also create a stunning display that will have your guests oohing and aahing in delight.

The Wine Cellar Design and Specifications

A residential wine cellar can be installed in any available space of a home. Regardless of its size, putting together the right style and configuration of custom wine racks will not only maximize the storage capacity of a wine room, but create efficient and effective wine storage and display solutions, as well.

This recently completed residential wine cellar is an under the stairway closet wine cellar conversion project located in Coto de Caza Orange County, California. The enclosure has an L-shaped configuration. In this particular wine cellar project, a total storage capacity of 404 wine bottles was achieved. Considering the small space, coming up with a wine storage facility that could house that many wine bottles was indeed brilliant.

This was what our client had to say about his new custom closet wine cellar!

Although the entry door is tall enough for people to walk into and maneuver, the ceiling rapidly descends to a height of 64 inches, as it follows the contours of the stairway. The wine cellar design team at Coastal Custom Wine Cellars installed custom-built wine racking solutions to fit the unique architectural structure, as well as maximize the limited space of the enclosure.

Unique Wine Racking Systems for Closet Wine Cellars

The wine racking systems begin with a horizontal display that has a depth of six inches. Horizontal racks display wine bottles in a label forward orientation that provides full visibility of wine labels, for ease of product recognition and identification.

Since it is placed right under the stairs, the top part of this racking solution has a step stair design to allow for the change in height of the ceiling.

The back wall of this wine cellar conversion California project in Coto de Caza features a series of diamond X-bins down below for storing multiple bottle sizes in bulk. Right above the diamond bin component is single bottle storage racking with a high reveal display row.

Our closet wine cellar’s custom wine racking was built using the beautifully grained Philippine Mahogany, one of the sturdiest wood varieties in the world.

Individual bottle slots for single bottle storage have an opening of 3 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ that can fit most 750 ml wine bottles.

The high reveal display row is a stunning feature in this residential wine cellar in Orange County. It pitches wine bottles to a 15 degree angle, that not only allows consistent cork and wine contact, but also displays wine labels in full view for ease of selection and retrieval.

This wine rack is an excellent tool for organizing a large collection, since like wines can be stored above and below the display row.

The end wall, which is nestled back deep in this residential wine cellar, provides more individual bottle storage. It also features open bin components, for additional bulk storage and case lots.

The wine racks that are situated at the end wall are shorter than the other racks, because the space above them was utilized for the refrigeration equipment.

Closet wine cellars, no matter how compact they are, can have high reveal display rows.The secret to a beautiful display also includes bringing in the right lighting design.

All wine racking systems in this wine cellar conversion California project are constructed from Philippine mahogany, with a Chappo stain and lacquer finish, to give the furniture a gorgeous luster.

LED lighting was installed along the display row to create a dramatic effect, while showcasing the client’s finest wine bottles. A dimmer switch controls the lighting system, as well as sets the mood in the wine cellar.

The Wine Cellar Cooling System, Wine Barrel Flooring and Wine Cellar Door

To maintain a consistent temperature level, the Coastal team installed a WhisperKOOL Platinum Mini Split Wine Cellar Cooling System, which is specially designed for small wine rooms that come with several constraints and challenges.

Rustic Wine Barrel Flooring With Unparalleled Craftsmanship

Another striking addition to this Coto de Caza wine cellar conversion project is the cooperage series oak barrel flooring. The tongue and groove style boards were constructed from reclaimed cooperage components.The cooperage is the top portion of the wine barrel that features winery markings and stampings.

These sturdy and weathered oak barrels, once used to age and mature wines, find a new life as an exquisite flooring option in wine cellars. We carefully dismantled the wine barrels and reclaimed the individual cooperage. These sections of the wine barrel, with their distinct curvature and rich patina, are then expertly cleaned, sanded, and prepared for their new purpose. The flattened cooperage are skillfully arranged and fitted together, showcasing their unique textures, markings, and even the occasional wine stains.

This intricate puzzle forms a captivating mosaic of oak that adds warmth, character, and a touch of rustic elegance to this home wine closet. Each step of the transformation honors the rich history and craftsmanship of the wine barrel cooperage, while creating a stunning and sustainable flooring choice that harmonizes perfectly with the ambience of a wine cellar.Using this wood product not only promotes environmental sustainability, but also provides the Coto de Caza residential wine room a distinct appearance.

We made sure to match our cooling system, flooring, and wine cellar door to the overall aesthetic plan of the cellar.

Closet Wine Cellars Deserve a Beautiful Entryway

For this custom wine cellar conversion California project, the wine cellar entry door was custom-designed to match the front door of the home. The Coastal team installed an elegant Seville-style custom wine cellar door, with operable wrought iron gate over dual pane. The wrought iron gate has a latch that can be opened and closed for cleaning purposes.

This wine cellar door, like all the other types of wine cellar doors from Coastal, is built to last. The  wooden section of the door was built with mortise and tenon approach , which is a traditional woodworking joint widely used in furniture making and carpentry. It is a strong and durable method of joining two pieces of wood together at a right angle.

The door also featured laminated veneer lumber (or LVL), which is an engineered wood product made by bonding thin wood veneers together with adhesives. It is commonly used as a structural material in construction and provides several advantages over traditional solid lumber. To manufacture LVL,  we arranged several layers of wood veneers parallel to each other, with the grain of each layer running in the same direction.

Lastly, we added an automatic door bottom, for additional seal. An automatic door bottom is a mechanical device commonly used in wine cellar doors (as well as other types of doors) to provide a tight seal at the bottom of the door, preventing drafts, air infiltration, and moisture from entering or escaping the room.

When the door is closed, a mechanism within the automatic door bottom is triggered to initiate its operation. As the device activates, the bottom portion of the door bottom extends downward, sealing the gap between the door and the floor. This creates an effective barrier against air movement and minimizes temperature and humidity fluctuations. When the door is opened, the mechanism automatically retracts the seal back into the door bottom, allowing for unobstructed passage and avoiding any interference with the door operation.

The Beautiful Wine Cellar Painting

The design you see above is a wine Cellar Art Painting by Janina Pazdan.

The interior walls of the Coto de Caza wine cellar conversion feature beautiful faux grapevine wine cellar art paintings by artist Janina Pazdan. Janina, who was born and raised in Poland, is an impressionist artist.

Aside from painting landscapes, gardens and seascapes, she also loves to create abstract images inspired by poetry and music. She cites Edward Monet, Vincent Van Gogh and Henre Toulouse-Latrec as some of her major artistic influences.

Wine cellar art pieces, like paintings, add character to a residential wine cellar. Our client wanted his wine cellar to be as special and unique as possible. The addition of such artwork by a favorite artist definitely creates the magic.

There are other types of wine cellar art pieces to choose from. You may add wine barrel head carvings, wall murals, or wine barrel centerpieces. Coastal Custom Wine Cellars offers these decorative wine cellar art items to clients.

For wine cellar projects in Southern California, specifically Los Angeles and Orange County, Coastal Custom Wine Cellars can make Janina’s services available to clients. They can show how her paintings can transform an ordinary wine storage space to an extraordinary custom wine cellar.

This was the situation before we started building this home’s closet wine cellar. You can see the headroom was not even, but we still managed to fit a fully-functional wine cellar!

The finished closet wine cellar looked like a masterpiece because of the custom wall art!

3D Designs of This Custom Wine Closet!

This is the top view of our closet wine cellar.

If we were to open up the side of the room, this is what the display looks like.

In a single wall alone, you can already see the different storage configurations: X-bins, reveal row, and standard 750 storage.

Small closet wine cellars can still be designed to fit many wine bottles. It all depends on what your priorities are.

In this drawing, you can see that the headspace goes shorter as you go deeper into this closet wine cellar.

Transform Your Extra Space Under the Stairs into a Custom Closet Wine Cellar!

Are you wondering what to do with that neglected space under your stairs? Well, it’s time to wave goodbye to unused square footage and say hello to the ultimate in wine storage luxury! With Coastal Custom Wine Cellars, you can transform that nook into a whimsical custom closet wine cellar that will make all your friends stand in awe! Imagine opening those charming little doors to reveal rows upon rows of perfectly organized wine bottles, nestled in their own cozy nooks. It’s like stepping into your own secret wine wonderland, where every bottle has a story to tell and every sip is a delightful adventure.

Unleash your inner sommelier and let Coastal Custom Wine Cellars work magic in your home. Cheers to turning under-stair space into a cellar of dreams!

We’d love to hear what you have in mind, so call us at +1 (949) 200 – 8134!