Not every wine cellar starts with an expansive room or a dramatic staircase entrance. Sometimes, the best projects begin with a space that feels almost too small for the job—until the right design decisions make it work.
A well-organized basement wine cellar is the secret to honoring the value of your wine collection.
In this Manhattan Beach home, we had the challenge of turning a small room into an unlikely setting for a 2,000+ bottle collection — a basement wine cellar. The finished result proves that with careful planning, even tight spaces can deliver big on both capacity and style.
A glass door allows viewing of the collection without having to affect the temperature inside the cellar.
From “Small Room” to Serious Basement Wine Cellar
What began as a simple basement closet just off the entry to the main room has been completely reimagined into a wine lover’s sanctuary. The transformation from a modest storage nook to a sophisticated cellar highlights how even the most unassuming spaces can become extraordinary with vision and craftsmanship.
When we first walked the space, we knew the footprint wasn’t going to change. That meant every inch had to work harder. We approached it like a puzzle: How do you fit a large collection into a small area without making it feel cramped?
Simple yet sophisticated, this basement wine cellar has touches of both modern and traditional.
Our answer was vertical storage. Floor-to-ceiling triple-deep wall-mounted racks keep bottles off the floor while maximizing the available wall space. We built in reveal rows to break up the layout and make it easier to find specific bottles at a glance. Magnum displays add a change in rhythm, breaking the uniformity of standard bottle rows.
Climate Control in a Tight Spot
Maintaining stable temperature and humidity is essential for a collection of this size, but fitting climate control into a compact closet space presented its own challenges. A ceiling-mounted LPQ 6600 split system from US Cellar Systems offered the perfect solution—powerful enough to hold the cellar at a steady 55°F, yet quiet and discreet.
The installation, however, demanded patience and precision. Cooling lines had to be threaded through freshly finished framing without disrupting the structure, a task that required careful planning and exact drilling. In the end, the unit blended seamlessly into the ceiling, performing flawlessly while remaining virtually invisible.
Simple Materials, Strong Impact
The direction of this cellar’s design was modern and understated, allowing the wine to take center stage. Matte black racking provides a sleek, neutral backdrop that highlights the collection, while a dual-paned tempered glass wine cellar door —lined with a Q-Lon seal to prevent air gaps — ensures climate stability and offers a clear, inviting view into the room.
Racking Designed for Both Capacity and Display
Storage was a key priority, and the racking system was tailored to make every inch count without overwhelming the room. Along the walls, triple-deep and double-deep racks were mounted vertically to maximize capacity while keeping bottles visible and accessible.
Wall mounted racks are great for saving floor space and for maximizing the capacity of basement wine cellars.
To balance the height of the layout, the lower section of the walls features hip-height racks, designed with a single display row to showcase select bottles. Beneath that, horizontal racks provide additional storage, creating a layered effect that blends function with presentation.
This mix of depth and orientation ensures the cellar doesn’t just hold a large collection—it also creates rhythm and variety, turning the walls into a living gallery of label
Subtle Lighting Plan for Small Basement Wine Cellars
Lighting played an equally important role. Warm LED fixtures were chosen to softly illuminate the labels without glare or excess heat, creating the feel of a curated gallery rather than a simple storage space.
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Lessons We Learned from This Build
Triple-deep wine racks offer a smart way to store your wine inventory — no need to worry about the lack of space!
“Working with limited square footage actually pushed us to be more intentional,” our designer recalls. “Every inch had to serve both function and style.” If you’re thinking about creating a wine cellar in a smaller space, here are a few things we’d recommend:
- Go vertical — Wall-to-ceiling racks increase capacity without crowding the floor.
- Add variety — Reveal rows and magnum holders break up the display and make bottles easier to find.
- Hide the mechanics — A well-integrated cooling unit keeps the design clean.
- Stay neutral — Simple finishes put the focus on the wine, not the walls.
- Light with care — Soft, even illumination is always better than bright, hot spots.
A Cellar That Works Beyond the Numbers
This Manhattan Beach project may not have the size of a grand wine room, but it delivers where it counts: capacity, efficiency, and a design that will stand the test of time. It’s a reminder that good planning and execution can make even the smallest space feel like a serious investment.
Custom Wine Rooms Tailored to Your Collection
At Cachet Wine Cellars, we specialize in transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary wine showcases. From compact basement wine cellars to expansive glass-fronted statement rooms, our team delivers bespoke design, expert craftsmanship, and seamless climate control solutions tailored to your collection. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just beginning your journey, we create cellars that blend beauty, function, and precision—built to last and designed to impress.
Ready to bring your vision to life?
Contact Cachet Wine Cellars today and let’s design a cellar that’s as unique as your collection.