PS, I can't believe Houzz doesn't have a "Wine cellar" category!

I like the metal wine racks. If you want to warm it up and not be too industrial, you can add 'word art" signs above the racks in distressed or weather wood.

https://www.amazon.com/Stonebriar-Rustic-Tasting-Decorative-Kitchen/dp/B07B41DW3V/ref=sr_1_30?keywords=wine+word+art+signs+on+wood&qid=1580174663&sr=8-30

Here is another one

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?ie=UTF8&adId=A00551372XINVTSU8VQBO&qualifier=1580175155&id=5146827326214043&widgetName=sp_detail_thematic&url=%2Fdp%2FB07GKMHF27%2Fref%3Dsspa_dk_detail_5%3Fpsc%3D1%26pd_rd_i%3DB07GKMHF27%26pd_rd_w%3D8ONde%26pf_rd_p%3Dc83c55b0-5d97-454a-a592-a891098a9709%26pd_rd_wg%3DjNzxC%26pf_rd_r%3D6NV9Z9VNDAM2JQ38Z96A%26pd_rd_r%3D39f6dd2e-baac-4fed-9e74-2135c0c4395b

Here are some that can be 'personalized'

https://www.amazon.com/This-Story-Rustic-Wood-White/dp/B07CMWF18H/ref=sr_1_101?keywords=custom+word+art+signs+on+wood&qid=1580175387&sr=8-101

How 'bout paint a vibrant pattern on the walls?

Tdemonti, what type of pattern were you thinking of? I’m not sure I can picture what you mean.

Here are some new racks. How about a small bar where you can open/sample bottles, and a tale and chairs where you can sit and sip? I added a link to some gorgeous wine rooms below.

Wine Racks America CellarVue Ponderosa Pine Wall Series Case, Black Stain · More Info

CellarVue Redwood Showcase Wine Rack Combo, Unstained, Black · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/photos/wine-cellar-ideas-and-designs-phbr0-bp~t_755?fi=18

We have the same metal ones you are being offered. We don’t have a wine cellar though so ours is just in a closet for now. Very sturdy.

A S, that’s good to know. The wood ones are starting to buckle from being well used, maybe even over used.

Decoenthusiaste, I appreciate your input but we have already chosen the racks. The wine cellar is cooled and only 7’ x 10’, so it isn’t really comfortable for “sitting and sipping”. We have a very comfortable media room, pool table and bar just outside it, so I doubt anyone would stay in there for long, anyway.

About painting a pattern, something that will distract from or shapes that will blend with the wire shelving. Visit a fabric store and select a small variety of designs to tack up. This will help you visualIze. Without knowing your decor, my first thought was southwestern.

Keep your dark walls, better for the wine. I can't see real well, but it looks like more reds than whites? Cooling a "wine room" is tricky business. We gave had two and I designed one and got a real education, along with living in Europe for several years! So, temperature control and humidity control are very important. You need more racks as you point out, so the bottles can be stored in proper orientation. There are lots of interesting wall hangings you could add but first I would figure out a nice pleasing entry "view" as you reorient your racks. I think I would consider a 36" shelf (maybe some travertine or granite) in between the two 36" racks for a bit of décor look. Maybe do a cork wall behind that section. I have designed several for clients and they really liked the cork wall backsplash look using corks they had saved up. Another client liked using basket weave travertine tile and it kind of resembled corks but was a bit more chic. Of course, you really need some areas on bottom to set cases, even if they are empty ones, but for storing more quantities for parties etc., so you don't have to rack them among your better bottles.

I'll see if I have some photos for you to check out. I have used the "X" style and find them to be not useful. Look nice, but you have to stack bottles in the X and it isn't easy or convenient to turn bottles, etc. I think the single bottle racks are more practical. I assume this room is properly insulated to keep moisture INSIDE the room and sealed so moisture doesn't build up behind the walls??

Flo, yes, we are more red wine drinkers than white - at least 4 reds for every white. The cooler/humidity control unit is in the ceiling and is vented to the outside. The east and north walls are exterior, below grade and uninsulated. The south and west walls are interior, insulated and have the necessary vapour barriers. Also, the door is an insulated exterior grade door. All of the design and installation was done by a cellar company.

I love your idea of inserting shelving between the east wall racks. That would definitely counter the industrial vibe. It may take us quite a while to save enough corks, especially in these days of screw caps, to cover the wall behind but it is a challenge I’m willing to take up! Can I count on your help?

Update - this is the wine cellar after the change in racks.

And these are some decorative pieces that we have, one of which is yet to be framed.

Nice Art! Boy, that's a lot of wine! CHEERS!

You could mount the wine box bottoms (opening facing).... above the wine racks for more storage, has a built in shelf too, rustic feeling.

I would place some Art on the blank wall near the door. It would be seen from outside. It invites you in.

LB Interiors, my first thought was actually how much empty space I have to add more wine😉.

Good idea re mounting the wine boxes. I’ll have to look for a few more. I do want to add art to the blank wall but I haven’t found anything the right size yet. I was thinking tall and fairly slim.

Thanks edenchild. You can also use the Art you posted above. Create a collage on that wall. One tall piece would be nice too!

I like this a lot! Might work for you 16 x 20

https://i.etsystatic.com/17969588/r/il/fb71ce/1601668495/il_1588xN.1601668495_t9v5.jpg

Rustic charm 36 x 48 - other sizes available

https://static.greatbigcanvas.com/images/singlecanvas_thick_none/wild-apple-studios/graffiti-and-wine-ii,1052788.jpg

Rustic 36 x 48 - other sizes available

https://static.greatbigcanvas.com/images/singlecanvas_thick_none/wild-apple-studios/tuscan-valley-red,1052400.jpg

Contemporary 36 x 48 , 40 x 60 - other sizes available

https://static.greatbigcanvas.com/images/singlecanvas_thick_none/getty-images/exploding-wine-glass,1041341.jpg

38 x 48 - other sizes available

https://static.greatbigcanvas.com/images/singlecanvas_thick_none/gango-editions/wine-cellar-motif-ii,2191348.jpg

Ok I think this is interesting but forgive me but i think the layout could be improved a bit. I moved 300+ bottles twice in our last move, so I know what a pain it is to move bottles. I haven’t gotten notifications so if I am too late no worries. I am going to sketch something up for your consideration. Bbl

Sizes available

https://static.greatbigcanvas.com/images/singlecanvas_floatingframe_floatblack/world-art-group/wine-glass-study-ii,2549281.jpg

How wide are these racks?

I actually like the metal racks. It’s hard to tell from the photos, but your lighting looks fairly uniform and, if it is, your cellar will look duller. What are your fixtures? If you have recessed lighting, add sparkle using spot bulbs on a dimmer. LED (90+CRI, 2700K) won’t mess with your temperature.

Here is rough sketch. I guessed you have 5 - 36” wide racks. My goal was to use your existing racks but organize them so you could add one more 36x36x14 rack across from door with countertop and a piece of art or cork board leaning on top for some decorative flare in your wine room. I found this lower rack with butcher block top and a “cork” board for interest. Don’t want to put penetrations in wall but you can get fasteners that stick on wall or simply lean board. Or get creative and create interesting upper area. Alternatively, if you don’t want shelf you could get taller decorative rack. Cheers!🍷🍾🥂

Fun thread! Following...

I would stay away from the "Kitchy" look of the wine art - brings me back to early HGTV days -- not sure how your media room/adjoining entertaining room is decorated but maybe create a design flow from there? I like the authentic old world and higher end look of the wood crates - I would consider breaking apart the crates, lightly staining the wood and making a wood wall and possibly a soffit with some led downlights built into the crates - would also consider either consolidating the racks to have a more "full look" or going on etsy and ordering some nice placards or hang tags to present the wines in an organized fashion (Cabernet, etc)

https://www.muralsyourway.com/custom-wall-murals/?keyword=custom%20wall%20murals&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsO_Xjbaw5wIVgZOzCh3f-QnqEAAYAyAAEgIVSvD_BwE

I guess the question is are the racks half empty or are the racks half full?

What's the vibration factor of those metal racks compared to the wood ones?

Well the current system certainly provides storage, but it's not attractive in the least. I like these wall mounted racks that allow the labels to be seen more easily. The room doesn't need any supplemental decor when the bottles become the focus of attention.

Beverly the OP already said they would prefer to keep the metal racks, as shown in the images, and instead spend money on wine vs getting something like you posted.

I read what the OP said, but if you have enough funds to have a wine cellar, then you can afford to correct a mistake. All these ridiculous suggestions about adding wall decor are just papering over a mistake that has been made.

Well said A S.

LB Interiors, thank you for the art suggestions. I think I will frame the parchment piece as it was collected during our travels through Chateauneuf Du Pape, and then look for complimentary pieces. The other piece may or may not make the cut.

Seagreen3, the current light is a LED recessed one, just not very exciting. It was chosen so it didn’t attract attention to the ceiling cooling unit (see below).

Flo, thanks for the layout. I was considering adding another unit with a wooden top in the space where you have #5 but your placement opposite the door is much better. I found that The Container Store carries a butcher block top specifically for these units - www.containerstore.com/s/intermetro-butcher-block-top/d?productId=10001208 - so I will get that plus the extra shelf unit you suggested. I like the cork board you suggested as well although I was warming to the idea of collecting the corks. My liver will probably thank you😄.

I’m not worried about putting things into the walls. We intend to tie the shelving units into the walls anyway as we are in an earthquake prone area.

AS, thanks for your support. I titled this post “How do I make my wine cellar look BETTER” because I know it will never be a magazine worthy, custom cellar. I’m ok with that. I don’t want to show it off to my friends; I just want it to be practical AND pleasing when I’m in there racking and recording my wine.

I have enough funds to go the fancy shelving route but I’m choosing not to because, to me, the wine itself is more important that what it is stored on. And that doesn’t mean I have expensive, highly rated wines; it just means I like to have wines I enjoy.

"A good designer won’t tell a client what they can’t have or what they don’t want and will find ways to design within their scope and means."

Do you think you would apply that principle to a doctor or a lawyer who you hired for their professional advice?

"No doc, I came here because I have a pain in my side, but now you want to take

X-rays & maybe do surgery when all I asked is that you give me something

for the pain?" If they only gave you something for the pain you'd sue them

for malpractice.

Interior Designers & Architects examine the situation and find a solution. That solution might have to be phased because of budget or executed with lesser materials, but a good designer doesn't agree to spend more money on a bad solution that will reflect on their reputation as a professional. A decorator might agree to do that for you. There's a difference.

My god are you actually comparing interior design to going to the doctor!? What a joke. Not even remotely comparable.

And if we are going to compare a doctor and a designer, which we shouldn't, doctors also tell you what are the must do medical procedures and what are the nice to do in follow up or would help improve your health but aren't absolutely necessary items.

If you take on a client you should know what their budget is and what they hope to get out of it. If it doesn't mesh with your image and the reputation you are supposedly building for yourself then you shouldn't take on the client. Interior design isn't just for the rich and if interior designers want the average person to ever consider using them they need to be realistic in what the results will be and what people can handle.

I suspect if the OP's wine cellar update was a part of a full basement remodel an interior designer would have no problem finding a way to incorporate the completely functional metal racks into the design of the space. And yes it wouldn't even be awful to float the idea of a more high end product but once the homeowner had indicated that they were for sure keeping with what they had I doubt the interior designer would quit...I suspect they would find a way to make it work.

Hey who do you think designs a hospital for the medical staff? Not the doctors.

It is completely irrelevant who designs a hospital. But again if you want to go there I suspect that the medical staff actually have huge input in design so that it makes sense in practice not just in design terms.

I'm a teacher and was a part of two school designs and stayed through construction and moved into one school. They did ask staff what our needs were and how big to make things so they were usable. We, as the professionals in that space, did have a strong say in many things.

If you live in an earthquake prone area... you might want to line your metal racks with felt. Metal racks can be more prone to vibrations than wood racks. It's something you might not have noticed so much with wood racks, but might notice more with the metal.

BeverleyFLADeziner, yours is a specious and pretentious argument if I ever heard one. Do you honestly think that asking for advice on Houzz is comparable to a visit to a doctor or lawyer? Even if it were, a good doctor would ask many further questions and schedule tests before prescribing surgery. Let's not even go into the patients ability to pay. You are going straight to the full coverage surgery option while ignoring whether it is necessary or suitable for the patient.

Here's a better analogy - a wine cellar and a clothes closet are both storage facilities that are not entered often, aren't generally put on show, and have mostly practical but some aesthetic requirements. If this were about a closet instead of a wine cellar, would you still say "Well the current system certainly provides storage, but it's not attractive in the least. I like these wall mounted racks that allow the labels to be seen more easily."

It is condescending designers, who think that their solution to a problem is the only answer, that give all designers a bad name.

Beesneeds, that is good advice that I hadn't considered. Do you know if you have to buy the felt in sheets and cut it to fit, or can you purchase a product to suit this use?

edenchild, I bet you could find fancy stuff online or in an upscale sort of store if you wanted to... but just the basic stuff a local fabric store would have would work just fine. Most fabric stores sell felt by the yard in basic primary colors, some pastels, and sometimes some prints. Get it by the yard, it comes in different widths, but common around 36 or 44 inches, sometimes wider- then you can cut it to whatever size you need it and you don't need seams or anything to finish the edges. Don't get squares or sheets of the stuff, you got too much racks to play with that. If you want, you could pick something bright to add a wee pop of color to the shelf fronts while still being functional. Red would be traditional, but light or bright colors would be nice too.

Cut the felt to be barely inside the depth of the shelves, draping over the front edge is a PITA and usually looks like tacky crap. But do be sure to leave yourself with a few inches of drape on both ends over on the width of the shelves, gives you shift room for bottle movement as they get added or removed from the shelf. To do this... and use a fabric tape that's soft and not a hard ruler or metal measuring tape... measure the depth of your shelf just inside the braces, and that's final. Then lay the tape across the width of your shelf, using a bottle in each slot to make sure the "dip curve" is accounted for, and use that for your width measurement.

Also... you might not be one for chardonnay since it's a white, but since you like reds... watch your cabs and pinot bottles. Some of them have a slight taper with the bottle and it's better to store them punt facing out instead of the wall if you stack your bottles on top of each other. Again, vibrations can cause a slide, and better to slide into the wall instead of onto the floor.