Build Your Own Wine Cellar

When picturing a finished basement, images of home theatres, family rooms, or furnished bars often come to mind. But your dream basement can include more than just the conventional furnishings. How about your own wine cellar? Your friends are sure to be impressed when you go downstairs to choose a finely aged Merlot to pair with dinner from your custom-built wine cellar. Here’s what you’ll need and how to get started if you want to build your own wine cellar.

What you’ll need

• wine racks
• full glass door
• ¼” a/c plywood (15 sheets)
• 1x3 furring strips (35)
• ¼” x 1-½” flat trim-molding, 8-foots lengths (35)
• 2x4x8 lumber (12)
• track lights (1 set)
• 1 gallon floor paint
• 2 gallons wall paint
• 2 gallons primer/sealer
• switch box
• switch with dimmer
• framing nail gun
• pneumatic finish nailer
• powder-actuated nailer (with charges and nails)
• air compressor with hoses
• power miter saw (chop saw)
• hammer
• chalk line
• measuring tape
• level
• pencil
• safety glasses

Let’s get started

In order for your wine cellar to look custom built, you may have to build a new wall and install a new door. The following steps will begin with the demolition of current walls to the completion of your wine cellar.

Note: Be sure to use pressure-treated lumber for anything that sits directly on the floor. This type of lumber can resist moisture deterioration and insect damage.

Step 1: Remove the old wall and any shelving units.

Step 2:  Frame the new wall by laying a pressure treated sill plate for the wall.  Be sure to leave a gap for the door. Then, starting at one end, place studs on 16-inch centers within the area framing the door. Use nails to secure the framing.  

Step 3: Use either a framing gun (if applying to wood) or a powder actuated nailer (if applying to concrete) to nail the 1x3 furring strips to the interior walls of the wine room.

Step 4: Sheet all the walls and the ceiling with the 1/4” a/c plywood. Secure the plywood to the studs and furring strips using the finish nailer. Using plywood as opposed to drywall is effective because a/c plywood is moisture resistant and faster to install than drywall.

Step 5: Cover all the seams and corners of your walls and ceiling with the ¼” x 1 ½” trim.  Use a power miter box to cut the trim and a nail finisher to nail it in place.

Step 6: Prime and paint the walls. Then prime and stain the floor for a more custom look.

Step 7: Assemble and hang the wine racks. Then place the door in the framed opening. Once the door is level, secure its position with screws. 
Step 8: For an even more put-together look, install track lighting to the ceiling of the wine cellar. 
 
Final Step: Break out a bottle of wine and celebrate your brand new DIY wine cellar.

Have you built your own basement wine cellar? Send us photos of your renovation at keystonebasementspgh@gmail.com, and your basement may be featured in a future article.