Modern Wine Room Design Guide: Layouts, Materials, and Must-Have Features

The Rise of the Modern Wine Room 

Modern wine rooms are no longer reserved for luxury estates or sprawling basements. Today, they’re being designed into open kitchens, under staircases, and along dining room walls.

With clean lines, glass enclosures, and minimalist racking, these sleek storage solutions add sophistication to any space—and showcase your collection like a work of art. 

Whether you’re working with a full room or a compact nook, this guide will walk you through how to plan and design a modern wine room that fits your home and style. 

Modern Wine Room with Custom Wine Closet Display

This luxury speakeasy was elevated with a custom modern wine room display complete with metal wine racks and framed glass doors.

Step 1: Choose Your Space

Modern wine rooms are versatile by design. Start by identifying the most practical and visually impactful space in your home.
Under the Stairs      Ideal for compact installations that feel custom-built.
Kitchen Wall or Pantry      Great for open-concept homes.
Dining Room Accent Wall      Doubles as décor and conversation piece.
Converted Home Office or Den      For larger wine collections.
Tip: A modern wine room doesn’t need to be large—just well-designed.

 

Cable wine racks for modern wine room

Nothing modernizes a wine room quite like cable wine racks.

Step 2: Pick a Racking Style

Sleek, floating metal wine racks are the backbone of the modern wine aesthetic.

Choose from: 

  • Cable Wine Racks – Bottles appear to float, giving a clean, architectural look.
  • Wall-Mounted Peg Systems – Ideal for maximizing vertical storage.
  • Minimalist Metal or Acrylic – Clean and contemporary, often backlit.

Racking isn’t just about storage—it’s a design element. Consider symmetry, alignment, and spacing to keep the look polished.

 

Modern contemporary wine room

Modern glass wine rooms work beautifully in open floor plans.

Step 3: Lighting that Elevates

Lighting in a modern wine room should feel deliberate and subtle.

  • Recessed Ceiling Lights for general illumination
  • LED Shelf Lighting to highlight bottles and racks
  • Backlighting behind racking or on accent walls 

Avoid harsh overhead lighting. Use dimmable, low-heat LEDs to protect your wine and maintain ambiance. 

 

Walk in modern wine room design

Even in sleek modern wine rooms, wooden wine racks add a timeless, organic touch.

Step 4: Frame it With Glass

Frameless glass enclosures are the hallmark of modern wine rooms.

They: 

  • Create transparency and openness
  • Highlight your wine collection from all angles
  • Allow the space to blend with surrounding rooms 

Hardware accents (black, bronze, or gold) can help tie the wine room to nearby furniture and fixtures. 

 

modern wine room metal rack pegs

Thanks to their versatility, metal wine pegs can be installed on a wide range of surfaces—from wood panels to tile and drywall.

Step 5: Materials and Finishes

Choose finishes that reflect a modern aesthetic:

  • Matte black and brushed metals for hardware and framing
  • White oak or walnut for warm, natural contrast
  • Neutral walls in Roman clay, textured plaster, or glass tile
  • Stone or quartz countertops for a clean tasting area 

Modern doesn’t have to mean cold. You can mix minimalism with inviting textures. 

 

wall-mounted modern wine room racks

If you’re short on floor space, wall-mounted metal wine racks offer a sleek, space-saving solution.

Step 6: Cooling & Climate Control

Wine storage requires stable temperature and humidity. Choose a wine cooling system that fits the size and enclosure of your wine room:

  • Ducted Systems for invisible air distribution
  • Through-the-Wall Units for compact builds
  • Split Systems for whisper-quiet performance 

Bonus: Choose cooling systems that can be concealed to preserve clean lines. 

 

custom modern wine room racks

Custom-designed metal wine racks can be tailored to achieve the exact look you’re going for.

Real Examples : Modern Wine Rooms That Inspire

Here are a few spaces we’ve transformed into modern wine rooms: 

Under-Stair Showcase

Frameless glass enclosure with metal wine racks and soft LED backlighting.

Kitchen Wall Conversion

Floor-to-ceiling black metal pegs paired with brown wood paneling and seamless lighting.

Dining Room Display

Wall-mounted black metal racks, custom wall finish, and recessed spotlights.

Explore More in Our Modern Wine Cellar Gallery

READY TO BUILD YOUR OWN?

Your modern wine room should reflect your lifestyle and aesthetic. Whether you’re looking to convert a small space or create a dramatic architectural feature, our team can help you bring your vision to life.