Bottled Up: 6 Prime Locations for Your Wine Fridge
Keep your favourite bottle of red, white or rosé close to hand and at the perfect temperature in a home wine fridge
For lovers of wine, such as myself, a wine fridge is a valuable addition worth considering at home. Variations in temperature can affect the subtle flavours of your favourite quality drop, so serving it straight from a regular kitchen fridge often won’t do it justice. A temperature-controlled wine fridge will not only keep wine chilled to the perfect temperature, it will control humidity (ideally around 70 per cent for wine). Some models will even offer the ability to have different temperature zones in the fridge, making it possible to store wine at different temperatures depending on whether you are storing it for future use or preparing it to drink.
In any style or model of wine fridge, bottles are stored horizontally. Look for wine coolers with wooden shelves as they protect the bottles and labels from scratching, and are less noisy than metal shelves. Along with the decision of which fridge to choose comes the question of where best to situate one in your home – and it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the kitchen. We explore six areas of the kitchen and home in general (other than a dedicated wine cellar) where wine fridges could be located.
In any style or model of wine fridge, bottles are stored horizontally. Look for wine coolers with wooden shelves as they protect the bottles and labels from scratching, and are less noisy than metal shelves. Along with the decision of which fridge to choose comes the question of where best to situate one in your home – and it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the kitchen. We explore six areas of the kitchen and home in general (other than a dedicated wine cellar) where wine fridges could be located.
2. The front of the island bench
Locating a wine fridge on the front side of an island bench is a popular choice in kitchen design. There are a few advantages to this location, for example, at the front of an island a wine fridge can be easily accessed without having to enter the main kitchen space. This is particularly beneficial when entertaining, as it keeps the main cooking spaces free from traffic. The main disadvantage though is that the fridge is on full view from the surrounding spaces. This may not be desirable, depending on the design of the kitchen.
When locating a wine fridge anywhere in the home it is important to consider its position in relation to heat sources. This becomes more important in the kitchen. Try to keep wine fridges away from extreme heat sources such as ovens. Locating them at the back of an island should ensure they are far away from any source of direct heat.
Consult the manufacturer’s user manual for guidance if your kitchen layout and design will result in a wine fridge being located close to cooking appliances. Once adequate clearances are maintained the operation of the fridge shouldn’t be compromised.
Locating a wine fridge on the front side of an island bench is a popular choice in kitchen design. There are a few advantages to this location, for example, at the front of an island a wine fridge can be easily accessed without having to enter the main kitchen space. This is particularly beneficial when entertaining, as it keeps the main cooking spaces free from traffic. The main disadvantage though is that the fridge is on full view from the surrounding spaces. This may not be desirable, depending on the design of the kitchen.
When locating a wine fridge anywhere in the home it is important to consider its position in relation to heat sources. This becomes more important in the kitchen. Try to keep wine fridges away from extreme heat sources such as ovens. Locating them at the back of an island should ensure they are far away from any source of direct heat.
Consult the manufacturer’s user manual for guidance if your kitchen layout and design will result in a wine fridge being located close to cooking appliances. Once adequate clearances are maintained the operation of the fridge shouldn’t be compromised.
3. In the butler’s pantry
The popularity of butler’s pantries continues to grow. A butler’s pantry provides additional storage space and a home for certain appliances. Positioning small appliances that are not necessary to have within the main kitchen space inside a butler’s pantry is a great way to keep them easy to access and close to hand, while also keeping them concealed from view.
A butler’s pantry is often a rather dark space, with little or no natural light depending on its location within the home. This is another reason why locating a wine fridge within a butler’s pantry is a great idea. Manufacturers of most wine fridges will recommend that they are positioned in areas that do not receive direct sunlight. Although wine-fridge doors offer UV protection, the extreme change of temperature that comes with positioning a wine fridge in an area that receives direct sunlight can affect the performance of the fridge, and its ability to maintain a consistent internal temperature.
How to Arrange a Highly Functional Butler’s Pantry
The popularity of butler’s pantries continues to grow. A butler’s pantry provides additional storage space and a home for certain appliances. Positioning small appliances that are not necessary to have within the main kitchen space inside a butler’s pantry is a great way to keep them easy to access and close to hand, while also keeping them concealed from view.
A butler’s pantry is often a rather dark space, with little or no natural light depending on its location within the home. This is another reason why locating a wine fridge within a butler’s pantry is a great idea. Manufacturers of most wine fridges will recommend that they are positioned in areas that do not receive direct sunlight. Although wine-fridge doors offer UV protection, the extreme change of temperature that comes with positioning a wine fridge in an area that receives direct sunlight can affect the performance of the fridge, and its ability to maintain a consistent internal temperature.
How to Arrange a Highly Functional Butler’s Pantry
4. In the bar or rumpus room
A rumpus or games room is a great area for adults and children alike to kick back and relax over a game of pool, with a movie or just hanging out with a chilled beverage. It’s also an ideal space to locate a home bar. Consider making the wine fridge a feature in a home bar as opposed to concealing it. Look for tall fridges instead of shorter under-bench versions, or consider building a number of fridges at eye level rather than ground level.
Tip: When choosing to locate a wine fridge in a commonly enjoyed area such as this, or any area of the home in fact, it is worth considering a fridge that can be locked to keep small hands away from danger.
A rumpus or games room is a great area for adults and children alike to kick back and relax over a game of pool, with a movie or just hanging out with a chilled beverage. It’s also an ideal space to locate a home bar. Consider making the wine fridge a feature in a home bar as opposed to concealing it. Look for tall fridges instead of shorter under-bench versions, or consider building a number of fridges at eye level rather than ground level.
Tip: When choosing to locate a wine fridge in a commonly enjoyed area such as this, or any area of the home in fact, it is worth considering a fridge that can be locked to keep small hands away from danger.
Keep in mind that a home bar area doesn’t have to be lavish or large. This home bar area is neat and compact but still manages to incorporate a sink, wine fridge, bench space and storage for glassware.
Tip: Using the same materials and finishes as the kitchen cabinetry integrates it as an extension of the kitchen rather than identifying it as a completely separate zone.
Tip: Using the same materials and finishes as the kitchen cabinetry integrates it as an extension of the kitchen rather than identifying it as a completely separate zone.
5. In your dining/living area
Many of us are choosing to entertain more and more in the comfort of our own homes. With this comes the increased popularity of open-plan living spaces, with large casual dining and living areas where friends and family can mingle and linger for long periods of time.
Choosing to locate a wine fridge or small bar area in a dining or living space is a great way to keep chilled beverages close to the areas in which they will be consumed. This keeps guests out of the kitchen and encourages them to relax for longer after their meal. Aside from aesthetics, noise is a key factor to take into consideration when choosing to locate a wine fridge in a dining or living area.
Tip: When looking at wine fridges in appliance stores, try to view the fridge you intend to purchase when it is plugged in and running. Like all fridges, when a wine fridge is running it can be noisy and there can be vibrating noises, particularly if the shelves are metal.
Storage to Keep Your Collection Within Reach
Many of us are choosing to entertain more and more in the comfort of our own homes. With this comes the increased popularity of open-plan living spaces, with large casual dining and living areas where friends and family can mingle and linger for long periods of time.
Choosing to locate a wine fridge or small bar area in a dining or living space is a great way to keep chilled beverages close to the areas in which they will be consumed. This keeps guests out of the kitchen and encourages them to relax for longer after their meal. Aside from aesthetics, noise is a key factor to take into consideration when choosing to locate a wine fridge in a dining or living area.
Tip: When looking at wine fridges in appliance stores, try to view the fridge you intend to purchase when it is plugged in and running. Like all fridges, when a wine fridge is running it can be noisy and there can be vibrating noises, particularly if the shelves are metal.
Storage to Keep Your Collection Within Reach
6. In your outdoor kitchen
Alfresco dining areas are the ideal place to wine and dine with friends and family on warm summer evenings. With the addition of an outdoor kitchen, an alfresco dining area brings the convenience of being able to prepare and serve food and drinks without having to leave the entertaining area, making this the ideal place to locate a wine fridge.
Tip: When selecting a wine fridge to incorporate into the design of an outdoor kitchen, take care to choose a product that is specially designed for outdoor use. This will ensure that the fridge is up to the challenge of maintaining the proper temperature inside the fridge as temperatures fluctuate outside. It’s worth noting that any appliance – including a wine fridge – that is not designed for use outdoors will generally not be covered under warranty if used outdoors.
Tell us
Do you have a wine fridge? If so, where have you put it in your home? And if you found this story useful, don’t forget to like it, share it or bookmark it. Join the conversation.
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Browse wine cellars on Houzz
Alfresco dining areas are the ideal place to wine and dine with friends and family on warm summer evenings. With the addition of an outdoor kitchen, an alfresco dining area brings the convenience of being able to prepare and serve food and drinks without having to leave the entertaining area, making this the ideal place to locate a wine fridge.
Tip: When selecting a wine fridge to incorporate into the design of an outdoor kitchen, take care to choose a product that is specially designed for outdoor use. This will ensure that the fridge is up to the challenge of maintaining the proper temperature inside the fridge as temperatures fluctuate outside. It’s worth noting that any appliance – including a wine fridge – that is not designed for use outdoors will generally not be covered under warranty if used outdoors.
Tell us
Do you have a wine fridge? If so, where have you put it in your home? And if you found this story useful, don’t forget to like it, share it or bookmark it. Join the conversation.
More
Browse wine cellars on Houzz
When a clean, streamlined look is desired, concealing appliances is a popular choice. As with regular fridges, wine fridges are available in many designs and styles. Some are designed to be built in under kitchen benchtops with just their glass doors visible. Others are designed to be integrated behind kitchen cabinetry doors completely concealing them from sight.
Bear in mind that if you can look through the glass door of a wine fridge to select the beverage of your choice before opening the door, the internal temperature of the fridge is easier to maintain. Also, positioning a wine fridge on the main, work side of a kitchen island helps to conceal it from view from the living and dining areas, thus maintaining a clean and unobstructed look.
Tip: As with regular fridges, be sure to consult the manufacturer’s user manual to ensure that adequate clearance spaces are respected around the sides, top and back of the wine fridge, to ensure good air circulation around the fridge when building it into cabinetry.
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