How To Build A Wine Cabinet

Wine cabinets offer a great way to both store and display your wine.

Whether you place a wine cabinet in your kitchen, your dining room, living room, or even your hallway, it’s sure to add some class to the area.

If you want to spend a Sunday afternoon building your own cabinet from scratch, or you simply want tips on how to install a pre-bought wine cabinet, then you’re in the right place.

Keep reading for a guide on how to build your own cabinet, including a list of equipment, and for some tips on how you can best install a wine cabinet that you’re purchased.

How To Build Your Own Wine Cabinet

Making a unit from scratch can be rewarding, and the process itself can be fun.

If you want to know how to make your own wine cabinet, then read on for a quick guide.

What Equipment Do I Need?

• Wood glue
• Drill
• Chisel
• Mallet
• Circular saw
Mitre Saw
• Bar clamps
• Brad nailer
• Impact driver
• Sander and sandpaper
• Pocket screws
• Brad nails
• Kreg jig and Kreg rip-cut
• 14-inch drawer slides
• Drawer pull
• Sheet of plywood (¾ inches)
• Sheet of plywood (23x48 inch, ½ inch)
• Hardboard panel (24x48 inch)
• 3 Pine boards (2x2, 6 ft)
• Pine board (1x2, 8ft)
• Pine board (1x6, 6ft)
• Wood finish

The Method

When you’re building the cabinet, it’s important that you try your best to stick to the instructions.

To make it easier, we’ll separate it into small sections.

1. To build the sides, use the 2x2 pine and cut it down to size, and then drill holes into each end of the rails (½ inch). Then, attach them to the legs using the half-inch pocket screws.
2. Cut the other plywood pieces down to the right size using the Kreg rip-cut while ensuring that they match the width of the panels.
3. Drill ¾ inch pocket holes into the side panels of the unit and then put them into place. To ensure it stays in the right place, clamp it together and attach the panels with the pocket screws.
4. Attach the rails (front and back, 2x2) to complete the frame.
5. Cut the bottom shelf to size, and then drill 2/4 inch pocket holes into each side. Then, clamp it into place so it’s level with the rest of the unit. Attack it with the 1 ¼ inch pocket screws.
6. For the front trim pieces, use 1x2s and attach using ¾ inch pocket holes and 1 ¼ inch pocket screws.
7. Use the wood filler to fill all of the pocket holes.
8. Now, it is time to make an X shape or an individual shelf or two to store the wine. T make a cross, measure the diagonal length and cut the plywood to size. Locate the centre point of the plywood pieces and the centre of the panel you’ll be connecting it to.
9. Use the mitre saw to cut the ¾ inch thickness, and make a couple of extra cuts in-between for relief.
10. Use the chisel to break the rest of the wood out, and make the inner notch tidy.
11. Figure out the angles by lining up your pencil lines on the saw - and once you’ve cut the trim pieces, glue them and nail them into place with the brad nails.
12. Assemble the drawer box, then glue it and nail the bottom using 1-inch brad nails.
13. Sand the cabinet down and apply a relevant finish, and then add the drawer slides. Then, Nail the back of the unit.
14. Finally, it’s time to attach the top. Cut a pine panel down to size, ensuring you leave a ¾ inch overhang on three sides. Glue it to the cabinet and add 2-inch wooden screws to secure it in place.
15. Then add three coats of finish and add the drawer pull.

You can adjust the size of the unit by changing the measurements - however, try to stick to the same ratio in order for the unit to fit together well and remain in proportion.

You can store up to nine standard Bordeaux bottles with this unit, which is ideal for displaying your favourite bottles.

However, you can store more than just wine in this homemade wine cabinet. You can store wine glasses, corkscrews, and even a decanter.

Click here to learn how you can personalise your wine cabinet. 

Where Should I Place A Wine Cabinet?

Once you’ve purchased (or made!) a wine cabinet, it can be difficult to know exactly what to do with it. Don’t worry - read on for some tips on where to place a wine cabinet.

First of all, consider where in your home has space for the cabinet. Narrow down the options, and then consider where has the least amount of sunlight.

You want to store your cabinet somewhere dark where the wine won’t be affected by UV rays.

UV rays can damage the wine and speed up the ageing process, leaving it tasting bitter and acidic.

Then, ensure there are no other units around that emit heat. For example, a washing machine, oven, or dishwasher.

This can raise the temperature of the wine, affecting its longevity and freshness.

Although you may want to display your wine cabinet in your living room or kitchen, it may be better suited to a hallway that has no windows.

The cellar is probably the best option, but it’s understandable if you don’t want to hide your cabinet away in the dark.

If you have a home bar, why not place your wine cabinet near your bar?

This gives you easy access to your collection, meaning you can just grab a glass and pour a bottle of your favourite wine.

This is super convenient if you regularly have dinner parties or guests over.

Try to avoid placing your wine cabinet in outdoor spaces or garages - especially in the colder months.

This can damage not only the wine cabinet but the wine it contains - including the bottles and labels - which is the last thing you want to happen if you’re ageing your wine collection.

For more tips on placing your wine cabinet, click here.