Turning a Forgotten Space Into a Statement Wine Cellar with Blue Grouse Wine Cellars

There’s something I always say when it comes to design. No space is ever “too small” or “too far gone” to become something beautiful and functional.

This project is the perfect example of that.

What started as a forgotten, underutilized coat closet in my home quickly became one of my favorite spots. It’s now a custom wine cellar that feels equal parts intentional, elevated, and effortlessly livable. And the transformation really came to life thanks to partnering with Blue Grouse Wine Cellars and incorporating their Float wine display system.

Designing Around the Float Wine Display System

When I started dreaming up this space, I knew I didn’t want anything that felt heavy or overly traditional. I wanted something that felt architectural, almost like the wine itself was part of the design.

That’s exactly what drew me to the Float system.

It creates this clean, modern “floating” effect where the bottles almost look suspended in mid-air. It’s minimal, but still makes a statement which is always the balance I’m going for!

What I love most is how customizable it is. Whether you’re working with a small nook like I was or designing an entire wine room, the system adapts to your space…not the other way around.

The cable system can accommodate ceiling heights up to 20 feet, and even works with sloped ceilings thanks to pivoting attachments
Bottle spacing is completely flexible. You can go tighter for higher capacity or give everything a little more breathing room for a more curated display
You can choose to display bottles label-forward (my personal favorite) or cork-forward depending on your style

For my space, we incorporated a mix of standard bottle columns, shelving units, and presentation shelves to create something that feels layered and intentional.

More Than Just Wine Storage

One of the biggest misconceptions about wine cellars is that they have to be purely functional.

This space proves otherwise.

With the addition of shelving units, I was able to style in glassware, decanters, and a few decorative pieces that make it feel more like a lived-in extension of the home rather than a tucked-away storage room.

The presentation shelves are one of my favorite details. They break up the vertical lines of the bottle columns and give you a chance to highlight special bottles or moments. It’s those small layers that make a space feel complete.

And because everything is customizable, you can tailor the look even further with:

Clear or grey glass shelving
6 bottle or 12 bottle
Hardware finishes in gold, matte black, or satin chrome

It’s those details that really allow the design to reflect your personal style.

Why I Loved Working with Blue Grouse Wine Cellars

Beyond the product itself, what really stood out to me was the design support behind it.

Blue Grouse Wine Cellars has been in the wine storage and design business since 2008, and it shows. Their team works alongside you to bring your vision to life, offering detailed 3D renderings and fully dimensioned plans so you can see exactly how everything will come together before installation even begins.

That level of thoughtfulness makes such a difference, especially when you’re transforming a unique or unconventional space like this one.

And from a practical standpoint, having products readily available in both U.S. and Canadian warehouses means everything moves efficiently once you’re ready to move forward.

A Space Reimagined

At the end of the day, this project is a reminder that some of the best spaces in your home are the ones you almost overlooked.

With the right design approach and the right partners, you can turn even the most forgotten corner into something that feels intentional, functional and so special!

Because a coat closet?
No problem. Let’s wine!