An under stairs wine rack turns the awkward triangle beneath a staircase into storage you can see. Getting it right starts with measuring, not shopping, because the racking has to step down with the slope of the stairs. Below: measuring, stepped columns, studs, open versus enclosed, lighting, and exactly what the two VintageView under-the-stairs kits include. It goes deeper than the short under-stairs idea in our wine display wall ideas.
Measure the triangle before you choose an under stairs wine rack
Treat the space as a right triangle and take four measurements on the wall you plan to use:
- Tallest wall height. Floor to the underside of the stairs at the high end. Measure to the finished ceiling or drywall, not to the treads.
- Shortest usable height. Where the low end becomes too awkward to reach.
- Run. The horizontal distance between those two points along the floor.
- Rise. Tallest height minus shortest height.
Rise divided by run gives the slope. Our own example: if the ceiling drops 48 in over a 72 in run, the slope is about 34 degrees (arctangent of 48/72). That angle matters for the Helix kit, whose layout guide sets column spacing by slope. Note outlets, switches and access panels, and leave room at the walls: the W Series install guide says to start the first mounting strip at least 2-3/4 in from an adjacent wall for 750 ml bottles.
Stepped column heights: how the two kits follow the slope
W Series Under the Stairs kit
The W Series Under the Stairs kit includes three W Series 4 ft racks, one 3 ft, two 2 ft and two 1 ft racks in your choice of bottle depth, plus a layout guide, hardware for drywall and wood-backed walls, and BILT 3D app instructions. VintageView lists it at 72 in x 78 in with three depths: 5.25 in deep for 63 bottles, 8.5 in for 126, or 12 in for 189 (750 ml). VintageView’s spec sheet drawing shows the racks stepping down in 12 in increments from a 72 in tallest strip to a 12 in shortest one, about 73-1/2 in wide overall. The install guide spaces each neck and base strip 7-1/2 in apart, with 5-1/2 in between columns.
Finishes: matte black, brushed nickel, chrome, golden bronze and gunmetal (the last three are luxe). Your tallest wall needs to clear 72 in for the full layout.
Helix Under the Stairs kit
The Helix Under the Stairs kit holds bottles by the neck so they appear to float. VintageView’s layout sheet shows 15 Helix Single 15 racks stacked into five columns of 75, 60, 45, 30 and 15 in, spanning 75 to 90 in total width. Column centerlines are 15 in apart at a 37 degree slope and 18 in apart at 35 degrees, so measure your slope first. Each Helix Single 15 is 13 in wide, 15 in tall and 3-1/4 in deep and holds 3 bottles (750 ml, Champagne or 1.5 L), which gives the 45 bottles in VintageView’s product title. You order a left-facing or right-facing version to suit which way the stairs descend, in cool gray, golden bronze or matte black.
| W Series Under the Stairs | Helix Under the Stairs | |
|---|---|---|
| Racks in kit | 3 x 4 ft, 1 x 3 ft, 2 x 2 ft, 2 x 1 ft | 15 x Helix Single 15 |
| Tallest / shortest column | 72 in / 12 in | 75 in / 15 in |
| Overall size | 72 x 78 in (VintageView listing) | 75 to 90 in wide |
| Depth off wall | 5.25, 8.5 or 12 in | 3-1/4 in (rack) |
| Bottles | 63, 126 or 189 | 45 |
| Bottle position | Label-forward, lying down | Held by the neck |
| Our price | $839 to $1,493 | $1,185 to $1,380 |
Our prices match VintageView’s own site for every option we checked in October 2026. The W Series kit starts below our $999 free freight threshold, so the matte black and brushed nickel versions ($839 to $920) ship for a $200 flat fee unless your order passes $999; the luxe finishes and every Helix option qualify for free freight. Our Helix listing title still says “45-bottle” and some of its description repeats W Series text, so call us at 866-777-2590 to confirm specs before ordering.
Wall mount or floor posts under a staircase
Both kits are wall-mounted, which suits the usual closed triangle with a drywall side. Floor-to-ceiling posts need a ceiling above them, which a sloped stair soffit complicates. If your stairs have no wall beneath, call us before buying.
Find the studs and plan the fasteners
Do not assume where studs fall under a staircase. Mark every stud and any blocking, then compare with your layout. The W Series install guide lists screws, spiral drywall anchors and two toggle bolts per rack, and the W Series kit lists hardware for drywall and wood-backed walls. The Helix listings do not spell out their hardware, so ask us before you plan anchor points. Our guide to studs vs drywall anchors explains when anchors are enough and when to add backing; if the space is still open framing, plywood backing is the easy win.
Wine storage under stairs: open display or enclosed closet
Enclosing the space with a glass door or framed closet keeps dust and curious hands out and makes it feel like a small under stairs wine cellar. A door does not cool anything. The space stays at whatever temperature your house runs, and we do not sell cellar cooling units. For long-term aging, a steady 50 to 60 F matters more than looks; our wine storage temperature guide explains the numbers. Log temperatures through a summer before aging wine there. For bottles you open within months, room temperature is fine away from heat vents and sunny windows.
Lighting the space
Under stairs is usually dark. Low-heat LED strips or a small wall washer make labels readable; keep fixtures from heating bottles, and run wiring before the racks cover the wall.
Wine rack under staircase ideas with modular racks
If neither kit fits your triangle, build your own steps from individual racks:
- W Series racks: the W Series 1 (1 ft, 3 bottles single deep, from $45), W Series 3 (36 in, 9/18/27 bottles, from $123) and W Series 4 (48 in, 12/24/36 bottles, from $154) stack with supplied couplers, so you can set each column height to your slope. By our arithmetic, the kit’s eight racks at their lowest listed prices add up to $839, the kit’s starting price, so the kit mainly saves you planning time.
- Evolution Wine Wall: 1-column sections such as the Evolution 15 1C (3, 6 or 9 bottles, from $109) and Evolution 45 1C (9, 18 or 27 bottles, from $305) are 14-5/8 in wide and hold standard, Champagne and Pinot bottles in the same row. Our W Series vs Evolution comparison covers the differences.
- Vino Pins: the Vino Pins Flex 45 (9, 18 or 27 bottles, from $226) can be tilted up to 45 degrees, which can echo the stair angle, and single Vino Pins 1 pegs (from $21) mount directly into drywall to fill the tight low end.
To size a custom layout, use our formula for how many bottles fit on a wine wall, and browse every VintageView rack on our VintageView brand page. For the wider picture, start at the wine rack and cellar storage guide. Questions or a sketch of your stairs? Call 866-777-2590, Mon to Fri 9AM to 6PM PST. Returns follow our return and refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do I need for an under stairs wine rack?
VintageView lists the W Series kit at 72 x 78 in; the Helix kit spans 75 to 90 in with a 75 in tallest column. Smaller spaces can use individual racks.
Can I turn the space into an under stairs wine cellar?
You can enclose and rack it, but enclosure does not control temperature, so check readings before aging wine there.
Is the Helix kit left or right facing?
Both are offered. Pick the version that matches the direction your stairs slope down, and confirm with us if you are unsure.
Can wine storage under stairs go on drywall?
The W Series kit includes hardware for drywall and wood-backed installs; call us to confirm Helix hardware. Studs or backing are the strongest option wherever your layout allows.
