You might never have thought that a wine fridge could go out of style (chilled wine is timeless, after all). But a new, trendier way to store your rosé has emerged: the beverage center.
Beverage centers are small, under-the-counter, temperature-controlled fridges that can hold any type of drink. Basically, they’re a well-structured mini fridge that you can set to a specific temperature to chill your beverages properly. Best of all, they’re not designed just to store wine—you can fill the shelves with anything you’d like.
According to a report from Zillow, homes that list a beverage center in their description can sell for up to 2.4% more than those that don't. Homes that mention a wine fridge, however, only see a 0.9% increase in sell price. The feature was also included in the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) kitchen trends report for 2024: More than half of survey respondents said they wanted a dedicated area with specialized storage and appliances for all kinds of drinks, from sparkling water to iced coffee.
LAUREY GLENN
One reason homeowners are adding beverage centers to their wish lists is because they balance convenience and a streamlined look. Gone are the days of going to the wine fridge in the garage or cellar—under-the-counter beverage centers make it easy to grab a glass of whatever you're craving at any time (Fluffy Coke, anyone?). They’re often positioned in the kitchen or a bar area that’s close to the dining room, making it that much easier to serve guests or get something for yourself on your way to sit down for dinner.
And as the name implies, you can keep whatever you want in your beverage center: waters and sparkling drinks on the top shelf, cocktail mixers and fixings in the middle, and a row of your favorite wines on the bottom. If you don't drink alcohol, use it for your mocktails. While you probably wouldn't want to turn an enormous wine fridge into a non-alcoholic beverage station, you could easily do so with a beverage center.
Plus, they look good in any space and can function as hidden storage. Turn your second sink, extra counter, fixed island, or pantry area into a place with a purpose without sacrificing style. You're getting the best of both worlds—and when you're at home, that's what you deserve.