Are you or someone you know really into collecting wine corks? Do you own a wine bar or bottle shop and are looking for a functional or artistic way to collect all those used corks?
While a wine cork holder is not a necessity, it is a fun and attractive way to display your wine cork collection. Whether you are looking for a small, decorative wine cork collector to hold just a few used wine corks or a large wine cork holder for a friend who loves to collect ALL the wine corks, we’ve got something on this list that will serve your needs.
In this blog, we’ve included several unique and best ideas for wine cork storage and decor. Before we continue with our reviews and recommendations, though, a little about the KnowWines blog: We’re an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions help us pay for web hosting fees, our podcast, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thank you for using our affiliate links and supporting this independent blog!
And now for our wine cork storage ideas (let us know which ones you use in the comments below!).
The KnowWines Favorite Cork Display Option
The Metal Wine Monogram Cork Holder
This wine cork monogram holds about ninety corks and mounts on the wall without adhesives. It is available in many different letters. This wine cork decor may be good for a housewarming gift, or to spell out your surname or the name of your wine bar. We love wine cork display idea, especially because the corks don’t fall out!
What can I do with old corks?
Some wine lovers like to collect labels and/or corks. An extensive search into the different types of wine cork holders on the market yielded quite a diverse array of decor items to either collect or recycle your wine corks. Wine cork holders come in a variety of sizes, with some designed to hold just a few special corks, and others designed to store hundreds of wine corks. You can also choose from mass-produced and trending wine cork holders or a one-of-a-kind variety.
If you are looking for the best wine cork holder as a gift, here are a few things to look for:
What is the decor of the recipient’s home? Consider matching the wine cork holder with their personal style.
Does the recipient have a small space or a large space to display corks?
Does the recipient want to show off one wine cork, a few wine corks, or many?
Is the recipient a crafter or would they prefer a no-assembly-required gift?
Is there a special occasion or theme for the gift-giving?
The benefit of a wine bottle cork holder is its ability to contain one or more wine corks in an organized and thoughtful manner. The best wine cork holder is one that you or the gift recipient will use for some time. If you are looking to pair the cork holder with a personalized wine journal (perfect gift for the wine lover in your life!), check out our article on wine journals.
Clearly, one does not need a wine cork holder if they enjoy wine. Wine cork keepers are simply a decorative tool to contain corks for collections, for reusing corks, or for remembering a special occasion. As such, wine cork holders are not for the following types of people:
People who do not drink wine.
People under the legal drinking age (although there’s nothing illegal about collecting wine corks).
People preferring minimalist decor and don’t display a great deal of wall or countertop decor.
Best Wine Cork Holder for a Wine Bar
If you own a wine bar or bottle shop, you may simply need an inexpensive way to collect corks for aesthetic reasons or for upcycling. Many tasting rooms use simple, clear wine bucket as a wine cork storage container. Take a look:
Pros:
Transparent acrylic, so corks are visible
Easy to clean, no metal or wood surfaces for liquids to pool in
Multi-tasker, can be utilized to cool wines by adding cool water and ice
Cons:
Dust, foils, and any wine that might end up in the container will be visible to guests
Not very decorative
Best Wine Cork Collector for Large Collections
This wine cork storage container for people with large collections (up to 2000 corks) is also an impressive piece of furniture. This piece is great for collectors with appreciate wine country rustic or Tuscan Italian decor and who want to add a little wine country ambiance to their cellar, kitchen, or living room. The piece stands a little over 27 inches high and is a little over 22 inches in diameter. It is almost all metal, with a wooden top great for displaying a decanter, glassware, or wine books.
Pros:
Pairs well with several home decor styles, especially rustic elegant or wine country decor
Ability to personalize, just use these chalk markers (affiliate link) to personalize the nameplate
A smaller, 400-cork option from Home-X (affiliate link) is available (20 inches x 14 inches x 14 inches) if the Wine Enthusiast Barrel Cork Catcher side table is too large
Cons:
Needs a couple of hundred corks before you can really see the dual purpose (end table AND cork collector)
The end table has a small opening in the back to insert corks (the natural tendency is to fill from the top)
Best Wall-Mounted Personalized Wine Cork Holder
This is a pleasing, personalized wine bottle cork collector in basic black. We purchased this wine cork monogram a few months ago and have liked it. This metal wine cork holder holds about 90 wine corks.
Pros:
Customizable, get just one letter for your surname, or multiple letters to spell your initials, your favorite wine region, or wine shop business name
Easy to install with a single nail
Can also stand freely on a countertop or ledge
Attractive cork display for your home
Cons:
Some buyers have received monogram cork holders that are damaged in shipping. Visually inspect the item after shipping to be sure that the letter is free of scratches and is not bent/misshapen
Some letters will stand up on their own more easily others (e.g. a “W” has two touch points versus a “T” which could be top-heavy)
Best “Go Big or Go Home” Wine Cork Holder
This oversized wine glass is great for people who want to make a statement with their wine cork collection. This is a fun option for a home game room or for displaying in a bar or restaurant.
Pros:
Holds up to 200 wine corks
Made of real glass
Fun home decor for wine lovers
Cons:
Fragile, could tip over easily if children or pets are present
Wine Cork Holder Kits that put Corks to Work
If you or a gift recipient are seeking a wine cork holder that is both decorative and useful, these two items may be for you!
Wine Cork Trivet
This trivet provides a way to use and occasionally display a few corks. You provide the corks! Simply screw your favorite corks, or get some recycled corks (affiliate link) onto the wireframe and you are ready to go!
Pros:
Easy to put together
Requires only seven corks (you provide the corks)
Practical, useful
Cons:
Uses only natural corks - synthetic corks might melt under a hot pot!
Champagne corks might be too “lumpy” for this wine craft
Wine Cork Lazy Susan
This Lazy Susan is a fun craft for your dining room or bar countertop. This solid wood cork display holds about 130 corks, measures 19 inches in diameter, and weighs about ten pounds, even before you add the corks. Play around with the cork orientation to customize the look.
Pros:
Solid wood construction
Fun “puzzle” project
Cons:
Requires over 120 corks before it looks complete - you provide the cork collection
You might need to (carefully) shave some corks to get them to fit
The glass might not be easy to remove from the wood frame before inserting the corks
Best Wine Cork Holder Shadow Boxes
For those wanting to display their wine cork collection in a more artistic fashion, these three options may be for you.
Personalized Wine Cork Shadow Box
This shadow box measures 6 inches x 9 inches and is solid wood (pine).
Pros:
Solid wood and glass
Customizable
Does not require a large collection of corks to get started
Cons:
The clear cover is plastic - some buyers may be expecting glass
Plain Cork Shadow Box
For those seeking a plain shadow box, this 11 x 12 wood wine cork holder can stand up on its own on a shelf or counter or can be installed on the wall. Wine corks are easy to insert through the top of the shadow box
Pros:
Solid wood construction
No hand-lettering on the glass
Lighting inside shadow box!
Cons:
The plain brown wood trim might not appeal to everyone
Large Wine Cork Shadow Box
This is a uniquely designed wine cork shadow box that holds significantly more wine bottle corks than the above options.
Pros:
Great for lovers of rustic farmhouse decor
Holds 60+ wine bottle cords
Options to wall mount or set up as free-standing on table or kitchen counter
Cons:
Specific style may not appeal to all aesthetics
Best Wine Cork Cage for Cat + Wine Lovers
For those wine cork collectors looking for a cage, there are many options available. Wine cork cages come in many shapes and sizes. What is great about these cages is that one can combine two interests: say, their love of wine and their love for cats! Wine cork cages are good for cork collectors who want a free-standing container to store corks - with a little whimsy!
This particular wine cork display is made of sturdy metal and holds about 40 corks. Standing a little over 12 inches tall, it would fit above many cabinets, above the refrigerator or on the countertop under cabinets.
Pros:
Don’t need to start with a bunch of corks, so you can start your collection one at a time
All metal construction (bronze)
Cons:
Can’t mount on the wall
Best Wine Cork Key Chain
Make your own key chain with your favorite wine cork (or corks) leftover from wine travels, a bachelorette party, milestone birthday, or retirement party. With your favorite corks in hand, you can have key chain mementos for your special occasion within minutes. These metal alloy key chains include everything you need except the cork: metal alloy key ring, small chain, and screw to attach the used wine cork.
Pros:
Inexpensive
Easy to use
Can be used on natural or synthetic cork
Cons:
The chain may not be long enough - depends upon how much chain you like to have dangle between the keyring and the cork
Still Have Too Many Corks?
Turns out there are plenty of household uses for used wine corks, from pot holders to DIY candles to cord bundlers. Check out this ingenious how-to video to learn all the ways you can re-use your wine corks:
No Corks? No Problem! Buy Wine Corks for Crafts or Decor
Perhaps you would like to gift the wine cork holder recipient with some wine corks already inside so that it does not look naked and empty. Or maybe you often to drink wine with screwcaps and feel that it will take you years to fill up the wine cork holder. No problem! Authentic wine corks are available online.
Pros:
Use for any crafting project where wine corks are needed, including trivets, wreaths, or corkboards
Environmentally friendly - already used or repurposed
Different colors and brands from all around the United States
Cons:
Might include sparkling wine corks that might not fit well with your gift or craft, depending upon application
Upcycling Used Wine Corks: Our Conclusion
Wine cork holders are a great way to display used wine corks. There are several decor options out there for upcycling wine corks after enjoying wine. Some of these options are functional as well as fun. Some require a little work to put together or fill.
Our favorite monogram wine cork holder fits several needs: It’s attractive wall art in basic black, easy to fill, personalized, and has the look of a shadow box without the glass. Our monogram wine cork holder arrived in good condition with no scratches or dents. We like the possibility of adding more letters as our cork collection grows.
What is your favorite way to collect or reuse wine corks? Let us know in the comments box below.