The reverse floor plan is a coastal favorite. Bedrooms go on the lower living levels, and the kitchen, dining and great room go on the top floor, where the ocean view is best. It makes perfect sense until you arrive with a car full of groceries and realize the refrigerator is three flights up.
The simple fix
A dumbwaiter is a small enclosed lift for goods. Its shaft runs from the ground level under the house to the kitchen at the top. You load it by the car and unload it by the counter.
What goes in it
- Groceries and drinks
- Coolers’ contents after a day on the beach
- Luggage, a bag at a time
- Trash and recycling going down
- Linens and laundry between floors
Stops
Two stops, ground and kitchen, cover the main need. Adding a stop at each bedroom level makes it useful for laundry and luggage.
Where it fits
The shaft needs a straight vertical run about the size of a small closet. In new construction it is drawn into the plans. In an existing house, a stack of closets or a corner by the stairwell often works.
Built for the coast
- The ground-level stop is planned with flood requirements in mind
- Finishes are chosen for a humid, salty environment
- Regular servicing keeps it reliable
Dumbwaiter or cargo lift
An exterior cargo lift is an open platform on the outside of the house. A dumbwaiter is inside, enclosed and delivers directly into the kitchen. They are different products for a similar chore.
With an elevator
Many owners install both: a home elevator for people and a dumbwaiter for supplies, so the elevator is not tied up on arrival day.
For rental owners
It is a convenience that guests appreciate.
See if your house has a route
Visit our dumbwaiters page. Call Nationwide Lifts of North Carolina on (910) 377-7643 or request a site visit.