Try remihomeelevators.com

My friend has an elevator in their house and its actually quite useful. You wouldn't even know its there - It just has a door on the front like every closet in the house. You would think it was a closet unless you opened the door. I think there is an internal accordion style door, but you just have a regular door in the room.

If you have the opportunity to put it in now I would do so. Not enough houses are universally designed, in my opinion, and it could be a selling point down the road.

I don't have any good reccomendations for the actual elevator but in order to conseal it you could maybe use some foldable doors (like shutters) to make it look nicer.

I personally don't really see the need for an elevator in 3 fl building... you can always use one of those building elevators that can be placed outside of the house for the time of the actual move.

Or just leave space for the elevator and it can be installed later if you need or want it.

It looks like the annex on the right would be a better location. You could do it in glass which would be pretty cool, that is have a glass wall with view of garden & not street for privacy. Now is the time to make mistakes & changes, you will have to live with the architects designs long after they have gone. Don't let yourself be bullied into a "design" I had to fire my architect late last year for designs he wouldn't budge on (saying things like "you are making a huge mistake & you will regret it") As soon as he was gone we built the house "we" wanted rather than the "design statement" he wanted. In my golf club they have stained oak panelling on frame and on sliding door, rather than have "your architect" design one, why not contact otis?

I think your best bet is a really pretty door to conceal the opening.

I am just jealous as you clearly have lots of extra money to spend!

keep in mind that elevators are not a one-time investment. the upkeep and repairs get *very* expensive.

I say put a nice door on it and go for it. We live in a big old 3 story + basement house. Our bedroom is on the third floor and the laundry is in the basement. We daydream about installing a dumbwaiter at the very least. On the other hand, laundry is a fitness plan at our house.

I too was wondering if the bathroom on the right could be switched with the elevator. The stairs would need some shifting and some other proportions adjusted - hard to know how all the floors align from just this one plan. But since you are still in the design stage, now would be the time to iron these things out. An elevator would mean that a 3-story house would be elderly- or handicap-accessible on all floors, which can be helpful if your circumstances require this or may need it in the future.

It appears you have hesitated to talk with your husband so both of you can understand the other's opinions and reasons around having an elevator. Seems to me that's the first step. Do you have any say in whether it's included? Where it's placed in the overall design?

I've been lugging laundry up and down stairs for years. Now in my mid 50's with knees that SCREAM arthritis, DO IT...get that elevator. Stairs are brutal on the knees, walking is great but not stairs.

Any time I hear about elevators in homes, people complain about the constant repair costs. If this is a home you are buying for long term (ie aging in place) I would just make sure you stairs are able to work with a stair lift in your later years. 3 floors now means less time needed to be spent in the gym. :)

I would definitely do it. We currently live in a one story house and I love knowing that if something should happen, we won't have to move or alter our house. With that many floors, by adding an elevator, you ensure that you can continue to live in your house for the rest of your life! If you have the money and it won't be a burden, I would definitely do it.

An elevator is a hell of a lot more attractive than one of those chairlifts installed on the stairs. Or moving your bedroom to the dining room so you can't take the stairs. Consider what life will be like when you are ninety.

Ditto on the ongoing expense. I know the elevator at work has to be inspected yearly.

If you plan on living in this house forever - do it. (Also, could you have the architect move it to a less prominent position if you're worried about that? You're paying him to design your dream house so you shouldn't be less than satisfied with the layout, right?)

"Must be nice to have such problems." -EBARRETT3

Apartment Therapy editors, I wish you would delete comments like this. This has nothing to do with the question being asked, but it is instead a snarky comment aimed at the person asking the question.

I work in a similar industry (planning) and I find when it comes to certain elements some people have a hard time translating a flat plan to reality in their brain. The architect looks like he picked that location as it's already dead space. I'm not saying you shouldn't move it, but you have to think of what's above when you do move it. Putting it in a spot that's not as noticeable is great in theory but I'm going to guess that it will now make the rooms above awkward shapes and require an extra hallway on each floor (yuck)

I would tell your architect you're conserved and find out what he plans on doing with the finishing (is there a door infront, no door, bifold door etc)

Finally while I think the whole elevator is a bit silly, I'm not the one doing laundry 4 floors down. It sounds like it could be useful in a lot of situations, including when you're old. Just because it's there though doesn't mean you have to use it all the time. Make sure you teach your kids that :) our society is lazy enough with public escalators/elevators

Δεν ξέρω σε τι κατάσταση ηλικιακή κ υγείας είστε, αλλά σε μερικά χρόνια θα είναι άκρως απαραίτητο το ασανσέρ, ιδίως σε ένα σπίτι τριών-τεσσάρων ορόφων. Αν κάνεις μια βόλτα σε σάιτ εταιριών σε οικιακά ασανσέρ όλο κ θα βρεις. Ιδίως αν επικοινωνήσεις ζωντανά κ τους πεις ότι πρόκειται για ασανσέρ σε μονοκατοικία. Δες το kleeman.gr. Επίσης θα πρότεινα η σκάλα να μην έχει κενό, ωστε ανοίγοντας η πόρτα του ασανσέρ να βλέπει στην τουαλέτα, δεν ξέρω βέβαια κατά πόσο θα χωρέσει.

Lifts are always useful, especially for the older. Have a look at kleeman.gr and above all, give the company a ring, do not rely just on the looks.

Concerned not conserved :)

I think elevators in homes that don't require them for medical reasons are tacky. Reeks of lazyness to me.

I can assure you that the elevator will cost you a bundle now (to install) and in the future for repair costs. Elevator maintenance etc. costs a fortune. Parts are ridiculous.

Also, they are super noisy and will vibrate your entire house when it's being used. You don't notice this in larger buildings much because the mechanism is on the roof.

Install a dumbwaiter if you want to transport things like laundry from your basement to the top floor.

I'm a disabled person. Some of the things people do and don't do in their houses astonishes me. Mostly the full flights of stairs without handrails, places that I could get into only if I did it on hands and knees. I read really unwelcoming subtexts into this sort of building. So I say, if you can afford an elevator, why not? Whether it looks great is not really the issue. Maybe some day you'll have a disabled friend. Maybe some day someone in your family will have a physical disability. Maybe some day you'll get old.

I would say no. I know several people with elevators in homes who don't use them. They break down often, are expensive to repair and maintain. My friends have phones in their elevators and they are smaller than usual, so when one of my friends got stuck twice it was very claustrophobic waiting for rescue.

I would suggest instead a dumbwaiter. It would be useful, when you send your laundry up and down it makes running up and down the stairs much easier.

Emerson. There is a reason for open commenting. EBarrett might simply be stating that this is not a real problem for AT readers in general. That this person does not live in an apartment. It's a fun entertaining question but it probably applies to 1% of the AT community that might have the option of an elevator. Some could say his point is as valid as the post is in general.

I'm sure the editors of the AT community are capable of editing out what really needs to be edited. They do check back on their stories often in my experience.

I agree, universal design is a major asset well worth integrating at the planning stage. Universal design can delay or prevent your being forced from your home by declining mobility. Would the elevator have home generator automatic kick-in in case of power outage? An emergency phone? Stair lifts seem less likely to make a person feel claustrophobic. Or, since it's still in the blueprints stage, a shorter house might be easier. Some people here prefer single-story, e.g., ranch, houses, not that I'm recommending you build one. A custom-built house in Greece sounds lovely. Would you please share photos later?

I would say yes. I'm an oldie and while my husband and I can manage the stairs a few of our friends are having to install chair lifts etc. if you install now it will fit in naturally. Also having lived in a three storey house it would be handy for bringing up linen, moving furniture, vacuum cleaners etc.

I have a three story house and put a second laundry room in the master bedroom upstairs when I remodeled. It saves alot of trips up and down stairs doing laundry. I agree with the comments regarding an elevator making the house handicap accesable which can only be a plus at resale time or if a relative develops a disability.

Beautiful floor plan by the way looks like its going to be a wonderful home !! best of luck and enjoy your build !!

Perhaps this is a mis-assumption, but I have to assume that one of their family members is unable to take the stairs and thus an elevator is a necessity. Is that not the case?

If you are not ready, now, for it, but anticipate need (or live in an area where the population is aging/retiring), you are smart to make sure you have the space, structure and mechanical systems for it. Do everything you can to lay the groundwork... but perhaps put it in down the road.

PS: Make sure it is wheel-chair wide.

My parents, both architects, are finishing up a second home where they plan to retire. They are both in their 60s, and I urged them to think about universal design and less stairs given their age. They elected to build up rather than out.

Ironically, my father has been diagnosed with a major illness that limits his mobility shortly after they moved forward with construction. We are now forced to retrofit the design to address these issues.

Based on my experience and the rising age of the population in general, I would go with the elevator.

I don't know any about elevators, but I saw an article about pneumatic vacuum home elevators a few weeks ago and those seem to make sense to me. Here's one company that installs them: http://www.daytonaelevator.com/Pneumatic%20Vacuum%20Elevator%20Main%20Page2.htm

Three stories? For future resale value, you really should put in the elevator. It will open up the field of possible purchasers in the future. Assuming the cost is not prohibitive for you now, putting it in now is better than trying to retrofit later.

100% yes if your garage is on a separate floor from your kitchen, with groceries that gets really old really quick but besides that you have to think how often you will be going straight from the first floor to the third.

It might be a bother now, but it seems like the sort of thing you'll really be glad for when you're 90.

My friend's parents have an elevator in their house. I used it once for novelty value but it was way too slow to use again. However, the fact that they have an elevator means they have not needed to move to another house or a nursing home because one spouse lost mobility. I don't know if they could have added a chairlift to their spiral staircase.

As somebody said earlier elevators are not cheap, ignoring the initial cost, the ongoing costs are not insignificant. Our condo association spends about 180/month for an elevator in a 3 unit building. You have to have a phone line for the elevator which runs about another 30-40/month.

If you're interested in it in the future, but have no need for it now, you can set aside space for the utility closet for it, as well as the shaft. Then you can put locked doors on it and forget about it until you decide you need it.

I would only add it if you were disabled (or have a family member who is disabled) or are moving towards an age where stairs could be a big problem. My grandmother had one in her townhouse and she used it to bring her arthritic dog up and down, and I think it was helpful as she hit her nineties.

I think its a great idea! Many people have difficulty with stairs, especially as we age. I like the thought of putting it in the annex to the right and giving it some glass. But even if that doesn't work I think the current placement is fine. you asked for door ideas... the entire column of elevator within the stairs could be open/viewable. That might be interesting if your house includes other exposed elements like beams.

It seems to me carved or sculpted doors or ones with art incorporated into them would be pretty. I'm sure you can find artisans who build beautiful gates -- think of these in a similar way.

I think some of those commenting must be pretty young. I'm 64 and just remodeled to move my laundry to my only bathroom so I don't have to go up and down very steep dangerous basement stairs. You don't have to get to 90 to need one level type living. If I were in your lucky shoes I'd leave space for the elevator. You can add it when needed or the next owner can.

As someone who is not young I see it as a wonderful additin that will, if you plan to live in this house through all your years, enable you to do so with ease. Universal design is a wonderful thing. Of course you could later add an automated stair climbing seat, assuming your stairs can accommodate that but they are not as useful, are, in my opinion uglier and more obtrusive than an elevator. Elevators are handy for transferring heavier and in the case of a smaller elevator, but smaller items as one's body is less able to do that. I always loved those old fashioned (1940's US?) elevator doors that were open work metal constructions that accordioned...almost like jewelry or art. I say go for it!

In an episode of 9 by Design, they were deciding whether or not to put an elevator into their, I think, five-story home. They decided against it because the maintenance costs would be a burden to them AND they said it was seen as a negative when they go to sell it. Of course, they're pretty young with young kids, and they move often. But I got the impression from that show that elevators ultimately hurt the value of the house because of the cost of upkeep.

Growing up a neighbor had an elevator in their 3 story victorian home. It had been installed when the house was built because then elevators were the newest fanciest thing.

They pretty much used it as a closet. The Otis elevator company would send mail (addressed to the original owner of the home) about safety and they considered it just a funny quirk of their home.

Until their daughter was unexpectedly struck with a very serious illness. She could no longer deal with the stairs. They were very happy to be able to have the option of getting that elevator going.

If you have the space and the money I would say that an elevator is a really, really great thing to have. Particularly if you plan to age in place.

I would say. Build the house "elevator ready" but don't install the elevator. Instead build those paces into closets. At your age, I would assume that a closet/storage would be more useful then an elevator. And later down the road when you feel you need an elevator install it then in. You would have all the structural and electrical requirements their. Plus this way you will save over the years and not have to have all that maintenance on a not very used elevator, and nobody has to think that you are lazy (as some comments have suggested). This is actually what my husband and I plan on doing. When/if the real reason you think an elevator will be handy is because of the future then just wait for the future to install it. Who knows, in that time maybe a better elevator will exist for homes.

Ask anyone who lives in a condo building with an elevator why their monthly assessments are so high. Elevator maintenance is crazy expensive.

My husband is in a wheelchair, and in his parents 5 story house an elevator was a must for him. They just put nice doors on the outside, and it looks like a well placed coat closet on each level. They ran it next to stairs, so walking people have options!! :) He and I built our own house a few years ago and opted for a one level barrier free design, which we've really enjoyed. (That last part was just a random side note:) I say, find an amazing door (or two) and go for a great functioning elevator.

i'd say if you can afford to put an elevator in your home you can afford the upkeep. and if you need the elevator go for it. if you want it because it will look cool/ritzy whatever. do not do it. my ex-boyfriends grandmother had elevators in all of her homes, which she needed, but we would ride them up and down for the hell of it and they were so slow. i'd rather take the stairs. as for hiding it, like others have said you can put a door in front of it or make it blend in nicely. I'm sure your architect will have ideas.

I'd vote yes, but see if you can make it into a feature rather than hiding it.

Could you have it double as a light well? If your tastes run modern, you could enclose it in frosted glass. If they're more traditional, you could mimic the style of elevators from the 30s.

People who pretend that aging happens only sometimes and then only to others are amusing. Unless you (not specifically directed) die young, you will age and then die. If you're reading this post, then for you the former is unlikely. Preparing for the latter by considering "equalizers," e.g., a home elevator, for your future makes sense. Also, universal design can benefit kids, too.

Doesn't your architect have resources for residential elevators? We're designing one now for a retired couple and you can finish the interior of the cab pretty much any way you want. With residential elevators, there are two doors, one for the cab and one into the hall. The one in the hall you can also finish to look like every other door in the house. I'm not sure of companies that sell in Greece, but here are some links to give you ideas.

http://www.symmetryelevators.com/

http://www.otisathome.com/

http://www.tkaccess.com/home-elevators/homeElevators.aspx
(this is a European company, so you might have luck here)

As to the location, you want it where it will be easy to use or there is no point. It may look prominent in plan, but built it will just look like any other wall with a closet door at each floor.

As to maintenance, single-family elevators are going to be different than commercial elevators used in apartments and condos. Hydraulic ones still need daily operation, but maybe look into an inline gear drive elevator?

We installed an elevator in our house due a family member with a disability. We have a 3 story house and I love the elevator. I consider it an appliance, albeit a very expensive appliance, and use it all the time to transport heavy items, laundry, furniture, etc. The maintenance costs are minimal and the noise level is not an issue. The door to the elevator looks like a closet door and people are surprised it is an elevator. We did have significant modifications to the house to install it.

I do lose out on the exercise from not using the stairs.... I probably would be 5 lbs lighter.

I live in a house that has 4 floors and 10 - 19 ft. ceilings = tall house. 3 reasons I wish I had an elevator:

1. I really want to move some furniture, but continue to avoid it as it takes 3 – 4 people to navigate the stairs with bigger/heavy pieces.
2. We have been here 15 years and want to stay many more. We never would have thought of aging in place needs when we moved here. If you plan to stay, plan ahead.
3. I have not had a family gathering at my house in 10+ years because parents cannot navigate the stairs any longer. (Makes me think of point two)

I really appreciate the great house I live in and while I like taking the stairs for the exercise I get every day, I am aware that the use of an elevator as needed, would solve all issues. If you can afford it, I highly recommend including in your plans.

There's a difference between wanting an elevator for convenience, for planning for when one gets older and for people with a medical need for one (elderly people included).

From what I gather from the question, they disagree on whether or not it's necessary which leads me to believe that the husband wants it for convenience.

I still maintain that it's a tacky addition to the house if it's only going to be used to bring laundry upstairs. If you're planning your house to have the laundry in the basement and then installing an elevator to make it easier, it would make much (much much) more sense to just put the laundry on the third (or second) floor. I've read here that people use them to cart their vacuums or furniture up and down - let me introduce you to the **Central Vacuum**. If you move your furniture enough to justify having an elevator then I'd say you have some issues that the elevator won't solve and perhaps the barrier of the staircase will prevent you from rearranging your entire house weekly. It being 'handy' is different from it being needed.

If you plan on staying in this house until you die, then as other posters have said, prepare for it by leaving a spot and wiring for it (imagine a huge skylight at the top of your stairs bringing all kinds of natural light to your whole home). But if it's just because you don't want to carry things up or down stairs, then perhaps you should design it so you can minimize the effort while saving your home from having a silly conspicuous feature. I think that a dumbwaiter is a better, less tacky solution to the convenience issue.

I think its useful especially if you plan on keeping that house for the rest of your life. When your old and physically cant walk up the stairs, it seems practical, or if you are moving small furniture up and down.

my grandparents have an elevator in their house, it opens into the basement, livingroom, and their bedroom, and looks like a closet from the outside (a regular door opens to the elevator door). It's small, only big enough to squish 3 people in, or fit just my grandpa and his wheelchair more recently. My grandma likes it for carrying laundry and to bring things from the kitchen to/from the basement.

If you don't have a need for it right away, I would design the house to accommodate the elevator later and save the $$ for now. Just make sure it is designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

You sound lazy to me. If you are going to build a house that is three floors then suffer the consequences of walking from one floor to the next. If, on the other hand, you think it will sometime be of use to someone who is not lazy but who has a disability, and you have the bucks to blow on it, then go for it.

I agree with MJK12 for the same reasons: (I'll sorta repeat those reasons because they're good and have only been brought up once.)

Create the space now and install it when you actually need it because...

1) You won't have to pay for maintenance on an elevator you don't even need for the time being.

2) The longer you wait, the better the chances for technological advances that will make elevators that are quieter and require less maintenance.

Others have mentioned a dumb waiter... So why not install that in the same space until you require the elevator?

As an architect, I love to put elevators right in the middle of stairs just like that - lazy people will often be distracted by the stairs (on the way to the elevator) and walk instead, while people who can't use the stairs aren't sent to some distant corner when it's time to go up or down. This looks like a fairly snug plan - there's not another obvious spot for an elevator.
As for looks, you can make an elevator look like anything you want for the right price. I've no idea what models are available in Greece, but the principle is the same - the elevator is just a box, you can do anything to the inside or outside. Glass, wood, carved marble, wall paper with giant photos of puppies - whatever you would put on any other part of your house...

Have you checked with home appraisers in your area to find out how elevators affect your local resale value, and with elevator owners/manufacturers/certifiers/repairers to find out what the upkeep costs can run? It sounds like those responses would be useful fodder for the discussion with your husband about the pros and cons of including an elevator.

If there's no foreseeable near-future need for an elevator, I'm intrigued by the earlier suggestion of making the home "elevator-ready," with the layout designed for adding an elevator later. If that's of interest to you, I'd check with the architect to find out how the costs and time estimates compare for adding an elevator to an existing prepared space versus building one in. Because if you don't think you'll actually need one for at least a decade, those years of maintenance savings might be more than enough to cover the price difference, and those years of technological improvement might net you a newer/better/safer/faster/whatever elevator when you eventually do need it.

Either way, enjoy your new home!

(Oh, and as for the thoughts that an elevator would be tacky: Given that many have posted it can look just like any other doors in the home, so it wouldn't be visually tacky, and that many have a real physical need for elevators, is the idea that it would be tacky to lazily use an elevator when you could just take stairs, or tacky to spend that much extra money for something if you don't actually require it? Because if the former, I agree with the sentiment but I'm not sure that affects the elevator-installation decision process, and if the latter, I know people with lovely and useful but essentially tacky swimming pools, luxury cars, exercise rooms, and so on. Me, I want a tasteful-but-tacky greenhouse for our home. 8) )

I grew up in a three story house, plus a basement and its really not a big deal. Instead of putting in an elevator just do yourself a favor and put the laundry on whatever floor most of the bedrooms are on!

Is this your retirement, die-in-it house? Then at some point install an elevator.

When I was in school for interior design, my teacher told us that if we don't put an elevator in a multi story home, we should at least put in closets on top of each other so the potential is there to add one later. I say install it it now if you have the opportunity.

Good idea if you're aging or disabled, and there really isn't a reason NOT to do it, but the initial impression I get when I see an elevator in most homes is just the lazy, throwing money away angle of it. The lazy thing is kind of silly though, since I really cannot imagine any able-bodied person in their own home waiting for an elevator instead of taking the stairs if they're only going up 2 floors or less (could there really be people out there who WOULD?). From that angle, it seems like a little much and a little useless for the expense when you could just add more storage or something instead for probably less money, but it probably would add some value if you sell, if you caught the eye of someone with a disability.

I guess, I probably wouldn't, but if it's in the plans and the money is there, why not. I do like the idea of putting a normal door in front of it, though.

Dang! AT has a MUCH different demographic than I'd thought. I'm middle class and I've never even visited a home with an elevator in it.

Since the only part of the elevator visible from the outside will be the doors, just buy a standard door and refit the outer surface with the material of your choice. Something like leather or deeply buttoned velvet panels would look very luxe. And I'm sure that any company that sells residential elevators is used to dealing with very particular customers.

Personally I'd love to see a vintage wrought iron elevator installed, but I imagine that they are hard to find and very unreliable. I wonder if you could commission an artist to replicate one for you?

"Good idea if you're aging..." No offense, but that seems an example of the pervasive denial I'd mentioned, in that anybody reading it *is* aging, no ifs about it. Accepting early that an extended period as an elder is likely would motivate people to prepare better for post-employment years. I wonder whether that enculturated denial is part of why fewer and fewer Americans have had adequate retirement plans.

miami's elaine... technically I'm aging, but in my late twenties I'm not adding an elevator to my house for my retirement... I think people just mean if you're getting past middle age.

As for the elevator. Interesting question. I have a family member who is very pro-elevator, and installed one in his latest home renovation. It's covered by a door that matches all the other internal doors. Is it used very often? Not really, but it is an added feature to the house (and will appeal to the elderly/disabled if he sells). I also have a mother who necessitates a chair lift in her home, and I agree that it is sort of ugly, and also impractical if she wants to carry anything up with her (she can walk, but not use stairs). I think an elevator would be pretty useful for her. And she's not in the obvious "needs an elevator" demographic. So if you were to resell, her interest would be piqued.

I say yes to an elevator. When we sold our hillside home in Arizona it was problematic because of stairs and no elevator. I would have never imagined an elevator but I would now. There is an aging population out there! I was thinking an elevator would become a nuisance with kids, so perhaps making it incognito is a good idea so you can hide it from kids.

first world problems.

I would recommend it. Even in a 2 story house, you will get real tired of going up and down the stairs muliple times a day.

How about a dumb waiter? It would be very useful for laundry, and moving heavy and cumbersome objects.

I also recommend a mini kitchen in the top floor. Assuming your kitchen is one the first floor.

A mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, etc. This will prevent having to make a trip down 2 flights of stairs for a drink or a snack.

I recommend a powder room or bath on every floor.

If you put in an elevator, just make sure you put in an emergency call button or something. Last year an old couple died because they were stuck in their elevator for days after it broke down and couldn't call out.

"first world problems."

Unlike all of the third world problems we usually encounter in interior design, talktoearthworms?

I've only been in one home with a private elevator and it was really slow. It would be much faster (and healthier) to just take the steps. The only reason I see for an elevator is if someone in the home has a health problem/disability or is elderly that makes stairs difficult to maneuver. Not to mention, I imagine there's quite a bit of expense in maintaining it. But I mean I guess if you can afford it.

Would an elevator that basically isn't used still require much/any maintenance? You could build it in now, not use it, and then if it becomes actually necessary you could do whatever maintenance is required all together and start using it. If money/environmentalism is an issue. Anyway, I think since you can afford it you should build it, the aesthetics seems like a non-issue, even if it might be a problem for resale.

@vkewalra
I don't think an elevator in a private home (unlike an apartment building) would require it's own separate phone line... unless I'm missing something....

@miami's elaine
Haha, yeah, I was thinking "uh, everyone is moving to an age where stairs will be hard... some of us will just get there sooner than others"... unless one is so fortunate enough to be spry in their elder years... or so unfortunate to die young.

a. how high are the ceilings? 500 stairs late at night could create a wish for an elevator b. robert a.m. stern is "designing" 10 mega-houses (in the bronx, of all places) that are supposed to be homage houses of the 1920s, and all of them have elevators planned as a selling point (and to counterbalance horrid, wasteful layouts that are nothing like the 1920s). in the tours, everyone used the stairs. c. what are the expectations of the community (everyone else has one)? d. reminded of that movie, set in paris, w/ audrey hepburn & cary grant; the placement of this elevator w/stairs @ makes sense. e. exercise is built in elsewhere, as parking is sited as far away from the kitchen as possible, which is a mistake re.groceries that are heavy or thawing rapidly.

p.s. thank you for describing via floor plan!

Ok ok what did you decide in the the end?

Thank you guys, for taking the time to answer my question.

I think I like the idea of “elevator from the 30s style, old fashioned 1940's”, as far as design is concerned. An industrial door made by iron maybe.

I also think that the idea of installing the elevator later when it will probably be more needed to save money now is good. I am 33 years old (husband 35) and we don't need it right now, but everyone (parents, older friends etc) say that we will wish for it in the future. To be honest I believe that one should grab every opportunity for exercise in everyday life since a lot of us work all day sitting in an office.

Maintenance cost was something I really had not thought about, I admit. So I will take this into consideration too.

To EBARRETT3 & talktoearthworms

I am in an interior design blog, posting a question about interior design.
I am sorry if I have offended your worldview by asking my question.

To Miami's Elaine

Thank you Elaine. I will surely post photos when the house is ready.

Anstra, thanks for coming back and answering! I look forward to seeing the photos, and hope you love your new home.

A home elevator is a good thing IF you have a good installer and a company that backs it up. Our company has purchased two Savaria home elevators in the last 24 months, and both installations have been a nightmare - unfortunately we picked bad installers. The parent company has been very unsupportive. I would spend a lot of time checking into how the manufacturer selects its distributers and the reputation of the distributers themselves.