There are a number of home or building upgrades that provide both convenience and assistance to occupants or workers, and one of the most well-known here is the dumbwaiter. Used in both residential and commercial settings, dumbwaiters are a form of lift that move materials between levels within a building, and do so while taking up far less space (and budget) than a typical elevator.

At A+ Elevators & Lifts, we’re happy to provide a wide range of dumbwaiters for use in any setting, residential or commercial. What are some of the specific uses of dumbwaiters in each of these environments? Let’s go through the answers in this two-part blog series, starting with part one here on residential dumbwaiters and some of the most common ways in which they’re put to great use.

Groceries and Shopping

For many people, the single most common use of dumbwaiters in residential dwellings is to help with groceries and other shopping. Whether the groceries are coming in from outside or they’re being brought down from higher levels of the home, dumbwaiters make it incredibly easy to move them around, meaning less strain and fewer trips up and down flights of stairs carrying heavy items.

This is especially beneficial for people with mobility issues, who can use the dumbwaiter to take items between floors without having to worry about carrying them. Dumbwaiters can typically handle any kind of simple load you’re likely to need to move around, from bags of groceries and cases of drinks to heavier items like furniture pieces.

If this is your primary purpose for installing a dumbwaiter, be sure to choose one with plenty of cargo space and a hook or other type of attachment to keep items from shifting during transit. It may also be helpful to choose a lift that has special carrying trays, boxes and dividers to help you organize your load.

Laundry in Multi-Level Homes

Another common residential application for a dumbwaiter is to help people move laundry around in multi-level homes. It could be used to move clothes from the washing machine up to the dryer, or even between different floors of the home – for instance, moving clean items down to bedrooms on other levels.

For this type of use, it’s important to choose a dumbwaiter with enough capacity to carry the items you want it to, plus one that is designed for frequent use. You may also want to select a model with an easy-to-clean finish, so that any spills or dirt on your clothes don’t end up staining the lift itself.

Finally, be sure to choose one with appropriate safety features and railing, as you’ll be moving potentially wet items around.

Moving In or Out

For many people who own multiple-story dwellings, the dumbwaiter can also be a huge asset when it comes to moving items in or out of the building. Whether you’re bringing furniture into the home or taking old items away, a dumbwaiter can help make that process far simpler and smoother.

For this purpose, review all of your options carefully and select a lift with the size and power to handle whatever you plan to move. Again, if there are any wet items involved, be sure to choose one with appropriate safety features and railing.

Cumbersome or Heavy Items

In some cases, a dumbwaiter can also be useful for moving items that are simply too cumbersome or heavy to carry up and down stairs. This includes things like large appliances, entertainment centers or even boxes of books, which can all add up to a significant amount of strain if you’re trying to move them around without any help.

For this kind of use, you’ll want to select a lift with maximum power and cargo space, as well as any special features that may come in handy for the items you plan to transport. You may also want to consider a dumbwaiter with an oversized door, so you can get items in and out more easily.

No matter how you plan to use your residential dumbwaiter, there are plenty of options on the market that can help you figure out what works best for your home or building. With the right model and setup, a dumbwaiter can be a surprisingly useful addition to any home or building.

For more on residential dumbwaiters, or to learn about any of our options here, speak to our team at A+ Elevators & Lifts today.