On a sloping lot, the simplest place to put a garage is under the house. That is why so many Northwest homes, old and new, have a tuck-under garage with the kitchen directly above or a floor higher still. It is an efficient use of land and it makes every grocery run end with a climb.
What a dumbwaiter does
It is a small lift for goods, running in an enclosed shaft. You put the bags in at garage level, close the door and press a button. Upstairs, you open a door beside the counter and take them out.
Where it helps most
- Older homes with a garage cut into the hillside
- New townhouses with the garage on the ground floor and the kitchen on the second or third
- View homes with reverse layouts, where the kitchen is at the top
More than groceries
- Bulk shopping, a few boxes at a time
- Firewood
- Laundry, with a stop on the bedroom level
- Recycling and compost going down
- Supplies for a rooftop deck
The shaft
About as much floor space as a small closet, in a straight vertical line. Common routes are a garage corner rising into a pantry, or a chase beside the stairs.
Townhouses
Because the floors stack so neatly, a townhouse is one of the easiest homes to fit. In a new one, ask the builder to frame the chase. In an existing one, we look for a route clear of plumbing and ducts.
Finishing
The kitchen door can be faced to match the cabinets.
Safety
Doors stay locked unless the car is there. It carries goods only.
For people too
If the stairs themselves are the issue, a stair lift or a home elevator moves you, and a dumbwaiter moves the load.
Find a route in your home
Nationwide Lifts of Washington installs Jeeves dumbwaiters. Call (425) 495-6910 for a free in-home consultation.