Avoid These 5 Pitfalls When Planning a Home Elevator
Stepping into a home elevator in a cozy, lived-in house feels different what you might expect. There’s no fanfare, no dramatic swishing of doors. Just a quiet hum, soft lighting, and the gentle sense that everything about it belongs right where it is. I remember someone quietly smiling as they pressed the button. “Now I can go wherever I want,” they said. “And I don’t have to ask anyone.”
That moment stayed with me because the elevator was sleek or modern, but because of what it represented: freedom, comfort, and a home that adapts to you, not the other way around.
Planning a home elevator isn’t just a renovation project. It’s a meaningful step in reclaiming independence, preserving routines, and staying connected to every part of your home. But as simple as it may sound, the process has many layers, and if not handled carefully, it’s easy to stumble into a few common traps.
The good news? With thoughtful planning and the right guidance, those pitfalls can be avoided entirely. Here are five that come up often, shared through stories and experiences that might feel familiar, and always with the hope that your journey will feel smoother, more personal, and beautifully your own.
Begin With the Right Questions
Elevator installation often starts with a technical conversation: measurements, models, and weight capacity. But before any of that, the most important step is something far more personal: asking why.
Why now? Why here? Why this solution?
A couple once shared how they added an elevator to their home because their architect suggested it as a long-term feature. "It made sense," they said, "but we didn’t think about how it would work for us." The elevator ended up in a part of the house they rarely used, technically functional, but emotionally detached.
Meanwhile, another family decided after years of gently supporting a loved one’s changing mobility. For them, the elevator wasn’t just about convenience. It was about peace of mind, making sure morning routines didn’t become mountains to climb. They walked through every step of their day and placed the elevator right where it would make life feel natural again. And it worked. Not because it was flashy or expensive, but because it fit their life.
The "why" behind your elevator will shape where it goes, what it looks like, and how it’s used. Get that part clear, and everything else starts to feel more grounded.
Consider the Space You Have
One of the most common surprises people encounter when planning a home elevator is realizing how much the layout of a house can limit or open up possibilities. It’s not about how big the house is. It’s about how it’s built.
A homeowner once envisioned a sleek glass elevator between the living room and kitchen. But structural support beams and plumbing made that impossible without major demolition. They had to pivot, spending extra time and money reconfiguring the plan.
On the other hand, a couple in a mid-century split-level home brought in an accessibility consultant early. Walking through the house together, they spotted an underused coat closet and a little nook off the hallway. With a few adjustments, the elevator was installed where it felt natural, without compromising the flow of their home.
Sometimes the best solutions are the least obvious. But you only find them by looking at your home not just as it is now, but as something flexible, something that can grow with you.
Don’t Treat It Like Just Another Appliance
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of making a home more accessible. You flip through catalogs, browse styles online, maybe even compare prices like you would for a new washer or fridge. But a home elevator isn’t an appliance; it’s an infrastructure investment. And treating it like a plug-and-play product is where many well-intentioned people run into trouble.
I heard from one family who purchased an elevator system from a nationwide vendor with a great website and slick promotional video. But when it arrived, they learned it didn’t meet local building codes. Worse, there was no nearby technician to install or service it. After months of stress and delays, they had to return it and start from scratch, with a smaller budget and a lot less enthusiasm.
By contrast, another homeowner worked with a local team that walked them through every step, from permitting to post-installation checks. The process wasn’t rushed. Questions were welcome. The result? An elevator that fit not just physically, but also legally and safely, into the heart of their home.
Elevators require expert planning, structural evaluation, and code compliance. It’s not about fear, it’s about being cared for in the right way. Because when it’s done right, the elevator just works, and you get to enjoy life on your terms.
Design It For the Person Using It
Sometimes, well-meaning decisions can overlook the very people they’re meant to serve. I’ve seen beautifully designed elevators with polished wood interiors, soft lighting, and stylish doors miss the mark because the controls were too high, the floor surface too slippery, or the buttons too small for someone with arthritis or visual impairment.
One story that stands out was a son who installed an elevator for his father, who used a mobility scooter. Everything looked perfect until they realized the threshold made it difficult for the scooter to roll in easily. It wasn’t a huge fix, but it left them wishing they’d tested it first.
Then there was the teenager who helped design their elevator with their parents. They picked the color of the walls, added their favorite music to play during rides, and requested simple tactile buttons they could use without looking. The elevator became more than just transportation; it became theirs. Something to be proud of. Something that made life easier and more joyful.
When you involve the person who will use the elevator every day in the planning process, the result is almost always better. Not just more functional, but more thoughtful. More human.
Don’t Compromise on Style
There’s an old idea that accessibility means sterile. That if something is safe or functional, it has to look industrial or medical. Thankfully, that’s no longer true. And in the world of home elevators, style is no longer an afterthought.
I walked into one home where the elevator blended seamlessly into a modern farmhouse aesthetic, soft wood grain, a matte black call button, and quiet, clean lines. It didn’t announce itself. It simply existed, welcoming and practical.
In another space, the homeowner wanted their elevator to feel light and open, so they opted for a panoramic design with glass panels and soft lighting. It became a design feature, something guests often complimented, not realizing its purpose went far beyond looks.
Aesthetics matter. Not because we’re vain, but because home is a reflection of who we are. When your elevator feels like a natural part of your home, matching your flooring, your color palette, and your personality, it becomes part of your identity, not just your infrastructure.
Designing for safety doesn’t mean letting go of beauty. When the two meet, they elevate each other and your experience of daily life.
Conclusion: Thoughtful Planning for a Lift That Truly Supports You
A home elevator can change everything, not just how you move through your space, but how you live in it. It preserves routines, brings peace of mind, and allows every member of your household to feel connected, capable, and comfortable. But like anything meaningful, it’s worth doing with care.
Avoiding these common missteps isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. About being intentional with your choices. About seeing an elevator not as an object, but as a tool for possibility.
At KGC, we understand that no two homes and no two people are exactly alike. That’s why our approach to accessibility is always customized, always collaborative, and always rooted in listening. Whether you're envisioning a discreet addition to a classic home or a modern centerpiece in a new build, our team brings experience, empathy, and creativity to every project.
We don’t just install elevators, we help people build homes where safety meets style, and independence meets ease. Thoughtfully, beautifully, and always with your story at the center.
