Once a staple of older homes, dumbwaiters are back.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the cupboard elevators for food and dishes are becoming popular in newer and pricier homes. Models can go up to 3-by-3-by-4 feet and hold up to 500 pounds. An electric dumbwaiter with two stops can cost between $4,000 and $12,000.
As land costs increase and more developers build vertically, electric and manual versions are a solution to the hassles of multilevel living, particularly for homeowners who want to age in place. Homeowners commonly use the cabinets to haul groceries and suitcases from the garage, laundry and firewood from the basement, and wine from the cellar.
