If you’re in the process of designing or rebuilding a new high-end, multi-level home, you’ve got the tough job of creating a space that serves your lifestyle both today and in the decades to come. While details like premium appliances, expansive kitchens, and spa-like bathrooms often take center stage, one essential feature deserves just as much consideration: a residential elevator. 

Far from being a simple utilitarian add-on, a home elevator is a smart, future-forward investment that enhances accessibility, elevates everyday living, and adds an unmistakable touch of luxury to any residential space. If you’re building your new residence, vacation estate, or forever home, now is the ideal time to incorporate a feature that merges design, convenience, and long-term value. 

Find Your Perfect Fit: The Ultimate Guide to Home Elevator Types

The Lifestyle Benefits of Adding a Home Elevator

Aging in Place Without Sacrificing Style

A home elevator allows you to effortlessly enjoy every level of your house, now and for years to come. As mobility needs change with age, an elevator ensures you can remain in your home comfortably without costly future renovations. And today’s custom elevators are designed to complement luxury interiors, blending seamlessly into even the most refined aesthetic. Aging in place no longer means sacrificing design — in fact, quite the opposite.

Elevated Everyday Living

Even before mobility becomes a concern, an elevator just makes life easier. Carrying groceries, moving suitcases, transporting laundry, redecorating — it’s all more effortless when you don’t have to manage stairs. For multi-level living, an elevator offers day-to-day convenience that enhances the overall function and enjoyment of your home.

A Feature Buyers Expect in Luxury Markets

If and when you decide to sell, an elevator positions your property as a premium listing. High-end buyers, particularly in their 50s and beyond, often prioritize homes with aging-in-place features, especially elevators. Including one now ensures your home stands out in a competitive luxury market and meets the evolving expectations of discerning buyers. One might ask, “How would I know if someone in their 50s or beyond would be buying my home in the future?” A prudent answer is to ponder what age groups could likely afford your home in the future. Sure, some younger folks have money, but those above 50 are more likely to have the wealth for such a purchase. And they are the ones who are more likely to think about accessibility in the future. 

Aesthetics Matter: Custom Options That Add Wow Factor

Elegant Materials & Design Integration

Your elevator should feel like a natural extension of your home’s design. With customizable finishes such as classic wood, polished metals, minimalist glass, and even hidden doors, your elevator can match or even enhance your home’s architecture and interior style.

Glass & Pneumatic Elevators as Architectural Centerpieces

For homeowners looking to make a bold statement, glass or pneumatic elevators offer a sleek, modern aesthetic while requiring minimal space. These high-end home upgrades often become architectural focal points, elevating the home’s form as much as its function.

Beyond Function: Luxury Meets Utility

Forget the sterile look of commercial elevators. Today’s residential models are crafted for elegance. With the right selections, your elevator can be a design highlight, merging luxury and practicality in a way few other home features can.

Explore Our Gallery of Luxury Elevator Designs

Why It Makes Sense During New Construction or Rebuilds

Save on Structural Costs

Adding a home elevator while you’re building or remodeling is significantly more cost-effective than retrofitting later. Design teams can easily incorporate the shaft and mechanical requirements into the initial blueprint, reducing both construction time and costs.

Future-Proofing Without Compromise

Planning ahead means you can enjoy the benefits of a home elevator now, without waiting for a health-related reason to install one later. It’s a proactive lifestyle decision that offers peace of mind and immediate comfort, all without disrupting your unique aesthetic vision.

Tip: If you don’t want an elevator today, but believe you will in the future, ask your architect to plan for it by “stacking” hallway closets on each floor in the design. These closets can be converted into a shaftway fairly easily, minimizing the impact to the rest of your home design.

Resale Value and Long-Term ROI

Like many home add-ons, residential elevators are an investment. Properties with built-in accessibility features are increasingly in demand among older, high-income buyers. A well-designed elevator adds measurable value, offering both appeal and function for your family and future residents. 

Ready to Build a Smarter, More Stylish Home?

Elevate your home’s design with a feature that brings accessibility while reflecting thoughtful planning, upscale living, and a future-oriented lifestyle. If you’re designing your forever home or rebuilding with long-term comfort in mind, now is the time to include a home elevator in your plans.

McKinley Elevator is here to help. With decades of expertise in custom residential elevator systems, we’ll work with you to design a customized solution that supports your lifestyle, raises your home’s overall appeal, and fulfills your design vision.

Contact us today to learn more about how a residential elevator can be the perfect fit for your home.