I enjoy browsing through old houses on TikTok and daydreaming about residing in them. Many of these historic properties, especially those from the Victorian era, featured highly intelligent designs that gained prominence—such as
Dutch doors
,
stair clips
, and
dust corners
. They’re so character-filled and, most importantly, highly practical. But when I came across a TikTok of a home with one feature from the same era
–
the dumbwaiter
–
I recognized that the supersmart feature should stage a significant return.
When you buy an old home, sometimes it needs some care and attention to be brought into the current century. After all, electrical needs to be up to code, plumbing should be modern,
Appliances should not be excessively outdated.
And occasionally, the air conditioning from earlier times (or the absence of it) simply isn’t sufficient. However, if I had the good fortune to purchase a house featuring a dumbwaiter, I would leave it exactly as it is.
Whenever I’ve encountered dumbwaiters in older houses or even some built as recently as the 1980s during tours of properties, I have always found them incredibly clever. The idea of moving items between floors without manually carrying them up or down the staircase seems fantastic. Be it food, clothes, books, or groceries—all these things could be sent through a dumbwaiter with ease. Count me in for such an invention!
What Is a Dumbwaiter?
A dumbwaiter
It resembles a miniature lift designed primarily for transporting items such as food and smaller objects.
In earlier times, the dumbwaiter was operated using a pulley and rope mechanism and was commonly seen in
expansive and lavish homes
So individuals wouldn’t frequently go up and down the stairs. Inside the dumbwaiter, there’s a small cart that travels up and down a shaft using tracks.
And the name
Well, the term “dumb” in dumbwaiter actually refers to it acting as a kind of quiet assistant—it takes over the job of transporting items between floors where a person would typically do this work manually.
When Did the Dumbwaiter First Appear?
A dumbwaiter was originally something entirely different, yet the term stuck and now refers to the dumbwaiters we know today.
First popularized
In France and England during the 1800s
th
In the past, a dumbwaiter referred to a wheeled cart with multiple levels designed for easy movement across rooms. It proved particularly useful during dinners hosted for guests, providing an ideal surface for holding dishes, meals, and serving tools.
Thomas Jefferson, who served as America’s minister to France prior to becoming the nation’s third president, frequently visited Paris. There, he encountered dumbwaiters for the first time and found them remarkably clever. As a result, he ordered multiple units for his own use.
his home Monticello
and
as well as the White House
.
It’s generally believed
Jefferson was the initial person to bring the dumbwaiter to America. However, this innovation did not remain limited to just that.
He even invented
He had his own versions of dumbwaiters with pulleys positioned beside his fireplace, specially crafted to transport wine directly from the cellar to the dining room.
Dumbwaiters went mainstream
in 1887
, when New York-based inventor George W. Cannon
patented the contraption
This designation made him the recognized creator of the initial mechanized dumbwaiter. These devices subsequently became common fixtures in brownstones, townhouses, and apartment buildings throughout New York City, providing ease for residents who might otherwise have had to haul heavy items up and down numerous staircases.
These small elevators are also present in renowned mansions—like the
Biltmore Estate
– and appeared most often in New York and London. Today, they seem to be known as a cliché in horror films.
about haunted houses
, which could fit perfectly with your eerie style if you’re someone who enjoys Halloween.
Should You Purchase a House with a Dumbwaiter?
Perhaps I convinced you about the benefits of installing a dumbwaiter in your house.
Does this imply that you can indeed discover vintage houses nowadays which still possess these features? Absolutely!
Moreover, even though dumbwaiters are undoubtedly handy, it’s important to be aware of their significant drawback — the cost associated with them.
For instance, this
grand old home
came with
an elevator that was not functioning properly
, with an estimated cost of $12,000 for repairs — thus, bringing back a dumbwaiter might significantly impact your finances!
And remember, if you’re looking for an old-fashioned dumbwaiter, the house that comes with it might have to be mansion-sized, which can also make buying the home quite expensive. For example, back in September of last year, this was
luxurious Brooklyn townhouse
, featuring a dumbwaiter, was listed for sale at $5.25 million.
Are There Modern Dumbwaiters?
If you reside in a multi-level house, whether it has two floors or more, and your dwelling did not originally include a dumbwaiter, the positive aspect is that you can certainly have one installed.
In fact,
many companies
craft
modern versions of dumbwaiters
which can be installed in modern-day homes. As
Realtor.com reported in 2016
There are numerous contemporary houses equipped with dumbwaiters: 45% of the properties featuring dumbwaiters were constructed after 1999, whereas just 8% date back between 1850 and 1950.
Certainly, dumbwaiters can significantly enhance convenience in a home, and they might also positively impact the property’s resale value. Additionally, many individuals express appreciation for their dumbwaiters.
one TikTok user shared
, equipped with her contemporary dumbwaiter, she enjoys not having to carry her meals between floors. She also utilizes it for transporting her children’s laundry and toys. If that industrial style doesn’t appeal to you, consider making your own.
like this TikToker
and build a dumbwaiter using a pulley-and-rope mechanism that’s freshly constructed and has an unmistakably rustic farmhouse aesthetic.
Overall, if you’re ready to spend money on fixing up an old dumbwaiter or putting in a new one, I encourage you to do so. However, consider that there may be more worthwhile investments around your house, like updating kitchen gadgets or redoing your bathroom. For me personally, adding a dumbwaiter isn’t off the table when thinking about my future home.
This posting initially showed up on Apartment Therapy. Check it out there:
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