The Ultimate Guide to Tiny Home Elevators and Elevator Beds

The idea of tiny home elevators might make you scratch your head at first. Don’t such devices belong in mansions, not areas where space is limited? However, tiny home elevators and elevator beds have a surprising utility that makes them ideal for diminutive spaces. 

If you’re in the planning stage of your tiny home project, you deserve to explore all your options. Use this guide to tiny home elevators and elevator beds to make informed choices and maybe add a little unexpected pizzazz — and a lot of convenience — to your blueprints.

Tiny Home Elevators — Is There Even Room? 

The average tiny home measures only 225 square feet, which doesn’t leave much room for elevator installation. However, those who opt for a loft design may discover that this amenity is more practical than they anticipated. 

Elevator Versus Stairs

Those with loft-style tiny homes, which are popular for making maximum use of the smallest space, need a way to get from the ground floor to their bed. They have three basic options: 

• Traditional stairs
• An elevator
• A ladder

A ladder is the most space-saving option, but it’s only appropriate for people who are in relatively good health. Climbing up and down can be impossible for some folks with arthritis or other mobility challenges. For example, those installing a tiny home for use as an ADU for aging family members might immediately dismiss ladders because of the health risks. 

Stairs can take up more room than elevators. Although it’s possible to build in space-saving designs like drawers built into each riser or a pantry beneath, they still take up considerable floor space. Conversely, small elevators may have platforms measuring only two feet by three feet. You can also install a seat for those with mobility challenges to use as they ascend and descend.

Tiny home elevators can be more accessible choices for ADUs, potentially increasing your tenant pool if you plan to rent out the structure someday. Although you must pay careful attention to weight capacity, especially when renting to strangers, a well-maintained device eliminates the chance of grandma tumbling down the stairs at midnight. 

Types of Tiny Home Elevators 

Another factor to consider is that your tiny home elevator need not necessarily be designed to carry people. Although it’s a quaint, old-fashioned idea, dumbwaiters once served a useful purpose for transporting anything from tea to laundry upstairs without working your quads and hamstrings. 

Dumbwaiters come in handy in loft-style tiny homes that feature a ladder for residents to ascend and descend. What happens when you want to take a snack to bed or move your laptop upstairs for a work-from-home sick day between the sheets? You need both hands to climb safely, but a dumbwaiter lets you move other objects between your tiny home ground floor and loft area without carrying things with your teeth, risking pricey dental work. 

Elevator Beds for Tiny Homes — a Space-Saving Idea From the RV Set 

Another space-saving idea for your tiny home is the elevator bed. This concept comes from toy haulers, a pull-behind model of RV with such an elevator bed, allowing you to raise it and slide toys like quads underneath. You might not ever camp in your tiny home, even if you build it on wheels, but you can benefit from this design to save space. 

Elevator Bed Options 

Elevator beds also come in two options. The first option creates a temporary loft. The bed frame sits on two tracks, and a switch on the wall moves the frame up toward the ceiling or down toward the floor. 

Such designs provide additional seating and storage in small spaces. When guests visit, the elevator bed descends, and pillows create a makeshift couch. When they depart, the bed raises back toward the ceiling so the resident can pull their bike or mobility scooter inside. 

A second type of elevator bed helps those with mobility challenges get up in the morning. They’re best for use in single-level tiny homes, as those who need them can’t ascend stairs and squeezing them into a loft could present problems. In these models, a portion of the bed rises via a hydraulic lift, helping the individual rise to their feet. 

Elevator Bed Safety Considerations 

Those who opt for an elevator bed must heed the following safety considerations: 

• Do not ride on the bed. Ensure that all people and pets, including the smallest children, are off the bed before operating it. 
• Stay clear when the bed is in motion. 
• Remove any objects from around the bed before adjusting it, and don’t move it with anything heavy on it. 
• Avoid using heavy cleansers on moving parts, as they can damage components. Use only standard household cleaners, like vinegar and water. 
• Follow the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule and hire a professional should something stop working properly. 

Guide to Tiny Home Elevators and Elevator Beds 

Tiny home elevators are more convenient and practical than they seem at first glance. Although they take up space, they often require less room than a staircase and make practical sense for those with mobility challenges. Smaller dumbwaiters, too, facilitate solo living for folks who adopt loft-style tiny homes. 

Elevator beds offer yet another option for folks interested in tiny living. Knowing what’s available empowers you to make the best choices for your tiny home lifestyle.