Project Type: Modern Three-Level Townhouse
Location: Urban NSW
Lift Model: Custom ElfoLift
Installer: Lift Shop
In the design-conscious suburbs of urban NSW, a professional couple sought a practical yet elegant way to enhance their daily living. With multiple floors and a minimalist design language guiding their home, they knew a conventional lift wouldn’t fit the bill—literally or aesthetically. Instead, they turned to Lift Shop, a trusted leader in bespoke residential lift elevators, for a solution that would simplify movement, respect the architecture, and age gracefully with their lifestyle.
This case study unpacks the design vision, technical challenges, and final result—a fully customised ElfoLift installation that transformed vertical circulation from a chore into an integrated design feature.
The clients—a busy, design-conscious professional couple—loved the layered spatial quality of their three-storey townhouse. However, they soon realised that day-to-day activities like carrying groceries, moving laundry, and hosting older family members required more effort than expected. They needed a solution that offered convenience, accessibility, and long-term value—without sacrificing aesthetics or floor space.
Rather than settling for a bulky or purely utilitarian lift, they looked for a product that would match their minimalist palette, provide seamless floor-to-floor access, and integrate naturally into the home’s architectural story.
Like many contemporary townhomes, this residence was built on a compact footprint with an irregular, vertical layout. The biggest constraint? Shaft space. There wasn’t much of it, and what was available needed to align precisely with asymmetric floors across the three levels. Traditional lift solutions weren’t going to work—at least, not without compromising either room sizes or the flow of movement.
On top of that, the lift needed to be retrofitted into an already-completed build, making structural alterations costly and undesirable. The installation also had to maintain privacy, particularly on the upper floor, without resorting to obtrusive or unsightly finishes.
After assessing the space and client brief, Lift Shop recommended the ElfoLift—a versatile, Italian-crafted residential lift known for its compact footprint and elegant design potential. This lift is an ideal choice for modern homes where both space and visual harmony are priorities.
The ElfoLift provided a smooth, whisper-quiet ride while also offering flexibility in shaft dimensions and configuration. The clients selected a three-stop adjacent through-car layout, ideal for asymmetric floor plans and providing unimpeded flow between levels.
The final lift measured 1100mm wide by 1200mm deep—compact enough to conserve space, yet comfortable enough to carry up to four people at a time. This made it perfect for both everyday use and occasional needs like transporting luggage or helping elderly visitors.
The cabin featured PPS1 Grigio skinplate walls paired with brushed stainless steel detailing, blending seamlessly into the home’s modern interior design. Anodised aluminium landing doors, originally specified with clear glass, were modified with sandblasted opaque panels on the upper floor to preserve privacy while maintaining a sleek, consistent look.
To add a tactile, human touch, custom door handles were specified across all landings. Chosen to match the home’s other hardware, they enhanced comfort and style—a small detail that made a big impact.
Functionally, the ElfoLift has proven to be more than just a convenience—it’s now an indispensable part of daily life. From transporting groceries from the garage to guiding guests upstairs without navigating long staircases, the lift has truly elevated the quality of living in this home.
As the homeowners shared informally, “It’s like having another set of hands around the house.”
This sentiment is increasingly common among owners of small home lifts. The shift from ‘luxury’ to ‘essential’ is particularly noticeable in multi-level urban residences, where vertical movement is frequent and functional design must meet real-life demands.
Beyond performance and aesthetics, the lift added substantial long-term value to the home. It increased the property’s resale appeal, making it accessible to a broader range of buyers—particularly older residents or those planning for future accessibility needs.
It also reinforced the idea that domestic lifts can—and should—be integrated without disrupting existing architecture. Done right, a lift doesn’t just provide movement; it contributes meaningfully to the design language and livability of the space.
What made this project successful was more than the product—it was the process. The clients cited Lift Shop’s consultative, transparent, and detail-oriented approach as key reasons they felt confident throughout the journey.
From initial design coordination to post-installation testing, the Lift Shop team provided clear timelines, customisation options, and honest advice. This trust-based approach is why so many customers return for repeat projects or refer Lift Shop to others.
And for clients looking for alternatives to the ElfoLift, Lift Shop offers an entire range—from the E Series luxury electric lift for high-performance homes to the A Series hydraulic compact lifts ideal for tight spaces with premium styling.
The installed ElfoLift has become a silent partner in this couple’s life—quietly doing its job, adding ease and sophistication to their every day. It’s been future-proofed for ageing in place, and it’s added genuine capital value to the property. Most of all, it fits. In every way.
As the project shows, when a lift is chosen thoughtfully, it doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It feels like it was always meant to be there.
Whether you’re creating your forever home or planning for ageing-in-place accessibility, Lift Shop has a home lift solution tailored to your needs. Explore more real-life lift installation case studies, or check out this handy guide on what to ask before buying a home lift.
And when you’re ready to explore your options, get in touch with Lift Shop. Our experienced consultants will help you navigate lift models, space requirements, pricing, and finishes—ensuring the result is beautiful, practical, and perfectly you.
Lift Shop – Where Form Meets Function, Beautifully.
Download our Brochure
