Elevators have long been a desirable feature in luxury homes, especially for those with limited mobility. But it's not a feature that's been easily available to all homeowners. In fact, a home elevator can be expensive to install once walls are sealed, and many people who need them don't have the space for one. Luckily, there are now more options than ever for those who want to enjoy the convenience of a private lift without the cost and hassle of adding on an entire new shaft.

Some private elevators are built to be used only by the owner, while others require credentialing like a card or fob to call the elevator and to access certain floors once inside the cab. In some cases, there are even combinations of both — private elevators that only the owners can call and floor-specific elevator security systems that require a fob or card to access specific floors.

There are also home elevators that look more like sci-fi glass tubes than traditional home elevators, and they're a growing trend in high-end apartments as well as the homes of celebrities, sports figures, and other high-net-worth individuals. These through-floor lifts have a small footprint that allows them to fit into tight spaces and don't require a pit or machine room saving valuable square footage. They are even more versatile than traditional hydraulic elevators and can be moved from one place in the home to another as needed.