An appliance elevator includes a lift mechanism mounted to a substantially planar mounting panel at least a portion of which extends beyond the body of the lift mechanism to provide an area by way of which the mounting panel and lift mechanism pre-mounted on the mounting panel can be easily positioned within a piece of furniture and attached to the furniture by way of one or more fasteners such that substantially the entire mechanical load on the lift mechanism when it is in use is transferred to the furniture by way of the mounting panel.