A lifting system can be used to move an item between a use position and a stowed position in a structure such as a vehicle or home. The item may be an article of furniture, an appliance, a storage unit, a platform, workbench, or the like. The lifting system may be motorized and/or utilize a flexible drive to move the item. The lifting system may be used to reciprocally move the item between the use position and the stowed position in the structure.