Start with the building
In New York, the building often decides what's possible. Co-ops and condos may require an alteration agreement, a certificate of insurance from the installer and work only during certain hours. Minor work like mounting a TV or replacing switches usually needs less paperwork than opening walls. Check with your managing agent before you plan.
Upgrades that rarely need wall work
- Wireless dimmers and keypads that fit existing switch boxes
- Battery-powered motorized shades
- Wireless speakers or a soundbar system
- Mesh or access-point Wi-Fi mounted neatly
- Smart locks that fit the existing door, where the building allows
- A video intercom app if your building's system supports it
Wi-Fi through brick and plaster
Pre-war buildings have thick plaster and brick walls that stop Wi-Fi. Two or three access points connected by cable, or a well-placed mesh system with wired backhaul, usually solves it. See UniFi vs mesh.
A clean TV wall
Many apartment walls are plaster over brick or have concrete columns. The right anchors and a slim mount matter. Where running wires in the wall isn't possible, a paintable raceway or a media console keeps it clean. See mounting on brick or plaster.
Renovations are the moment
If you're doing a gut renovation, that's the time to run network, speaker wire and shade power, and to plan a small equipment closet. See NYC builders and GCs.
Control4 in an apartment
Control4 works well in apartments with wireless devices and a compact controller, so lights, shades, music and TV run from one app and a few keypads. See Control4 for condos and apartments.