Renovating a house is exciting. Dusty, loud, a bit chaotic… but exciting. And yet, that’s exactly when people forget the most important stuff. I’m talking cables, networks, power, all the boring-looking things that make a smart home actually smart. Too many folks think about connected gadgets after the paint dries. Honestly ? That’s usually too late.
Second thing I always say when someone starts a renovation : don’t think only “walls and floors”, think “infrastructure”. When you open walls, it’s the perfect moment to prepare the digital backbone of the house. Even pros insist on it, and if you’re working with renovation specialists, they’ll tell you the same. I’ve seen good advice on sites like https://expertrenovationlyon.com, where they keep repeating one simple truth : anticipation saves money, nerves, and ugly fixes later.
Wired network : yes, Ethernet still matters (a lot)
Let’s get this out of the way. Wi-Fi is great. I love it. But Wi-Fi alone in a renovated house ? Big mistake, in my opinion.
If you can, run Ethernet cables everywhere. Living room, office, bedrooms, even the garage. CAT6 or CAT6a, nothing exotic. It costs almost nothing during renovation, and later it feels like magic. No lag, no drops, no “why is the signal bad in this corner ?”. I once renovated a 90 m² apartment and skipped Ethernet in the bedroom. Regret. Every. Single. Day.
Think about it : TVs, gaming consoles, PCs, access points… they all work better wired. Wi-Fi should be the bonus, not the foundation. Would you build a house without solid foundations ? Same logic.
A proper electrical panel… with room to grow
This part isn’t sexy, but it’s crucial. Your electrical panel needs space. Real space. Smart relays, home automation modules, network switches, maybe a small server or a NAS later. If the panel is already full on day one, you’re stuck.
I always recommend leaving at least 30% free space. And add power outlets near the panel. Sounds obvious, yet people forget. Then they plug power strips everywhere, and it becomes messy fast. Clean now, peaceful later.
Centralized network cabinet : your future self will thank you
If you can, plan a small network cabinet or closet. Nothing crazy. A ventilated space where all Ethernet cables arrive. Router, switch, maybe a NAS humming quietly.
I’ve installed one under a staircase once. Not glamorous, but super efficient. Everything centralized, labeled, easy to maintain. And when something breaks (because yes, it will), you know exactly where to look. No crawling behind furniture at 11 pm.
Wi-Fi access points : plan their locations early
This one surprised me the first time I did it right. Ceiling-mounted Wi-Fi access points are insanely effective. But they need… cables. And holes. And planning.
During renovation, decide where your access points will go. One per floor is a good start, more for large spaces. Pull Ethernet to those spots now. Later, you just clip the access point. Clean. Invisible. Powerful.
Do you want strong Wi-Fi in the bathroom ? On the terrace ? In the workshop ? If the answer is yes, now is the moment.
Smart home hubs and protocols : don’t lock yourself in
Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter… it can get confusing fast. My personal advice ? Stay flexible. Choose equipment that plays well with others. Avoid obscure brands that lock you into one ecosystem.
Plan a central hub location. Somewhere stable, powered, and connected to Ethernet. Not hidden behind a TV with bad signal. Trust me, hubs hate bad placement. And troubleshooting at 2 am is not fun.
Security, cameras, and peace of mind
Even if you don’t install cameras now, prepare for them. Ethernet + power near entrances, garage, garden. Same for smart doorbells.
I’ve seen people drill fresh walls to add a camera six months after renovation. Painful. Emotionally painful. Just plan the cables, cap them, forget about them. They’ll be there when you need them.
Final thought : renovation is your only real chance
Once the walls are closed, everything becomes harder, dirtier, and more expensive. That’s just how it is. So take a breath, think ahead, and invest a bit more time on the digital side.
Smart home isn’t about flashy gadgets. It’s about solid groundwork. And when everything works smoothly, silently, without thinking… that’s when you know you did it right.
So, before the next coat of paint : are your cables ready ?