I hear you on the cable covers. I tried the in-wall thing too, and it was way more trouble than it was worth—plus, every time I upgraded my router or needed to move a device, I’d end up with another patch job. Now I stick with surface raceways and zip ties. Not the prettiest, but it keeps things tidy and I don’t have to break out the spackle every six months. Honestly, at this point, I’d rather have a few visible cables than lose a security deposit over a tech upgrade.
I get the appeal of surface raceways, but I’ve actually had better luck with the in-wall approach—at least in places I know I won’t be moving stuff around much. It’s a pain up front, sure, but once it’s done, it’s out of sight and out of mind. I guess it depends on how often you like to rearrange your tech... or your furniture.
I tried the in-wall thing once—let’s just say old plaster and mystery beams are not a fun combo. Ended up with more holes than cables and a lot of creative patchwork. Surface raceways might not win any beauty contests, but at least my 1920s walls stay (mostly) intact. Sometimes you just gotta pick your battles... and your hiding spots.
Man, the first time I tried fishing cable through my old lath-and-plaster, I swear the wall was fighting back. That “mystery beam” feeling is too real—just when you think you’ve got a clear shot, you hit something that definitely wasn’t on any blueprint. Ended up patching more than I wired. At this point, I’ve just made peace with surface raceways and a strategically placed plant or two... not perfect, but at least my walls aren’t swiss cheese.
Surface raceways are a lifesaver in those old houses, especially if you’re trying to avoid unnecessary demo. I’ve started using low-VOC paintable ones so they blend in better—plus, less plastic waste if you ever want to swap things out. Ever tried running conduit along baseboards or crown molding? It’s not invisible, but sometimes it adds a bit of character, almost like intentional trim. Curious if anyone’s found a wireless solution that actually works through thick plaster... mesh systems seem hit or miss for me.