Got an old, defunct intercom system in your house? Here’s a brilliant DIY idea to turn it into a modern, whole-home smart speaker system.

You know those old, beige intercom systems from the 80s? If you’ve ever lived in a house built during that era, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. They’re usually mounted on the wall in the kitchen or hallway—a master station with a bunch of buttons that don’t do anything anymore, and speaker grilles in every other room.

For years, that thing has probably been nothing more than a weird wall ornament. You might have considered tearing it out, but that leaves a hole you have to patch and paint. So it just sits there, a relic of a bygone tech era.

But what if you didn’t have to rip it out? What if you could give it a new purpose?

I saw a brilliantly simple idea recently that does just that. Someone took their old, non-functioning intercom and retrofitted it with Google Nest Mini speakers. And honestly, it’s one of the cleverest smart home projects I’ve ever seen.

The concept is simple: The old speaker grilles are just covers. Behind them is a perfect, hollow space—just the right size for a small smart speaker like a Google Nest Mini or an Amazon Echo Dot.

By taking out the ancient paper-cone speaker, you can tuck a brand-new smart speaker inside, hidden completely out of sight. The original grille goes back on, and suddenly your retro wall fixture is a modern, voice-activated assistant. Do this in every room that has an old intercom unit, and you’ve created a whole-home audio system without cutting a single new hole in your walls.

So, Why Bother?

I get it. You could just put a smart speaker on the counter. But there are a few things that make this approach so satisfying.

• It’s Clean. You get all the function of a smart speaker—music, podcasts, timers, home control—without the clutter. There’s no device sitting on your kitchen counter or bedroom nightstand. It’s just… there.
• It’s a Great Use of Space. Those old intercom spots are already wired for power. While you might need a little help to safely adapt the old wiring for a modern USB plug, the difficult part of running cables through the walls is already done.
• It Preserves the Retro Vibe. There’s a certain charm to those old-school home features. This project lets you keep the aesthetic you grew up with while adding functionality you’ll actually use. It’s the best of both worlds.
• It’s a Fun DIY Project. This isn’t a massive, weekend-long renovation. It’s a small, satisfying project that makes a noticeable difference in your day-to-day life.

Could You Actually Do This?

It seems surprisingly straightforward. While every intercom system is a little different, the basic steps would look something like this.

First, you’d open up one of the remote speaker stations. Usually, a couple of screws hold the faceplate on. You’d disconnect and remove the old, dusty speaker inside.

Next, you’d get your smart speaker. A Google Nest Mini or an Echo Dot are perfect because they are small, round, and have great sound for their size. You’d find a way to secure it inside the box so it doesn’t rattle around.

The trickiest part is power. The old intercoms used low-voltage wiring that probably isn’t compatible with a modern 5V USB adapter. You have a couple of options:
1. Use the existing wires (with an adapter): You might be able to find a converter that can step down the voltage from the old system to power your new device. This is the cleanest option but requires some electrical know-how. It’s best to consult an electrician if you’re not comfortable.
2. Run a new power cord: A simpler, though less elegant, solution is to run a long USB cable from the intercom box to the nearest outlet, hiding the cord as best you can.

Once it’s powered up and tucked inside, you just pop the grille back on. That’s it. You now have a stealth smart speaker.

It’s not a project that will change the world, but it’s a perfect example of creative thinking. It’s about looking at something old and useless and seeing a new opportunity. And instead of adding more tech clutter to our lives, it cleverly hides it in plain sight.