I would like to see the introduction of pipes and steamfitting to enhance the design and operation of in-game domiciles. 1) I think the notion of brass pipes and steam fits very well with the genre and 2) implementation would create upgrade options for crafting and quality of life.
All biomes have water supplies so the player could connect pipes to a body of water and supply enhancements to crafting benches via steam power and/or cooling. A central steam powered generator could be added to high end homes to add electricity. While electricity was in it's infancy during the Nightingale era, it would fit in.
You don't even need electricity, though that ought to be an option.
A lot of machinery in that era ran on what's called a spindle, which is an overhead or underfloor drive shaft connected to a power source like a wind or water wheel, a generator, or even animal cranks. Belts would be run from the spindle to the machine to turn it and provide force.