Personal Finance
Want A Dream Kitchen? Here’s How To Afford The Upgrades That Actually Add Value
Upgrade the space where you spend the most time with smart kitchen improvements that add comfort now and value later.
A great kitchen does more than look beautiful — it makes daily life easier and more enjoyable. From family breakfasts to weeknight dinners, it’s where life happens. But dream-worthy upgrades can come with serious price tags. The good news? Many kitchen projects improve your quality of life and can help boost resale value down the road.
If you’ve built up equity, Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan can help fund larger renovations with lower monthly payments than a traditional second mortgage. Here are six popular upgrades — and what they typically cost.
1. Open Up Your Layout
Removing a wall can dramatically change how your kitchen feels and functions. According to Angi, the average cost to remove a wall is about $3,000, with a typical range of $1,000–$10,000 depending on whether it’s load-bearing and what has to be rerouted (electrical, plumbing, etc.). Opening the space improves traffic flow, sightlines and natural light, making the kitchen feel bigger and more inviting.
2. Refresh, Don’t Replace, Your Cabinets
Full cabinet replacement can run well into five figures, but refacing or refinishing delivers a major visual update for far less. According to Modernize Home Services, cabinet refacing typically ranges from $4,000 to $9,500, depending on materials and hardware. A streamlined refresh gives your kitchen a modern, updated look without altering the layout — making it one of the highest design-impact upgrades per dollar.
3. Upgrade Your Countertops
Materials like quartz add style and durability that buyers notice. The Journal of Light Construction’s 2025 Cost vs. Value Report shows that a minor kitchen remodel (often including fresh counters, fronts and hardware) is this year’s interior standout, with a national cost recouped of ~113% — a jump from 2024. While exact ROI varies by market and scope, counters are a high-impact part of that package.
4. Light The Way
Lighting is a small upgrade with outsized visual payoff. Thumbtack pegs lighting installation at a national average of $383–$455, depending on fixture type and electrical complexity. Better task, ambient and accent lighting brightens prep zones and shows off finishes — often making the whole kitchen feel newer without major demo.
5. Invest In Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances don’t just look modern — they help lower utility costs and appeal to today’s buyers. The National Association of REALTORS® reports that homeowners are increasingly prioritizing energy-saving features when shopping for a home, which can strengthen resale appeal. Costs vary by scope, with a partial appliance refresh starting in the low thousands and a full premium suite trending higher depending on brand and performance.
6. Maximize Storage Space
From pull-outs to a full pantry conversion, storage upgrades pay off in everyday usability. HomeAdvisor puts custom pantry projects typically at $1,100–$2,900 (reach-ins $250–$1,500; walk-ins $750–$3,500, with add-ons pushing higher). Smarter storage reduces visual clutter and makes the kitchen work harder for you every day.
A Smarter Way To Pay For Kitchen Upgrades
Many homeowners default to savings or high-interest financing — which can limit the scope of a renovation. Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan gives qualified homeowners access to up to $400,000 with interest-only payments during the 10 year-term. That means more room in your monthly budget while you enjoy the upgrades today. Instead of a fixed monthly principal repayment, you repay the original amount plus a share of your home’s appreciation when you sell or when the loan term ends. And if the market declines, Unison shares in the downside risk too — helping protect your equity.
Keep The Value You Create
If you use the loan for renovations, Unison’s Capital Improvement Adjustment ensures that eligible upgrades — like kitchen remodels, energy-efficient windows or pantry additions — are credited back to you. After three years, the added value from these improvements is appraised and excluded from Unison’s share of appreciation, so you retain the full value of the upgrades you personally created. It’s a homeowner-friendly way to invest in your space without losing the upside later.
Transforming your kitchen shouldn’t require putting off other financial priorities. With Unison’s Equity Sharing Home Loan, your home’s equity can help bring a dream-worthy renovation within reach — without adding overwhelming monthly payments.
Ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? See how much funding you could access — and estimate your payment — with a personalized quote from Unison today.
Sponsored by Unison. This is promotional content and not financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance. Risks include sharing a portion of your home’s future appreciation (typically 20-40%, depending on terms), potential fees, eligibility requirements, and market fluctuations that could affect repayment or net proceeds. Full terms and conditions apply; visit unison.com/terms for details.
