i don't really care about a kitchen, but i would like to be able to do something more in my dwellings
Seconded. Some ideas for that "something more":
Train: Use exercise equipment to build the body (attack + defense)
Music: Play the guitar or piano to gain charm and woo the ladies! (or men, whatever)
"Fun Time": Your spouse "appears" and you whisk her(or him) upstairs for some charm (can take away turns like with tenten?)
Swot up: Read some books and newspapers: research that increases exp by a short amount each game day? Or it could just give attack and defense.
Relaxation: Once a g-day when you enter your dwelling your mount takes a quick nap to replenish 10-50% of rounds?
Tons of possibilities.