I spent thousands renovating a 2,000-square-foot home — but these 5 cheap upgrades actually made the biggest difference

• I renovated a secluded chalet near Lake George, New York, and turned it into an Airbnb.
• Peel-and-stick wallpaper was easy to apply, and white paint gave the house an instant glow-up.
• Painting kitchen cabinets and changing their hardware updated the room for less than $100.

For the first few summers of our relationship, my husband and I took an annual camping trip to Hearthstone Point.