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Home offices can be hubs of productivity for business owners and telecommuters alike. However, an office space that isnt designed and equipped for optimal results can lead to distraction, inefficiency and frustration. So, how can you create the ideal home office?

Choose Your Spot
First, youll have to determine the best place to set up shop. If space is limited, you might not have a choice about where to create a home office. Optimally, youll want a separate, spacious room that provides privacy, especially if you share the home with family members or roommates. Try to be away from high-traffic zones, such as the kitchen and living room, which are bound to be noisy and distracting. Separating your work space from your living space will also help you stay focused and avoid overworking after office hours.

Stay Dedicated
Even if you cant create an office in a separate room, establish a dedicated works pace and set some ground rules for other household members in order to protect your area and materials. To avoid losing work on your office laptop, for example, let children know your computer is for business only. If youll be using a land line for your office phone, consider getting a business line separate from your home one.

Get Comfortable
Because youll spend hours each day in your home office, staying comfortable is critical. Not only will you avoid minor aches and pains, but you can also reduce your risk of long-term health effects, such as back issues and carpel tunnel syndrome. Investing in a pricier, ergonomic chair is worth every penny, and consider installing a pull-out keyboard tray. To avoid sitting for extended periods, you could also buy a stand-up desk.

Be Prepared
Make sure you have all the office equipment youll need, which might include a copy machine, printer, scanner and, of course, a reliable computer with proper software. Youll also likely need a fast internet connection, and dont overlook smaller office supplies, such as Post-it Notes, scissors, paper clips and pens.

Decorate
Like with a work space at a company building, youll want to personalize your home office. Incorporate photos, paintings, plants or other personal touches. If you plan to have clients or co-workers visit, though, make sure your office looks professional by not going overboard with decorations.

A rooms color can impact a persons mood, so consider which color you should paint your office walls. Some designers suggest soothing hues like seafoam green to keep you relaxed and decrease stress, while others suggest bold colors like red to keep you alert and boost productivity. Test out a few colors to see which works best for you. You can also mix it up by painting or designing one focal wall differently.

Light the Way
Improper lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches and fatigue. Make sure you have plenty of overhead light and task lighting”i.e., desk lamps”and try to avoid fluorescent bulbs. If possible, set up your work space where you can take advantage of a windows natural light.

Avoid Clutter
Keep your office clean and organized to maintain peak performance, avoid losing papers and limit work frustration. By using helpful products, such as filing cabinets, pencil cups and desk trays, youll know where everything is. Remember, less time searching for an item means more time focusing on work.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be surprised by them.

Here are five things that don’t affect a credit score, which is something you want to continue improving so that you’ll have access to the best mortgage rates and terms:

Income
Creditors and lenders obviously want you to have an income, and information about your employer may be listed on your credit report, but your actual income isn’t reported as part of a credit score.

Your income will be used to decide how much you can afford to borrow, but a high salary won’t boost your credit score, and a low salary won’t hurt it.

Overdrafts
Overdrawing your bank accounts can be costly, but they won’t hurt your credit score as long as you clear them before they go to collections.

If your account remains overdrawn for weeks and the bank sends it to a collections agency, you can expect your credit score to be dinged. It’s not the overdraft account that’s causing the credit score to drop, but the fact that it went to a debt collection agency.

Missed Insurance Payments
A credit score can be used by an insurance company to calculate your insurance premium, but your insurer won’t report your insurance premium payments”whether on time or late”to credit bureaus.

If you miss just one insurance payment, your insurance company could cancel the policy entirely or until payment is made. But it’s unlikely they’ll send it to a collections agency.

Checking Your Own Credit
You can check your credit report or score as much as you want without being penalized for it. Start at AnnualCreditReport.com for a free report each year from three of the major credit reporting agencies.

If a lender checks your credit score, such as when applying for new credit, that will likely hurt a credit score, though only a little and not for long. Too many queries in a short time could drop it a little more.

Credit Counseling
If you’ve sought help from a credit counselor to help manage your credit card payments, it may show up on your credit report. It won’t, however, hurt your credit score.

As long as your creditor is getting your payments on time”either through you or the credit counselor”the fact that you’re getting credit counseling won’t hurt your score. But if the payments arrive late, expect to see your credit score drop.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

While no one wants to deal with a leak in their roof, many homeowners will face a problematic roofing situation at some point.

Here are the steps to take if you find a leak in your roof.

Contain the Damage

If you notice an area in your home that is leaking, address that spot immediately. Wipe up any excess water, move furniture or appliances out of the way and contain the leak with pots or pans to prevent a lot of excess damage.

Assess the Leak Location

Even a minor leak can cause serious damage to the building itself. If you are unable to make or schedule an immediate repair due to inclement weather, assess where the leak is located and temporarily seal it.

Call a Professional

While many areas of your home are easy to DIY, your roof is an important investment that is far better to opt for a professional. A skilled roofer can assess the initial damage and most cost-effective steps to prevent damage in the future.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Blending rustic charm with modern style is one of those design trends that continues to impress. Whether you have a historic home in need of an updated aesthetic or, conversely, youre looking to introduce some countryside appeal to your contemporary abode, its a versatile look that lends itself to a variety of settings.

Here are a few of the key characteristics to design the modern-rustic home of your dreams.

Organic Textures

Organic textures are at the center of homes that fuse these two styles, especially raw wood. You can get creative juxtaposing different materials, like concrete walls and reclaimed wooden ceilings, that are effortlessly stylish when paired together. Stone is also commonly incorporated.

Open it Up

As is the case in most modern homes, large windows and an open floorplan are essential components that allow sunlight to fill the living space. It creates a sense of flow throughout the home while also bringing the earthy textures to life. Going a step further, the rustic look is all about keeping things exposed, so dont cover up those beautiful brick walls or wood beams”keep it open!

Natural Tones

Stick to a color palette thats simple with warm and natural tones when picking out dcor. Shades of tan or brown serve well to complement the materials. That doesnt mean it has to be boring, as a few carefully chosen pops of color, like orange or turquoise, can make the perfect accent and tie it all together.

Modern Furniture

As the name of the style suggests, youre going to want to go modern with the furniture. Chic leather chairs and metallic pendant lights maintain the ideal balance without compromising style or comfort.

By combining timeless materials with cutting-edge design, its to understand all the hype surrounding the modern-rustic movement.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.